George Takei: Leatherman

September 25, 2006

With flowing hair and a costume make of hide (aka leather), George Takei agreed to age 30 years for an Internet download-able episode of ''Star Trek.'' The 50-minute production by Trekkie enthusiasts is being filmed at an old car dealership in the Adirondacks.

Probably a lot cheaper than renting a soundstage...

The new episode, ''World Enough and Time,'' has Sulu being unexpectedly transported. ''I find myself on another alien planet. I live 30 years of my life there. I have a child,'' Takei said.

Then he returns to the starship Enterprise.

''It turns out to be only a minute or two that's passed on the Enterprise. I'm a changed man.''

Standing in for William Shatner as Captain Kirk is the episode's producer, James Cawley of nearby Ticonderoga, who has financed 15 years of such ''Star Trek'' episodes from his earnings as an Elvis impersonator.

Of course. But wait: There’s that much cash to be made as an Elvis impersonator? Damn. Editing a news is not that lucrative!

Cawley said the episode will be released in March as a free Internet download from his Star Trek New Voyages Web site. http://www.newvoyages.com/

''It's huge now,'' Cawley said. ''It started out as my friends and me getting together playing 'Star Trek.' Now it's film crews donating their time. People take it seriously.''

Including Takei.