The Con of Wrath (2012)

In 1982, a group of sci-fi fans set out to stage The Ultimate Fantasy, the most ambitious Star Trek event ever attempted. It was to feature a talk show on a rotating, delta shield-shaped stage in the center of a 16,000 seat basketball arena in Houston. The cast of the just-released Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan were to perform a one-act play written by Walter Koenig (aka Mr. Chekov), followed by a laser light show, and a concert with a full orchestra. All of this staged over three consecutive nights in conjunction with the annual 1982 HoustonCon. It was meant to be the granddaddy of all conventions...but wound up as the mother of all meltdowns. This isn't, however, just another con-gone-wrong story. It's also the story of how the fans, the cast, and the dealers pulled together to save the convention. It's a tale of bold plans, fan politics, and the enduring, adventurous spirit of Star Trek that ennobles us all.