Sixty years after “Star Trek” first debuted, Paramount+’s “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” is presenting the beloved franchise to a new generation, while paying homage to its legacy and millions of Trekkies old and new. Creator Gaia Violo is introducing a new set of characters trying to orient themselves, and find their way in a world still reeling from the horrors and mishaps of the past. Joyous, earnest and fun, the YA-centered series is a delightful entry point for both “Star Trek” fans familiar with the deep lore and newcomers (like me).
“Starfleet Academy” opens in the 32nd century and is positioned as a direct follow-up to “Star Trek: Discovery.” The United Federation of Planets hasn’t recovered from the horrifying events of The Burn, which destroyed the Federation’s Fleet. Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) has been recruited to come aboard the USS Athena as Captain, and to act as the chancellor of the newly opened Starfleet Academy. Ake is initially hesitant to take her eccentricities to a more structured environment, but her fraught history with one recruit, 21-year-old Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta), changes her mind. Though Caleb isn’t exactly thrilled by the idea of attending school, he decides to temper his delinquent ways, and instead use his hard-earned savvy, engineering skills and Starfleet’s resources to track down his missing mother, Alicia (Tatiana Maslany).
Rounding out this new class of cadets are Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diané), a pacifist Klingon and aspiring medical officer who connects with Doctor (“Star Trek: Voyager’s” Robert Picardo). Darem Reymi (George Hawkins) is a Khionian and aspiring captain who is both Caleb’s adversary and roommate. There is also Genesis Lythe (Bella Shepard), a Dar-Sa and daughter of an admiral who gives Darem a run for his money, and Sam (Kerrice Brooks), a Kasqian, or hologram student, who is the first of her kind to attend Starfleet. The students are kept under the helm of cadet master Lura Thok, part-Klingon, part Jem’Hadar, who is much firmer and fiercer than the hippie-like Ake. Moreover, a wickedly fun guest performance by Paul Giamatti as space pirate Nus Braka draws direct parallels to the fear-mongers and empathy-deniers who have permeated our real-life society.
The 10-episode first season (critics received six for review) is primarily episodic. However, it does contain an overarching theme of Caleb’s quest to reunite with his mother, as well as the romantic tension he shares with Zarima Sadal (Zoë Steiner), a War Academy student and the daughter of Betazed’s president. “Starfleet Academy” works because of its structure: The show has the universal appeal of a teen drama that also features “Star Trek” history. However, the strong cast and unpacking the realities of living in a fraught and perilous galaxy remain at the forefront. (Something we mere humans can definitely relate to.)
Despite some rather tragic digital effects, “Starfleet Academy” is charming. Episode 4, “Vox in Excelso,” and Episode 5, “Series Acclimation Mil,” are the standouts here. The show focuses on the angst and exhilaration of being a young adult determined to take control of one’s own destiny. Zeroing in on romantic connections, deep-seated rivalry and a desire for connection with the classic “Star Trek” backdrop will likely impress lifelong Trekkies who can easily spot Easter Eggs while welcoming in a brand new group of viewers who have stopped in to see young people connect and come together in a society that doesn’t always understand them.
Overall, “Starfleet Academy” is a fun and exciting ride. It’s likely somewhat different from what long-time Trekkies are accustomed to, but perhaps that is the point. To ensure the franchise lasts at least another 60 years, it must reflect our actual world. There must be space made for queer identifying, multi-heritage and mixed-race characters. It’s clear in many ways (on television and in real life) that the old guard has long dropped the ball. As “Starfleet Academy” declares, it’s now up to a new generation to fix the mess they’ve inherited.
The first two episodes of “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” premiere Jan. 15 on Paramount+, with new episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays.
