Imagine being invited to visit the Star Trek: The Next Generation set before it even aired by none other than Bob Justman.

This week, The Trek Files welcomes back Doug Drexler to share the story of his very first visit to the TNG set in 1987, spurred by a letter from legendary Trek producer Robert H. Justman. That visit changed everything. Doug quickly transitioned from fan to crew member, taking any job that would get him in the door as he built the career that would shape the look of Star Trek for decades to come.

With his signature energy and humility, Doug talks about what it meant to go from wide-eyed visitor to behind-the-scenes creative force, and why, even now, he understands fans who struggle with change in the franchise he loves so much.

Plus, we're in the final stretch of the Kickstarter campaign for Trek Star, the documentary chronicling Doug's incredible Trek journey.

📄 Document of the week: Letter from Robert H. Justman to Doug Drexler – August 12, 1987

🎬 Support the doc: Trek Star – The Doug Drexler Documentary on Kickstarter

The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Before he was an Oscar-winning makeup artist and Star Trek's go-to designer, Doug Drexler was just a teenage fan fighting to save the show he loved.

This week, Doug joins The Trek Files to reflect on a remarkable journey—from the 1968 Newsday article that quoted him as a 14-year-old letter-writing activist, to working for the legendary Federation Trading Post in New York, and eventually becoming one of the franchise's most beloved creative minds.

Doug shares memories of fandom in the '60s and '70s like filming Star Trek episodes off his TV with an 8mm home movie camera, then waiting days for the film to be processed just to rewatch them. That early passion led to a career in Hollywood, where he helped shape the look of Trek for decades, from The Next Generation to Enterprise and beyond.

Plus, a look ahead at the upcoming documentary Trek Star, chronicling Doug's unique Trek story from sidewalk protests to the Paramount lot.

📰 Document of the week: Newsday clipping – "This Group Isn't Way Out, But Its Cause Is" (Feb. 1, 1968)

🎬 Coming soon: Trek Star – The Doug Drexler Documentary on Kickstarter

The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Before "merch" was a mainstream business, Star Trek fandom had Lincoln Enterprises—and behind the scenes was a small, tight-knit team led by Majel Barrett Roddenberry. This week, The Trek Files welcomes Reinelda Estupinian, who started as Rod Roddenberry's nanny in 1974 and later worked directly with Majel beginning in 1980.

Reina shares stories from the early convention circuit: selling scripts, collectibles, and Vulcan jewelry to devoted fans while keeping pace with the growing Trek phenomenon. She also reflects on Majel as both a businesswoman and a "force of nature," balancing humor, strength, and an unapologetically bold personality (sometimes delightfully embarrassing to those around her).

From Gene Roddenberry's declining health to Majel's final convention appearance in 2008, Reina offers rare, heartfelt insight into the personal and professional lives behind the Roddenberry legacy.

📄 Document and additional references: Lincoln Enterprises dealer agreement (circa 1980)

📸 Plus: personal photos of Reina & Majel on the con circuit

The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!