Las Vegas Convention Report - Day Three

Billed as "the wildest Star Trek convention ever", Creation Entertainment's Official Star Trek Las Vegas Convention last weekend boasted a galaxy of Trek stars, including William Shatner (James T. Kirk), Leonard Nimoy (Spock), Kate Mulgrew (Kathryn Janeway), Armin Shimerman (Quark), Marina Sirtis (Marina Sirtis), Dominic Keating (Malcolm Reed) and many more.

The third part of Kristine Huntley's report covers the events of Sunday, August 3.

The final day of the convention began with a charity breakfast featuring stars from the various Trek shows. Other extras Creation offered throughout the weekend included a Friday night party at Star Trek: The Experience, a Happy Hour on Saturday with Rene Auberjonois (Odo) and Armin Shimerman (Quark), and an acting workshop on Sunday with Robert Picardo (EMH) and Ethan Phillips (Neelix).

First up on stage on Saturday were J. G. Hertzler (Martok), Robert O'Reilly (Gowron), and Jeffrey Combs (Weyoun and Shran). The popular recurring guest stars delighted the crowd.

George Takei (Hikaru Sulu) spoke about the relevancy of Star Trek today during his time on stage. "That's what Gene Rodenberry was talking about [in Star Trek], man's inability to get along with other man." He pointed out that the original series episode "Let This Be Your Last Battlefield" was a prime example, as it touched on racism.

Nicole deBoer (Ezri Dax) enthusiastically greeted fans, who asked her questions about both Deep Space Nine and her new show, The Dead Zone. When asked whether she wanted her character to choose with Worf or Julian Bashir in season seven, she said, "I wanted to be with Worf, because I wanted to be in the movies! I love Julian, but he ain't in any movies." When a fan queried her about her figure, and she joked, "Well, I took the symbiont out, and that was taking up a lot of weight!" She also mentioned her crush on Patrick Stewart (Jean Luc Picard) and how much she enjoyed working with Avery Brooks (Benjamin Sisko).

William Shatner beamed onto the stage next to the enthusiastic cheers of the fans. He updated fans on what he's been doing: getting ready to record an album with Ben Folds, and working on a show for the Sci-Fi channel. He's also preparing to have a go at another round of paintball, after his first successful tournament. Still, he lamented, "Everyone was after me!" even members of his own team, the Red Shirts. When confronted with a question about modern Trek, Bill said, "The problem probably is forgetting the varities of the original series. But, maybe not, because the original series wasn't very popular [in its day]. It seems to me that Star Trek got a little flat and isn't as appealing as it once was. It's such a good premise, Star Trek, that it needs a kick in the rump."

Three men who've clocked many hours in the make-up chair took the stage to discuss their roles: Michael Dorn (Worf), John Billingsley (Phlox) and Ethan Phillips. Michael thought he was off the hook when The Next Generation ended its run and he ripped off the make up and said, "That's it! I'm never going to do make up again. And then Rick [Berman] called...." Ethan Phillips said the opposite. "I still wear [the Neelix make-up] at home at night," he joked. The three exchanged playful banter about Enterprise. John confessed, "I actually pay for this show myself! It costs $84 an episode." Ethan joined in, "They shoot Enterprise in John's backyard!" John added, "The transporter is my shower."

Michael fielded a question about the Worf/Troi (Marina Sirtis) relationship that developed during TNG's run, and said he liked the beauty and the beast quality it had. "What I didn't like about it was that they should have done something more with it in the movies," he said in reference to Troi's resumption of her relationship with Riker in the TNG movies.

John took a question about his gentlemanly behavior in the Enterprise episode "Bounty", in which T'Pol, in the throes of pon farr, tries to persuade Phlox to sleep with her. "I don't write 'em, believe me!" he exclaimed. "I'm the most licentious character on the show, and when it comes down to it, I get cold feet!"

The evening ended with a costume contest, and the winding down of the final autograph lines. Next year, Creation's Las Vegas Star Trek Convention will take place from July 2-5.

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