Rob Ranks: Star Trek Starfleet Academy, season 1

32nd Century Skepticism

I must admit: when I first heard Paramount was greenlighting a Starfleet Academy series, I was disappointed to learn it would be set in the 32nd century. Star Trek: Discovery was never my favorite program, and while the “time jump” worked for that specific narrative, it’s not my preferred corner of the franchise.

I remember the initial trailer featuring a graphic that asked, “Whatever happened to Benjamin Sisko: Emissary of the Prophets?” At the time, I even asked other Trekkers on social media: “Is anyone else more excited for the answer to that mystery than they are for the actual Academy series?”

Finding a New Voice for a Legacy Franchise

But to my surprise, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has exceeded my expectations. I won’t go so far as to call it the “best Trek ever,” but Alex Kurtzman and company are hitting their groove. They’ve found a distinct voice and style, leaving an indelible mark on the franchise. It’s not your father’s—or your grandfather’s—Star Trek, but the respect for the legacy is far more prevalent here than it ever was on Discovery.

With the season finale premiering this week, here are my personal rankings from the “best” to the “least great” episodes of this young series:

Rob Ranks: Season 1 from “Least Great” to Greatest

• #10: “Beta Test” (Episode 2) – The “least great” of the bunch. It wasn’t horrible, but the attempt to make Betazed feel vital by establishing a Federation HQ there just didn’t stick with me.

• #9: “Vitus Reflux” (Episode 3) – Also remembered as “the one where they play laser tag.” The prank war between the Academy and the War College was initially my least favorite, but I appreciated the character dynamics more upon a second viewing.

• #8: “Kids These Days” (Episode 1) – Not a bad episode by any means; subsequent entries just surpassed it. It’s a very effective pilot that sets the table for a (mostly) new cast. Honestly, it’s one of the better premieres in Trek history.

• #7: “Series Acclimation Mil” (Episode 5) – A strong character-establishing episode for SAM, though it leans perhaps a bit too hard into being a Deep Space Nine love letter.

• #6: “Ko’Zeine” (Episode 7) – Thanks to a pre-arranged marriage ceremony, we get much more insight into Darem than I imagined possible.

• #5: “300th Night” (Episode 9) – Part 1 of the finale. The starship action here is enough to satiate even the most “old-school” fans.

• #4: “Rubincom” (Episode 10) – Part 2 of the finale. This edges out “300th Night” based on Paul Giamatti’s performance alone.

• #3: “The Life of the Stars” (Episode 8) – Or, “the one with Tilly.” Mary Wiseman returns to provide some much-needed trauma counseling for the cadets.

• #2: “Vox in Excelso” (Episode 4) – This answered the burning question I’ve had since Discovery jumped 900 years: “Whatever happened to the Klingons?” Next to humans, Klingons are the most well-fleshed-out species in the franchise, and it was great to see them back.

• #1: “Come, Let’s Away” (Episode 6) – My favorite of the season. This is classic Star Trek starship drama at its finest. For a show about “college students,” the fallout of this episode carried a weight that affected the cast for the rest of the year.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just “Deep Space 90210”

It’s easy to write this show off as “Deep Space 90210” (my favorite jab), but I’m not sure what fans expected from an Academy-centered show. I’m reminded of a point made on the Newbie Star Trek podcast: in the first season of DS9, the showrunners did a great job of giving each main character a dedicated episode early on. Starfleet Academy has done the same.

Given the constraints of a 10-episode streaming season, it’s a testament to the writing staff that they managed so much character development while maintaining the overarching plot. We may still have a lot to learn about Chancellor Ake and the senior officers, but the kids are definitely taking center stage.

I’m excited that Season 2 is already “in the can.” Of course, the broader future of the franchise remains up in the air—as I wrote about HERE

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is currently streaming on Paramount+

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