Episodes watched: 6 out of 10.
Starfleet Academy is an institution long referenced – and briefly seen – in both Star Trek films and television shows, boasting a revered alumni list including Kirk, Spock, Picard, Janeway and later, Saru. Following the iconic Kobayashi Maru sequence in J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek film, it’s a surprise that it’s taken so long for a spinoff to be set in the hallowed halls. However, Alex Kurtzman and co. are boldly going where the sci-fi franchise hasn’t gone before – to the educational facility in the futuristic 32nd century, picking up where Discovery left off after the disastrous events of the Burn.
Centring on a gang of fresh-faced cadets comprised of troubled human Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta), pacifist Klingon Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diane), ambitious Dar-Sha Genesis Lythe (Bella Shepard), headstrong Khionian Darem Reymi (George Hawkins) and oddball Kasqian SAM (Kerrice Brooks), Starfleet Academy follows the trials and tribulations of the institution’s first new intake for over a century. Featuring a mix of thrilling showdowns in space and classroom sessions aboard the USS Athena docked in San Francisco – including a fun laser tag game with rivals and competitors from the Federation’s War College – there’s certainly plenty of lessons to takeaway this semester.
Opening with an emotional flashback as Starfleet captain Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) is forced to separate a young Caleb from his desperate mother (an all-too-brief cameo from Tatiana Maslany) as she turned to the help of criminal gangster Braka (Paul Giamatti), it’s clear from the get go that Ake feels responsible for Caleb. Flash forward 15 years later and the now chair of Starfleet Academy enrols the troubled teen – who’s since served and escaped various penal institutions – aboard the USS Athena to make a better future for himself.
After the ship is attacked by a vengeful Braka, Caleb and the ragtag group of new cadets are forced to work together to save the day in an entertaining opening episode – so far, so good. However, the following two episode offer much more generic and often cheesy teen fare which wouldn’t feel too dissimilar from a CW show. There’s plenty of angsty drama, with tense rivalries and teenage pranks, and surprisingly a few sex scenes. Safe to say it certainly won’t be for all Trek fans.
Thankfully episodes 4-6 are much more engaging, focusing on a Klingon centric backstory episode revolving around one of the show’s younger standouts, Jay-Den Kraag, along with an emotional episode which Deep Space Nine fans will undoubtedly revel in and one of the darkest episodes of New Trek yet, as the gang find themselves in an incredibly tense situation. It’s safe to say overall it’s a mixed bag.
Alongside Karim Diane, who’s easily the standout of the teen cast as the young Klingon trying to find his feet, Oscar winner Holly Hunter proves a fun new addition as the unconventional leader. Often curling up on the captain’s chair, opting to go barefoot and going toe-to-toe with a Klingon during a drinking game, she’s unlike any captain we’ve seen yet in the sci-fi franchise. She also shares a fun dynamic with the villainous Giamatti, who completely chews the scenery in each scene he’s in. It’s also a treat to spend time with Robert Picardo’s opera loving Doctor once again.
There’s no doubt that the sets aboard the USS Athena are vast and visually impressive, however with plenty of lens flare, a similar sheen to Discovery and CGI robots flying around, it feels like it’s missing the more practical look and feel of previous sets. However, there are plenty of Trek Easter eggs, nods and callbacks included, so it certainly hasn’t forgotten it’s roots, this is just Trek for a new audience.
Verdict
Entertaining but uneven, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is a mixed-bag, and the CW-esque angsty teen drama certainly won’t be for everyone – especially those who aren’t a fan of the more emotion-fuelled Discovery. However, there are glimmers of promise, primarily thanks to Karim Diane and Holly Hunter, and the spin-off promises an intriguing second half. Let’s just hope it sticks the landing!
