Boston Legal for Star Trek Fans: It's Fun to Catch the Trek References

As a die-hard fan of both Boston Legal and Star Trek I was thrilled with the last two episodes, "Whose God is it Anyway" and "The Verdict," airdates 10/17/2006 and 10/24/2006, respectively. The Boston Legal regular cast includes two Star Trek alums; the one and only William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk from the original series), and Rene Auberjonois (Security Chief Odo in Star Trek Deep Space Nine).

"Whose God is it Anyway" leads the pack of Boston Legal episodes with Star Trek alums. Joining Shatner and Auberjonois are Ethan Phillips, Armin Shimerman, Ron Canada, and Joan Collins, bringing the total of alums in one episode to six. "The Verdict" had five (no Joan Collins in that one).

Ethan Phillips guest starred as the father of the boy accused of killing a judge. Phillips played the Talaxian Neelix, a member of an alien race indigenous to the Delta Quadrant in Star Trek Voyager. Armin Shimerman played Judge Hooper, the husband of the woman (also a judge) who was killed. He played the Ferengi bartender, Quark who ran all the entertainment concessions in Star Trek Deep Space Nine. Ron Canada who has a recurring role as Judge Willard Reese played guest starring roles in Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Star Trek the Next Generation, and Star Trek Voyager.

The extra treat in "Whose God is it Anyway" was a cameo appearance at the courthouse by Joan Collins (none other than Edith Keeler from the original Star Trek classic, "The City on the Edge of Forever."

Other Star Trek cast members have previously been on the show most notably Jeri Ryan (the Borg Seven of Nine from Star Trek Voyager) who appeared as Courtney Reese in two episodes in season two of the show. Robert Foxworth who guest starred on both Star Trek Enterprise and Star Trek Deep Space Nine played a judge, Joanna Cassidy who played Beverly Bridge (Denny Crane's 6th wife) played the Vulcan T'Les, the mother of T'Pol, on Star Trek Enterprise, and Henry Gibson who has a recurring role as Judge Clark Brown (the one who always says, "shocking!") guest starred on Star Trek Deep Space Nine.

While the third season ties to Star Trek with guest stars, the second season was rife with Star Trek allusions in the script. Consider the following:

• In "Finding Nimmo" when Denny and Alan are on a fishing trip to British Columbia, Alan refers to a sea-lice ailment suffered by some local fish as "cling-ons." Shatner, as Denny Crane, seems to be recalling something from his distant past as he utters, "Klingons?"
• "The Cancer Man Can" shows Denny trying out a new clamsheel style phone that flips open and beeps in the exact tone of the old Star Trek communicators.
• In "There's Fire," Denny's new wife Beverly (Enterprise alum Joanna Cassidy) suggests that they move to Hawaii. Denny asks her, "What am I supposed to do-BEAM myself to Boston every morning?"
• In "Gone," Denny shoots a homeless man named Kirk with a paintball gun. Later in the episode Alan Shore calls to Mr. Kirk while seemingly speaking to Denny.

These are just the references I caught. I know I missed some because there is apparently a web site devoted to catching all things Trek in Boston Legal. If you want the scoop on every single reference or perceived allusion, check it out - http://www.boston-legal.org/startrek/index.shtml. The folks at this site really think hard about this stuff - exploring themes, visuals, and storylines. While their site is impresively comprehensive, I just don't want to think that hard when I'm watching a show for relaxation and entertainment.

While I enjoy the subtle Star Trek references, I'm holding out for the piece d'resistance, Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock) to guest star as opposing council of Denny Crane. I think it would be hilarious to see Spock and Kirk on opposite ends of a court case with Nimoy playing it ultra cool and logical to Shatner's over-the-top portrayal of Denny Crane. Just imagine the dialog especially if they were on opposite ends of a case involving bank robbers who wore Kirk and Spock masks during the crime.

Until then, I'll keep looking for Star Trek references (and stars) to pop up in future Boston Legal episodes. Feels like I'm part of an inside joke and that's fun.