Star Trek: Starfleet Academy just premiered!
The Paramount+ series debuted on the streamer on January 15, and “introduces viewers to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism.”
Here’s a synopsis: “Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.”
Keep reading to find out more…
The show stars Holly Hunter as the Chancellor of Starfleet Academy, while the Starfleet cadets played by Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins and Bella Shepard, plus Zoë Steiner, Tig Notaro, Robert Picardo, and guest stars Oded Fehr, Mary Wiseman, as well as recurring guest stars Gina Yashere and Paul Giamatti.
The series premiered with two episodes on Thursday, January 15 on Paramount+ in the U.S. Following the premiere, new episodes of the 10-episode-long season will drop weekly on Thursdays, with the season finale on Thursday, March 12.
But what are the critics saying?
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy currently has an 85% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 35% audience score.
Variety says: “It’s likely somewhat different from what long-time Trekkies are accustomed to, but perhaps that is the point. To ensure the franchise lasts at least another 60 years, it must reflect our actual world.”
RogerEbert.com says: “If creator Giala Violo and showrunner Noga Landau keep sharpening their characters’ immature edges, they might just find exciting new frontiers to explore.”
The LA Times says: “I am soft-hearted — you may say soft-headed — regarding this good-hearted TV galaxy, willing to go wherever the cosmic winds do blow, always hoping for it to live long and prosper. And… I can declare that I like Starfleet Academy fine.”
Empire Magazine gave it 4 out of 5, writing: “By embracing the imperfect and trying something new, Starfleet Academy sets itself apart as a compelling spin-off that boldly goes where no Star Trek story has gone before.”
The San Francisco Chronicle gave it 3 out of 4, writing: “Star Trek endures because it keeps returning to the radical idea that hope is something you build patiently over time. Whether this series can live up to that legacy remains an open question, but it’s planting some of the right seeds.”
Users seem to have different opinions than the critics, however.
@Jaybiam writes: “What is this??? I am not a Trekker/Trekkie, but a long time fan and this is pure garbage! Everything that is… WAS Star Trek is flipped upside down in this mess!”
@Shader writes: “This show ain’t for any audience… It’s just a pile of feminist ideology packed in Star Trek IP… and quite poorly at that as well.”
@WalkOnWalter writes: “Beam a-bored! It’s One Trek Hill, without all the good writing. If you long for the days of late ’90s and early 2000s teen drama and don’t care about anything related to good acting, writing, directing, or anything like that, this is the show for you.”
@Ealye79 writes: “It’s everything I’ve come to expect from a show that the critics love. It doesn’t have any respect for the source material whatsoever.”
@Matthew1644 writes: “ Star Trek used to be thought provoking while this is the death thought. This show wasn’t done for the fans it wasn’t done for a new young audience, if it was intended for a new young audience teenagers should feel insulted so little is thought of them.”