Starfleet Academy Review: New Star Trek Series Perfectly Blends the Old & the New

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I remember when Star Trek first came out sixty years ago – Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future was amazing, taking us to places no one had ever seen before. This new series feels like exactly what we need right now. The original show premiered during a really turbulent time in the 60s, offering viewers a hopeful look ahead. And now, with everything going on in the world, Starfleet Academy brings back that same feeling of optimism and possibility.

The new series follows a fresh group of Starfleet cadets – the first in over a century. With changes happening at Paramount Studios, this show, Starfleet Academy, might be the last Star Trek series produced by Alex Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout. It builds on the foundation laid by Discovery, the first of Kurtzman’s recent Star Trek projects. Kurtzman believes that each generation faces similar fundamental challenges, but shaped by the current world, and Star Trek has always reflected that. Starfleet Academy aims to appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers, including those who’ve become disappointed with recent Star Trek offerings. Critics have seen the first six episodes of Season 1, and they successfully blend new stories with elements that honor the show’s history.

Starfleet Academy Is an Expertly Crafted Blend of New and Classic Star Trek

As a lifelong Star Trek fan, I was really intrigued by the setup of the latest series. Apparently, about 120 years before the show begins, something called “the Burn” almost wiped out warp travel and the Federation itself! The crew of the Discovery managed to fix things, and the series starts shortly after that. It’s fascinating because it’s the first class to enter Starfleet Academy after this huge crisis, so the show isn’t just about these cadets trying to become officers – it’s also about rebuilding trust in Starfleet and the Federation after everything that happened. It’s a really compelling premise, honestly.

With The Next Generation, the show introduced characters that mirrored the more progressive values of society since the 1960s. However, the latest Star Trek shows, beginning in 2017, appeared during a time of social and political division. This likely contributed to the darker tone of series like Discovery and the early seasons of Picard, leading some viewers to feel they weren’t true to the spirit of Star Trek. Starfleet Academy still reflects contemporary issues, and reminds both the characters and the audience that overcoming challenges is what drives us forward.

The show introduces a lot of new characters and alien races, alongside some returning favorites from Discovery. The early episodes cleverly tie into events from the broader Star Trek history. One episode even resolves a long-standing mystery surrounding a character from Deep Space Nine that fans have debated for over 25 years. However, these connections to the past aren’t just for longtime viewers; they also enhance the stories of the new characters. Fans of the recent Star Trek series will find plenty to enjoy, and for those who prefer older iterations, Starfleet Academy seems to be saying that the best way to enjoy Star Trek is simply to experience more Star Trek stories.

Starfleet Academy Kicks Off the Next Generation of Star Trek (For a Fourth Time)

Following the conclusion of The Original Series, Star Trek returned ten years later with a new film, launching a new generation. Subsequent generations continued with The Next Generation, and later, Discovery and the other recent series. This new show differs from previous installments; it doesn’t start with established heroes. Instead, it focuses on the journey of how ordinary people – skeptics, idealists, and even their teachers – evolve into the heroic figures who crew famous starships like the Enterprise and the Defiant.

Characters set in the 24th and 32nd centuries often resemble those from the original Star Trek series. These individuals, both young and old, still experience everyday problems like arguments, insecurities, and other common human flaws. Starfleet Academy is perfectly suited to address these issues, as its purpose is to help students grow and improve. These characters also face growing expectations; their achievements aren’t simply about personal advancement, but about demonstrating that Starfleet’s principles remain relevant even in a challenging future. The galaxy is watching to see if these values can endure.

Despite the devastation of the Burn, Starfleet Academy is embracing a more inclusive future, with former enemies now joining the galactic community. Lura Thok, played by Gina Yashere, is a unique character – half-Klingon and half-Jem’Hadar – and serves as second-in-command at the Academy. Klingon cadet Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diané) continues the legacy of Worf from The Next Generation, serving within Starfleet. The Academy also welcomes entirely new species, like Sam (Kerrice Brooks), a holographic lifeform, and Genesis Lythe of the Dar-Sha (Bella Shepard). As Starfleet faces new dangers, these cadets will confront them with the same teamwork and courage as those who came before.

As Star Trek Turns 60, and Starfleet Academy Is, Literally, What Its Future Looks Like

The timing of Starfleet Academy‘s release is particularly special, coinciding with Star Trek‘s 60th anniversary. Considering the franchise has six decades of stories, a sometimes complicated history, and a huge cast of characters, its continued success is remarkable. Before The Next Generation, no TV sequel had ever been more popular than the original series. While shared-universe movie franchises are common now, Star Trek pioneered that concept. Starfleet Academy – along with shows like Star Trek: Prodigy – continues this legacy and aims to attract a new generation of fans.

If you’re hoping for a show like The Next Generation, Voyager, or Enterprise, Starfleet Academy won’t quite hit the same spot. It delivers exactly what the title suggests: a story about young people training to be Starfleet officers, before they become legendary captains like Kirk, Picard, or Janeway. While the show features a ship, exploration, and classic sci-fi challenges, its strength lies in being something fresh for the Star Trek universe. You’ll recognize familiar themes and storytelling, but with a new cast of characters experiencing a unique kind of adventure.

When it’s at its best, Starfleet Academy is a show that both longtime Star Trek fans and newcomers can enjoy. It explores fresh stories in a universe with so much potential, even after 60 years of being told. Like The Next Generation, it has a distinct style, from the ship’s design to the characters’ outfits. But more importantly, beneath the visuals and teen drama, it captures the same special quality that connects classic Star Trek shows like The Original Series, Deep Space Nine, and Prodigy – a sense of shared adventure and wonder.

Recent changes at Paramount and the potential departure of Alex Kurtzman have created some uncertainty for the future of Star Trek. While a second season of Starfleet Academy is already being filmed, its long-term fate is unclear. However, Star Trek has a history of bringing back beloved characters and storylines – The Original Series crew returned years after their show ended, and the Next Generation cast reunited decades later. Each new creative team builds upon the work of those before them. Based on its first six episodes, Starfleet Academy seems poised to lay a solid foundation for the Star Trek universe to continue thriving for many years to come.

The first two episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will premiere on Paramount+ on January 15, 2026, with new episodes released every Thursday after that.

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2026-01-08 11:07