WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.291 --> 00:00:01.626 This week in The Ready Room, 2 00:00:01.626 --> 00:00:04.838 I've conjured Babs Olusanmokun, aka Dr. M'Benga, 3 00:00:04.838 --> 00:00:07.507 and Melissa Navia, aka Lt. Erica Ortegas, 4 00:00:07.507 --> 00:00:09.509 to talk Episode 8 of Strange New Worlds. 5 00:00:09.509 --> 00:00:10.677 We'll get an exclusive meeting 6 00:00:10.677 --> 00:00:12.095 with this week's breakout star, 7 00:00:12.095 --> 00:00:14.347 Christina Chong's adorable dog, Runa. 8 00:00:14.347 --> 00:00:15.181 And of course, 9 00:00:15.181 --> 00:00:17.142 we'll get a sneak peek at Episode 9 10 00:00:17.142 --> 00:00:19.269 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. 11 00:00:19.269 --> 00:00:20.729 Huzzah, lords and ladies, 12 00:00:20.729 --> 00:00:22.731 make haste to The Ready Room. 13 00:00:29.529 --> 00:00:32.449 Hail, nerds, and well met. I'm Sir Wil of Wheaton. 14 00:00:32.449 --> 00:00:34.117 And this is The Ready Room, 15 00:00:34.117 --> 00:00:36.286 your official behind-the-scenes hub 16 00:00:36.286 --> 00:00:39.122 for all things Star Trek and Elysian Universe. 17 00:00:39.122 --> 00:00:42.375 I am so excited to talk about this week's episode 18 00:00:42.375 --> 00:00:45.462 of Strange New Worlds and its foray into fantasy. 19 00:00:45.462 --> 00:00:48.089 We will be gallivanting head first into a world 20 00:00:48.089 --> 00:00:50.592 of wizards, kings, and epic quests. 21 00:00:50.592 --> 00:00:52.093 So if you're feeling like you're watching me 22 00:00:52.093 --> 00:00:54.387 on one of my tabletop gaming shows right now, 23 00:00:54.387 --> 00:00:55.513 instead of The Ready Room, 24 00:00:55.513 --> 00:00:57.640 then red alert! [siren wails] 25 00:00:57.640 --> 00:00:59.976 Please, as your lawful good host, 26 00:00:59.976 --> 00:01:03.229 I implore you to go stream the fantastical fable 27 00:01:03.229 --> 00:01:05.732 that is Episode 8, "The Elysian Kingdom," 28 00:01:05.732 --> 00:01:08.860 then returneth, so that we may discusseth. 29 00:01:08.860 --> 00:01:12.447 Woe upon those who would spoil this episode. 30 00:01:12.447 --> 00:01:14.866 A pox upon their houses. 31 00:01:14.866 --> 00:01:17.285 From the costumes to the set design, 32 00:01:17.285 --> 00:01:19.120 to the characters, to the score, 33 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:22.874 to the magnificent story that ties them all together, 34 00:01:22.874 --> 00:01:27.670 it has been so hard not to talk about this episode. 35 00:01:27.670 --> 00:01:29.756 Today, Babs and Melissa, 36 00:01:29.756 --> 00:01:33.426 or King Ridley and Sir Adya as they are called this week, 37 00:01:33.426 --> 00:01:35.470 join me here in The Ready Room 38 00:01:35.470 --> 00:01:39.307 as I try really hard to just be cool 39 00:01:39.307 --> 00:01:42.060 about the Enterprise's magical transformation. 40 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:44.729 Then we'll talk all about this week's breakout star, 41 00:01:44.729 --> 00:01:47.023 Princess Thalia's adorable accessory 42 00:01:47.023 --> 00:01:49.776 played by Christina Chong's real life pup, Runa. 43 00:01:49.776 --> 00:01:53.780 Now listen, Queen Grudge is on a break between seasons 44 00:01:53.780 --> 00:01:56.407 and I'm gonna need all of you to keep it a secret 45 00:01:56.407 --> 00:01:57.909 that we caught up with Christina 46 00:01:57.909 --> 00:02:00.787 to chat about her doggo's scene-stealing cameo. 47 00:02:00.787 --> 00:02:01.621 [cat purrs] 48 00:02:01.621 --> 00:02:03.665 Because we really need to let Queen Grudge 49 00:02:03.665 --> 00:02:06.376 believe she is the only animal who exists 50 00:02:06.376 --> 00:02:07.836 in the Star Trek Universe. 51 00:02:07.836 --> 00:02:09.337 All of my fellow cat owners 52 00:02:09.337 --> 00:02:11.798 know exactly why this is so important. 53 00:02:11.798 --> 00:02:13.925 But first my fellow Elysians-- 54 00:02:13.925 --> 00:02:15.677 I've decided we're all Elysians this week, 55 00:02:15.677 --> 00:02:16.511 hope that's cool-- 56 00:02:16.511 --> 00:02:19.514 Strange New Worlds has already brought us 57 00:02:19.514 --> 00:02:22.183 many places in its first season, 58 00:02:22.183 --> 00:02:25.311 but Episode 8's throne rooms and swamps 59 00:02:25.311 --> 00:02:29.232 and dark passages are bound to rank among the strangest. 60 00:02:29.232 --> 00:02:31.151 And we never even left the Enterprise. 61 00:02:31.151 --> 00:02:33.403 Now I have a little experience 62 00:02:33.403 --> 00:02:36.197 mixing fantasy and science fiction. 63 00:02:37.907 --> 00:02:40.160 I met Wayne Gretzky the day we shot that. 64 00:02:40.160 --> 00:02:43.663 But this was a whole other level of production. 65 00:02:43.663 --> 00:02:45.582 Let's take a look at all the work 66 00:02:45.582 --> 00:02:47.959 and as far as I can tell, actual wizardry, 67 00:02:47.959 --> 00:02:49.961 that went into turning the Enterprise 68 00:02:49.961 --> 00:02:52.005 into the Elysian kingdom. 69 00:02:52.005 --> 00:02:53.464 Control room, engage! 70 00:03:05.810 --> 00:03:06.978 [Director] Cut. 71 00:03:06.978 --> 00:03:09.439 The storybook episode was like 72 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:13.610 a giant, highly-produced, adult version 73 00:03:13.610 --> 00:03:15.236 of a game of dress-ups. 74 00:03:15.236 --> 00:03:17.614 We had a blast turning the ship 75 00:03:17.614 --> 00:03:19.616 into just a fairytale. 76 00:03:19.616 --> 00:03:21.242 It was really fun for all of us 77 00:03:21.242 --> 00:03:24.621 to play other versions of our characters. 78 00:03:24.621 --> 00:03:26.247 And, you know, it's like we're at a costume ball 79 00:03:26.247 --> 00:03:27.373 and the set looks amazing. 80 00:03:27.373 --> 00:03:29.500 They do such amazing work here. 81 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:32.462 When I walked through the sets, it was just... 82 00:03:32.462 --> 00:03:33.379 I was in a different place, 83 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:34.547 I was in a different world, 84 00:03:34.547 --> 00:03:36.633 and it definitely carried me. 85 00:03:36.633 --> 00:03:38.384 All hail! 86 00:03:38.384 --> 00:03:39.219 The king! 87 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:40.803 What the hell? 88 00:03:48.853 --> 00:03:51.314 Is this some kind of a joke, Captain? 