A star rating of 3 out of 5.
This review is based on episodes 1-6 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
It’s back to school in the Star Trek universe! The new series, Starfleet Academy, is coming soon, so get ready to learn alongside the next generation of Starfleet officers.
In the 32nd century, following the events of Discovery, a new group of Starfleet cadets is training to become officers. These cadets grew up after The Burn, a devastating event that has shaped their generation, and are now facing the challenges of becoming the next leaders of Starfleet.
Caleb Mir (played by Sandro Rosta) is a troubled young man who arrives at the academy as an outsider. His childhood was shattered by a traumatic event, leading him down a path of crime. Fortunately, Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) steps in to help, determined to turn his life around and train him to become a Starfleet cadet.
The show features a diverse cast of cadets and teachers, playing on its school environment. Characters come from many different species and cultures, including Kerrice Brooks as the very young Kasqian, Sam; Zoë Steiner as the Betazoid, Tarima Sadal; and Gina Yashere as a unique Klingon/Jem’Hadar hybrid, a character that has already sparked discussion among fans.
The newest installment in Alex Kurtzman’s often-debated Star Trek run is a mixed bag. Caleb’s storyline is compelling, boosted by a great guest performance, and it’s easy to sympathize with him once we learn about his difficult childhood and ongoing trauma. The show also effectively uses the complicated history between Caleb and Hunter’s character, Nahla, in their scenes together.
Okay, so the initial premise was cool, but once the show settled into high school rivalries, typical teen pranks, and all that angsty stuff, I started losing interest. Honestly, a lot of episodes felt like they were just…filling time. It took forever to get anywhere, and sometimes they didn’t even get anywhere, you know?
The show introduces a lot of new characters, and it tries to give them all proper introductions with dedicated storylines. However, this slows down the overall pace, and it takes until around episode six to really get to the central plot. Sadly, not all of these characters are compelling, and it feels like time is spent on people who don’t add much to the story.
It’s a very British complaint, perhaps, but the show is a bit too saccharine and occasionally embarrassing to watch. Even the rebellious Caleb enthusiastically embraces school spirit far too quickly! Couldn’t he have stayed a troublemaker for just a little longer?
Paul Giamatti is a standout as the villainous Nus Braka, completely captivating every time he appears on screen – his scenes with Hunter are particularly enjoyable. It’s also great to see Hunter reprise her role as the pragmatic Nahla, navigating the challenges of being both a captain and a teacher, and realistically stumbling along the way.
As a huge Trek fan, I really appreciated all the little references to the past sprinkled throughout the show. It was great to see Jett Reno, played by Tig Notaro, back – her sarcastic humor is always a welcome contrast to some of the sweeter moments. And honestly, seeing Robert Picardo as the Doctor again just made my day!
Throughout the season, be sure to watch for hidden references and inside jokes. They begin subtly, but build to a really heartfelt and enthusiastic tribute to a classic Star Trek moment – it’s a powerful scene well worth anticipating.
After the first six episodes, the show is really starting to pick up pace. Hopefully, the rest of the season will deliver even more excitement and make it even better.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is coming to Paramount+ on 15th January.
Don’t miss out on Starfleet Academy! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.
Authors
Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, writing 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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2026-01-08 11:10