Rob Reviews: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 9 ‘300th night’

From the Official Episode Synopsis:

As the year comes to an end, Caleb must choose between the life he thought he wanted and the life he’s built for himself at Starfleet Academy. Meanwhile, Nahla breaks protocol in one final gambit to keep a promise to Caleb.

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What follows originally started as beat by beat notes of the episode. If you don’t want spoilers, it’s probably time to leave now.

The Setup

As expected, we’re getting more development on Caleb’s search for his mother. Of course, the story of Chancellor Ake, Caleb, and Caleb’s mother is tied to none other than Nus Braka.

Ahead of the premiere, I found myself wondering if the episode title “300th Night” is a reference to the Shakespeare play “Twelfth Night.” I do like the fact that they’ve acknowledged all season that this is, essentially, an academic school year. Also, this episode is directed by Jonathan Frakes.

Year’s End

• The Journey: The Athena is on its way to Betazed to meet with the rest of the fleet as they prepare to install a new Federation leader.

• The Ritual: Jaden is hosting what looks reminiscent of a Klingon tea ritual, inviting the cadets into his family “house.”

• Roomies: Sam applied for a single dorm room for next year; she says she “needs a change.” We’re still learning about Sam 2.0.

• Caleb’s Conflict: Caleb refuses the tea ritual. Presumably, he’s still dealing with his “mommy issues.”

• The Lift: Yarima and Caleb have an awkward conversation on the turbolift. Personally, I’m a little done with the tension between these two. I think these characters need to figure out who they are on their own.

The Mission

Vance informs Ake and Kelrec that Braka stole Omega-47 mines from a Starbase. Detonating just one in space effectively renders an area incapable of warp travel. Sam and Braka decide they need to formulate a plan to stop the Venari Rai.

Sam 2.0 confides in Caleb that she was reviewing her “old” memories and doesn’t like the person she used to be. Meanwhile, Caleb has been monitoring frequencies for weeks, hoping his mom would contact him. With Sam’s help, Caleb discovers years’ worth of messages—not encrypted, but hidden “almost under his nose.”

Caleb goes down the rabbit hole. The most recent message is from two days ago in the Ukeck system. He sees it’s under imminent threat by the Venari Rai. When he tries to talk to Ake, he learns the fleet is on lockdown for the Betazed ceremony.

The Escape & The Streets of Ukeck

Caleb plans to steal a shuttle. Genesis and Darem (who is drunk) make their way onto the shuttle, with Genesis joining reluctantly. Meanwhile, Jaden and Yarima discover Caleb’s PADD with the messages.

I read that this was part one of a two-part finale. At the 25-minute mark, I could tell by the pacing there was no way they’d finish this today.

I like the changes to “Sam 2.0.” It’s a necessary evolution. Her “childlike curiosity” would’ve gotten tiresome. I wonder if the showrunners pulled this trigger early because they know the series is on borrowed time. (See my separate post on the future of Trek).

Finding Mom

The kids arrive in Ukeck—a typical dark, crime-ridden futuristic world. Caleb uses his “street smarts” to help them blend in. Back on the Athena, Vance agrees to help Ake go after them, but warns her that if she takes the ship across the Federation, he can’t help her.

Caleb finds his mother, Anisha, on the streets. They try to catch up after 20 years. He hasn’t told her he’s in the Academy yet. She tries to get the cadets the shuttle parts they need, but it feels off. Is she in cahoots with Braka? Is it a trap? Caleb decides to go with her, and his friends are understandably mad. Caleb tells them all off, but Genesis flips the script, calling Caleb out for being “committed to being a messed-up little kid forever.”

The Cliffhanger

The cadets are stopped by the Venari Rai. Caleb and Anisha make for their own shuttle, but Caleb hears that “three Federation spies” (his friends) have been captured. He leaves his mom to help them.

During the interrogation, Caleb and Anisha create a diversion just as the Venari Rai are about to realize they are Federation. Ake and the Athena arrive—it is indeed a “flex,” Sam. However, Anisha is shot in the fight.

As they retreat to the ship, Venari Rai vessels intercept the Athena. The ship is pulled from warp by a tractor beam. Ake orders the saucer to separate from the “Atrium.” The saucer goes to warp, but the crew realizes the entire Federation is surrounded by Omega-47 mines. They are boxed in.

In sickbay, Anisha realizes she’s on a Federation ship. Her reunion with Ake is… awkward. The episode fades to black as Reno makes a Mayday call.

Final Thoughts

This is an exciting “cliff hanger.” I’m just glad we don’t have to wait a year for the follow-up. However, I’m getting a little sick of the “Kurtzman-era” tactic of the ENTIRE Federation fleet being constantly cornered or compromised.

I’m excited to see Paul Giamatti return next week. They’ve used him sparingly enough to keep him interesting. This was a great penultimate episode, though I found myself feeling that Jonathan Frakes-directed episodes used to feel like more of a “special event,” and I wasn’t quite feeling that magic here. It’s far from terrible, but it might get lost in the shuffle of a very strong season.

Despite my gripes with the ‘boxed-in’ trope, this is a ‘must-watch’ for the character development alone—specifically for anyone tracking Caleb’s growth from a ‘messed-up kid’ to a leader.

Today’s post is inspired by the WordPress Daily Prompt. While I’ve taken the topic in my own direction for the Road to 1,000 Days, you can find more responses to today’s prompt HERE .

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The article “Rob Reviews: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 9 ‘300th night’ first appeared in Rebuilding Rob.