89 00:03:51.314 --> 00:03:53.024 If it is jokes you desire, 90 00:03:53.024 --> 00:03:54.817 I could summon the court jester. 91 00:03:54.817 --> 00:03:55.777 Summon the court jest--! 92 00:03:55.777 --> 00:03:56.694 No! 93 00:03:56.694 --> 00:03:59.948 We got this script about how the Enterprise gets taken 94 00:03:59.948 --> 00:04:05.620 over by an alien entity and turns it into a fantasy world. 95 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:08.039 And we all sat around just shaking our heads 96 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:10.541 for a while, thinking why-- 97 00:04:10.541 --> 00:04:11.709 what's this all about? 98 00:04:11.709 --> 00:04:15.296 Amanda Row, who was the director of that was great. 99 00:04:15.296 --> 00:04:17.215 She loved the whole fairy tale thing. 100 00:04:17.215 --> 00:04:22.220 And we came up with a way of bringing the fairy tale world 101 00:04:22.679 --> 00:04:25.139 to the Enterprise in a pretty fulsome way. 102 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:28.017 So the corridor set behind me was 103 00:04:28.017 --> 00:04:30.728 actually completely turned into a forest, 104 00:04:30.728 --> 00:04:31.896 apart from the floor. 105 00:04:32.814 --> 00:04:37.568 The cargo bay became Queen Neve's palatial chamber 106 00:04:37.568 --> 00:04:41.823 with huge red banners and great flaming torches 107 00:04:41.823 --> 00:04:44.951 on stands and massive red carpet. 108 00:04:44.951 --> 00:04:47.495 And so it was completely bonkers. 109 00:04:47.495 --> 00:04:49.122 It was really great fun. 110 00:04:49.122 --> 00:04:50.498 It was very humorous too. 111 00:04:50.498 --> 00:04:54.711 And Bernadette's costumes for that were spectacular. 112 00:04:54.711 --> 00:04:56.462 So when it all came together, 113 00:04:56.462 --> 00:04:58.631 these were great days on set, I have to say. 114 00:04:58.631 --> 00:05:00.758 Full-on TOS. 115 00:05:02.510 --> 00:05:04.971 Welcome to my kingdom. 116 00:05:04.971 --> 00:05:08.266 Now, kneel before me. 117 00:05:08.266 --> 00:05:09.225 Yes, of course. 118 00:05:10.226 --> 00:05:12.895 I always wanted to play an evil queen. 119 00:05:12.895 --> 00:05:15.315 I think that there's so much fun in there. 120 00:05:15.315 --> 00:05:19.319 And, of course, the fantasmal aspects with costumes 121 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:21.988 and the set and getting to play 122 00:05:21.988 --> 00:05:24.490 in this beautiful, beautiful gown and my crown, 123 00:05:24.490 --> 00:05:25.742 it was all just like, 124 00:05:25.742 --> 00:05:27.952 I'm even doing her mannerisms right now. 125 00:05:27.952 --> 00:05:30.288 It's like, it was really, really fun. 126 00:05:30.288 --> 00:05:32.582 [Queen Neve laughing] 127 00:05:32.582 --> 00:05:36.085 The storybook fantasy episode was my favorite episode 128 00:05:36.085 --> 00:05:37.420 by far to design for. 129 00:05:37.420 --> 00:05:39.756 It was like my inner child, 130 00:05:39.756 --> 00:05:41.549 like, kind of bursting out. 131 00:05:41.549 --> 00:05:44.677 Did you think your crimes would go unpunished, wizard? 132 00:05:44.677 --> 00:05:45.970 I'm not a wizard. 133 00:05:45.970 --> 00:05:47.847 Hemmer gets transformed into a wizard, 134 00:05:47.847 --> 00:05:49.557 which was awesome. 135 00:05:49.557 --> 00:05:51.934 As soon as I saw the character sketch, 136 00:05:51.934 --> 00:05:53.603 I just about squealed. 137 00:05:53.603 --> 00:05:55.897 Hemmer was one of my favorite characters 138 00:05:55.897 --> 00:05:58.316 to design for in this episode. 139 00:05:58.316 --> 00:06:01.110 We wanted to create something that really looked good 140 00:06:01.110 --> 00:06:05.573 with his prosthetic, his hair, and this color 141 00:06:05.573 --> 00:06:09.619 and these fabric combinations just is like so magical. 142 00:06:09.619 --> 00:06:13.164 We 3D-printed this medallion here. 143 00:06:13.164 --> 00:06:15.750 This is like a little macrame collar. 144 00:06:15.750 --> 00:06:18.378 This was all done by Jen in the atelier. 145 00:06:18.378 --> 00:06:21.631 She kind of molded this leather. 146 00:06:21.631 --> 00:06:24.801 So in this graphic, it's a vinyl adhesive. 147 00:06:24.801 --> 00:06:27.887 So it gets cut out in this beautiful kind of design 148 00:06:27.887 --> 00:06:30.640 and it's heat-pressed on the fabric. 149 00:06:30.640 --> 00:06:32.934 Bruce is such a wonderful actor 150 00:06:32.934 --> 00:06:35.603 and he really loved putting this on. 151 00:06:35.603 --> 00:06:37.772 Release Caster the Wizard at once. 152 00:06:38.898 --> 00:06:41.025 We don't answer to you, false king. 153 00:06:42.568 --> 00:06:45.696 The Queen's guards was the most complicated 154 00:06:45.696 --> 00:06:48.116 and time-consuming costume we've ever done 155 00:06:48.116 --> 00:06:49.826 on Strange New Worlds. 156 00:06:49.826 --> 00:06:52.412 There's about 150 pieces of leather 157 00:06:52.412 --> 00:06:53.871 that makes up this armor. 158 00:06:53.871 --> 00:06:56.749 Everything's foiled and then broken down. 159 00:06:56.749 --> 00:07:00.086 J.J., our Key Effects Builder, was responsible for this. 160 00:07:00.086 --> 00:07:01.838 J.J., take us through it. 161 00:07:01.838 --> 00:07:06.509 Each of these finger pieces of leather were laser cut 162 00:07:06.509 --> 00:07:09.679 and then assembled, and then brought over 163 00:07:09.679 --> 00:07:13.850 to our breakdown team and painted and foiled. 164 00:07:13.850 --> 00:07:16.018 There was 10 of these outfits made. 165 00:07:16.018 --> 00:07:18.604 We tried to make it as articulate and comfortable 166 00:07:18.604 --> 00:07:19.647 for the actors as possible 167 00:07:19.647 --> 00:07:21.232 because there are fight scenes involved. 168 00:07:21.232 --> 00:07:22.817 There were several stunts. 169 00:07:22.817 --> 00:07:25.111 And as you can see, this is actually foam, 170 00:07:25.111 --> 00:07:26.612 so it's safe for stunts. 