“Star Trek” – Region 4

Editor’s note: This is original content written for the Region 4 website. This same story appears on the USS Angeles’ website, ussangeles.org, but with different photos.

By Commodore Dave Mason

UNIVERSAL CITY, California — Red alert!

Lisa Sobien, Christopher Mulrooney and I had just boarded the Enterprise-D when we discovered the ship was in trouble. You could see the panic in the face of the doctor in Sick Bay.

We went from there to the Enterprise-D bridge: the actual set that was used for filming in “Star Trek: Picard” during its third and final decision. We got there just in time. The ship was still in danger!

Fortunately, we not only surived, but thrived as we explored Enterprise-D areas such as Engineering and went “Back to the Future” during Universal Studios’ Fan Fest Nights.

The USS Angeles mission on April 26 at the Los Angeles area theme park began with Chris and I meeting at Quark’s Bar and Grill on Universal’s upper lot, where Chris enjoyed some of the “Star Trek”-themed food offered by Universal Studios. Dishes vary from Vulcan Fritters to Klingon Targ Legs and the Tribble Truffle Trio, a treat featuring chocolate and butterscotch.

From there, we went on the studio tram, which took us into the back lot and the Courthouse Square where “Back to the Future” was filmed. That’s where we saw actors re-enact a scene from the movie in which George McFly defends Lorraine from the evil Biff. We also were entertained by Marvin Berry and the Starlighters playing at the Enchantment Under the Sea prom in front of Hill Valley High School. Later in the same block as the school, gas station attendants sang with a smile around a 1950s car. Talk about a full service station!

Lisa later joined us at the square, where we ran into Doc Brown and other characters from the 1950s, played by Universal Studios cast members. We remembered the tram guide’s advice to avoid mentioning anything from 2025 and use terms like “nifty.” In addition, many fans came dressed in the orange vest jacket that Michael J. Fox wore as he played Marty McFly, the outfit that caused a malt shop owner to think Marty was in the Navy.

Back on the upper lot, we saw the special activities at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where we posed for photos with a small but clever fantastic beast and its handler. We also saw special projections on the Hogswarts castle.

Universal Fan Fest Nights, which continues May 16-28, features “Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley,” “Star Trek: Red Alert,” “Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep,” “Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed,” “One Piece: Grand Pirate Gathering,” and special additions to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World. For more information, see www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/california/2025/01/29/universal-fan-fest-nights-takes-guests-back-to-the-future-and-beyond/78013179007.

More photos from the Universal Studios event will appear soon at ussangeles.org.

A Starfleet physician reacts to the sound of red alert in the sickbay on the Enterprise-D at Universal Studios Hollywood. USS Angeles members beamed aboard the ship during Fan Fest Nights on April 26. (Photos by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)

Starfleet officers stand ready for action the Enterprise-D bridge set from “Star Trek: Picard,” which is on display at Universal Studios Hollywood for Fan Fest Nights. USS Angeles members explored the set April 26.

Christopher Mulrooney of the USS Angeles takes command of the Enterprise-D bridge at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Biff gets angry with one of his classmates after losing a fight to George McFly, who defended his future wife Lorraine in a re-enactment from “Back to the Future.” The re-enactment took place in the Courthouse Square, the Universal Studios Hollywood area where the first two “Back to the Future” movies were filmed.

USS Angeles member Lisa Sobien sits in the Enterprise-D captain’s chair at Universal Studios Hollywood.

“Back to the Future” fans visit the Courthouse Square, where the “Back to the Future” I and II were filmed, at Universal Studios Holllywood. USS Angeles members beamed down there April 26 for Fan Fest Nights.

Entertainment Star Trek News

May 3, 2025 Dave Mason

Panelists debate future of ‘Star Trek’

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of Angels Flight, the newsletter of the USS Angeles, with one update since its original publication. Region 4 welcomes submissions from all chapters. To submit stories and high-resolution photos, email them to Chief of Communications Dave Mason at davemason1701@gmail.com.

By Commodore Dave Mason

LOS ANGELES — It’s time for “Star Trek” to put aside its history and truly focus on new adventures.

That’s what panelists suggested during a “Trek into Madness” panel at Gallifrey One in 35 Millimetre, the “Doctor Who” convention that took place Feb. 1-3 at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport.

USS Angeles members Joe Queen, Cassie Queen, Kristine Cherry, Dennis Cherry and I listened to the “Doctor Who” convention panel evaluate the latest adventures in “Star Trek,” including the recent “Section 31” movie that disappointed many fans.

But the panel also focused on the reboots of the franchise and the fact that familiar “Star Trek” characters such as Christopher Pike, James Kirk, Spock, Uhura and Scotty have now been played by three different actors each.

“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” which has the latest incarnations of the classic characters, shouldn’t limit itself to stories that set up the established timeline, panelist Larry Nemecek said.

With five years between the “Strange New Worlds” series and the original “Star Trek” series, there are new stories to be told, Nemecek, a journalist covering “Star Trek” and a longtime USS Angeles honor member, told the audience at Marriott Los Angeles Airport. “There’s plenty of elbow room.”

Nemecek asked if it were really necessary to reprise characters such as Scotty a third time.

Panelist Robert Napton went a step further.

“I wish ‘Strange New Worlds’ had unbound itself from the classic series and said this is another J.J.-verse,” Napton said, referring to the alternate universe created by producer-director J.J. Abrams and his writers for his 2009 “Star Trek” movie.

Panelist Olivia Youngers said she would prefer “Star Trek” stay in the 25th century and proceed with plans for a “Legacy” spinoff from “Star Trek: Picard.” But she admitted her reasons are partly selfish.

Youngers portrayed Ensign Riggs on the USS Titan during the third and final season of “Picard.” She would like to reprise her character on “Legacy.”

