Age of The Nerd
Coverage by: Grisel Razon
STAR TREK: PICARD
San Diego Comic Con International 2022 attendees roared with excitement when panel moderator and director Lea Thompson introduced the cast of Emmy nominated Star Trek Picard. The panel included Sir Patrick Stewart (Jean-Luc Picard), Gates McFadden (Beverly Crusher), and Executive Producers Alex Kurtzman and Rod Rodenberry (son of ST creator Gene Rodenberry).
The third and final season reunites the beloved Star Trek: The Next Generation crew with their incomparable leader Picard. For fans, this is a long awaited reunion. Although some STNG cast members made brief appearances in seasons 1 and 2; this is the first time Riker, Troi, Worf, La Forge, and Crusher have significant roles in the story line. It’s been 20-25 years, we are all younger and smarter, Gates McFadden stated.
As fans, we easily morph the character with the actor. It was heartfelt to hear that for Sir Patrick Stewart, the lines between him and JLP are blurred. He stated, “About three seasons in to Next Generation, I realized I was beginning to experience JLP to a point where I didn’t know where he began and PS left off. We were blending.” He then added, “I was trusting myself to have JL inside me, so I didn’t have to plan what would JLP do under this situation.”
The season will be full of surprises. Including a singular female villain, the antagonistic relationship between Picard and her will rival the psychological complexity of Khan and Kirk’s aversion. Returning are fan favorites Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine) and Michelle Hurd (Raffi Musiker). Expect to see more Star Trek shows with female leadership roles, Kurtzman promised.
The third season is scheduled to premiere in 2023.
As long as you and your crew remain steadfast, you are never without hope!
STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS:
During the second segment of the Star Trek Universe panel, Kurtzman and Roddenberry were joined by Lower Decks executive producer, show runner, and creator Mike McMahan and the Star Trek: Lower Decks animated series voice cast: Dawnn Lewis (Captain Carol Freeman), Noel Wells (Ensign D’Vana Tendi), Jack Quaid (Ensign Brad Boimler), and Tawny Newsome (Ensign Beckett Mariner) toting a cardboard cutout of Ensign Samanthan Rutherford. STLD follows the lives of junior officers onboard the USS Cerritos.
This is the show’s second visit to Comic Con’s Hall H, and the attendees couldn’t be happier! The discussion was animated and hysterical due to the crew’s friendship and strong bond. The audience was energized as the cast shared their personal “beefs” with McMahan—who knows, we may get to see Boimler Valley Raisins in a supermarket near you.
As a long-time Star Trek Universe fan, Dawnn Lewis was overjoyed to land the role of Captain Freeman. In fact, during her audition, she pulled inspiration from Captain Sikco (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and Captain Kirk (Star Trek: The Original Series).
Roddenberry praised the Lower Deckers for “nailing” a Star Trek comedy, which had never been done!
Jack Quaid is proud of his character’s evolution. Ensign Boimler was initially “very by the book,” and now he is confident and bolder.
Season 3 starts on August 25, and it will include a visit to Deep Space Nine. Who knows, you might run into some friendly faces… McMahon is excited for fans to see the episode and the return of the “exocomp peanut.”
STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS:
Executive Producer and co-show runner Henry Alonso Myers, Christina Chong (La’an Noonien-Singh), Paul Wesley (James T. Kirk), Celia Rose Gooding (Nyota Uhura), Ethan Peck (Spock), and Anson Mount (Christopher Pike) joined Kurtzman and Roddenberry
Lower Decks and Strange New World collide in a crossover episode! Ensign Brad Boimler and Ensign Beckett Mariner are scheduled to appear in “live action form” onboard the starship USS Enterprise. Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid crashed the party to make the epic announcement!
Fans of Star Trek: Discovery were introduced Mount as Captain Pike, Peck as Spock, and Rebecca Romijn as Number One. Getting the band back together alongside the larger Strange New Worlds crew has been incredible, Ethan Peck added.
Celia Rose Gooding stated that playing the iconic Nyota Uhura, originally portrayed by Nichelle Nichols, has been incredible and such a dream come true.
Coincidentally, on July 23, Paul Wesley celebrated his 40th birthday, and fans jumped on the opportunity and sang “Happy Birthday.” To his surprise, Paul was presented with a STSNW cake, which included a Captain Kirk fondant figurine. Wesley’s portrayal of Kirk received William Shatner seal of approval via tweeted.
Christina Chong plays La’an Noonien-Singh, a descendant of Khan. As a new Trek fan, she was eager to learn all about Khan and catch up with the legacy.
In season two, Spock continues exploring his humanity. A formidable opponent within, Spock’s Vulcan side will wrestle with his human side and tap into his human emotions, which will create fundamental changes in some of his relationships.
The show’s visual effects and spectacular cinematography are due to the use of an ARWall and wide lenses. The CG environments are created before the scenes are shot, allowing the actors to be in the world instead of the actors imagining the scenes in their heads.
Star Trek Strange New Worlds is scheduled to premiere in 2023.
