Divisive Star Trek TV Show Defies the Backlash To Re-Enter Paramount+ Streaming Charts (but There’s a Catch)

by

Despite a difficult beginning, the latest Star Trek series is now performing well and has climbed back into the Top 10 streaming shows, according to FlixPatrol. However, whether this level of success is sufficient for a major installment in the popular Star Trek franchise is a matter of opinion, and often depends on individual fan perspectives.

From the start, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has faced challenges in gaining acceptance. The show’s core idea – following young cadets striving for a hopeful future after a devastating galactic event called “the Burn” – genuinely captures the spirit of Star Trek. The series focuses on these cadets as they form friendships, navigate rivalries and first loves, all while training to become Starfleet officers under strict instructors, and facing a new threat to the Academy and the Federation. Despite a strong critical reception – earning an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes – audience scores are much lower at 42% due to negative reviews, suggesting a deliberate attempt to undermine the show.

Did Starfleet Academy Actually Misstep?

Many viewers strongly dislike the series, expressing their disappointment online with comments calling it embarrassing and appealing to a very limited audience. Negative reviews on sites like Rotten Tomatoes and Reddit include harsh criticisms, with some claiming it’s the worst installment in Star Trek history and a disservice to the show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry.

Many viewers see deeper meaning in Starfleet Academy, interpreting it as a story about overcoming hardship and healing from trauma through human connection. One Reddit user highlighted how the show explores generational change, societal recovery after a crisis, and the isolating effects of trauma, noting Caleb’s journey and the Betazoid storyline—a culture rediscovering the importance of connection. They appreciate how these themes feel particularly relevant today, given the current divisions and polarization in the world, and believe a story about bridging divides is incredibly important right now.

Robert Picardo, known for his role on Voyager, also strongly disagrees with the criticism. He defended Starfleet Academy‘s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, values central to Star Trek. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Picardo lamented that, unlike in the past when people simply stopped watching shows they disliked, some now actively try to prevent others from enjoying them, relentlessly attacking and attempting to ruin the show for everyone.

Whether Starfleet Academy truly fits within the Star Trek universe depends on what aspects of the franchise you appreciate most. Regardless, it’s currently popular enough to be among Paramount’s top ten shows.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/feature/star-trek-just-made-worfs-replacement-one-of-the-franchises-most-tragic-characters-ever/embed/#

Read More

2026-01-31 22:44