Trekkie: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}} |
{{trope}} |
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''That's "Trekk'''er'''"!'' |
{{quote|''That's "Trekk'''er'''"!''}} |
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There are a lot of different ways to make a character into a [[Hollywood Nerd]], from making them [[Lab Rat|interested in science]], giving them [[Nerd Glasses]], or [[No Social Skills|removing all social capabilities]] [[ |
There are a lot of different ways to make a character into a [[Hollywood Nerd]], from making them [[Lab Rat|interested in science]], giving them [[Nerd Glasses]], or [[No Social Skills|removing all social capabilities]] [[Extroverted Nerd|whatsoever]]. But all you really need to do is add one small characteristic: an interest in ''[[Star Trek]]''. In fiction, only geeks like ''[[Star Trek]]'', and all geeks like it. Those who are particularly obsessed are called "Trekkies". |
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''[[Star Trek]]: The Original Series'' was a [[Too Good to Last|prematurely canceled]] television show from the 1960s that had quite a few movies and spinoffs afterward (see the page for more details). It developed one of the earliest cult classic television followings and its fans were always regarded as a little "out there" due to their devotion. Nowadays that sort of dedication is not strange at all and it's relatively common for a fandom to give its more intense fans nicknames (such as [[My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic |
''[[Star Trek]]: The Original Series'' was a [[Too Good to Last|prematurely canceled]] television show from the 1960s that had quite a few movies and spinoffs afterward (see the page for more details, if you've somehow managed to live under a rock for the last half-century). It developed one of the earliest cult classic television followings and its fans were always regarded as a little "out there" due to their devotion. Nowadays that sort of dedication is not strange at all and it's relatively common for a fandom to give its more intense fans nicknames (such as [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|bronies]] or [[Twilight|twihards]]). Regardless, Trekkies are still remembered above all the others. |
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This is a relatively widespread stereotype, although realistically not everyone interested in ''[[Star Trek]]'' is automatically a Trekkie, or even a nerd at all, and not all nerds have to like the show. But in fiction, all nerds are Trekkies, all Trekkies are nerds, and nobody just likes ''[[Star Trek]]'' - if you like it, you ''love'' it. |
This is a relatively widespread stereotype, although realistically not everyone interested in ''[[Star Trek]]'' is automatically a Trekkie, or even a nerd at all, and not all nerds have to like the show. But in fiction, all nerds are Trekkies, all Trekkies are nerds, and nobody just likes ''[[Star Trek]]'' - if you like it, you ''love'' it, and you have ''all'' the ''Trek'' [[Fandom Tic]]s. |
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In Japan, the ''[[ |
In Japan, the ''[[Gundam]]'' franchise fills much the same niche as ''Star Trek'' does in the west—the franchise has often been referred to as "Japan's ''Star Trek''" due to a number of similarities: Both shows were prematurely cancelled due to poor ratings in their initial airings, [[Vindicated by History|only to gain massive followings in syndication]], and become probably their country's most iconic science fiction series, with dedicated followings and seemingly endless spinoffs. Thus, where a western show would use a Trekkie, a Japanese show is likely to use a ''Gundam'' fanatic. |
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In addition to ''[[Star Trek]]'' and ''[[ |
In addition to ''[[Star Trek]]'' and ''[[Gundam]]'', this role can occasionally be filled by other movies/shows, though due to the fact that the nature of the trope requires some [[Popcultural Osmosis]], the writer will generally use ''[[Star Trek]]'', as its role has already been established. One of the most common replacements is ''[[Star Wars]]'', which, incidentally, is occasionally mentioned as a [[Fandom Rivalry|rival]] to ''[[Star Trek]]''. |
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Note that there are examples of characters who are in no other way considered nerds (although many are still [[This Loser Is You|losers]]), but may still show their inner geek with an interest in the show. |
Note that there are examples of characters who are in no other way considered nerds (although many are still [[This Loser Is You|losers]]), but may still show their inner geek with an interest in the show. |
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See also [[Geek Reference Pool]]. |
See also [[Geek Reference Pool]]. |
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{{examples |
{{examples}} |
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== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] == |
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] == |
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* Nagi Sanzenin from ''[[ |
