Screen on! Angeles watches ‘Discovery’ finale

By Fleet Capt. Dave Mason

TORRANCE — Janice Willcocks turned on the view screen at the first USS Angeles party in her new home in Torrance, Calif.

Eight people gathered to watch the “Star Trek: Discovery” series finale June 29 at the USS Angeles founder’s party in the Los Angeles area. We watched the epic tale focusing on Capt. Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and her crew.

Janice also showed “Stargate: SG-1” episodes with “Star Trek” connections. One episode with a lower decks vibe was “The Other Guys,” featuring John Billingsley (Dr. Phlox on “Star Trek: Enterprise”) as Simon Coombs. Simon and his fellow scientist Jay Felger (Patrick McKenna) try to rescue Col. Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) and his team during an SG-1 away mission — with mixed results.

We also watched “200,” the “Stargate: SG-1” episode celebrating the 200th episode of the “Stargate” franchise. The funny episode pokes fun at “Stargate” as the crew tries to help alien-turned-Hollywood writer, Martin Lloyd (Willie Garson), with his script for a movie adaptation of a TV show inspired by the SG-1 program.

The episode featured spoofs of shows varying from the marionette-driven “Thunderbirds” to “Star Trek.” We laughed hard.

“Stargate: SG-1” ran from 1997 to 2007, first on Showtime before moving to the SyFi Channel in 2002. Today the episodes stream on Amazon Prime, which has a subscription fee, and for free on Pluto TV.

We had a great time at Janice’s home, which she decorated with great “Star Trek” images and collectibles. Her cool cat Finnegan kicked back in her bedroom while we feasted on our potluck.

Janice’s guests were Chris Mulrooney, Charles Stelzried, Emma Stelzried, Gloria Rodriguez, Lisa Sobien, Brian Nomi and I.

Thanks for hosting, Janice!