“Aren’t you dead?” panel moderator James Kerwin asked Youngers.

She explained she learned her character wasn’t killed, but simply knocked unconscious by the rogue Founders who boarded the Titan.

Paramount, meanwhile, hasn’t said whether it will proceed with a “Legacy” spinoff, which would bring back Jeri Ryan as now Capt. Seven of Nine on the new USS Enterprise-G. But at a convention in March in Burbank, Gates McFadden, who reprised her role as Dr. Beverly Crusher on “Picard,” said she doesn’t believe “Legacy” will happen. Stories on the Women in Sci Fi convention will appear soon on region4.org and ussangeles.org. (Each website will have a different story.)

Panelists at the “Doctor Who” convention discussed Paramount’s habit of letting shows run five seasons at 10 episodes a season, then canceling them regardless of popularity. They debated whether good shows shouldn’t be allowed to last longer or whether it was better to simply let new ideas thrive. They added they were puzzled about the fate of two animated series. “Star Trek: Lower Decks” on Paramount+ was canceled, and a third season wasn’t announced for another popular series, “Star Trek: Prodigy,” on Netflix.

“Animation is cheaper, isn’t it?” Youngers asked. (Most industry observers agree it is.)

Next up for the “Star Trek” universe are the 32nd-century “Academy” series and the third season of “Strange New Worlds.”

The much anticipated “Section 31” fell flat with fans, although Nemecek noted it was enjoyed by those who watched it strictly to see Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh reprise her role of Phillipa Georgiou.

For more news about the USS Angeles, please see ussangeles.org.

James Kerwin, moderator of a “Star Trek” panel at Gallifrey One, talks to a fan after the discussion. Left of Kerwin are USS Angeles honorary member Larry Nemecek and “Star Trek: Picard” actress Olivia Youngers. (Photos by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)

USS Angele members Cassie and Joe Queen attend their first Gallifrey One convention in Los Angeles. Cassie is dressed as companion Rose Tyler at the “Doctor Who” convention.

Star Trek News

May 3, 2025 Dave Mason

Gorn alert! USS Angeles beams down to Vasquez Rocks

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the December issue of Angels Flight, the quarterly newsletter of the USS Angeles.

By Commodore Dave Mason

AGUA DULCE – We hiked where Capt. Kirk fought the Gorn.

Four USS Angeles members and a guest beamed down Nov. 16 to Vasquez Rocks, which served as the planet for the fight with the Gorn in the “Star Trek” episode “Arena.”

The Los Angeles County park near Agua Dulce also served as the planet Vulcan, both in “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” (1986) and the 2009 “Star Trek” movie directed by J.J. Abrams. To fans’ delight, it appeared as Vasquez Rocks in a 2020 episode of “Star Trek: Picard.” USS Angeles First Officer Jeremy Kranz, though, discovered an opening wide shot was actually of Montana. That’s Hollywood for you!

After we hiked from the Vasquez Rocks interpretive center to the iconic rocks, Jeremy scanned through episodes on his smartphone and saw where Kirk (William Shatner) and the Gorn (Bobby Clark) stood in “Arena,” in the main parking lot next to the rocks. Other original series episodes filmed there included “Friday’s Child,” “A Private Little War” and “Shore Leave,” in which Kirk fights a Starfleet Academy classmate from his past. The more forested parts of “Shore Leave,” by the way, were filmed nearby at the former Africa U.S.A. site in Acton, which has been among locations visited by the Angeles.

Jeremy also played part of “Who Watches the Watchers?,” a “Next Generation” episode filmed at Vasquez Rocks. Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) has to prove to people in a pre-warp civilization that he’s not a god.

After the quick scan of his phone, Jeremy looked at the sky and got a bird’s-eye view by hiking up the rocks. You don’t need ropes, but it’s a steep angle.

Fellow members Marianne and Roberto Quintero climbed higher, and Jeremy’s friend Diego Garcia made it all the way to the very top of the most iconic peak.

Diego told me afterward he’s climbed mountains.

I ventured a short distance up the slope, but left the real climbing to Diego and others. Janice Willcocks and I appreciated our view from terra firma.

In addition to “Star Trek,” movies filmed at Vasquez Rocks have varied from the Mel Brooks-directed Western comedy “Blazing Saddles” (1974) to the 2001 “Planet of the Apes” remake starring Mark Wahlberg. Vasquez Rocks also served as Bedrock in the 1994 live-action “Flintstones” movie.

The USS Angeles has visited Vasquez Rocks many times. The last time before our November expedition was in March 2023. Once, member Jon Lane filmed Angeles members there for a video to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” song from the 2013 animated movie “Despicable Me 2.”

Vasquez Rocks also was a filming site for “USS Angeles: The Price of Duty,” a movie that Janice directed and former member Rob Caves produced.

During our Nov. 16 mission, Janice pointed to the area where other Angeles members and I knelt behind a rocky slope in “Star Trek” uniforms and fired phasers at Cardassians. The saucer of the USS Angeles also crashed at Vasquez Rocks.

After our latest exploration of the site — no Cardassian troops this time — Janice, Jeremy and I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Maria Bonita Mexican Restaurant, operated by a family in Agua Dulce.

USS Angeles Founder Janice Willcocks visits Vasquez Rocks, a frequent “Star Trek” filming site. The rocks behind Janice have appeared in movies such “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” (1986), in which this was the planet Vulcan. (Photos by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)

From left, USS Angeles members Roberto and Marianne Quintero, Jeremy Kraniz and Diego Garcia visit Vasquez Rocks.

USS Angeles First Officer Jeremy Kranz enjoys his hike up the best known part of Vasquez Rocks. A wide shot in front of this rock face has appeared in TV shows and movies including those from “Star Trek.”