* Nagi Sanzenin from ''[[Hayate the Combat Butler]]'' is an example of the Gundam fan variant (as well as a general [[Otaku]]). In the episode where she works at a DVD store, she is unhappy with a customer's choice of DVDs and gives him ''Gundam'' instead - everything from ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' to ''[[Gundam Seed Destiny]]'' (in the manga) or ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00]]'' (in the anime). |
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* ''[[Genshiken]]'': most of the [[Otaku]] cast is a Gundam fan. So much so that they even spoof [[Gundam]]-[[Writing Around The Trademarks|like]] in the [http://www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/genshiken-2-op/118230 second season's opening] with Madarame as [[Char Clone|Char]] in a [[Char Custom Rule|red and gold Mobile Suit]] and Sasahara as Amuro. As well as an entire episode constructing a Gundam model. |
* ''[[Genshiken]]'': most of the [[Otaku]] cast is a Gundam fan. So much so that they even spoof [[Gundam]]-[[Writing Around The Trademarks|like]] in the [http://www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/genshiken-2-op/118230 second season's opening] with Madarame as [[Char Clone|Char]] in a [[Char Custom Rule|red and gold Mobile Suit]] and Sasahara as Amuro. As well as an entire episode constructing a Gundam model. |
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== [[Film]] == |
== [[Film]] == |
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* Given that ''[[ |
* Given that ''[[Galaxy Quest]]'' is essentially a tribute to ''[[Star Trek]]'', it's no surprise that the [[Show Within a Show]]'s fans are essentially this. |
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* The 1997 documentary film, ''Trekkies'', and its 2004 sequel ''Trekkies 2'', are of course all about the reality behind this. Both films starred Denise Crosby, who played Tasha Yar on ''[[Star Trek |
* The 1997 documentary film, ''Trekkies'', and its 2004 sequel ''Trekkies 2'', are of course all about the reality behind this. Both films starred Denise Crosby, who played Tasha Yar on ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''. |
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== [[Literature]] == |
== [[Literature]] == |
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* The ''Night of the Living Trekkies'' combines this with the [[Zombie Apocalypse]]. |
* The ''Night of the Living Trekkies'' combines this with the [[Zombie Apocalypse]]. |
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* One of the later ''[[ |
* One of the later ''[[Animorphs]]'' books has the group encounter a group of Trekkies. It doesn't end well for them. |
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== [[Live Action TV]] == |
== [[Live Action TV]] == |
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* Played with in ''[[Degrassi the Next Generation]]'': "You outgeek everyone, '''James Tiberius''' Yorke." |
* Played with in ''[[Degrassi the Next Generation]]'': "You outgeek everyone, '''James Tiberius''' Yorke." |
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* In ''[[JAG]]'', Bud gets closer to an enemy and convinces the guy to give Bud what he wants through their mutual love of ''Star Trek''. |
* In ''[[JAG]]'', Bud gets closer to an enemy and convinces the guy to give Bud what he wants through their mutual love of ''Star Trek''. |
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* The four main characters, the archetypical nerds, are all huge trekkies on ''[[ |
* The four main characters, the archetypical nerds, are all huge trekkies on ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]''. |
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* A "Triumph the Insult Comic Dog" bit has Triumph turning this on its ear. He goes and makes fun of hundreds of ''[[Star Wars]]'' geeks... then to poke fun at them he brings out a guy dressed as Mr. Spock - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zWNJHS9PBE&t=9m43s who proceeds to flip them all off.] |
* A "Triumph the Insult Comic Dog" bit has Triumph turning this on its ear. He goes and makes fun of hundreds of ''[[Star Wars]]'' geeks... then to poke fun at them he brings out a guy dressed as Mr. Spock - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zWNJHS9PBE&t=9m43s who proceeds to flip them all off.] |
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== [[Music]] == |
== [[Music]] == |
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* [[Weird Al |
* [["Weird Al" Yankovic]], "White and Nerdy:" |
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{{quote| |
{{quote|The only question I ever thought was hard |
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Was, do I like [[Star Trek |
Was, do I like [[Star Trek: The Original Series|Kirk]] or do I like [[Star Trek: The Next Generation|Picard]] }} |
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== [[Theater]] == |
== [[Theater]] == |
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== [[Web Comics]] == |
== [[Web Comics]] == |
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* "Don Luke Piccardo" in ''[[Evil Inc |
* "Don Luke Piccardo" in ''[[Evil Inc.|Evil, Inc]]'' qualifies in spades. ''Everything'' he does is Trek-themed...'''[https://web.archive.org/web/20101214205221/http://evil-comic.com/archive/20100809.html EVERYTHING]'''. |
