Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Is A Perfect Mesh Of Old Meets New, And Feels Like The Show Fans Have Waited For

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Good news for Star Trek fans: a new series is coming in 2026! After a four-year gap, we’re finally getting fresh episodes. While the initial cast reveal sparked some debate, many viewers have been hoping for a show set at Starfleet Academy for years, and it seems the wait will be worth it.

I’ve watched the first six episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (the first two will be available on Paramount+ starting January 15th), and it’s fantastic! Whether you’re a longtime Trek fan or new to the series, there’s plenty to enjoy, no matter which era you prefer. While some people may have reservations, I highly recommend giving it a chance – it offers a surprisingly fresh and exciting take on the Star Trek universe.

Starfleet Academy’s Episodes Feel Like The TNG Era Episodes, And That’s A Great Thing

Bringing up The Next Generation when discussing Starfleet Academy might seem like a bold comparison, but I think this show lives up to it. Because the series focuses on students training to join Starfleet, it can’t be filled with constant action; it needs to focus on their learning and development.

Often, the most compelling moments happen right in the classroom. It could be an instructor lecturing on the Klingon Empire’s situation after The Burn, or a lively discussion between a Betazoid delegation and staff, as they try to convince the nation to send more students to the Academy. While some sci-fi fans might think that sounds boring, dedicated Trekkies understand this is where the real heart of the story lies.

Watching these episodes reminded me a lot of Star Trek: The Next Generation. While some are action-packed, others focus just as much on characters dealing with personal problems and tough situations – almost like an episode centered on Data, but with more substance. You can really see the influence of TNG in the writing, and I think fans will appreciate it.

The 32nd Century Backdrop Gives Us A Ton Of New Lore To Chew On

I was really excited when Star Trek: Discovery moved to the 32nd century. While I appreciate revisiting the past, a new time period offered the chance to meet new alien races and find out what had happened with familiar ones over the last thousand years. Sadly, the show quickly focused on its existing characters’ personal stories, and we didn’t get much information about the wider galaxy beyond the event known as “The Burn.”

Luckily, Starfleet Academy provides a natural way to share lots of background information about different alien species. The new cadets haven’t traveled much due to the recent event called The Burn, so many of them are meeting these species for the first time. This setup allows the show to deliver a surprising amount of information without it feeling forced or unnatural, especially in the beginning.

We Finally Get The Starfleet Military School Vs. College Debate

Longtime fans of Star Trek constantly debate whether Starfleet is a military organization. The truth is complicated – their main goal is exploration and providing aid, but they also protect The Federation. If the Empire from Star Wars suddenly appeared and threatened the galaxy, Starfleet would definitely be a key player in defending against them.

Starfleet Academy comes up with a clever solution that works for everyone involved. I won’t reveal the details, but those who are upset should remember that the 32nd century is very different from the past. The Federation isn’t doing as well as it was in the days of Captains Picard or Kirk, and that creates a really interesting storyline for the show that I’m excited to see develop.

Star Trek Has Once Again Given Us Something Completely New, While Honoring The Old Guard In A Significant Way

This new series definitely feels different from past installments. The conversations are more natural, the soundtrack includes more modern music, and it explores the emotional struggles of young adulthood. While things have changed, at its core, this series still delivers the qualities that make Star Trek so beloved.

More On Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Alex Kurtzman, who leads the Star Trek franchise, recently shared news about his current contract and what he envisions for his future with the series.

What I appreciate most is that the show developed its own unique style without simply imitating Strange New Worlds. In fact, the writing often reminded me of The Orville, which itself drew inspiration from classic Star Trek. It’s a rare accomplishment to pay tribute to the past without relying on cheap nostalgia, and this show pulls it off beautifully.

This series often felt like a live-action version of Lower Decks, which will likely please fans who were disappointed when that show ended. A big reason for this is Tawny Newsome, the voice of Mariner and a huge Star Trek fan, who’s also a writer on the show. She even wrote a particularly memorable episode early on that’s sure to generate a lot of positive buzz. Hopefully, this will help her get her own live-action comedy series off the ground, but if not, Starfleet Academy would be lucky to have her in the writing team for as long as she’s willing.

It’s still early days, and I haven’t finished watching it, so I can’t say if Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is the best new Trek series yet. However, it’s started incredibly strongly, and it has the potential to be one of the greatest shows in the entire franchise – if it’s allowed to continue. Let’s hope it doesn’t suffer the same fate as Prodigy; I don’t think fans could handle another cancellation like that.

I’m really excited about Paramount+! You can get a subscription for as little as $7.99 a month, or even save more with an annual plan at $59.99 a year. Right now, they have so much great stuff, including the new Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series. They have a couple of different plans – one with ads for $7.99 a month, and a premium, ad-free option for $12.99. But honestly, if you’re going to be watching a lot, the annual plan is the way to go to save some cash. Check it out – there’s a deal going on now!

The new series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, will launch with two episodes on January 15th. Make sure you have a Paramount+ subscription so you can enjoy this fresh take on the world of Starfleet!

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2026-01-09 21:12