Star Trek
Science Fiction Franchise and Staff FandomDescription
Event Involvements
Events with structured involvement data
Star Trek functions as the cultural reference point that sparks Janice's defense and Josh's prolonged comic rebuke; the franchise is the vehicle through which questions of identity, passion, and workplace boundaries are negotiated.
Manifested through Janice's pin and conversational references, and through Josh's characterization of 'fan vs. fetish' during his monologue.
Cultural influence (fan identity) momentarily challenges institutional norms (workplace decorum); Josh, representing managerial authority, reasserts the institution's ability to set boundaries while also granting cultural space conditionally.
Highlights tension between individual expression and institutional professionalism, illustrating how cultural affiliations must be tempered within bureaucratic settings.
Implicit tension between casual fans and more intense devotees; no formal hierarchy, but social pressure and managerial moderation shape acceptable behavior.
The Star Trek fandom (represented by Janice's pin and Josh's references) functions narratively as the cultural touchstone around which the dispute revolves—it's the content of Janice's identity claim and the foil for Josh's boundary-setting speech.
Manifested through Janice's visible pin, direct references to series-specific elements (Romulans, Cardassians), and Josh's joking invocation of a 'Star Trek holiday.'
Non-institutional cultural influence challenging workplace norms; it exerts soft social pressure but lacks formal authority within the bullpen hierarchy.
Highlights how broader cultural affiliations infiltrate bureaucratic spaces and require informal adjudication; it forces staff to balance inclusivity with professionalism.
Not applicable as a formal organization here; internal fandom hierarchies (devotee vs. casual fan) are implied by Josh's distinctions between 'fan' and 'fetish.'
Related Events
Events mentioning this organization
Josh notices a temp wearing a Star Trek pin and tries to nudge Donna to enforce White House decorum. Donna deflects, then pivots and cashes …
Josh attempts to enforce White House decorum when he asks temporary staffer Janice Trumbull to remove a Star Trek pin. Janice defiantly frames the pin …
Donna tells Josh that Commander Jack Reese has asked her out and asks to leave early; Josh grants permission warmly and, with a protective half‑smile, …
After a warm, human moment between Donna and Josh, Janice challenges Josh from her desk about her Star Trek pin. Josh answers with a teasing, …
The scene opens in the sterile, functional corridor of the Enterprise, where Picard’s reluctant departure for Risa is framed by the crew’s well-meaning but misguided …