171 00:07:26.612 --> 00:07:30.616 So if there was a falling-like action moment 172 00:07:30.616 --> 00:07:33.119 that's exactly what this is built for. 173 00:07:34.745 --> 00:07:36.414 Daddy, you made it. 174 00:07:39.584 --> 00:07:42.336 And here we have Anna, who's our Key Breakdown Artist, 175 00:07:42.336 --> 00:07:46.340 and she ombre’d this magical dress. 176 00:07:46.340 --> 00:07:49.051 And she did all the beautiful beadwork that we see here. 177 00:07:49.051 --> 00:07:52.221 So Anna's gonna take you through some of the processes here. 178 00:07:52.221 --> 00:07:56.100 So this is a silk organza with a plastic weft. 179 00:07:56.100 --> 00:07:59.312 And we did an ombre, double ombre dye 180 00:07:59.312 --> 00:08:02.482 on this, about 21 yards. 181 00:08:02.482 --> 00:08:03.941 It was a massive job. 182 00:08:03.941 --> 00:08:06.402 The beading was quite the labor of love 183 00:08:06.402 --> 00:08:10.156 but it really shows it's nice to have a very handmade piece. 184 00:08:10.156 --> 00:08:13.284 She said it was the most magical thing she's ever worn. 185 00:08:13.284 --> 00:08:15.328 She was so like, swept away. 186 00:08:15.328 --> 00:08:16.496 She just loved it. 187 00:08:17.663 --> 00:08:18.831 Remember I told you you could 188 00:08:18.831 --> 00:08:20.333 write your own story someday. 189 00:08:21.334 --> 00:08:23.336 Maybe that someday is now. 190 00:08:23.336 --> 00:08:25.671 And M'Benga is the king 191 00:08:25.671 --> 00:08:28.382 so we wanted to make something really regal. 192 00:08:28.382 --> 00:08:31.385 We wanted to pay tribute to his Nigerian roots. 193 00:08:31.385 --> 00:08:33.554 This is some coral down here. 194 00:08:33.554 --> 00:08:37.225 And this beautiful brass medallion, it's an antique. 195 00:08:37.225 --> 00:08:39.227 And the fabric was another really cool detail. 196 00:08:39.227 --> 00:08:40.561 Heather, tell us about that. 197 00:08:40.561 --> 00:08:43.564 It's 3D-printed, like our Starfleet uniforms. 198 00:08:43.564 --> 00:08:47.401 Jen Bowen, our Digital Graphics Artist made a print 199 00:08:47.401 --> 00:08:50.196 and got it 3D-printed onto the fabric. 200 00:08:51.614 --> 00:08:54.408 And the crowning glory, this is 3D-printed. 201 00:08:54.408 --> 00:08:58.538 And it was based off a Nigerian king's crown. 202 00:08:58.538 --> 00:08:59.747 If we couldn't 3D-print, 203 00:08:59.747 --> 00:09:03.292 we couldn't have this level of detail, that's for sure. 204 00:09:03.292 --> 00:09:04.835 I don't go on and on about costumes 205 00:09:04.835 --> 00:09:06.128 but I kept telling the Costume Designer, 206 00:09:06.128 --> 00:09:08.214 "Oh my God, oh my God!" 207 00:09:08.214 --> 00:09:10.466 Because everybody just looked sensational. 208 00:09:10.466 --> 00:09:12.051 You did such a good job. 209 00:09:12.051 --> 00:09:12.885 Did you have fun? 210 00:09:13.761 --> 00:09:14.595 I did. 211 00:09:20.935 --> 00:09:23.145 I am now joined by Babs Olusanmokun, 212 00:09:23.145 --> 00:09:25.022 aka Dr. M'Benga, 213 00:09:25.022 --> 00:09:25.982 and Melissa Navia, 214 00:09:25.982 --> 00:09:27.942 who plays Lt. Erica Ortegas 215 00:09:27.942 --> 00:09:29.819 on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. 216 00:09:29.819 --> 00:09:30.987 Welcome to The Ready Room. 217 00:09:30.987 --> 00:09:34.115 Thank you for joining me, your Highness and Sir. 218 00:09:34.115 --> 00:09:35.283 It's our pleasure. 219 00:09:35.283 --> 00:09:38.494 On behalf of legacy Star Trek, 220 00:09:38.494 --> 00:09:40.746 which is still real weird for me to say, 221 00:09:40.746 --> 00:09:42.748 I would very much like to welcome you 222 00:09:42.748 --> 00:09:44.917 to the Star Trek Universe officially. 223 00:09:44.917 --> 00:09:48.337 I am so curious to know how you are finding 224 00:09:48.337 --> 00:09:52.717 your lives involved in our world now. 225 00:09:52.717 --> 00:09:53.759 It's been a blast. 226 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:55.595 I don't think it'll ever fully sink in, 227 00:09:55.595 --> 00:09:59.432 but I think the interesting part has been since, 228 00:09:59.432 --> 00:10:02.226 you know, since I got cast, since we've all gotten cast, 229 00:10:02.226 --> 00:10:04.228 like you run into people-- 230 00:10:04.228 --> 00:10:06.689 I have family members who are Trekkies and you know, 231 00:10:06.689 --> 00:10:08.107 you hear things like, you know, 232 00:10:08.107 --> 00:10:10.443 this is the Star Trek we've been waiting for. 233 00:10:10.443 --> 00:10:12.612 - Yeah. Since I was born. 234 00:10:12.612 --> 00:10:14.238 - Yeah, yeah. - So, yeah, just- 235 00:10:14.238 --> 00:10:17.617 I mean, it's amazing, first of all, like, you know, 236 00:10:17.617 --> 00:10:21.078 as actors to have this job. - Yeah. 237 00:10:21.078 --> 00:10:24.624 With a legacy, with the iconic legacy it has. 238 00:10:24.624 --> 00:10:25.458 It's really... 239 00:10:25.458 --> 00:10:27.960 I don't think words can describe the feeling 240 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:30.546 as Melissa had said earlier, 241 00:10:30.546 --> 00:10:32.590 we'll always be sort of, 242 00:10:33.507 --> 00:10:36.552 "We're here? We're doing Star Trek? 243 00:10:36.552 --> 00:10:37.637 I'm on the bridge?" 244 00:10:37.637 --> 00:10:38.554 And this is from every- 245 00:10:38.554 --> 00:10:41.432 I can relate so much. [laughs] 246 00:10:41.432 --> 00:10:43.059 Yeah, yeah. 247 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:47.104 It's like, right, They're paying me to do this? 248 00:10:47.104 --> 00:10:47.938 You know? - Yeah. 249 00:10:47.938 --> 00:10:51.359 So that I think is really never gonna go away. 250 00:10:51.359 --> 00:10:55.946 And I think that just the responsibility, 251 00:10:55.946 --> 00:10:59.033 there is a level of responsibility 252 00:10:59.033 --> 00:11:02.286 and a sense of responsibility that I believe we all carry 253 00:11:02.286 --> 00:11:04.955 because of what this show is meant to, you know, 254 00:11:04.955 --> 00:11:07.458 so many people from all walks of life, 255 00:11:07.458 --> 00:11:08.626 from all generations, 256 00:11:08.626 --> 00:11:11.337 from globally, you know. 257 00:11:11.337 --> 00:11:13.756 So, it's quite a challenge 258 00:11:13.756 --> 00:11:16.258 and we're excited about it, but 259 00:11:17.551 --> 00:11:21.472 we are hoping we can give people 260 00:11:21.472 --> 00:11:23.641 what they've been waiting for and looking for. 261 00:11:23.641 --> 00:11:25.601 And we're excited about that challenge. 