Star Trek boss breaks down beautiful “love letter” to ‘90s series and its beloved star in new spin-off

Alex Kurtzman, a key figure behind the Star Trek franchise, has discussed the recent episode that paid tribute to the popular 1990s show, Deep Space Nine.

I just finished watching the latest episode of the new series, and it was really something special. It followed Sam as they tried to unravel a really old Starfleet secret. But honestly, the biggest thing was how much it honored Avery Brooks, the amazing actor who played Captain Sisko on Deep Space Nine. They really paid tribute to him throughout the whole episode, and it ended with the iconic Deep Space Nine theme music and a simple, heartfelt message: “Thank you, Avery.” It was a beautiful touch.

That episode was challenging to develop, like many of them were, but it ultimately became a wonderful tribute to the talented writers and their passion for Deep Space Nine.

As a lifelong sci-fi fan, I really appreciate how this brings to light just how important Deep Space Nine was – and still is – to so many people. It’s fantastic that a new generation, who maybe didn’t grow up with the show, can now understand what made it so special to us long-time fans.

We’re incredibly proud of how this episode balances humor with genuine emotion, and that combination is what really makes it special.

He explained that the story was difficult to develop, and they went through numerous drafts. As soon as he and the showrunner, Noga Landau, read the script, they both immediately agreed it was one of the best first drafts they’d ever seen.

Episode 5 really feels like a good example of what Kurtzman envisions for the future of Star Trek. He wants to respect the show’s long history, but also make it accessible and enjoyable for new viewers who might not be familiar with decades of past episodes and storylines.

We’ve finally found a good rhythm, allowing us to stay true to classic Star Trek and please longtime fans, while also attracting a new audience, he explained.

Many people believe that after 60 years of stories, it’s hard for new fans to get into Star Trek. But we need to keep it growing for future generations, or it won’t last.

To make our stories accessible, we’re building them in a way that you don’t need to have seen everything that came before. While longtime fans will get even more out of it, it’s perfectly fine if you’re new to the universe.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy airs weekly on Paramount+.

Okay, so I just found out about this app called TopMob: What to Watch, and it looks amazing for anyone who loves TV! They’re adding Starfleet Academy to their watchlist, and honestly, that’s enough to get me to download it. Apparently, it gives you daily recommendations and cool features, so yeah, I’m in! You should check it out too.

Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, where she writes about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-02-05 15:36