13-05 Gene Roddenberry letter to Leonard Nimoy - May 20, 1983
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
Release Date: 02/25/2025
The Launch of Discovery – and the Franchise Era of Star Trek
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
For the first time, The Trek Files sets course for Trek’s modern streaming era, and it all begins with a ship. We’re looking back at the 2016 press release that introduced the U.S.S. Discovery to the world at San Diego Comic-Con, marking the first step into a new era of Star Trek on television. Our guest is Adam Kotsko, scholar and author of Late Star Trek, who joins Larry to examine how Discovery and the shows that followed have reshaped the franchise for the 21st century. From universe-building to “fan service,” and from mythology to modern IP, this episode dives into the creative,...
info_outline
13-22 Lost Pages from Star Trek II: the Peeples Draft, part 2
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
The journey through Samuel A. Peeples’ early story treatment for Star Trek II continues, and this week, we’re venturing into some of the most imaginative territory yet. Long before the final script for The Wrath of Khan took shape, Peeples envisioned a film that introduced entirely new characters to the Trek universe. There’s a brilliant young doctor with unorthodox methods and a bold romantic interest in Dr. McCoy. Then there’s Sub-Commander Thal Arctos: a towering, genetically engineered officer who's all Starfleet and part polar bear. These ideas never made it to screen, but they...
info_outline
13-21 Lost Pages from Star Trek II: SsAVIK and the Peeples Draft
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
Before The Wrath of Khan became the fan-favorite sequel we know today, Star Trek II went through multiple story pitches, including one from original series contributor Samuel A. Peeples. In the summer of 1981, Peeples outlined a new character: Commander SsAVIK, a half-Vulcan, half-Romulan officer with a sharp intellect and complex heritage. This week on The Trek Files, Ben Robinson joins Larry to discuss Peeples’ early concept for SsAVIK, how it evolved into the Saavik we met on screen, and the wider creative tug-of-war between Gene Roddenberry, Harve Bennett, and Nick Meyer as the...
info_outline
13-20 Inside Star Trek, Part 2 with Ronald D. Moore
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
We’re back with Ronald D. Moore for part two of our dive into the wonderfully strange 1976 spoken-word album Inside Star Trek. This time, things get weird... in the best way. From Sarek (Mark Lenard) debating Vulcan mating rituals with Gene Roddenberry, to William Shatner performing a time-bending double act as both himself and Captain Kirk, the album takes some truly unexpected turns. Ron shares his favorite moments, what they say about Trek’s early self-awareness, and how even the quirkiest bits helped shape his own fandom. Document and additional references: - the Borg Queen Skull...
info_outline
13-19 Inside Star Trek, Part 1 with Ronald D. Moore
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
Before he was a celebrated Star Trek writer and producer, Ronald D. Moore was a fan, just like so many of us, watching reruns, devouring The Making of Star Trek, and listening to Gene Roddenberry’s 1976 spoken-word album Inside Star Trek. In part one of our two-part conversation, Ron reflects on how that Columbia Records release shaped his early views of the franchise. We explore the stories that resonated with him most, including Gene’s candid recollections of his own childhood challenges, and how those moments helped inspire Ron’s own journey into the Star Trek universe....
info_outline
13-18 Inclusion by Design
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
From its earliest concept stages, Star Trek: The Next Generation set out to break new ground, including the intentional addition of a disabled crewmember to the Enterprise-D. Inspired by and named for a real fan, George LaForge, this character was part of a push for greater representation and inclusivity on screen. This week, The Trek Files welcomes actor and artist Bruce Horak, known to fans as Hemmer from Strange New Worlds. Bruce shares his personal journey as a blind actor stepping into Star Trek’s universe, the impact of authentic representation, and his new documentary , where he...
info_outline
13-17 Final Days on Enterprise - 2005
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
It wasn’t just the series finale of Star Trek: Enterprise. “These Are the Voyages” marked the end of an 18-year era of continuous Star Trek on television, dating back to The Next Generation in 1987. Emotions ran high on set, and not all of them were celebratory. Returning guest Mike DeMeritt, First Assistant Director on Enterprise, brings us a candid look behind the scenes of Trek’s broadcast-era farewell. From dismantled sets to discarded call sheets (but not underwear), we explore the atmosphere and aftermath of one of Trek’s most controversial finales. Document and additional...
info_outline
13-16 Voyager and Enterprise call sheets - May 2001
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
May 2001 marked a major transition as Star Trek: Voyager had just wrapped, and Enterprise was ramping up production. With little time to exhale, the crew jumped into a new era: new cast, new look, even new tech (farewell, hand-written call sheets!). But as always, the most revealing stories live between the lines. First Assistant Director Mike DeMeritt returns to The Trek Files to help decode a pair of call sheets and share what they say about how Trek kept boldly going behind the scenes. Document and additional references: The Trek Files All episodes and documents: Visit the for...
info_outline
13-15 Matt Jeffries bridge designs - 1964
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
One of TV’s most iconic set designs didn’t just look futuristic—it functioned like the real thing. Matt Jefferies’ vision for the U.S.S. Enterprise bridge was both cinematic and sensible, blending style with storytelling utility. This week, Ben Robinson returns to The Trek Files to explore two of Jefferies’ original design documents and reveal the real-world engineering and aviation influences that helped shape Star Trek’s most legendary interiors. Document and additional references: Sponsored by - The Trek Files All episodes and documents: Visit the for...
info_outline
13-14 The Star Trek Guide - April 17, 1967
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
The Trek Files returns to one of the most foundational documents in Star Trek history: the third revision of The Star Trek Guide from 1967. Author and “Trek Whisperer” Glen Henderson joins Larry Nemecek to explore the show’s core creative philosophy—especially the idea that believability in characters and behavior matters more than technobabble. Together, they unpack a fascinating “test” Gene Roddenberry included in the guide, challenging writers to spot a major format error in a hypothetical teaser scene. Was it bad science? Clunky terminology? Or something more human at the heart...
info_outlineIn the collaborative, high pressure environment of film and TV production, tensions often flare between creative professionals. In the lead-up to Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Leonard Nimoy was preparing for his first outing as a feature film director when Gene Roddenberry sent a friendly, congratulatory letter to smooth over past disagreements. In a special episode of The Trek Files, we look back at Leonard's career ten years after his death, and we are delighted to welcome his son, Adam Nimoy, to share stories about the man, his talent, and what made him "The Most Human."
Document and additional references: Gene Roddenberry letter to Leonard Nimoy - May 20, 1983
Visit AdamNimoy.com for more information and book tour dates.
The Trek Files Season 13 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!