262 00:11:26.977 --> 00:11:29.105 If it matters, I'm one of those people. 263 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:32.400 I happen to be part of this world, 264 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:34.568 but I was a fan before I was part of it. 265 00:11:34.568 --> 00:11:37.029 And it is very much the show I've been waiting for 266 00:11:37.029 --> 00:11:38.447 since I was a little kid. 267 00:11:38.447 --> 00:11:40.324 And if it matters at all, 268 00:11:40.324 --> 00:11:42.910 not only have you all consistently 269 00:11:42.910 --> 00:11:45.329 hit my unreasonably high expectations, 270 00:11:45.329 --> 00:11:47.039 you have managed to exceed them, 271 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:47.998 every single time. 272 00:11:47.998 --> 00:11:51.419 And I'm not saying that like for any other reason, 273 00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:54.338 than it is absolutely true. - Thank you. 274 00:11:54.338 --> 00:11:56.716 Let's talk about this episode that we just watched, 275 00:11:56.716 --> 00:11:58.092 'cause it's just great. 276 00:11:58.092 --> 00:12:01.804 Babs, this episode evokes such 277 00:12:01.804 --> 00:12:06.684 a classic Star Trek situation with elaborate costumes. 278 00:12:06.684 --> 00:12:10.146 You're in this amazing fantasy Ren Faire kind of setting. 279 00:12:10.146 --> 00:12:13.232 Until he finds Hemmer, 280 00:12:13.232 --> 00:12:16.652 Dr. M'Benga is the only one who is aware 281 00:12:16.652 --> 00:12:18.362 of all this weirdness that's going on. 282 00:12:18.362 --> 00:12:22.658 So as an actor, you are put in the role of a straight man, 283 00:12:22.658 --> 00:12:24.994 you're the audience's connecting character 284 00:12:24.994 --> 00:12:29.957 while all your castmates get to play these enormous, 285 00:12:29.957 --> 00:12:32.877 just magnificent characters. 286 00:12:32.877 --> 00:12:34.795 This is not to say that M'Benga is not magnificent, 287 00:12:34.795 --> 00:12:36.756 but you get the difference. 288 00:12:36.756 --> 00:12:39.800 Would you talk a little bit about being the straight man 289 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:41.343 in that situation? 290 00:12:41.343 --> 00:12:42.219 Absolutely. 291 00:12:42.219 --> 00:12:46.265 First of all, it was, you know, when I received the script, 292 00:12:46.265 --> 00:12:50.436 which was a night or so before we started shooting. 293 00:12:50.436 --> 00:12:51.479 No kidding? 294 00:12:51.479 --> 00:12:53.314 We were hearing about this script like in- 295 00:12:53.314 --> 00:12:54.273 - For months. - Yeah. 296 00:12:54.273 --> 00:12:56.567 Like you know, hushed whispers, 297 00:12:56.567 --> 00:12:58.319 around for months. - For months. 298 00:12:58.319 --> 00:13:00.362 And everyone was like Babs and I 299 00:13:00.362 --> 00:13:02.323 had big roles to play. 300 00:13:02.323 --> 00:13:03.657 And we're like, where is the script? 301 00:13:03.657 --> 00:13:04.533 Where is the script? 302 00:13:04.533 --> 00:13:06.744 Where is the script? [laughs] 303 00:13:06.744 --> 00:13:08.454 So you only had like a night 304 00:13:08.454 --> 00:13:09.747 to really get excited about it? 305 00:13:09.747 --> 00:13:11.916 Yeah, no, it was- - Wow! 306 00:13:11.916 --> 00:13:13.626 I was already excited about it because you know, 307 00:13:13.626 --> 00:13:15.085 they were speaking about it. 308 00:13:15.085 --> 00:13:16.629 I looked forward to it, 309 00:13:16.629 --> 00:13:20.633 but I was also waiting for the material, right, you know? 310 00:13:20.633 --> 00:13:23.177 And it finally arrived and it arrived 311 00:13:24.303 --> 00:13:26.806 in the form of a beautiful gift 312 00:13:26.806 --> 00:13:28.265 by the two writers, 313 00:13:28.265 --> 00:13:32.186 Onitra Johnson and Akela Cooper, you know? 314 00:13:32.186 --> 00:13:33.521 Like they just wrote this, 315 00:13:34.563 --> 00:13:36.649 what I consider a true gift. 316 00:13:36.649 --> 00:13:38.025 And yeah, it was fantastic. 317 00:13:38.025 --> 00:13:39.902 I was excited. 318 00:13:39.902 --> 00:13:44.198 I was the guy who was aware that something was wrong 319 00:13:44.198 --> 00:13:45.825 on the ship. [laughs] 320 00:13:45.825 --> 00:13:50.621 And to be able to hold it together in the face of, you know, 321 00:13:50.621 --> 00:13:54.124 Sir, you know, and you know. - Yeah. 322 00:13:54.124 --> 00:13:56.168 So that's kind of my follow-up question. 323 00:13:56.168 --> 00:13:59.296 Like I would've had such an unbelievably hard time. 324 00:13:59.296 --> 00:14:00.965 I would imagine that it's just like 325 00:14:00.965 --> 00:14:03.968 cut, break, every single time 326 00:14:03.968 --> 00:14:06.178 just because everything that's going on is so, 327 00:14:06.178 --> 00:14:07.388 it's not just like silly, 328 00:14:07.388 --> 00:14:09.306 but it's just delightful. - Yes, yes. 329 00:14:09.306 --> 00:14:11.559 Like how could you not have fun doing that? 330 00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:13.227 Yeah, we had a lot of fun. 331 00:14:13.227 --> 00:14:15.020 It was just ridiculous, it was ridiculous. 332 00:14:15.020 --> 00:14:18.649 I could not hold it together through certain takes. 333 00:14:18.649 --> 00:14:20.901 - I didn't help. - Yeah, she didn't help. 334 00:14:20.901 --> 00:14:22.194 Anson didn't help. 335 00:14:22.194 --> 00:14:24.321 It was very unusual for me 336 00:14:24.321 --> 00:14:25.614 not to be able to hold it together, 337 00:14:25.614 --> 00:14:28.200 but it happened several times. 338 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:30.578 But I think in terms of, you know, 339 00:14:30.578 --> 00:14:31.662 with the work, you know, 340 00:14:31.662 --> 00:14:34.623 and being this straight man, 341 00:14:34.623 --> 00:14:37.167 of course, to convey the story 342 00:14:37.167 --> 00:14:39.837 because I found, because M'Benga found himself 343 00:14:39.837 --> 00:14:43.048 in the midst of this storybook. 