In 1983, Nicholas Meyer followed up Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan with The Day After, a television movie depicting a nuclear war from the perspective of Lawrence, Kansas, a small town in middle America. The film is, and always shall be, the most watched television movie in history, and went so far as to influence the actions of U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

This week, Mike and Max are joined by Star Trek expert Larry Nemecek, who worked as an extra on The Day After while in college. We discuss the political climate of the time, the social impact of the film, what it was like to live in Lawrence during the movie’s production, Larry’s experience as an extra, and Larry’s encounter with Nicholas Meyer.

Originally published as Commentary: Trek Stars 29.