14-7 The True One – Cash Edwards and the Early Days of TNG
The first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation was famously turbulent, but behind the scenes, it was also a hive of creative experimentation and open doors for new voices. This week, we welcome veteran writer/producer Cash Edwards, whose original story pitch “The True One” caught the attention of Gene Roddenberry, D.C. Fontana, and his longtime friend, producer Herb Wright. Though the script wasn’t produced, it sparked genuine enthusiasm, and Herb’s memo to Gene is our document of the week. Cash joins Larry to share memories from TNG’s earliest days: working closely with the producers, meeting the cast, and witnessing the scramble for scripts that defined Season One. He also reveals some, let’s say colorful, ideas he contributed to the development of the Ferengi’s first appearance (laser bolos, anyone? leech grenades?). It’s a window into a time when Star Trek was still figuring itself out and welcoming new creatives into the mix who helped shape the journey. 📄 Document and additional references: Memo from Herb Wright to Gene Roddenberry re: “The True One” (1987) The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!
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14-6 Star Trekkies Maintain the Faith – 50 Years of Fandom
Long before the internet brought fans together, the Star Trek community thrived through newsletters, potlucks, and passionate word of mouth. This week, The Trek Files celebrates the 50th anniversary of the United Federation of Phoenix (UFP), the longest-running independent Star Trek fan club, with guest Dr. David Williams, UFP member and Arizona State University planetary scientist. Using a 1975 Arizona Republic article as our time capsule, we look back at how a group of Arizona fans kept the Trek spirit alive in the years between the show’s cancellation and its cinematic rebirth. From screening parties and fan films to homemade uniforms and sci-fi socials, UFP didn’t just preserve the legacy, it expanded it. Dave and Larry explore the roots of early fandom, the transition from stamps to screens, and why clubs like UFP still thrive after half a century of community-building. 📰 Document and additional references: Arizona Republic article – “Star Trekkies Maintain the Faith” (1975) The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!
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14-5 Animated, Allegorical, and Ahead of Its Time
In 1973, Star Trek: The Animated Series debuted as a Saturday morning cartoon, but early reviewers quickly realized it was something far more ambitious. A contemporary article from the Pantagraph (Bloomington-Normal, IL) praised the show’s complex themes and emotional storytelling, declaring it a breakthrough in children’s animation that adults could take just as seriously. This week, The Trek Files welcomes back Adam Kotsko, author of Late Star Trek, to explore the deeper legacy of TAS from its psychological depth and allegorical storytelling to its role as the franchise’s first major reinvention. With Gene Roddenberry at the helm and the original cast returning, The Animated Series wasn’t just a placeholder between live-action runs; it was a bold step into new narrative territory. Was it canon? Does it matter? Adam and Larry unpack how TAS laid the groundwork for later series, balanced nostalgia with innovation, and helped define Star Trek’s long-standing ability to evolve with its audience. 📰 Document and additional references: Pantagraph review of Star Trek: The Animated Series – September 29, 1973 📘 Adam's book: Late Star Trek: The Final Frontier in the Franchise Era The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!
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14-4 Hugh, Borg, and the Burden of Lore
The introduction of Hugh in Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “I, Borg” added emotional depth to the franchise’s most terrifying villains and reshaped Trek’s approach to individuality and redemption. This week on The Trek Files, returning guest Adam Kotsko joins us to examine the legacy of Hugh’s first appearance, using a March 6, 1992 call sheet as our launch point. From behind-the-scenes insights on day one of filming to Picard’s rare role as the obstacle to resolution, we dive deep into the character’s mythological weight and long-lasting fan impact. Adam also explores how Star Trek’s modern “franchise era” grapples with this legacy—sometimes successfully, sometimes not—especially as lore becomes both a storytelling tool and a trap in the prestige TV arms race. 📄 Document and additional references: I, Borg call sheet – March 6, 1992 📘 Adam's book: Late Star Trek: The Final Frontier in the Franchise Era The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!
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14-3 Artifacts and Aspirations – Trek’s Smithsonian Legacy
How did Star Trek go from television soundstage to national treasure? This week, we continue our conversation with Glen Swanson, former NASA historian and author of Inspired Enterprise, to explore a deeper chapter in Trek’s relationship with the Smithsonian. Through an exchange of letters between Gene Roddenberry and F.C. Durant, Assistant Director of the National Air and Space Museum, we trace the efforts to secure original Star Trek props and artifacts—including what would ultimately bring the 11-foot U.S.S. Enterprise model into the museum’s collection. Beyond acquisition logistics, these letters reveal Durant’s belief in the inspirational power of Star Trek, how its optimistic vision of the future helped fuel real-world enthusiasm for space exploration. From ZAP pistols to starship models, this is the story of how Star Trek boldly went into the Smithsonian… and stayed. 📄 Documents and additional references: 1970–1972 correspondence between Gene Roddenberry and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum 📘 Guest’s book: Inspired Enterprise by Glen E. Swanson The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!
About The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
Your weekly deep-dive into the archives of Roddenberry Entertainment, from the personal files of Gene Roddenberry. Each week, “Dr. Trek” himself, Larry Nemecek, and his guest host will take a behind-the-scenes look at documents that haven’t been viewed in decades—many being revealed publicly for the very first time!
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