Star Trek: Picard producer Bernardin announces “second wave” of The Plague Nerdalogues, including Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks) as Jean-Luc Picard

Ahmed Best performs as Captain Jean-Luc Picard from “The Drumhead”

Here’s an “in case you missed it” story that has ended up with a rather meaningful second chapter.

Back in May, Marc Bernardin, a TV writer and upcoming supervising producer for Star Trek: Picard season two, unveiled his latest pet project: The Plague Nerdalogues. Variety reported that The Plague Nerdalogues was a video project that aimed to raise money for the charity No Kid Hungry. For a contribution of $10, viewers would gain access to a series of nerd-themed monologues, performed by actors with serious nerd cred.

Among the stars performing were Tricia Helfer from Battlestar Galactica, Phil Lamarr from Samurai Jack, Brea Grant from Heroes, and even a couple of Trek stars. Rekha Sharma from Star Trek: Discovery turned in a performance, and everyone’s favorite space dad, Jonathan Frakes, took his turn as Captain James T. Kirk from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

But now, as IGN reports, The Plague Nerdalogues has had a “Second Wave” update with even more performances, and this time proceeds will be going to Black Lives Matter. Among the new performers are Yetide Badaki from American Gods, Yvette Nicole Brown from Community, and even Bernardin himself. Actor Ahmed Best - most widely known as Jar Jar Binks from Star Wars - turns in a commanding performance as Captain Jean-Luc Picard from the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “The Drumhead”.

Bernardin said in a statement: “It became clear to me, as both an African American and a human being, that if we could raise money for a cause that’s affected so many since they were born, then we should. [...] And when I mentioned to the actors who’d already contributed their monologues, not a one raised an objection. We all stand together. Nerds and strong. And even though the ‘plague’ in the title initially referred to COVID-19, to apply it to systemic racism - America’s first plague - felt apt.”

To watch The Plague Nerdalogues for yourself, just head to theplaguenerdalogues.com and make a donation to Black Lives Matter. Once you do so, you’ll get access to all the “nerdalogues” so far, including the first wave with Rekha Sharma and Jonathan Frakes, and new performances as they’re added. Oh, and if for some reason you don’t want to watch a bevy of talented actors acting talented, then please feel free to donate directly to Black Lives Matter at blacklivesmatter.com.