The DVD Helps Non-Fans Understand Trekkies/Trekkr

[Stephen of Borg 2]

this is an article from a website, interesting read.

 

 

IIn nearly seven years’ worth of “Culture Schlock” columns, only two groups of readers have ever ganged up on me. Columns containing irreverent comments about religion, politics and the ultimate blend of the two - the Middle East - have occasionally generated a mild stir. However, only when I’ve written about NASCAR or “Star Trek” nuts, have I truly experienced what it must be like to be Salman Rushdie.

 

If I analyze my past behavior with the emotional detachment of a journalist, I am not proud to report that I used to verbally torment the Trekkies in my elementary-school classes - the kids who would play “Star Trek” at recess instead of kickball. You could say that I didn’t approve of their controversial lifestyle. You might even say that my views on Klingon marriage were somewhat intolerant.

 

In the spirit of the holidays and in an effort to reduce my bodyguard budget, I hereby renounce every snide remark I’ve ever written or said about “Star Trek” fans. (As an aside, I still steadfastly defend every negative syllable I’ve ever uttered about NASCAR. To call it a “sport” is absolutely insane).

 

The inspiration for my “Star Trek” attitude adjustment are two documentaries about the faithful flock, “Trekkies” and “Trekkies 2,” the latter a brand new DVD release from Paramount.

 

Produced in 1997, the original film performed an impossibly delicate tightrope act between making fun of a subculture and celebrating its eccentricities. It focused on a core group of charismatic fans in the United States, such as a dentist who turned his office into the Starship Enterprise and the infamous Whitewater juror, Barbara Adams, who deliberated the Clinton trial while dressed in her “Star Trek” uniform.

“Trekkies 2” aims to prove the genre’s widespread international appeal, venturing into the lives of fans in England, Australia, Italy, Germany, Brazil and Serbia. When a caption flashes that you are witnessing the “First Star Trek Convention in the Balkans,” how can you not feel as if you are watching the pop-cultural version of the fall of the Berlin Wall?

 

“They aren’t going to be having conventions for ‘ER’ or ‘CSI’ 50 years from now,” predicts one supporting actor in the series. Ditto for any of the top-rated shows today, such as “The Apprentice” or “Desperate Housewives.”

 

There are plenty of experts in both films rambling on how the philosophy of “Star Trek” - the underlying hopeful themes of world peace and multicultural harmony - is behind the show’s universal appeal. That can’t explain it fully, however, or otherwise millions of people would be growing their hair long like Michael Landon and reminiscing about episodes of “Highway to Heaven.”

 

Why people choose to dedicate their lives to “Star Trek” over another show doesn’t fascinate me as much as how passionately they do it. Adams, the former Whitewater juror in Little Rock, is so into her Trek persona that she insists on being called “Commander” by her co-workers at a print shop. I admire her co-workers and boss, who are interviewed in the films, for humoring her and realizing her work ethic is easily worth two employees dressed in civvies.

 

Watching parents in the films dress their kids in “Star Trek” uniforms and getting them to parrot catch phrases such as “Engage!” or “Make it so!” initially struck me as cruel brainwashing. Yet, one of my proudest moments of fatherhood was during Game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees when I told my 2-year-old son that Johnny Damon had just hit a home run. “Johnny Damon hit two home runs!” he corrected me.

 

Fenway Park is my Starship Enterprise.

 

Both “Trekkies” and “Trekkies 2” dive headfirst into the geek identity issue, asking fans if they think some of the flock “go too far” with their fandom. One actress settled the debate for me.

 

“To me, going too far is a woman I saw in Neiman Marcus the other day who had just done her lips (with collagen) and the bluhhhh,” she said, stretching back her cheeks to mimic an overtight facelift. “That’s going too far. But sci-fi fans? No, they’re fine!”

 

Gabriel Koerner, a nerdy 15-year-old featured prominently in the first film, is interviewed in “Trekkies 2” about the impact of his newfound semi-fame.

 

With self-deprecating humor, he recalled one of the more insulting newspaper critics.

 

“One of the reviews said, ‘I love Gabriel Koerner - he’s one of those kids who will never get laid.’”

 

Koerner’s wife, Allison, interrupts the conversation at that point and smiles.

 

“Obviously that reviewer was incorrect,” she says.

 

I still have no desire to watch Star Trek or any of its dozen or so spinoffs. I’m simply not a sci-fi guy. But these documentaries have made me a fan of the Trekkies/Trekkers themselves. This is a group of adults who are self-confident enough to make their lives fun without worrying about what people like me think.

 

So, from a former Trekker tormentor, happy holidays to all you Klingons, Vulcans, Borgs and Starfleet commanders out there.

 

May you all live long and prosper!

[Valeris 2]

Hey! What about us Romulans!? :)

 

That is awesome. Finally, the "normal people" are started to respect us. I have got to see Trekkies and Trekkies 2... *grabs Mom's Blockbuster card and keys* Hopefully this will have a profound imapct on others who just write us off as "weird people."

[Sam The Smuggler 1]

Hmm....The Normal People Huh? What About The Star Wars People?? I Still Get Some Flak Over At SW.com for Being A Trekkie.

[Takara_Soong 4]

Hmm....The Normal People Huh?   What About The Star Wars People??  I Still Get Some Flak Over At SW.com for Being A Trekkie.  

295214[/snapback]

 

Who said anything about Star Wars people being normal. LOL

 

You have to tell the people over there to watch Rod Roddenberry's documentary "The Trek Nation" when it comes out. Here are a couple pictures from when they went to interview George Lucas.

 

 

Sam, what will it do to the people over there if they are suddenly confronted with evidence of Lucas being a Trek fan? lol

[Stephen of Borg 2]

when does Trek Nation come out in stores?

[Sam The Smuggler 1]

Sam, what will it do to the people over there if they are suddenly confronted with evidence of Lucas being a Trek fan? lol

295248[/snapback]

 

Some Know It And Are Ok...Some Are Just In Denial I Think....Others Are Just Clueless.

 

And I Never Said Star Wars People Were Normal

[Takara_Soong 4]

when does Trek Nation come out in stores?

295250[/snapback]

 

Sounds like a good question for the Rod Roddenberry chat. Hope you'll come to find out. LOL