The annual Pasadena Grand Slam, the eleventh in fact, kicked off with Creation's Richard Arnold recounting the upcoming
Enterprise episodes. He was ably advised by STARTREK.COM's own Tim Gaskill on the finer points, like the proper spelling of the episode "Cogenitor," as opposed to "Congenitor."
Following Richard's talk, Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry gave fans an update on Roddenberry.com and showed a rough cut of a trailer for the in-development documentary "Trek Nation." Billed as an answer to "Trekkies," "Trek Nation" will focus more on the positive and life-affirming influence the franchise has had on its audience.
Robert Beltran ("Chakotay") was the first star to hit the stage, and he wasted no time in expressing his usual wry sense of humor that featured impressions of fellow co-stars, reciting Beatles lyrics and other funny touches.
"Nice to be here at the 'Star Wars' convention," he began upon taking the stage. "I love Star Wars, Star Wars is my life. We had Star Wars on UPN for seven years ? I was very proud to play Chewbacca."
Mentioning that it's National Poetry Month, he wanted to recite some of his favorite poems because he doesn't sing or dance. And he did it as his tribute to William Shatner. "I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together," he began in a classic Shatnerian speaking voice, and continued with "I am the Walrus" and later got into "Strawberry Fields."
Taking questions from the audience, Beltran responded to one fan asking who would he rather have Chakotay date, Janeway or Seven of Nine. "Well, you've got the ice queen versus... the ice queen." After hemming and hawing a bit, he finally responded, "B'Elanna."
Coming up later today are Eddie Paskey ("Mr. Leslie on
Star Trek), Tim Russ ("Tuvok"), Robert Picardo ("The Doctor"), Ethan Phillips ("Neelix") and Jennifer Lien ("Kes"). Look for further reports from STARTREK.COM in the next couple of days.
Story by: Tim Gaskill, Sarah Kuhn & Sandy Stone
Pictures by: Tim Gaskill
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