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* Half the cast of ''[[ |
* Half the cast of ''[[El Goonish Shive]]''. Susan, Tedd and Justin are the most prominent examples. Tedd and Susan have [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-03-16 frequent slapfights] over ''[[Star Trek]]''. Also, {{spoiler|Justin's former best friend, Melissa}} is revealed to be one as part of her [[Hidden Depths]]. |
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== [[Web Original]] == |
== [[Web Original]] == |
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* Linkara of ''[[ |
* Linkara of ''[[Atop the Fourth Wall]]'' |
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== [[Western Animation]] == |
== [[Western Animation]] == |
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* The ''[[ |
* The ''[[Futurama]]'' episode "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" reveals that Fry is a Trekkie. The episode revolves around an extreme Trekkie floating energy cloud named Melllvar who kidnaps the cast of ''[[Star Trek]]: The Original Series''. The episode also mentions that Trekkies formed a major religion that was exiled from Earth because they were too insane. [[Leonard Nimoy]]'s head also makes regular appearances (even in the pilot). |
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* ''[[ |
* ''[[Family Guy]]'': Peter surprisingly seems to be a Trekkie, considering that he takes his family to a Star Trek Convention in "Not All Dogs Go To Heaven." Stewie is one as well, to the point that in the same episode he kidnaps the cast of ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' because they never picked him during the Q & A session at the convention. It didn't work out very well. |
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* An episode of ''[[ |
* An episode of ''[[Dexter's Laboratory]]'' has Dexter and two of his friends as Kirk, Spock and McCoy expys (Irk, Spork and McBoy, respectively), going to a Star Trek expy ("Star Check") convention. (They unfortunately get stuck at a Barbie expy Con instead.) |
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* In ''[[A Goofy Movie]]'', during the school song about what they are going to do during the summer, two nerds sing about how all they're going to do during the summer is read comics, they are dressed as Spock and Kirk, and have severe braces, acne, and both are wearing glasses. |
* In ''[[A Goofy Movie]]'', during the school song about what they are going to do during the summer, two nerds sing about how all they're going to do during the summer is read comics, they are dressed as Spock and Kirk, and have severe braces, acne, and both are wearing glasses. |
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[[Category:Indexed and Nerdy]] |
[[Category:Indexed and Nerdy]] |
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[[Category:Trekkie]] |
[[Category:Trekkie]] |
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[[Category:Trope]] |
Latest revision as of 14:34, 13 October 2021
That's "Trekker"! |
There are a lot of different ways to make a character into a Hollywood Nerd, from making them interested in science, giving them Nerd Glasses, or removing all social capabilities whatsoever. But all you really need to do is add one small characteristic: an interest in Star Trek. In fiction, only geeks like Star Trek, and all geeks like it. Those who are particularly obsessed are called "Trekkies".
Star Trek: The Original Series was a prematurely canceled television show from the 1960s that had quite a few movies and spinoffs afterward (see the page for more details, if you've somehow managed to live under a rock for the last half-century). It developed one of the earliest cult classic television followings and its fans were always regarded as a little "out there" due to their devotion. Nowadays that sort of dedication is not strange at all and it's relatively common for a fandom to give its more intense fans nicknames (such as bronies or twihards). Regardless, Trekkies are still remembered above all the others.
This is a relatively widespread stereotype, although realistically not everyone interested in Star Trek is automatically a Trekkie, or even a nerd at all, and not all nerds have to like the show. But in fiction, all nerds are Trekkies, all Trekkies are nerds, and nobody just likes Star Trek - if you like it, you love it, and you have all the Trek Fandom Tics.
In Japan, the Gundam franchise fills much the same niche as Star Trek does in the west—the franchise has often been referred to as "Japan's Star Trek" due to a number of similarities: Both shows were prematurely cancelled due to poor ratings in their initial airings, only to gain massive followings in syndication, and become probably their country's most iconic science fiction series, with dedicated followings and seemingly endless spinoffs. Thus, where a western show would use a Trekkie, a Japanese show is likely to use a Gundam fanatic.
In addition to Star Trek and Gundam, this role can occasionally be filled by other movies/shows, though due to the fact that the nature of the trope requires some Popcultural Osmosis, the writer will generally use Star Trek, as its role has already been established. One of the most common replacements is Star Wars, which, incidentally, is occasionally mentioned as a rival to Star Trek.
