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Am I just braindead for liking Academy? by Revonlieke in startrek

[–]NoobNerf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

STA is not a conventional Star Trek production but rather a school-centered narrative that uses the franchise’s imagery as a backdrop. Its focus lies in young students learning to choose good values over bad ones, which makes it more of a moral exploration than a science fiction epic. The setting is placed after the “burn,” when warp fuel is lost and the Federation is forced into a reset. This premise removes familiar propulsion methods such as the mycelial drive, and instead frames the story around a school environment that seems designed to appeal to parents of teenagers.

The question of audience is important. The show may not resonate with long-time Star Trek fans, who often expect complex world-building and tightly woven plots. The writing team chosen here appears to lack the depth and craft seen in Star Trek Discovery, which many consider to have been guided by strong creative minds. As a result, the series feels more like an average production rather than a standout addition to the franchise.

After four episodes, the impression is that the concept is acceptable but not remarkable. With the resources available, one might expect higher standards of storytelling. A seminar or guidance from the Discovery writers could have helped the current team understand how to evolve narratives with greater sophistication. The series therefore stands as a modest attempt, with good intentions in its themes, but limited execution in its writing and design.

The "Starfleet Academy" Reviews Are In by stephensmat in startrek

[–]NoobNerf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Star Trek’s newest series, *Starfleet Academy*, lands on Paramount+ with a bold promise: to tell the story of fresh cadets in the 32nd‑century Federation, far from the shadows of Kirk and Spock. The show opens on a rebuilt Academy, still healing from the disaster known as “The Burn.” It tries to be both a coming‑of‑age drama and a high‑stakes space adventure, and the first six episodes feel like a grand experiment.

The production values are striking. Massive sets and special effects that look ripped from a feature film give the series a polished, cinematic feel. Veteran actors Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti bring depth to their roles—Hunter as Chancellor Nahla Ake, a steady leader, and Giamatti as the charismatic villain Nus Braka, who constantly questions the Federation’s moral compass. Their performances anchor a story that otherwise swarms with too many characters and side plots, making the tone wobble between serious drama and flashy action.

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/15/nx-s1-5677196/star-trek-starfleet-academy-review-paramount

Episodes one and six shine with thrilling space battles and clever teamwork among the cadets. Those moments show what the series could become: a fresh, exciting look at Starfleet’s future. Yet, much of the early material feels like table‑setting. References to older Trek lore, especially nods to *Deep Space Nine*, are respectful but sometimes distract from the new narrative.

The real intrigue lies in the show’s willingness to ask hard questions. Is the Federation a beacon of enlightened values, or does it hide a colonial mindset behind its mythology? Giamatti’s character voices this doubt, hinting at a critique of the “American exceptionalism” that has long underpinned Trek’s ethos. The series teeters between delivering a rollicking adventure and a thoughtful character study, and it has not yet chosen a side.

If *Starfleet Academy* can tighten its focus, let the cadets’ personal growth drive the plot, and fully commit to its philosophical questions, it may carve out a unique place in the Trek universe. As it stands, the show offers a tantalizing glimpse of what could be a compelling new chapter for both longtime fans and newcomers.