344 00:14:43.048 --> 00:14:46.802 The reality is I did have to 345 00:14:46.802 --> 00:14:50.222 embody the character of King Ridley at times, 346 00:14:50.222 --> 00:14:51.765 just to, - Yeah. 347 00:14:51.765 --> 00:14:56.103 just to make sure I could compel these cast of characters 348 00:14:56.103 --> 00:14:58.147 to do what I needed them to do. 349 00:14:58.147 --> 00:14:58.981 Right, so. - Yeah. 350 00:14:58.981 --> 00:15:00.941 There was a balancing act in that way. 351 00:15:00.941 --> 00:15:02.192 So it was a straight man, 352 00:15:02.192 --> 00:15:06.572 but it was also a man that would fall into the world 353 00:15:06.572 --> 00:15:10.200 and the life of King Ridley. 354 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:13.704 I really enjoyed watching him 355 00:15:13.704 --> 00:15:15.748 figure out what was going on, 356 00:15:15.748 --> 00:15:18.125 recognize this is the story 357 00:15:18.125 --> 00:15:21.337 and then just commit to being part of the story. 358 00:15:21.337 --> 00:15:23.881 And when he finally teams up with Hemmer, 359 00:15:23.881 --> 00:15:27.509 it was great because I felt like it gave me and the audience 360 00:15:27.509 --> 00:15:29.887 an opportunity as a member of the audience 361 00:15:29.887 --> 00:15:31.972 to kind of like finally be in on it. 362 00:15:31.972 --> 00:15:32.806 Yeah. 363 00:15:32.806 --> 00:15:34.642 And I could watch the two of them. 364 00:15:34.642 --> 00:15:37.019 - Yeah. Kind of work together. 365 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:39.313 Melissa, your [laughs]... 366 00:15:40.814 --> 00:15:44.360 Your comedic beats with Anson 367 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:48.447 absolutely destroyed me! 368 00:15:48.447 --> 00:15:53.285 Your comedic timing was flawless. 369 00:15:53.285 --> 00:15:56.038 It reminded me in a way of 370 00:15:56.038 --> 00:15:58.624 working with Patrick Stewart in the '80s, right? 371 00:15:58.624 --> 00:16:00.876 I've talked to Anson a handful of times. 372 00:16:00.876 --> 00:16:04.797 I have found him to be warm and kind and gentle, 373 00:16:04.797 --> 00:16:07.466 but also unintentionally, 374 00:16:07.466 --> 00:16:09.009 the most intimidating person 375 00:16:09.009 --> 00:16:10.511 I've ever been around in my life 376 00:16:10.511 --> 00:16:12.554 and Patrick was sort of the same way. 377 00:16:12.554 --> 00:16:13.973 And then there was that day 378 00:16:13.973 --> 00:16:16.517 where I experienced the first joke, 379 00:16:16.517 --> 00:16:17.726 the first smile, 380 00:16:17.726 --> 00:16:19.311 the first crack of humor. 381 00:16:19.311 --> 00:16:21.772 And I have heard about it from your castmates. 382 00:16:21.772 --> 00:16:23.941 Oh, he's amazing and he's funny and he's wonderful. 383 00:16:23.941 --> 00:16:27.403 This is the first time I actually saw it happen. 384 00:16:27.403 --> 00:16:29.989 Is this some kind of a joke, captain? 385 00:16:29.989 --> 00:16:31.699 If it is jokes you desire, 386 00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:33.659 I could summon the Court Jester. 387 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:36.412 Summon the Court Jes- - No. 388 00:16:36.412 --> 00:16:37.955 Hold the Jester. 389 00:16:37.955 --> 00:16:39.289 I need a moment. 390 00:16:39.289 --> 00:16:40.874 The two of you killed me. 391 00:16:40.874 --> 00:16:42.918 I would watch these two, 392 00:16:42.918 --> 00:16:46.213 just go on a road comedy forever. 393 00:16:46.213 --> 00:16:49.258 I would love to hear anything you wanna share 394 00:16:49.258 --> 00:16:51.301 about that experience of working with him 395 00:16:51.301 --> 00:16:53.554 in such a profoundly different role. 396 00:16:53.554 --> 00:16:56.724 Yeah, Anson is so funny and he improvs 397 00:16:56.724 --> 00:16:58.892 and he was just wonderful. 398 00:16:58.892 --> 00:17:02.187 Like he became Sir Rauth and it allowed us really 399 00:17:02.187 --> 00:17:03.564 to play in the world. 400 00:17:03.564 --> 00:17:05.482 And so, you know, 401 00:17:05.482 --> 00:17:06.942 we're in the transporter room, 402 00:17:06.942 --> 00:17:07.776 we're on the bridge, 403 00:17:07.776 --> 00:17:08.610 we're in the corridors, 404 00:17:08.610 --> 00:17:10.904 but we were really transported to another world. 405 00:17:10.904 --> 00:17:12.406 And so much of that is thanks 406 00:17:13.490 --> 00:17:15.576 to everybody just embodying, you know, 407 00:17:15.576 --> 00:17:16.785 their new characters. 408 00:17:16.785 --> 00:17:19.705 But Anson was just a delight. - Yeah. 409 00:17:19.705 --> 00:17:20.664 And always surprising. 410 00:17:20.664 --> 00:17:23.125 That first day there was something that Anson did 411 00:17:23.125 --> 00:17:24.793 on the bridge that just 412 00:17:26.754 --> 00:17:28.630 had Babs and me, just, 413 00:17:28.630 --> 00:17:29.798 we could not stop laughing. 414 00:17:29.798 --> 00:17:31.258 I had the giggles and I'm just like- 415 00:17:31.258 --> 00:17:32.092 - Terrible- - This is not-- 416 00:17:32.092 --> 00:17:33.302 Oh, it's the best, I love that! 417 00:17:33.302 --> 00:17:34.887 - Very professional. - Yeah, very professional. 418 00:17:34.887 --> 00:17:36.180 And I don't even think Anson realized 419 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.264 just what he was doing 420 00:17:37.264 --> 00:17:39.933 that was making us just lose our minds. 421 00:17:40.809 --> 00:17:43.896 But he also, he helped, his commitment to the role. 422 00:17:43.896 --> 00:17:45.397 And that's, you know, humor is like, 423 00:17:45.397 --> 00:17:47.441 when you fully commit to it, 424 00:17:47.441 --> 00:17:48.692 you know, the audience feels it, 425 00:17:48.692 --> 00:17:51.445 we feel it, the crew felt it. 426 00:17:51.445 --> 00:17:53.697 And so everything that everybody loves 427 00:17:53.697 --> 00:17:55.115 about this episode is a testament 428 00:17:55.115 --> 00:17:58.202 to the whole cast and the writers, of course, so. 429 00:17:58.202 --> 00:17:59.036 Yeah. 430 00:17:59.036 --> 00:17:59.870 Babs, M'Benga gets 431 00:17:59.870 --> 00:18:02.998 one of the few multi-episode arcs this season, 432 00:18:02.998 --> 00:18:05.793 as we discover his hidden daughter, Rukiya, 433 00:18:05.793 --> 00:18:08.170 and her medical condition, 434 00:18:08.170 --> 00:18:10.589 and M'Benga's dedication to finding a cure 435 00:18:10.589 --> 00:18:12.049 for that condition. 