Garrett Wang in action

Jeffrey Combs with blue teehth
 

Saturday evening I arrived at the congress center „Der Achtermann" in Goslar, where the Galileo 7 convention took place. It was like a time warp: after I had walked through the medieval streets of Goslar I was surrounded by Klingons, blinking lights and futuristic decoration. I was just in time to see Garrett Wang’s hilarious panel. I had never been very fond of his character Harry Kim on Voyager, but this man has so much comedy talent you won't believe it unless you see him jumping around, imitating the voices of Janeway and Tuvok, or telling funny jokes from the Voyager set. Later „Broken Bow" ,the pilot of the new series Enterprise, was shown in front of a cheering audience. It was an unbelievable experience to share this long awaited moment with so many other fans. After 90min of good entertainment I left the hall pleasantly surprised and joined the convention party.
 

Immediately a guy with strange blinking lights in his ears caught my attention. It was Bill Blair, one of the guest stars. He had starred in several Star Trek episodes as alien, most of the time covered with make-up and prosthetics. Later I met Jeffrey Combs at the bar, his teeth blue from drinking „Romulan Ale". I spent some time with Katja, another fan club member, and her friends, discussing Star Trek and, of course, everything concerning our favorite Vorta. This is so cool about conventions: you meet so many people who have the same hobbies and interests. After they had left I enjoyed myself drinking and dancing – well, it’s Saturday night, what do you expect. The atmosphere was great, especially because of the many fans who were dressed as Klingons, Borg, Federation officers and so on. Very late I found my way back to my hotel.

On Sunday morning , after a very short night, I returned to the "Achtermann". The first panel was delayed, so I had time to stroll between the dealers. Here I met Bill Blair and Ex-Borg Manu Itiraymi (aka Icheb) who had the same idea.
 
 

I attended the panels of Spice Williams (Vixis) and Bill Blair, then I had to leave to joining Katja at an interview with Jeff (see 'Andorian Insights'). He came on time to the appointment and we had almost one hour for asking questions, taking photos and chatting. Thank you for being so patient and friendly with your fans, Jeff!

After another interesting panel of Mary Kay Adams, who had played the Klingon Grilka on DS9, a charity auction for the victims of the terror attacks of New York was held. A good gesture of solidarity with America in these days, especially towards our guests from the US. Most of them had been quite reluctant to leave their country and come to Germany to attend a Star Trek Con. The political events were also discussed during the panel of Robin Curtis who had played the Vulcan Saavik in Star Trek 3 and 4. It was a very personal and touching panel during which this courageous and intelligent women won the hearts of the audience.

The following panel was supposed to be held by Manu Itiraymi aka Borg-boy „Icheb" together with Marc Allen Shepherd, but the actor of "Morn" from ST-DS9 didn’t show up. Rumors about seeing him at the party until 5am came up and Manu had to entertain the audience on his own. Much to the delight of the audience he explained, that Marc wasn’t identical with the actor who played Icheb’s father in the Voyager episode „Child’s Play", apparently the organizers of the Con had made a little mistake. Good for us since I was more than curious to see "Morn" in person. Good that he finally showed up and the two could finish their panel together.

Jeffrey Combs on stage...

... and after the show
 

In the afternoon I met Birgit and Tracy, two old e-friends of mine. It is always exciting to see someone in person for the first time after exchanging email for almost two years now! What can I say, it was cool to meet the gals (and sorry, Birgit , for letting you carry my coke;).

At 4pm more and more people filled the hall and waited for Jeffrey Combs’ appearance. After an impressive video trailer he came on stage to answer the numerous questions of the fans. Many questions dealt with his role as Vorta Weyoun, cloning, his uncountable deaths and how he had established the prototype of the Vorta. A clever fan asked why the Vorta, being cloned organisms, still need women. Jeff grinned and said: "Because it feels good". From time to time the panel was interrupted by spontaneous remarks by fans disguised as Klingons, such as "Worf is not a Klingon, he’s a whimp", "Q’aplagh" , or "Of course we like Vorta – for breakfast!" These spontaneous interactions between Jeff and the audience were very funny.

Of course Jeff also talked about his new role as an Andorian in „Enterprise". He said that he really likes the direct and straight style of the series and Scott Bakula as Captain Archer. Of course he hopes to return on the show. Then he explained that the Andorians are one of the founders (!) of the Federations, although they are at the moment still enemies of the Vulcans. So there is hope that they will be dealt with during the series more often.

Since Jeffrey Combs is not only known from Star Trek but has starred in many movies as well, a lot of questions were asked on Re-Animator“, „The Pit and the Pendulum“ and „From Beyond. Jeff gave us some insights into the special effects used in "From Beyond": The bees that attack his character Crawford were actually little styrofoam balls blown by a wind machine, whereas the "brain" be had to eat in another scene was initially filled with Fixadent. Imagine how difficult it is to say "It’s delicious..." under these circumstances! While shooting all these film, Jeff had enjoyed traveling to New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Italy or Luxemburg (wow;), were he just had finished a movie called "Parallax". He was full of praise for Peter Jackson, the director of "The Frighteners", which was best movie he’d made so far. But the best thing he ever made in his life are his two little daughters, he said with the pride of a father.
 

Following this informative and vivid panel came Garrett Wang’s second appearance. Again he did a fantastic show, spiced with jokes, parodies and bloopers from the set. At the end he played his version of a perfect "Harry Kim" episode were Harry is saving Seven of Nine from the hands of his own Borg-double. Dream on, ensign;)

During the closing ceremony that followed, the organizers first thanked all helpers and guest stars. Then, as everybody was standing on stage, the Enya song „Only Time" was played to remind everyone of the assault of the 11th September. It was a very touching moment of silence, especially in the presence of the American guests, and more than one had to wipe their tears. Thus, a great "small" Con ended in a very melancholic atmosphere.