14-1 George Takei: Where No Man Had Gone Before
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
Release Date: 09/09/2025
Beaming into the Smithsonian – Star Trek’s First Museum Mission
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
Long before Star Trek props toured conventions and museums, one historic copy of the pilot episode its way into the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum with help from Leonard Nimoy and Gene Roddenberry. This week, The Trek Files welcomes Glen Swanson, former NASA historian and author of Inspired Enterprise, to share the remarkable story of Star Trek’s first contact with one of America’s most iconic institutions. From a 1967 inquiry to Leonard Nimoy, to Gene’s formal letter offering his 16mm color print of Where No Man Has Gone Before for the Smithsonian’s collection, these...
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14-1 George Takei: Where No Man Had Gone Before
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
We’re kicking off Season 14 with a legend. George Takei joins The Trek Files to reflect on landing the role of Sulu in Star Trek’s second pilot, “Where No Man Has Gone Before”—filmed 60 years ago in July 1965. With humor and honesty, George recalls the early days on set at Desilu’s Culver Studios, working alongside James Doohan, and navigating the challenges of being a closeted gay actor in 1960s Hollywood. In a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation, George also shares his early talks with Gene Roddenberry about Star Trek’s inclusive vision—and what it meant to see that...
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“Fire.” – Jonathan Frakes on Best of Both Worlds
The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast
We’re ending the season with a bang. Literally. In our finale, The Trek Files revisits a seemingly ordinary Next Generation call sheet from 1990… the day a single scene changed Star Trek history. That’s when Commander Riker gave the iconic order to fire on a Borg cube with Captain Picard aboard. Joining us is the man who gave that order himself, Jonathan Frakes, for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation. From TNG finally hitting its stride to squashing long-standing rumors, and yes, a truly bizarre story involving a stolen truckload of Star Trek costumes and a trade deal...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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_outlineWe’re kicking off Season 14 with a legend.
George Takei joins The Trek Files to reflect on landing the role of Sulu in Star Trek’s second pilot, “Where No Man Has Gone Before”—filmed 60 years ago in July 1965. With humor and honesty, George recalls the early days on set at Desilu’s Culver Studios, working alongside James Doohan, and navigating the challenges of being a closeted gay actor in 1960s Hollywood.
In a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation, George also shares his early talks with Gene Roddenberry about Star Trek’s inclusive vision—and what it meant to see that future taking shape on screen, even in its earliest days.
📄 Document and additional references: Call sheet and shooting schedule from Where No Man Has Gone Before – July 19, 1965
George's book: It Rhymes with Takei
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.
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