436 00:18:13.008 --> 00:18:14.802 I am a dad. 437 00:18:14.802 --> 00:18:17.554 And all of your scenes with her this season 438 00:18:17.554 --> 00:18:20.224 have landed on me in a particular way. 439 00:18:20.224 --> 00:18:22.434 There is a thing we parents understand 440 00:18:22.434 --> 00:18:24.770 about doing whatever it takes for our children. 441 00:18:24.770 --> 00:18:28.941 And I really very strongly feel that. 442 00:18:28.941 --> 00:18:32.444 It was surprisingly emotional for me 443 00:18:32.444 --> 00:18:33.904 in an episode that was delightful 444 00:18:33.904 --> 00:18:35.405 and hilarious and wonderful, 445 00:18:35.405 --> 00:18:37.074 this incredibly meaningful, 446 00:18:37.074 --> 00:18:39.034 incredibly emotional moment 447 00:18:39.910 --> 00:18:41.620 that we, as parents, all have to go through 448 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:45.666 where we have to kinda let our children go be themselves 449 00:18:45.666 --> 00:18:47.334 and find their place in the universe. 450 00:18:47.334 --> 00:18:50.212 And I just wondered what all of those scenes 451 00:18:50.212 --> 00:18:51.755 have been like for you throughout the season, 452 00:18:51.755 --> 00:18:54.550 but especially in this episode, 453 00:18:54.550 --> 00:18:58.011 letting her go and then getting to see her come back 454 00:18:58.011 --> 00:18:59.471 as a woman. 455 00:19:01.056 --> 00:19:03.725 That was the moment when I fell apart. 456 00:19:03.725 --> 00:19:05.811 I was like, oh, how sad, but when she comes back 457 00:19:05.811 --> 00:19:07.521 and he gets to see, 458 00:19:07.521 --> 00:19:10.023 that was when I just, I couldn't hold it together anymore. 459 00:19:10.023 --> 00:19:12.484 And I would love to hear any thoughts you have about that, 460 00:19:12.484 --> 00:19:14.027 that whole part of his story. 461 00:19:15.946 --> 00:19:17.197 Once again, it was, 462 00:19:19.116 --> 00:19:22.661 all of it was a real beautiful gift, you know? 463 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:27.958 Dr. M'Benga being introduced in Episode 1 464 00:19:27.958 --> 00:19:30.544 and then not really in Episode 2. 465 00:19:30.544 --> 00:19:34.548 And then to see what the writers brought for me 466 00:19:34.548 --> 00:19:36.008 in Episode 3. 467 00:19:37.509 --> 00:19:40.554 I felt honored, you know, 468 00:19:40.554 --> 00:19:41.847 to begin that journey. 469 00:19:41.847 --> 00:19:45.392 This is something that has been a fight 470 00:19:45.392 --> 00:19:48.562 he's been having for so long, you know, 471 00:19:48.562 --> 00:19:50.522 saving his child. 472 00:19:50.522 --> 00:19:54.318 And of course, there's a lot that goes into it 473 00:19:54.318 --> 00:19:58.405 and carrying the moment for, you know, 474 00:19:58.405 --> 00:20:02.201 those out there that are dealing with, you know, 475 00:20:03.785 --> 00:20:06.330 a loved one that's very ill. 476 00:20:06.330 --> 00:20:09.458 I had those people in my thoughts, you know, 477 00:20:09.458 --> 00:20:10.792 apart from all the other work. 478 00:20:10.792 --> 00:20:11.627 It was a journey. 479 00:20:11.627 --> 00:20:12.461 It was a journey. 480 00:20:12.461 --> 00:20:15.172 And I wanted to bring as much truth 481 00:20:15.172 --> 00:20:18.967 and love as possible to the piece. 482 00:20:18.967 --> 00:20:22.095 If it matters just as a dad who is a Star Trek fan, 483 00:20:22.095 --> 00:20:25.891 I felt all of the things I imagine 484 00:20:25.891 --> 00:20:28.018 were appropriate to feel in that moment. 485 00:20:28.018 --> 00:20:31.563 And just thank you for bringing that to life. 486 00:20:31.563 --> 00:20:32.606 I'm noticing, 487 00:20:33.482 --> 00:20:37.444 you and I share this appreciation for Star Trek. 488 00:20:37.444 --> 00:20:39.404 I've heard you call it a gift many times. 489 00:20:39.404 --> 00:20:42.366 And I feel very much the same way about all of this. 490 00:20:42.366 --> 00:20:45.577 This has been a gift that has continually returned to me 491 00:20:45.577 --> 00:20:48.997 that I continually get to open going on 35 years now. 492 00:20:48.997 --> 00:20:51.166 And those moments are so rare as an actor. 493 00:20:51.166 --> 00:20:53.460 And they're so rare in Star Trek. 494 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:57.965 And this part of his relationship 495 00:20:57.965 --> 00:21:00.092 and this part of his story 496 00:21:00.092 --> 00:21:02.928 is one of those things that Strange New Worlds 497 00:21:02.928 --> 00:21:06.306 has the potential to emotionally carry through 498 00:21:06.306 --> 00:21:07.349 going forward. 499 00:21:07.349 --> 00:21:10.811 Does that emotional truth stay with him? 500 00:21:10.811 --> 00:21:13.021 Does it continue to inform his character? 501 00:21:13.021 --> 00:21:14.690 Absolutely. 502 00:21:14.690 --> 00:21:16.566 Absolutely, it will. 503 00:21:16.566 --> 00:21:18.068 It can't not, right? 504 00:21:18.068 --> 00:21:20.195 There's nothing that he will do going forth 505 00:21:20.195 --> 00:21:21.780 that doesn't have that behind it. 506 00:21:21.780 --> 00:21:25.200 It will be, he will-- 507 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:28.328 it's the principle upon which he will live 508 00:21:28.328 --> 00:21:29.788 and interact with others. 509 00:21:30.747 --> 00:21:33.083 And you'll see him 510 00:21:33.083 --> 00:21:35.252 a bit differently on the surface. 511 00:21:35.252 --> 00:21:36.837 - Yeah. But that'll always be there. 512 00:21:36.837 --> 00:21:37.754 And... 513 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:43.093 Yeah, so what we'll see in the next season 514 00:21:43.093 --> 00:21:45.012 that we're already shooting, - Yeah. 515 00:21:45.012 --> 00:21:46.596 as you say, 516 00:21:46.596 --> 00:21:47.639 is essentially 517 00:21:48.849 --> 00:21:52.144 exploring another side of Dr. M'Benga. 