The latest "Star Trek” story might seem a little far out for some traditionalists. Lt. Sulu is planning to marry his longtime, same-sex partner. And who better to serve as best man than Ensign Pavel Chekov, the trusty USS Enterprise navigator?
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This story isn't a scenario of science fiction; it will become reality this fall, when actor Walter Koenig serves as best man in the wedding of his good friend and fellow "Star Trek” star, actor George Takei.
"He called me yesterday,” Koenig said last week of his friend Takei, "and he asked me to be the best man at his wedding. They've passed the law; same-sex marriages are now OK in California, and he is planning to be married in the fall.”
Koenig, 71, has another "Star Trek” family commitment on his schedule: He will attend Tulsa's Trek Expo 2008 this weekend. The actor, who played the Russian character in 39 episodes of the original TV series and seven feature films that followed, answered some questions ahead of his Tulsa visit.
Q:How many sci-fi conventions do you visit yearly?
A:There are years that I've done as little as two or three and as many as 10 or 11. This is a particularly heavy year ... because I'm trying to promote a couple of films that I'm involved in. One is the one that I wrote and produced called "InAlienable,” and the other is the one in which I perform, it's called "Of Gods and Men,” and that is an independent professional production of a "Star Trek” story.
Q:You have received acclaim for your role in "Babylon 5.” Do you see many of those fans?
A:Yeah I do. "Babylon 5” didn't obviously achieve the status that "Star Trek” has, but it certainly has a very vociferous and passionate group of supporters. And they do show up. ... That's always nice to hear and nice to feel that I did do some work that did require more than "yes sir” and "no sir,” which it pretty much was on "Star Trek.”
Q:What do you enjoy speaking about to fans?
A:I generally tell stories about what happened on the show or in the films. I'm not an agitator. But at this particular time, with the presidential election looming, I emphasize the inspiration for "Star Trek,” the idea of people of different ethnicities and races and cul-tures and different nationalities coming together and working cooperatively.
Q:You've championed the cause of human rights in Burma. Has the recent cyclone there affected your views?
A:I have to be very careful how I say this. It is a positive thing only insofar as it has really brought to the forefront the terrible conditions under which these people live. The military junta is an extraordinarily oppressive organization that has totally denied the people of Burma their rights. And that is quite evident in their reaction to the effects of the cyclone on its people. … Now, the world has become much more aware of the horrendous circumstances these folks live under.
Q:You were born in Chicago and went to college in Iowa for a while. Do you consider yourself a product of the Midwest?
A:Oh, by no means whatsoever. No, I grew up in New York City, and I consider myself very much a New Yorker. … But those years (in the Midwest) were interesting years insomuch as I learned what it was that I didn't want to be involved in the rest of my life. I mean, the folks were nice, but I really was much more used to a metropolitan environment and not cut out for tractor pulls and demolition derbies and cow chip throwing contests.
Q:When you got the Chekov role, what did you think of the part?
A:I thought, "Well, here's a few days of work, and a character that might recur.” I wasn't under contract; I was at the mercy strictly of the writers and producers. ... Alas, because the role did not grow, particularly during the first year, I questioned whether it was something that I wanted to continue doing. My wife, in fact, told me that I was nuts if I did not wish to continue. Of course, she was totally right, because it's ended up shaping not only my career but my life.
Q:What are your opinions of the old shows when you see them?
A:What I liked about the old shows was that they were very visceral and you got caught up emotionally in the shows, and we were addressing issues, sociopolitical issues, that were pertinent to the times. And actually, if I had to be associated with anything over time, over four decades, I'd take pride in it having to be "Star Trek,” where we did have a social and political conscience. So on that level, I certainly think highly of the work we did.
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Trek Expo 2008
•What: Science fiction, fantasy and media convention featuring guest speakers and celebrities, autograph signing, vendors and charity memorabilia auctions.
•When: 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
•Where: John Q. Hammons Union Multipurpose Activity Center, 6836 S Mingo Road, Tulsa.
•Guests: Adam Baldwin, Nichelle Nichols, Linda Park, Walter Koenig, Helen Slater, Wil Wheaton, Dean Stockwell, Keith Birdsong and other celebrities and industry insiders.
•Related activities: "Of Gods and Men” screening with Walter Koenig, 9 p.m. Friday; Supper With the Stars (charity benefit for Tulsa Boys Home), 8 p.m. Saturday; Enterprise Blues Band, 10:15 p.m. Saturday.
•Tickets: Ranging from a single-day general admission at $20 to all-inclusive, three-day gold ticket at $325.
•Information: trekexpo.net, e-mail info@trekexpo.net or call (918) 369-0650.
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