Starfleet Academy is Star Trek: Hogwarts (& It’s Definitely Not For Everyone) [Review]

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It’s almost a trope to start by referencing Star Trek’s famous mission to “boldly go,” considering how much the franchise has changed television over the decades. But it’s a fitting introduction to Paramount’s new series, Starfleet Academy. Set about 120 years after the event known as The Burn, the show is clearly designed to attract a younger audience – something Star Trek has tried to do with mixed results – while also respecting its history. As the franchise enters a new phase, the question is whether Paramount will continue with this series beyond the second season, which is already in production.

The new series feels a bit conflicted. It tries to honor the original Star Trek with familiar references that long-time fans will appreciate, but it also takes risks and introduces new ideas that challenge established storylines. This leads to some jarring combinations – like bringing back a character from a previous series alongside completely new and unexpected characters, or storylines that don’t quite fit with what we already know. It’s clear the show is trying to attract both new, younger viewers and please older fans, but it’s a difficult balance. Some longtime fans might not be happy with the changes, and there’s already online debate about certain choices. Ultimately, it’s okay that not every Star Trek story will appeal to every Star Trek fan.

Rating: 3.5/5

PROS CONS
The Starfleet Academy idea is a solid one, ripe for strong character work The humor is only partly successful
The cast are mostly very good The visuals can be distracting at times
Not afraid to be different The writing of characters becomes oddly inconsistent quite quickly
The action is great

Starfleet Academy’s Young Cast is Mostly Very Good

As the title suggests, Starfleet Academy is most similar to Star Trek: Hogwarts – it centers on a group of young characters navigating a new and unfamiliar environment. This creates the show’s second biggest hurdle (after appealing to existing Star Trek fans): finding the right balance between a young adult “school” story and something that still feels like Star Trek. I believe the show succeeds at both. It effectively portrays the relationships, conflicts, and identity struggles you’d expect in a school setting, and isn’t afraid to include frustrating characters. My main critique is that the characters sometimes feel a bit like standard teen stereotypes, similar to those in The Breakfast Club, but that’s common in this type of story.

The young actors are generally strong. Sandro Rosta plays Caleb Mir, the charming but troubled hero, who’s at the Academy either as a punishment or a chance to make things right. He and his mother, played by Tatiana Maslany, both suffered from Starfleet’s overreach – hopefully we’ll see more of her character in the second half of the season. Karim Diane as the surprising Klingon, Jay-Den Kraag, and Kerrice Brooks as the holographic student, SAM, have the most to work with, though they share the spotlight with Bella Shepard’s Genesis Lythe, who benefits from family connections, and George Hawkins’ initially unlikeable Darem Reymi. Despite some flaws in the writing – like Darem’s sudden change in behavior and quickly abandoned superpowers, and SAM’s frustrating first impression – I enjoy the performances of the entire cast.

Starfleet Academy Brings In Old Heads (& Legacy Characters)

Since this story takes place far in the future, there aren’t many chances for familiar faces to appear. However, Robert Picardo’s appearance as the Doctor is a welcome addition – he’s older and a bit grumpier, which is explained in the first episode. He’s joined by Tig Notaro from Discovery, who continues to be a scene-stealer, and Oded Fehr makes a brief appearance. Mary Wiseman’s Tilly is also supposedly involved, but doesn’t show up in the first six episodes. I would have loved this show to be set in an earlier Trek era, allowing for more cameos and guest appearances for fans to enjoy, but that might have been seen as relying too much on nostalgia. This isn’t that kind of show – that’s more suited to something like Stranger Things.

The new additions also include some familiar faces. Stephen Colbert provides a voice-only supporting role, while Paul Giamatti clearly relishes playing the over-the-top villain, Nus Braka. Holly Hunter shines as Captain Nahla Ake, bringing a unique, free-spirited energy to the role as the first captain of her kind. While Giamatti’s performance occasionally feels a bit much, Hunter is truly captivating, maintaining a strong presence even when her relaxed posture might seem unconventional to some. I especially appreciated the lightheartedness of it all, even in the fast-paced first episode, which feels more like a standalone movie than a typical installment.

Starfleet Academy’s First Episode is Impressive, the Humor Less So

The first episode of Starfleet Academy starts with a bang – a full-scale attack on the USS Athena by Nus Braka, who are trying to steal the ship’s core. It’s a classic Star Trek formula – a self-contained adventure that lets the characters demonstrate their abilities (though some changes to those abilities later feel a bit confusing). The action is exciting, the story moves quickly, and there’s a good amount of humor to balance the danger. This episode feels different from others in the series, which usually focus on individual character studies. In fact, it’s closer in style to Discovery than The Original Series, even though it tries to capture the feel of the original show.

The show’s tone is noteworthy, and likely to be a central topic of conversation. It leans heavily into slapstick, swearing, and contemporary language, which was surprising. One character, Lura Thok, played by Gina Yashere, is presented as purely comedic, despite initially seeming like she’d be a more serious role. I found the frequency of jokes to be a bit much, and the character SAM was initially annoying, though she improved as the series went on. While the show’s attempt to recapture the spirit of the original Star Trek is appreciated, the humor doesn’t always hit the mark in Starfleet Academy.

Final Thoughts On Starfleet Academy

So, did I enjoy the new Star Trek? Absolutely! There’s a lot to like, and honestly, that’s what I always look for in a Star Trek series – something fresh. Don’t get me wrong, I’d happily binge a nostalgic reboot any day, but this show is trying new things. However, it hasn’t quite reached ‘great’ status yet. For me, the constant use of ‘The Volume’ as a filming backdrop feels a bit distracting, and I really don’t understand why they still insist on using so much lens flare. It just feels… unnecessary.

I especially enjoyed the concept of the Athena – a school that provides practical, if sometimes risky, training for its crew – and the Captain, who became a favorite. Holly Hunter is fantastic, as always. While some of the show’s more daring ideas felt a little toned down compared to early Discovery, it successfully attracted a younger audience without feeling overly preachy or trying too hard.

Look, if you’re a fan of the original Star Trek vibe – think the Kurtzmann days – you’ll probably dig this. But honestly, even if you’re a bit of a purist, it’s worth sticking with it and going in with an open mind. It doesn’t really mess with what Roddenberry wanted for Star Trek, and it’s actually pretty cool to see these Starfleet characters as cadets, figuring things out. That alone makes Starfleet Academy worth checking out, in my opinion.

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2026-01-08 15:43