The other evening I was at a friend’s house and stumbled upon this amazing German language Star Trek the Next Generation radio drama cassette. It’s layers of layers of awesome.
Now I’m a huge fan of radio dramas and I speak a little German, plus I’m a certified Trekkie (who once came in second place in a costume contest) and I’ve still got my Walkman, so this was right up my alley. Unfortunately for me I couldn’t get it away from my friend – who had borrowed it from his friend – but I’ll definitely be adding this to my wishlist.
What’s even better, is that this story is a dramatization of the first season episode Justice (or Das Gesetz der Edo when it was broadcast in German in 1990), one of the cheesiest and yet most memorable episodes. It certainly features some of the most questionable outfits worn by any of the franchise’s alien races. The plot revolves around a visit to an idyllic planet where Wesley makes a very serious faux pas and is sentenced to death. (Way to ruin the shore leave, Wesley.)
I definitely don’t remember these being available in the US, and I can’t find anything similar in English. But having this on cassette in German is the ultimate kitsch. If you’re a German speaker, you should pick one up.
And as a matter of fact, German Star Trek fans have a lot to celebrate right now. The first official Star Trek convention for Germany will be held in Frankfurt next month. Destination STAR TREK Germany will be held at the Messe Frankfurt February 21st – 23rd 2014, and organizers are pulling out all the stops.
Already on the bill are TNG cast members Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden, and Michael Dorn. What’s more, William Shatner will also take the stage to introduce the event.
So if you’re going, bring your cassettes to be autographed – and send us pictures!
