Wrakster: Uniting the American Geek Front

 

Okay. So we have folks who like Star Wars. Then we have folks who like Star Trek. If you believe the movie Fanboys, the two most prominent geek factions in America absolutely. Fucking. HATE each other. When I sat there and watched that heated argument between the protagonists and a legion of Trekkers, I felt a slow cringe coming on.

Stop it guys. Just stop it. I'm not willing to listen to anyone that says that you can like one, but not the other. Bullshit. I happen to like both. Nobody's gonna tell me what to like. So why not blend the two fandoms into a fun little someting I call Wrakster.

What is Wrakster, you ask? You've got Star Wars and Star Trek. Leave out "Star" and just scramble the two remaining words. Mash 'em up. Wrakster. It sounds good in a Southern accent, British accent, Midwestern accent. It just sounds good. Kid-friendly, too. Okay, you say. Now what? So what? How about...

    this still from A Clockwork Orange?

Never mind the chap in the wheelchair. Check out the big guy who's cradling Malcolm McDowell. Look familiar? 

No?

  

How about now?

Yup. That is none other than David Prowse who wore the Darth Vader suit in Episodes IV-VI. Trekkies also know McDowell as Dr. Tolian Soran. You know, that lunatic from Star Trek: Generations? The guy who killed Captain Kirk?

 

 This pleasant fellow

So, we have a guy in a Star Wars movie along with a guy in a Star Trek movie in the same room. And that my friends, is what the Wrakster is all about. Look up a TV show, or movie,  in which you find people, one who worked on either Trek and another who was on Wars. There is no need for these individuals to be in the same room, or even the same scene. It could be two ships passing in the night. All that's required is that you receive a paycheck from wherever you're working at. I mean I never expected to see the Joker (Mark Hamill) sharing a drink with Red Claw (Kate Mulgrew). But the Batman Animated Series does feature a lot of people who were on a Trek project. Hamill is the pivot that holds the Wrakster Hub together. Such pairings  are rare. Every filmed genre is accepted. to qualify as a Wrakster. Guest stars count. The prequels count. The Clone Wars count. Stunt persons count. Enterprise, too. AND J.J. Abrams new movie is also included. By the way, Abrams is a Star Wars fan. Awesome.

Think of it. The ultimate in Geek Appreciation. And as for Fanboys, which kinda started it all, it's just full of Wrakster goodness. 

1. Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian in Star Wars: Episodes V-VI)
2. Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia Organa in Star Wars: Episodes IV-VI)
3. Ray Park (Darth Maul, Star Wars: Episode I)
4. William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek '66-'69; The Motionless Picture, The Wrath of Khan, The Search for Spock, The Voyage Home, The Final Frontier, The Undiscovered Country & Generations) *whew!*
5. Christopher McDonald (Lt. Richard Castillo in Star Trek TNG: Yesterday's Enterprise)
6. Jamie King (Aurra Sing in Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Lost and Hostage Crisis )
7. Zak Knutson (Placid Commander in Deep Space Nine)
8. Chuck Borden (stunt coordinator in a few episodes of Star Trek: TNG)

And there you have it. Now people who love both Trek & Wars can celebrate their dual fandom. No need to hide huddled in the shadows anymore. Come on out! Get in touch with your inner Wrakster.

Live long and prosper and may the Force be with you.