During the production of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1996, the 30th anniversary of Star Trek was approaching, and the team wanted to do something special for an episode. Of the many ideas suggested for the anniversary, one stood out among the rest that would reintroduce the gangster planet from Star Trek: The Original Series, Sigma Lotia II.

When the original Enterprise crew first discovered Sigma Lotia II, they found the whole planet resembled Prohibition-era Chicago. The Lotians took on this appearance because of a book about 1920s Chicago left behind by early human space travelers that they quickly grew obsessed with and made their way of life. 

With the events of Deep Space Nine taking place 100 years after Star Trek: TOS, the planet's entire culture had completely changed. Inspired and amazed by their adventures in space, the planet would abandon their gangster personas and take on the appearances of Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and the rest of the Enterprise crew.

The Deep Space Nine team would arrive on the planet filled with people all dressed as characters from the original series reminiscing all of Kirk’s great adventures. The Lotians would develop their whole religion around the Federation and essentially make a Star Trek convention the size of a planet.

While the writers for the series were excited about bringing back Sigma Lotia II at the time, the idea of making fun of their fans eventually didn't sit well with them.

"We really weren't comfortable with it, although we were having a lot of fun. There was something that was bothering all of us, but especially Ira [Steven Behr], which was that in a way we were making fun of the people who watch and are our fans," remarked Co-Supervising Producer of Deep Space Nine, Hans Beimler about the idea.

The return to Sigma Lotia II would eventually be rejected and the 30th anniversary episode would ultimately become fan favorite Trials and Tribble-ations. The episode would follow Captain Sisko and crew as they travel back in time to prevent the assassination of Kirk using Star Trek: TOS footage and filming techniques.

What do you think about the idea to make a planet around a Trek convention? Do you think Star Trek fans could take the joke?

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