Oh, thank you.
[Interviewer] I am so excited to meet you, thank you
for coming in.
[Interviewer] Are we looking good?
[Producer] We are all set.
[Interviewer] Perfect.
[Producer] Squeeze in up here, if you don't mind.
How's it look?
[Interviewer] Could you explain, if you can,
in one sentence why you love Star Trek?
I love Trek because it is us.
It is our future.
The reason I love Star Trek is because it is all
about inclusivity and science and exploring the universe.
I think right now is a great time to be a Star Trek fan.
There's five different shows right now that are
in production and it's all diverse, too.
It gives me hope to think that, you know, we're
gonna one day live in a more civil society
where we can all be accepting of each other.
My first contact, pun intended, with TNG
is actually the first episode.
I grew up with Trek.
My parents were Trekkies to begin with.
And when this new show was coming around
we all got together as a family and watched it together.
My first contact with it was when I was five years old,
my dad sat me down in front
of the TV and was like, here's this show I really like.
Let's watch it together.
And he wouldn't just teach me about the characters.
He would teach me about the development of the show.
TNG they took the concept of The Original Series
and they elevated it. It actually felt like, okay this
is what the future is gonna be like.
I actually have three favorite characters
from Star Trek: The Next Generation
and they're all centered around the engineering staff.
Yes, they actually inspired my career.
I did study electrical engineering for my undergrad.
Geordi is my favorite engineering character.
He led the engineering team.
I remember very specifically
in some of the first season episodes he was challenged
on being in charge.
And I like the way he handled that.
And as you know, somebody of my stature and gender going
into a predominantly male-dominated field, I looked
to him as how to handle situations.
And he handled them with calm, he handled them
with authority and he handled them
with a discovered confidence, like he didn't have it before.
And that's how I felt.
And I just used that to further inspire me
in my roles that I had.
What I really like about Riker is he's got a lot
of swagger.
He's very confident.
He could be the Captain of the Enterprise,
but he's like a team player.
He can step back and let Picard run the ship
because he knows he's the best man for the job.
I love Dr. Crusher's character
for the fact that she makes sure there's no doubt
that her character believes that saving the lives
of her patient is her prime directive
no matter what Starfleet says to her.
And she'll have these very passionate discussions,
basically arguments with the other characters
and be like, "Nope, this is what I believe.
This is where I stand."
And it puts her at odds with Starfleet,
their Prime Directive, and their procedures.
And she just sometimes is like,
“It’s about saving my sick patients.”
What else do you think about the Prime Directive?
May I hug you?
[Gates] Yes, you may.
Oh, oh!
Are you fantastic?
[Interviewer] If you could record a message
for Jonathan Frakes, what would that be?
I would just like to say thank you so much, Jonathan Frakes,
for everything you've done.
Hi Mr. Burton, thank you so much
for being an inspiration to me.
Well, I was telling the folks here, my car
is actually named Geordi La Ford.
It's a 2012 Ford Edge.
And it got me here.
It was quite a trek, pun intended to come over here today.
And everything you continue to do
for Star Trek and the whole brand-
You were actually one of the reasons I was curious
about the, you know coming
onto TNG I was a little nervous.
- Leana? - Yes sir.
Oh my God!
Oh!
Oh my gosh!
Can we beam in another chair here?
My grandfather was the doctor.
Okay.
You spoke so eloquently about Star Trek I had
to come and visit you.
Thank you, oh my gosh.
This is a dream come true.
So, Geordi inspired you a little bit?
Yes, sir. Yes sir, he did.
I love that you said he did it with a sort
of a discovered confidence.
Yes.
Because that's how it happens.
Yeah.
We grow into ourselves to challenge.
Yes. Exactly.
Right?
Exactly, and I still face that every day, even today.
Yeah, right.
Thank you so much for being here.
Thank you so much.
Oh!
Dude, like, that was awesome.
I had no idea!
A Trekkie's dream come true.