Doxxing myself a tiny bit here‚ but… I have to share this story‚ man.
Apparently, there is a TOS museum in upstate NY, less than an hour from where I live. They had a special event weekend where Shatner was showing up, so of course I bought a ticket. I didn’t cash out for the more expensive stuff, like an autograph, a chat with him on the bridge, or the Admiral’s package that included dinner or what have you. (Partially because I’m already throwing away a lot of money for a once in a life time trip— a Star Trek cruise in February celebrating the 60th anniversary of TOS! In which Shatner will also be aboard, incidentally. And I may or may not have bought an expensive perk pass that might grant me a small gathering type event with him? The actors chosen for that aren’t determined until the week before… but anyway. Side tangent.)
Nope, I just paid for a general tour and an opportunity for a photo op. Which, as one may expect, was very quick and clinical like: alright, we gotta keep people moving, no interaction with the man beyond a quick “hello” or “thank you.” He also took the stage for an hour at a local school to essentially do some comedy and take some questions.
First of all‚ the tour? Amazing. They have a full on replica of key settings in the Enterprise. The warp room‚ sick bay, engineering‚ Captain’s quarters‚ and of course the bridge. Almost all of this was painstakingly built from scratch as most of the original set was destroyed after production stopped. Although there are a few original pieces‚ like the Medusan Ambassador and a random treasure chest that was in Kirk’s room? But it was all so legit and impressive.
And yes, I got to sit in The Chair. Could not touch any of the consoles or buttons on anything though, because the staff said they were rather fragile :(
Yet the highlight‚ for me‚ was the show. Not only because Shatner did this bit where he had audience members come up to try and explain/show what heavy metal music is‚ because I guess he got asked to do a heavy metal album recently?? And it got a little wild with the men trying (and failing) to do a good job at it. They literally tried to explain the difference between “soft” and “hard” music by saying “I love you~” to Bill before proceeding to scream it at him?! It was hilarious. The whole situation was a story in itself honestly skdjdhd.
But then, at the halfway mark, he took questions. It’s a full house‚ but I’m in the first two rows. I have a decent shot at being seen. And ultimately, I did get a chance at the mic. Bill had pointed to a guy two rows behind me, although I mistakenly thought he was pointing at me for a second. But, because the guy two rows back did get the mic‚ everyone around me was then like‚ “give the young lady the mic next!” (Which‚ ty‚ ty.)
As it turns out‚ I ended up being the last question‚ which only made what happened next all the more poignant.
Unfortunately‚ I have a habit of speaking way too goddamn fast by default‚ which manifested here‚ and I had to start over three or four times while he patiently and low key roasted me for it. But honestly? Fair.
Everyone up to this point has asked questions like: How was it like working with so and so? What was the hardest thing you had to do in your career? Standard stuff like that. Valid questions‚ but kind of typical‚ you know? So‚ May‚ you may be wondering: what exactly was your question‚ then? Well…
“Star Trek is well known for being Gene Roddenberry's vision of hope for humanity. This was a particularly poignant message during the Cold War, when nuclear war hung over everyone's head as an ever persistent possibility. Sixty years later, as a young adult in 2025, I find myself in a world where, unlike a theoretical nuclear war, the climate crisis is dawning as an inevitable and terrifying certainty. What words of wisdom do you have, either as Captain Kirk or as Bill Shatner, for younger people like me who are finding it hard to hold on to hope for a future during these times?"
And you can feel the energy in the room just. Shift. Instantly.
Bill goes on a long, sprawling answer I couldn't possibly recite here. But ultimately, it's something along the lines of, "the Earth is incredible in its ability to heal itself. It's a priceless planet. And we need to help her along.”
(I will say he kind of got off topic about like‚ microplastics and the garbage patch in the Pacific‚ which isn’t exactly what I had asked about? But eh, close enough. They’re ultimately in the same ballpark. I was just siked enough to get a chance to speak.)
My point is‚ he got really into it. Got a tad emotional, even. Not in an obvious way; it was more of a vibes kind of thing. But you could sense it.
And then at the end, as everyone clapped and just before he got off stage? He gave me a look. It said something like “I see you.”
I then had multiple people come up to me and thank me for asking such an important question and wow‚ what a powerful moment to end the show on. I couldn’t agree more. I felt so goddamn humble that I was in a sort of daze the whole trip home.
~~~
As I mentioned earlier, I just bought a photo op with Shatner. So, going into this‚ I had this funny idea, which was to:
Get the photograph from the museum photo op
Wait a few months‚ then board the cruise and sign up for an autograph session
And then cheekily hand him the photo and be like, “haha remember this?”
Which, of course he wouldn’t. I’m just a nameless face from yet another event with the fans over the past six decades. But I thought it would be funny regardless.
But now? I feel like there’s at least a chance I made an impact. At least, the moment certainly made an impact on myself, and maybe some of the other people in the room. I'm trying not to be naive enough to think I made a lasting one on Bill... but it's an enticing thought, I must admit.
I still don't think he'll really remember me when I approach him a few months from now on the cruise, but if he does... I hope it's for that. It would be pretty damn cool, anyway.
So, let it be known that on November 22, 2025, in some random town in New York… I had Bill Shatner, if not the spirit of Kirk himself, directly speaking to me about hope. And it was the most goddamn incredible experience I’ve ever had.
EDIT: Since people keep pointing it out: the town is Ticonderoga.