518 00:21:52.144 --> 00:21:54.604 A more, 519 00:21:54.604 --> 00:21:58.692 a more-- a darker side of him. 520 00:21:58.692 --> 00:21:59.526 - Okay. And perhaps, 521 00:21:59.526 --> 00:22:01.778 we can say an exploration of his, 522 00:22:03.322 --> 00:22:04.614 how should I say? 523 00:22:04.614 --> 00:22:08.327 Contentious relationship with the Klingons. 524 00:22:08.327 --> 00:22:12.039 Well, I am very much looking forward to that. 525 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:14.958 Melissa, Lieutenant Erica Ortegas 526 00:22:16.043 --> 00:22:19.713 is a character that I love more and more and more, 527 00:22:19.713 --> 00:22:22.674 every single time I get to see her 528 00:22:22.674 --> 00:22:23.967 and learn more about her. 529 00:22:23.967 --> 00:22:28.055 Now I do not expect this to be nearly as cool for you 530 00:22:28.055 --> 00:22:29.598 as it is for me, 531 00:22:29.598 --> 00:22:31.933 but she and I, 532 00:22:31.933 --> 00:22:33.518 and you and I, 533 00:22:33.518 --> 00:22:37.397 share this thing that very few people in the world share. 534 00:22:37.397 --> 00:22:40.233 We have piloted the Enterprise. 535 00:22:40.233 --> 00:22:42.486 There's not a lot of other people who have done that. 536 00:22:42.486 --> 00:22:44.404 We are in a very small club, you and I. 537 00:22:44.404 --> 00:22:46.114 We're in a club with George Takei. 538 00:22:46.114 --> 00:22:48.867 We're in a club with Anthony Montgomery. 539 00:22:48.867 --> 00:22:51.620 There's just not a lot of people who can say, 540 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:54.081 "Yep, I drove the Enterprise, all right." 541 00:22:54.081 --> 00:22:56.541 Have you yet really wrapped your mind 542 00:22:56.541 --> 00:23:00.379 around the enormity of that? 543 00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:04.132 Yes, so, when it comes to piloting the Enterprise-- 544 00:23:04.132 --> 00:23:05.884 So that's another one of those ways that like, 545 00:23:05.884 --> 00:23:07.803 when people are like, "Oh, you're on Star Trek. 546 00:23:07.803 --> 00:23:09.805 Well, you know, who do you play?" 547 00:23:09.805 --> 00:23:12.224 And then I'm like, well, "I'm the helmsman, I'm the pilot." 548 00:23:12.224 --> 00:23:14.476 And they're like, "You're piloting the Enterprise?" 549 00:23:14.476 --> 00:23:15.602 And like, you know. - Yeah. 550 00:23:15.602 --> 00:23:17.437 It doesn't matter what level of fan you are. 551 00:23:17.437 --> 00:23:18.730 They're like, what? 552 00:23:18.730 --> 00:23:19.564 And I'm like, right. - Yeah. 553 00:23:19.564 --> 00:23:20.565 I've told my mom. 554 00:23:20.565 --> 00:23:22.526 I was like, mom, all you have to say 555 00:23:22.526 --> 00:23:25.237 is like that I'm the pilot of the Enterprise on the show. 556 00:23:25.237 --> 00:23:26.071 And she's like, that's it, and they'll know? 557 00:23:26.071 --> 00:23:27.280 I'm like, they'll know. 558 00:23:28.323 --> 00:23:30.033 So, yeah, so there's not a day that goes by 559 00:23:30.033 --> 00:23:32.327 where I'm not like, this is, 560 00:23:32.327 --> 00:23:33.662 I'm the pilot of the ship. 561 00:23:34.496 --> 00:23:37.290 You know, this is serious. [laughs] 562 00:23:37.290 --> 00:23:38.375 Outstanding. 563 00:23:39.209 --> 00:23:41.878 Thank you to both of you for making time 564 00:23:41.878 --> 00:23:44.047 to be here with me today. 565 00:23:44.047 --> 00:23:45.757 You're part of something that's very special. 566 00:23:45.757 --> 00:23:48.176 And the two of you are bringing 567 00:23:48.176 --> 00:23:50.303 something incredibly special to that. 568 00:23:50.303 --> 00:23:53.765 Have just an awesome epic rest of your season. 569 00:23:53.765 --> 00:23:54.683 - Thank you. - Thank you. 570 00:23:54.683 --> 00:23:55.517 Thank you so much. 571 00:23:55.517 --> 00:23:56.351 Thank you. 572 00:24:20.292 --> 00:24:23.253 In an episode with a sniveling Captain Pike, 573 00:24:23.253 --> 00:24:26.298 a delightfully evil Uhura, 574 00:24:26.298 --> 00:24:29.009 Spock as a dark wizard, 575 00:24:29.009 --> 00:24:33.597 Commander La'An as a spoiled princess was "mwah!" 576 00:24:33.597 --> 00:24:35.348 And quite sparkly. 577 00:24:35.348 --> 00:24:37.767 Even more delightful is that Christina Chong 578 00:24:37.767 --> 00:24:40.770 got to bring her real-life dog, Runa, into the story, 579 00:24:40.770 --> 00:24:43.064 as Princess Thalia's matching pup. 580 00:24:43.064 --> 00:24:44.399 Now here in The Ready Room, 581 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:46.359 we make it our business to only cover 582 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:49.070 the most important and hard-hitting of Star Trek news. 583 00:24:49.070 --> 00:24:51.990 So obviously, we made sure to get an exclusive interview 584 00:24:51.990 --> 00:24:54.367 with our newest furry cosmic companion. 585 00:24:54.367 --> 00:24:55.202 Check it out. 586 00:24:57.370 --> 00:24:59.915 And what of me, my Lord? 587 00:24:59.915 --> 00:25:01.374 And Runa? 588 00:25:01.374 --> 00:25:02.751 Give mommy kisses. 589 00:25:02.751 --> 00:25:03.668 Mmm. 590 00:25:10.592 --> 00:25:13.094 Runa, do you wanna say, or should I? 591 00:25:13.094 --> 00:25:13.929 Okay, I'll do it. 592 00:25:13.929 --> 00:25:15.931 So during quarantine, 593 00:25:15.931 --> 00:25:19.809 I decided to start up a social media account for Runa. 594 00:25:19.809 --> 00:25:22.062 I started, you know, creating this character for her, 595 00:25:22.062 --> 00:25:23.313 that she wants to be in Star Trek. 596 00:25:23.313 --> 00:25:24.564 She wants to get an audition for Star Trek. 597 00:25:24.564 --> 00:25:27.400 She'd done a little short film in London before this. 598 00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:29.402 In make up one day, somebody said, 599 00:25:29.402 --> 00:25:30.820 "Why don't you ask if she could like be in it?" 600 00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:32.030 I was like, "Well, yeah. 601 00:25:32.030 --> 00:25:34.199 Well, yeah, why don't I just ask?" [laughs] 602 00:25:34.199 --> 00:25:36.660 Absolutely. Good plan. 603 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.619 Fantastic. 