10 Insane TV Details You Never Noticed
6. The First Black Woman In Space Cameos In One Episode - Star Trek: The Next Generation
In Star Trek: The Next Generation's season six episode "Second Chances," a transporter operator by the name of Palmer makes a brief appearance, who unbeknownst to the overwhelming majority of viewers is played by someone very special indeed.
Palmer was played by Dr. Mae Jemison, who in 1992 - the year before the episode was filmed - became the first Black woman to travel into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, and was therefore the first real-life astronaut to appear on Star Trek.
It's an especially poignant cameo as Jemison reportedly developed an interest in space after watching Nichelle Nichols' portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura on the original '60s Star Trek series, and during her time in actual space would start each day with the salute, "Hailing frequencies open."
LeVar Burton, who directed the episode, ended up inviting Jemison to appear and also had Nichols visit the set so the pair could meet. And like that, a seemingly throwaway character becomes infinitely more interesting.