Scripted

On Wednesday night in Riccione, the evening was far from over. In fact, at midnight, it felt as if it was only just beginning. Outside the PalaRiccione, hundreds of fans were still waiting for the arrival of the stars of Star Trek, gathered for one of the most anticipated events of the Italian Global Series Festival: the exclusive preview screening of the first episode of Season 4 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

The event was conceived as a special celebration of the 60th anniversary of Star Trek, one of the most iconic and influential franchises in the history of television and contemporary pop culture. Since its debut, the saga has shaped the imagination of generations, combining science fiction, adventure, humanism and a visionary idea of the future.

The screening was followed by a panel featuring some of the most beloved faces of the franchise. In attendance were Star Trek: Strange New Worlds stars Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn and Celia Rose Gooding, joined by two major figures from the wider Star Trek universe: Jeri Ryan, unforgettable as Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Picard, and Nicholas Meyer, the acclaimed director and screenwriter whose work has left a lasting mark on the franchise.

However, despite the enthusiasm of the audience and the extraordinary calibre of the guests, the panel started very late. By the time the actors finally took the stage, the crowd was eager to hear directly from them: their memories, their experience on set, and their thoughts on the enduring cultural power of Star Trek.

The conversation was moderated by Emanuele Vietina, Director of Lucca Comics & Games. Yet the moderation proved rather lengthy, leaving limited space for the celebrated guests to speak as much as the audience had hoped. In a room full of devoted fans, every minute with the actors mattered.

The night nevertheless offered a memorable moment of irony. Perhaps because of tiredness, emotion, or simply the pressure of the occasion, the moderator accidentally referred to Star Trek as “Star Wars” — an unforgivable slip in front of such an audience. The mistake immediately sparked laughter, especially from the famous captain of the starship, who jokingly replied: “You are fired!”