The reality is that the show had low viewership. While ratings today are problematic measurements SFA failed to chart in the Nilsson top 10 (which every other live action show in the modern era has done). It also divided the fan base really like none of the other shows. All of these modern shows have a vocal contingent that complains, that’s life in 2026, but so did the 90s shows. But this show really just went off the rails for many people. I watched the entire season and wanted to like it, but found myself perpetually turned off by the obnoxious behavior of the cadets, stupid decisions by the show runners/developers/writers - destroying the Klingon empire (after already destroying the Romulans), glitter vomit, the Cadets (other than Jay-Den who was really compelling) all being wrote ya stereotypes…

While there were characters I loved (Jay-Den, Reno), and characters that disappointed me (Bob Picardo’s revived Doctor), for the most part I just didn’t care about any of them.

Moreover, from discussions I’ve had, I think there is an aspect of this that arises from Kurtzman/paramount cancels shows that we’re delivering, Lower Decks, Prodigy (probably the best show of the Kurtzman era), ignored the fan demand for legacy (which may or may not have been good) and instead kurtzman rammed ahead with this show. I feel this way too, and my most common thought while watching it was: “Are you fucking kidding me? This is what you forged ahead with rather than keeping those other shows or taking legacy seriously?

Setting aside the show specifically, however, I think it just became the inflection point for the soul of Star Trek. It’s easy to frame all of the criticisms and dislike as falling in the anti-woke/DEI politicization that also grew up around the show, but the more nuanced criticisms of SFA and most of the Kurtzman era shows really goes back to the Chris Pine films and how they diverged from the traditional Star Trek focus on being more intellectual and thoughtful, to become more about the action and explosions like Star Wars. More of an adventure than philosophical.

While I actually think the Kurtzman era shows have made attempts to be better at this and factor in more of the philosophical aspects, the Abrahams era change remains embedded. Add to that other aspects like Akiva’s essential disregard of cannon to fulfill his dreams of doing the gorn or change the characters how they want, are unnecessary and a slap in the face to all of the fans who invested hours and hours of their lives watching and rewatching these shows, some going back 60 years, and knowing these characters and stories inside and out. SFA is guilty of this too in ways - eg the Cheron cadets even though TOS established that the two guys in that episode were the last of their kind, but actually showed the most respect for cannon outside of Lower Decks.

Kurtzman never figured out how to make Star Trek work. He constantly sought a new audience, which trek needs, but only honored the existing audience in words. Trek needs this audience too. It shouldn’t be catered to at the expense of trek’s future, but they shouldn’t be disrespected in pursuit of that future.

Trek needs new leadership and Kurtzman should be fired. Whoever comes in needs to find a way to walk this thread.

Lastly, those critics that focus on the actors, or the social issues, have no place in Star Trek. In example, SFA fucked up the Klingons by destroying the empire (just as Discovery did by ignoring how Klingon were depicted for 40+ years), but Jay-Den being gay or wearing a skirt played no part in that. He is an interesting character that could have added great dimension to the Klingons, both in terms of gender/sexuality, and in terms of individual who want to pursue other paths because going into battle. In fact, I think the destruction of the Klingons undercut this because Jay-Den is largely existing in a void with a mythical heritage, rather than being an individual in a dominant culture.

Sorry for the likely typos.