Note that there are examples of characters who are in no other way considered nerds (although many are still losers), but may still show their inner geek with an interest in the show.
See also Geek Reference Pool.
Anime and Manga
- Nagi Sanzenin from Hayate the Combat Butler is an example of the Gundam fan variant (as well as a general Otaku). In the episode where she works at a DVD store, she is unhappy with a customer's choice of DVDs and gives him Gundam instead - everything from Mobile Suit Gundam to Gundam Seed Destiny (in the manga) or Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (in the anime).
- Genshiken: most of the Otaku cast is a Gundam fan. So much so that they even spoof Gundam-like in the second season's opening with Madarame as Char in a red and gold Mobile Suit and Sasahara as Amuro. As well as an entire episode constructing a Gundam model.
Film
- Given that Galaxy Quest is essentially a tribute to Star Trek, it's no surprise that the Show Within a Show's fans are essentially this.
- The 1997 documentary film, Trekkies, and its 2004 sequel Trekkies 2, are of course all about the reality behind this. Both films starred Denise Crosby, who played Tasha Yar on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Literature
- The Night of the Living Trekkies combines this with the Zombie Apocalypse.
- One of the later Animorphs books has the group encounter a group of Trekkies. It doesn't end well for them.
Live Action TV
- William Shatner's famous "Get a life!" skit on Saturday Night Live.
- In the episode of The Kumars At Number 42 where they interviewed Patrick Stewart, Sanjeev wears a Starfleet uniform, against the wishes of his father.
- It's established in Criminal Minds that Reid is a complete idiot when it comes to pop culture in everything except, well, Star Trek.
- Played with in Degrassi the Next Generation: "You outgeek everyone, James Tiberius Yorke."
- In JAG, Bud gets closer to an enemy and convinces the guy to give Bud what he wants through their mutual love of Star Trek.
- The four main characters, the archetypical nerds, are all huge trekkies on The Big Bang Theory.
- A "Triumph the Insult Comic Dog" bit has Triumph turning this on its ear. He goes and makes fun of hundreds of Star Wars geeks... then to poke fun at them he brings out a guy dressed as Mr. Spock - who proceeds to flip them all off.
Music
- "Weird Al" Yankovic, "White and Nerdy:"
Theater
- In early drafts of Avenue Q Trekkie Monster was an avid Star Trek fan, but that got changed due to potential copyright issues. Now he's into internet porn, although he's still named Trekkie Monster.
Web Comics
- "Don Luke Piccardo" in Evil, Inc qualifies in spades. Everything he does is Trek-themed...EVERYTHING.
- Half the cast of El Goonish Shive. Susan, Tedd and Justin are the most prominent examples. Tedd and Susan have frequent slapfights over Star Trek. Also, Justin's former best friend, Melissa is revealed to be one as part of her Hidden Depths.
Web Original
- Linkara of Atop the Fourth Wall
Western Animation
- The Futurama episode "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" reveals that Fry is a Trekkie. The episode revolves around an extreme Trekkie floating energy cloud named Melllvar who kidnaps the cast of Star Trek: The Original Series. The episode also mentions that Trekkies formed a major religion that was exiled from Earth because they were too insane. Leonard Nimoy's head also makes regular appearances (even in the pilot).
- Family Guy: Peter surprisingly seems to be a Trekkie, considering that he takes his family to a Star Trek Convention in "Not All Dogs Go To Heaven." Stewie is one as well, to the point that in the same episode he kidnaps the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation because they never picked him during the Q & A session at the convention. It didn't work out very well.
- An episode of Dexter's Laboratory has Dexter and two of his friends as Kirk, Spock and McCoy expys (Irk, Spork and McBoy, respectively), going to a Star Trek expy ("Star Check") convention. (They unfortunately get stuck at a Barbie expy Con instead.)
- In A Goofy Movie, during the school song about what they are going to do during the summer, two nerds sing about how all they're going to do during the summer is read comics, they are dressed as Spock and Kirk, and have severe braces, acne, and both are wearing glasses.
Real Life
- In the mid-nineties, during the Whitewater trials (loosely associated with then-President Bill Clinton), an alternate juror named Barbara Adams made national headlines by wearing her Star Trek uniform to the courthouse every day.