33 Years On, Star Trek Officially Reverses a Decision The Next Generation Admitted Was a Mistake

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The latest Star Trek series clearly understands its history within the larger Trek universe. While it tries new things and sometimes challenges longtime fans, it generally shows respect for the original stories. The many references to classic Star Trek in shows like Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy prove this, and sometimes these nods are surprisingly extensive. The tribute to Mr. Boothby from The Next Generation was a nice touch, but the decision to officially include the Furies – a group of villains – in the established canon was a real surprise.

It’s great to see new stories acknowledge the past, but they shouldn’t rely too heavily on just referencing old favorites without adding anything new. Otherwise, it can feel manipulative, like a cheap trick to appeal to nostalgia. While I’m not sure what the exact reason is for these kinds of references, I can see why people are skeptical when established storylines are revisited. Star Trek has a long history, and changing things can easily backfire. That’s why the choice to revive an idea that was quickly abandoned during The Next Generation feels so unusual, even a little risky.

Starfleet Academy Makes Unisex Skirts Starfleet Issue Again

When The Next Generation was first starting out, Gene Roddenberry had a clear idea for a forward-thinking society. He created guidelines for the show – characters generally wouldn’t swear or argue with each other, and they were all meant to be intelligent – but these rules were often broken when a good story demanded it. His team also imagined a future so advanced that traditional gendered clothing had disappeared, leading to the somewhat infamous “skants” – a unisex minidress uniform – being introduced in the show’s first season.

I remember when they first introduced those uniforms – they were meant to be a small thing, just expanding on a look from the original Star Trek but only for the women in Starfleet. It was interesting, but honestly, they didn’t last. By the second season, they were gone! There was talk the network didn’t like them, but it could also have just been practical. Think about it: the crew of the Enterprise were always running around in action scenes, and those outfits were… revealing, and the show wasn’t exactly known for being risque. But it’s cool to see Starfleet Academy bring them back after all these years, especially considering how The Next Generation moved away from that style for male characters. It feels like a fun nod to the past.

In the series Starfleet Academy, the Klingon cadet Jay-Den Kraag, played by Karim Diane, has been shown wearing a skirt in two episodes. While the first instance could be seen as a personal choice, the seventh episode confirms the skirt is now an official part of the Starfleet uniform. This effectively reverses a previous decision made during The Next Generation which focused on practicality. Jay-Den pairs the skirt with sheer tights, offering a stylish and practical solution for physical activity.

It’s not surprising that the new uniform skirts – the closest thing to split skirts we’ll see in the 2026 Star Trek series – have gotten a mixed reaction, from indifference to outright teasing. But really, a gender-neutral uniform actually aligns with Gene Roddenberry’s original idea of a progressive, evolved future. Maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to criticize.

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2026-02-20 22:18