604 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:39.871 So I said to Chris Fisher, our Producer-Director, 605 00:25:39.871 --> 00:25:41.998 and I was like, "What do you reckon the likelihood is 606 00:25:41.998 --> 00:25:43.875 that they'd put Runa in the fantasy episode?" 607 00:25:43.875 --> 00:25:46.711 'Cause I mean, anything goes, right, in the fantasy episode. 608 00:25:46.711 --> 00:25:47.754 Sure. 609 00:25:47.754 --> 00:25:49.297 And he was like, "I'll pitch it. 610 00:25:49.297 --> 00:25:50.757 I'll pitch it to Henry." 611 00:25:50.757 --> 00:25:51.633 And I was like, "Yeah, right." 612 00:25:51.633 --> 00:25:52.717 He's not gonna pitch it to Henry. 613 00:25:52.717 --> 00:25:53.760 You know, anyway. 614 00:25:53.760 --> 00:25:55.095 A couple days later I'm on set 615 00:25:55.095 --> 00:25:56.429 and he's like, "Oh yeah, I pitched it to Henry." 616 00:25:56.429 --> 00:25:57.681 I was like, "What, really?" 617 00:25:57.681 --> 00:25:59.599 And he was like, "Yeah, yeah, sounds good. 618 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:01.184 He's gonna see if he can make it work." 619 00:26:01.184 --> 00:26:02.686 [Thalia gasping] 620 00:26:02.686 --> 00:26:04.479 The fantasy episode was my favorite episode 621 00:26:04.479 --> 00:26:05.730 of the whole entire show 622 00:26:05.730 --> 00:26:09.818 because who gets to play a fantasy princess, 623 00:26:09.818 --> 00:26:12.237 the childhood dream princess dress, 624 00:26:12.237 --> 00:26:15.448 which is sparkly and glittery and twirls, 625 00:26:15.448 --> 00:26:18.034 and gets to have her little dog in it, 626 00:26:18.034 --> 00:26:20.370 in her own little princess costume. 627 00:26:20.370 --> 00:26:21.371 That was just a dream. 628 00:26:21.371 --> 00:26:24.332 [Thalia laughing] 629 00:26:24.332 --> 00:26:27.836 It was so fun to do those fittings. 630 00:26:28.837 --> 00:26:30.964 It was my first dog costume, 631 00:26:30.964 --> 00:26:32.591 but I hope it's not my last. 632 00:26:33.508 --> 00:26:36.094 This skirt is six feet across. 633 00:26:36.094 --> 00:26:38.930 It's been ombre'd so Anna in the atelier, 634 00:26:38.930 --> 00:26:41.182 she did this beautiful blue color. 635 00:26:41.182 --> 00:26:45.937 All of these flowers have been 3D-printed and crowned. 636 00:26:45.937 --> 00:26:48.940 So that's why these beautiful, reflective colors 637 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:50.900 are being shown through. 638 00:26:52.235 --> 00:26:53.570 Matching dress. 639 00:26:57.157 --> 00:26:59.367 So cute, I can't even deal with it. 640 00:26:59.367 --> 00:27:00.201 You know what? 641 00:27:00.201 --> 00:27:02.996 In TOS, there was this scene where 642 00:27:02.996 --> 00:27:05.165 they dressed up their dog as an alien 643 00:27:05.165 --> 00:27:06.458 and had a unicorn horn. 644 00:27:06.458 --> 00:27:07.917 And we were gonna do that, 645 00:27:07.917 --> 00:27:11.046 but we'll save that for another episode. 646 00:27:11.046 --> 00:27:13.548 Oh, that's disappointing. 647 00:27:13.548 --> 00:27:14.674 We were playing these new characters. 648 00:27:14.674 --> 00:27:17.302 So we were all kind of like secretly hoping 649 00:27:17.302 --> 00:27:19.012 for some feedback from the director. 650 00:27:19.012 --> 00:27:21.222 So then Amanda comes up to me 651 00:27:21.222 --> 00:27:23.183 and I was like, "Oh, it's here, it's coming." 652 00:27:23.183 --> 00:27:24.184 She comes up to me, "Hh, Christina, 653 00:27:24.184 --> 00:27:27.228 I just wanted to come over and compliment Runa. 654 00:27:27.228 --> 00:27:28.897 She's doing so well." 655 00:27:28.897 --> 00:27:32.108 And I was like, "Mmm-hmm, great, mmm-hmm." [laughs] 656 00:27:32.108 --> 00:27:35.028 My Princess Runa applauds you. 657 00:27:35.028 --> 00:27:36.780 Clap, clap, clap. Clap, clap, clap. 658 00:28:11.731 --> 00:28:14.317 There's only two episodes left of this season 659 00:28:14.317 --> 00:28:15.694 of Strange New Worlds. 660 00:28:15.694 --> 00:28:17.404 Woe is me. 661 00:28:17.404 --> 00:28:20.407 Fear not, this fairy tale may have ended, 662 00:28:20.407 --> 00:28:22.283 but we have a sneak peek at next week's episode 663 00:28:22.283 --> 00:28:23.702 because of course, we do. 664 00:28:23.702 --> 00:28:24.536 Check it out. 665 00:28:49.811 --> 00:28:51.020 [door opens] 666 00:29:02.991 --> 00:29:05.910 [objects clanking] 667 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:13.293 [object bangs] 668 00:29:13.293 --> 00:29:14.586 Sorry. 669 00:29:14.586 --> 00:29:16.004 Is that for Lt. Duke? 670 00:29:17.505 --> 00:29:19.799 I didn't realize you were so jumpy. 671 00:29:29.309 --> 00:29:30.935 Well, that doesn't look great. 672 00:29:30.935 --> 00:29:33.938 Next week's episode looks to be quite different 673 00:29:33.938 --> 00:29:35.023 in tone from this week. 674 00:29:35.023 --> 00:29:37.776 So let's revel in M'Benga's bittersweet closure 675 00:29:37.776 --> 00:29:41.821 and hold on to our fun fantasy world as long as we can. 676 00:29:41.821 --> 00:29:43.782 Y'all, I'm sincerely grateful 677 00:29:43.782 --> 00:29:45.992 you could be with me today in The Ready Room. 678 00:29:45.992 --> 00:29:49.537 This was just really fun and enjoyable for me. 679 00:29:49.537 --> 00:29:54.083 Next week, I finally get to speak with Bruce Horak, 680 00:29:54.083 --> 00:29:56.252 known to you this week as Caster the Wizard, 681 00:29:56.252 --> 00:29:57.837 but known to all of us every week 682 00:29:57.837 --> 00:29:59.672 as Chief Engineer, Hemmer. 683 00:29:59.672 --> 00:30:02.133 I've been waiting all season long 684 00:30:02.133 --> 00:30:03.426 to sit down and chat with him. 685 00:30:03.426 --> 00:30:05.136 Together, we'll get into Episode 9, 686 00:30:05.136 --> 00:30:06.179 "All Those Who Wander," 687 00:30:06.179 --> 00:30:09.182 and what it's like to be Star Trek's preeminent Aenar. 688 00:30:09.182 --> 00:30:13.019 Until then, parting is such sweet sorrow. 689 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:14.187 I'm Wil Wheaton. 690 00:30:14.187 --> 00:30:16.022 Live long and prosper.