From: "Glenn St-Germain" glennstg@oanet.com
To: info@trekkies2.com
Subject: Review of "Trekkies"
Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 14:16:51 -0700

First off, I've been a fan of Star Trek since the original series. I have a poster of the Enterprise-E on one wall above my computer. I have my own Starfleet uniform in my closet, which I wear on Halloween and the occasional Star Trek or SF convention.

A friend of mine gave this movie to me on video as a Christmas gift. And, frankly, the movie scared the hell out of me. All I could think of while watching it is that there are some seriously twisted people out there who are in dire need of professional help. Okay, the dentist who had his office done up like a Star Trek facility was fun. Business is business, after all. But on the other hand we had the woman who showed up for jury duty in a Starfleet uniform.

Yes, Star Trek was, in some of its incarnations, an excellent television series (though its current version, Voyager, is downright awful). But that's all it is -- a television show, one of several that I've watched and enjoyed over the years.

Unfortunately, movies such as Trekkies only serve to work against Star Trek and its fandom in the long run -- people will watch this film, see how deranged many of its fans are, and conclude that Star Trek fans are a bunch of weirdoes. And those of us, like myself, who do not take it to the ridiculous extremes depicted in this film, will nonetheless be lumped into the same category as those who do.

In short, movies like this almost make me ashamed to admit that I am a Star Trek fan, because of how Trek fans are depicted.

Glenn St-Germain § Edmonton AB Canada § glennstg@oanet.com Eagles may soar... but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

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In a message dated 12/31/00 2:17:18 PM, glennstg@oanet.com writes:

<< A friend of mine gave this movie to me on video as a Christmas gift. And, frankly, the movie scared the hell out of me. All I could think of while watching it is that there are some seriously twisted people out there who are in dire need of professional help. >>

Dear Glenn,

Thank you for writing.

Your comments were interesting and thoughtful and I respect your right to your opinion. I'll take a moment to share my thoughts with you.

I have found that viewers tend to see in TREKKIES a sort of Rorschach test. Depending on the viewers' own frame of reference, they tend to read their own personal biases into their interpretation of the film. That's why some see "freaks" and some see "extraordinary" people.

To me the film is a celebration of unity through being different. I love the differences in people. Perhaps that's why reviewers have called the film "affectionate" and "nonjudgemental." I love that fact that Barbara Adams took a stand and made a commitment to something. Whether I agree or disagree with her ideals, I can still respect her for her strength. I love the fact that Trek fandom is open to all who wish admittance, no matter how "twisted" some people would like to judge them. Who gets to decide what is or is not "normal"? You? Me? I feel that "normal" can include anybody who is proud of who they are.

What your reaction suggests to me is that you were faced with a glance in the mirror and you didn't like what you glimpsed. Be proud of who you are. That's where tolerance begins.

Sincerely,

Roger Nygard
TREKKIES Director
www.TrekDoc.com
www.RogerNygard.com