Doctors beam down to Vegas con
By Commodore Dave Mason
LAS VEGAS — The “Dancing Doctor” stepped right back into action.
Gates McFadden, an actress and choreographer whose character Beverly Crusher earned that nickname on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” taught a fan on stage a basic tap dance move in exchange for a large donation to a charity.
It was part of the entertainment before thousands of fans at Creation Entertainment’s annual “Star Trek” convention in August at the Rio in Las Vegas.
Eight members of Region 4’s USS Angeles — Janice Willcocks, Lisa Sobien, Ed Millner, Jackie Freeman, E.J. Carpathia, Ed Millner, Amanda Payatt and I — beamed down to the convention. Amanda attracted fans wanting to pose with her for photos. She came as a giant Tribble! (See the photo below.)
Other costumes at the convention varied from “Deep Space Nine” vedeks to several Borg drones seen chatting around a water cooler.
On stage in the Leonard Nimoy Theater, Robert Picardo talked about liking the storyline that connected his character, the holographic Doctor, between the “Star Trek” shows of “Starfleet Academy” and “Voyager.” The Doctor was hesitant to mentor Sam, the holographic student played by Kerrice Brooks, because of The Doctor losing his holographic daughter in “Voyager” episode.
The cast of “Starfleet Academy” expressed their disappointment about the series being canceled after just two seasons. The second season of the 32nd-century series has been filmed, but hasn’t streamed yet on Paramount+.
Other actors, varying from Kate Mulgrew (Capt. Kathryn Janeway) to Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine) and Tim Russ (Tuvok), talked about their experiences on “Voyager.”
And travesties of justice were corrected with Ensigns Harry Kim (Garrett Wang of “Voyager”) and Hoshi Sato (Linda Park of “Enterprise”) finally getting promoted to lieutenant j.g. by a retired U.S. Navy member, who brought genuine Navy pips. Capt. Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) assisted with the promotion ceremony for Hoshi.
For more on the convention, see a story at the USS Angeles website.
More content will appear later in Angels Flight, the USS Angeles’ newsletter.
Robert Picardo talks about playing The Doctor on “Star Trek” shows including “Voyager” and “Starfleet Academy” during a panel in Las Vegas. (Photo by Dave Mason / Region 4 / USS Angeles)
Ensign Hoshi Sato (Linda Park) is finally promoted to lieutenant j.g. by a retired U.S. Navy member during an impromptu ceremony in August at the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas. At right are “Enterprise” actors Vaughn Armstrong and Anthony Montgomery.
Daniel Davis and Jonathan Del Arco listen to questions about “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Picard” at the Las Vegas “Star Trek” convention. Davis played the holographic character of Professor Moriarity, and Del Arco was Hugh, the former Borg who went on to help other ex-drones.
Chase Masterson, who portrayed Leeta on “Deep Space Nine,” sings during a happy hour concert at the “Star TreK” convention in Las Vegas.
Gates McFadden, who portrayed Dr. Beverly Crusher on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Picard,” teaches a fan how to tap dance on stage,
USS Angeles member Amanda Payatt comes as a giant Tribble to the annual “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas.
Robert Beltran, who played Chakotay on “Star Trek: Voyager,” answers a question from moderator Ian Spelling at the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas.