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Editorial
19 Jan 2025

Why Starfleet Academy Deserves a Chance

The fandom appears more divided over Starfleet Academy than ever before. Many reject the series outright, criticizing the setting, characters, storytelling and the inevitable "wokeness". The number of naysayers seems even greater than those who opposed Discovery. Either that, or they have simply become more vocal and visible. On the other side, supporters celebrate Starfleet Academy as a fresh opportunity to explore new worlds and seek out new audiences. That's only fair, but some dismiss criticism outright. I also don't think that framing disappointed fans as being of one mind with evil Elon is helpful. In the media, the middle ground is drowned out by the extremes. The episodes themselves almost feel designed to provoke division by alienating long-time fans with broad humor and heavy-handed references. Yet even detractors admit the show looks better than expected. The lingering question is: Can Starfleet Academy become a sustainable Trek series, one that simply requires time for audiences to adjust to its style?

I don't consider myself a detractor, but rather a skeptic. However, it is difficult to escape the framing, and in my case, to set aside grievances in order to enjoy what SFA does well. My reviews of "Kids These Days" and "Beta Test" seem to lean heavily on weaknesses, but as an afterthought, I want to highlight the strengths. The sets are spectacular. Everything is bright, crisp and polished, much like in the Golden Age of the 1990s. Despite occasional lens flares and CGI excess, the cinematography is outstanding. SFA is the best-looking modern Trek show. The cast also impresses. Holly Hunter delivers as expected, but the young actors deserve praise for making the cadets feel alive and likable. Then there's the broader setting. Discovery laid the groundwork, but its constant galaxy-saving missions left little room to explore the 32nd century in depth. SFA already does far more in terms of worldbuilding.

I believe Starfleet Academy has the potential to evolve into a meaningful series in the best Trek tradition, if it can deliver compelling stories while cutting back on the silly jokes, awkward situations and nostalgia overload. That said, one more aspect currently doesn't quite work for me. With the exception of Caleb, every cadet is an alien, yet they all feel essentially human. They are distinguished by special abilities, rather than by different values and traditions. SAM has even been programmed as a 17-year-old awkward human girl. I would expect cultural clashes, but the aliens integrate more seamlessly than a German exchange student at an American college. Ironically Caleb is the outsider in terms of the cultural background.

I try to keep an open mind and resist the polarized framing that surrounds Starfleet Academy. Still, my reviews will probably remain in flux as my perspective is evolving. What I can say with confidence, however, is that the claims of SFA being a "disaster" or a "disgrace" are totally exaggerated. The show certainly has its flaws, but I can only encourage fellow skeptics to give Starfleet Academy a fair chance.

Bernd Schneider

Archive

Latest Comments on EAS Articles (Overview)
  • 19 Mar 2026
    And here are the new Discoverse Future Alien Ship Classes: Torothan, Venari Ral and, of course, Klingon.
  • 14 Mar 2026
    I have added the designs from Starfleet Academy season 1 to the Discoverse Future Federation Ship Classes. I don't expect it to be quite complete, so please let me know what I missed!
  • 12 Mar 2026
    My review of the Starfleet Academy season finale "Rubincon" is up now. One interesting aspect is what doesn't happen. Beyond that, the path to the resolution feels predictable and plot-driven, though there are enjoyable character moments.
  • 09 Mar 2026
    Here is a gallery of Starfleet Academy Characters.
  • 05 Mar 2026
    Starfleet Academy delivers its so far clearly best episode with "300th Night". The season finale is only one week away, and I think there's hope for the series again.
  • 01 Mar 2026
    Two more old articles updated with new references, new screen caps and other improvements: Observations in TNG: "Manhunt" and Observations in TNG: "The Emissary".
  • 26 Feb 2026
    Still no positive development: Today's Starfleet Academy episode "The Life of the Stars" sinks into endless emotional talk and turns into the most tedious hour this series has delivered.
  • 21 Feb 2026
    Several additions and improvements in Jörg's article on Observations in TNG: "Half a Life".
  • 19 Feb 2026
    The latest Starfleet Academy review is up: "Ko'Zeine" tries to build emotional stories about course corrections in the lives of two cadets, but ends up feeling shallow and predictable.
  • 12 Feb 2026
    The latest Starfleet Academy episode "Come, Let's Away" comes with a serious situation and a dramatic tonal shift. I welcome the change, but the story is not as convincing and suspenseful as it could have been.
  • 07 Feb 2026
    I needed a break from SFA and so I reviewed three more Voyager season 7 episodes, VOY: "Nightingale" and the double feature VOY: "Flesh and Blood I/II" .
  • 05 Feb 2026
    Here is my review of SFA: "Series Acclimation Mil". It features two great cameos, but also a contrived reveal and plenty of misplaced humor. The result is that SAM learns more about herself than about the subject she set out to study.
  • 29 Jan 2026
    Today's Starfleet Academy episode "Vox in Excelso" explores the art of debate, the traumatic experiences of a cadet and the fate of his species, but it doesn't handle any of it as well as it could have.
  • 22 Jan 2026
    Here is my review of this week's Starfleet Academy episode "Vitus Reflux". It fails on so many levels from the silly fungus with a stupid name to the questionable moral that I don't know where to start. I expect that this will remain a one-time misfire, though.
  • 19 Jan 2026
    As I can tell from the fan reactions, Starfleet Academy may be the most divisive Trek series ever. But that doesn't have to be so. I have compiled a few thoughts on the new series that are not yet covered in my reviews: Why Starfleet Academy Deserves a Chance.
  • 18 Jan 2026
    Here are the promised article updates with facts from the first two Starfleet Academy episodes: Classical Music in Star Trek, Locating Starfleet Buildings in San Francisco, The Emblem of Starfleet Academy, The Evolution of the Federation Emblem. Check out the "Pages with Recent Changes" list for even more updates.
EAS Favourites @ Deviantart
  • 14 Nov 2025

    This is my re-done version of an old, old MSD I did back in 2009 ish. I updated it to my latest quality level.

    I had this up before, but missed it when I had to completely re-upload my gallery due to DA allowing all and sundry to download the hi res copies for free!

    thumbnail
  • 23 Oct 2025

    An efficient layout for tactical operations, the Defiant bridge was significantly smaller than most other ships of the era, and was directly connected to the rest of deck 1 via two egress doors. The captain’s chair sat on a raised platform near the center of the room, giving the CO a commanding view of the entire room, with the helm located directly in front of it. The perimeter stations were, working clockwise from the viewscreen: science, tactical I, tactical II, and engineering. The back of the bridge featured a retractable situation table for mission briefings, above which was the dedication plaque.

    For several additional renders, please visit my portfolio.

    This model was originally created for OTOY and The Roddenberry Archive, you can fully explore this room at https://roddenberry.x.io/2371-uss-defiant-nx-74205/?view=Bridge.

    Software used:

    3D Modeling and rendering: Blender 4.5

    LCARS panels and textures: Inkscape 1.4

    OS: Ubuntu 24.04

    thumbnail
  • 24 Aug 2024

    Additional uniforms from 2373-2378.

    I will be doing my own versions of Starfleet uniforms in chronological order all the way up to the early 25th century. This project is not intended to be for a fanfic. Just doing this for fun. This is my take on the First Contact/ Deep Space Nine/Voyager uniforms, but with some changes for my timeline.

    I changed the dress uniforms to another design, as I never cared for the white uniforms introduced in Star Trek: Insurrection.

    Updated on 8/26/24 to correct minor mistake on cadet uniform.

    Based on a template by Grand-Lobster-King-www.deviantart.com/grand-lobst…

    thumbnail
  • 14 Aug 2025


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Jörg Hillebrand @ Mastodon
  • 19 Mar 2026

    Here's a look at Geordi's point of view in the original ⬅️ and remastered ➡️ versions of 's "The Mind's Eye". As can be seen, the distorted footage was also recreated in HD. The comparison screenshot (2nd pic) shows what that section of the bridge looks like in regular vision.

  • 19 Mar 2026

    Here are some shots of the very crustacean Mars class, as seen in 's "Rubincon". I can very much see this one's design being influenced by an insectoid /crustacean Federation member species.

  • 19 Mar 2026

    I've already told my friends that we're going to watch 's "Timeless" on night tomorrow. It's an absolutely awesome episode but secretly, I just want to watch it this time because it features a Talaxian furfly, like the one owned by Krebs in ... ;-)

  • 18 Mar 2026

    We got two really close shots of USS Athena's atrium section (including its main deflector and observation window) in 's "Rubincon" - here they are! :-)

  • 18 Mar 2026

    's "The Mind's Eye" gives us several shots that show that the Enterprise-D shuttlebay (cargobay) set was actually L-shaped, as can be seen on the stage plan as well.

  • 18 Mar 2026

    How awesome was it that we got two callbacks to ' "Requiem for Methuselah"↘️ in 's "Rubincon"↖️↗️↙️? 😉😋😛😜🤪😝

  • 18 Mar 2026

    I dreamt of getting new issues of the Star Trek Fact Files again last night (my most-often recurring dream). The dream featured a file like this one, comparing different similar starships. I was sooo excited whenever we got new orthos of alien ships!
    This left a lasting impression on me because I started writing articles about starship re-uses for Ex Astris Scientia a few years later, still one of my proudest achievements! ☺️
    ex-astris-scientia.org/article

  • 18 Mar 2026

    Here are the yearbook photos and quotes seen during the end credits of 's "Rubincon":
    The Doctor (Robert Picardo)
    Anisha Mir (Tatiana Maslany)
    Nus Braka (Paul Giamatti)
    4/4

  • 18 Mar 2026

    Here are the yearbook photos and quotes seen during the end credits of 's "Rubincon":
    Lura Thok (Gina Yashere)
    The Athena's Computer (Brit Marling)
    Digital Dean of Students (Stphen Colbert)
    Jett Reno (Tig Notaro)
    3/4

  • 18 Mar 2026

    Here are the yearbook photos and quotes seen during the end credits of 's "Rubincon":
    Darem Reymi (George Hawkins)
    Genesis Lythe (Bella Shepard)
    Tarima Sadal (Zoë Steiner)
    Charles Vance (Oded Fehr)
    2/4

EAS Timeline @ Facebook
  • 19 Mar 2026
    Update: Discoverse Future Alien Ship Classes - And here are the new Discoverse Future Alien Ship Classes: Torothan, Venari Ral and, of course, Klingon. Listing of alien starships that appeared in Star Trek Discovery's and Starfleet Academy's 32nd century
  • 14 Mar 2026
    Update: Discoverse Future Federation Ship Classes - I have added the designs from Starfleet Academy season 1 to the Discoverse Future Federation Ship Classes. I don't expect it to be quite complete, so please let me know what I missed! Listing of Federation starships that appeared in Star Trek Discovery's and Starfleet Academy's 32nd century
  • 12 Mar 2026
    Review of SFA: "Rubincon" - My review of the Starfleet Academy season finale "Rubincon" is up now. One interesting aspect is what doesn't happen. Beyond that, the path to the resolution feels predictable and plot-driven, though there are enjoyable character moments. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode guide and reviews
  • 09 Mar 2026
    New Gallery: Starfleet Academy Characters - Here is a gallery of Starfleet Academy Characters. Gallery of regular and guest characters from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
  • 07 Mar 2026
    Speculation time! As awfully unrealistic the mine belt around the whole Federation is, it is another piece of a possible puzzle that may be more about family matters than about the usual "villain wants to destroy the Federation" narrative. Anyway, here are some thoughts about what may be revealed in episode 10: with spoilers up to episode 9 and predictions that may come true so don't read on if you love the surprise Ake is Anisha's mother and Caleb's grandmother In "Kids These Days", Ake seemed to be just a random Starfleet officer whose duty was to judge random criminals. If, however, she had an agenda from the beginning, if Caleb and Anisha were her relatives, it could explain why she was so devastated and quite her job after Caleb ran away. But it would undercut her role as the benevolent leader of Starfleet Academy and as Caleb's chosen surrogate mother - especially as someone who lost her son. And it doesn't look at all in "Kids These Days" like Ake knew anyone on the opposite side. Rating: 4/10 Ake is Caleb's mother, and he is unrelated to Anisha In addition to everything stated about the the idea of being his grandma, if she were his real mother, the bond between him and Anisha would lose significance, essentially devaluing what drove Caleb in the whole first season and his reunion with Anisha in "300th Night". Rating: 2/10 Anisha is the secret leader of the Venari Ral This theory is popular and has dramatic reasons to support it. Caleb could have his "Odo moment" in episode 10, maybe in a cliffhanger, learning that his mother is the leader of the evil people he has been fighting at the side of his new friends. He may have to choose between his mum and them. There is no evidence for this but also no evidence against it. Anisha may have just played a role on Ukeck, with the intention to carefully introduce her son into the world of crime. She may be the mastermind behind the Omega-47 minefield, with Nus Braka being just a henchman - one that is about to face her revenge because he didn't tell her he ran into her son - even twice. She was surprised to hear from Caleb that he met Nus. Actually, with Anisha being even more dangerous, Ake may have to ask Nus Braka for help yet again, now that Anisha is going after him and he is her enemy's enemy. On the other hand, would such an Anisha be fearful, or be able to fake that sense of fear so convincingly in "300th Night"? Rating: 7/10 Anisha developed the mines or was involved in other criminal acts of the Venari Ral Maybe she is not the mastermind, but she could be some kind of scientist working for Nus Braka, knowingly or unknowingly. She may have fallen out of favor with him, perhaps after tricking Nus during their prison break, which would explain why she is so nervous to be observed or ambushed on Ukeck. In any case, she could have a much worse criminal record than revealed so far. Ake may have been aware all the time that Anisha is not the nice troubled woman who made one mistake. The fact that Anisha spent a lot longer in prison than expected (and not in a penal colony), and even with Nus Braka, who was sentenced to life, insinuates she did a lot more than steal food and support Nus on that one occasion. This revelation would give rise to a conflict between Caleb and his mum, as well as between Caleb and Ake and possibly between Anisha and Braka as well. Also, as she designed them, she may know a weakness of the mine network that helps bring it down. Rating: 9/10 Braka is related to Caleb in some fashion Braka is obsessed with the boy. He may not be merely a random criminal with whom his mother hangs around. But does that make sense? He tried to kill Caleb twice, or at least, took his death into consideration. Could Caleb have undiscovered Klingarite DNA? Rating: 2/10 There is more to Ake and Braka than the trial Everything between Braka and Ake is deeply personal. It looks like more than a criminal who hunts the judge that once sentenced him. On the other hand, nothing in their various conversations points at there being more - which they would have revealed at some point, especially in "Come, Let's Away" when they were alone. Rating: 3/10
  • 05 Mar 2026
    Review of SFA: "300th Night" - Starfleet Academy delivers its so far clearly best episode with "300th Night". The season finale is only one week away, and I think there's hope for the series again. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode guide and reviews
  • 01 Mar 2026
    I just wanted to comment something (actually, even something positive about a recent SFA episode) in an FB fan group. But I wasn't allowed to post prior to confirming in a pop-up that I love Discovery and that Star Trek was always woke. I promise there won't be ideological screening, neither on my FB page nor on EAS. I am all for free speech and open exchange. (But keep in mind that you're out if you attack someone personally.)
  • 01 Mar 2026
    Updated: Observations in TNG: "Manhunt" and TNG: "The Emissary" - Two more old articles updated with new references, new screen caps and other improvements: Observations in TNG: "Manhunt" and Observations in TNG: "The Emissary". Observations about sets, props, make-ups and visual effects in TNG: "Manhunt"
  • 26 Feb 2026
    Review of SFA: "The Life of the Stars" - Still no positive development: Today's Starfleet Academy episode "The Life of the Stars" sinks into endless emotional talk and turns into the most tedious hour this series has delivered. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode guide and reviews
  • 21 Feb 2026
    Updated: Observations in TNG: "Half a Life" - Several additions and improvements in Jörg's article on Observations in TNG: "Half a Life". Observations about sets, props, make-ups and visual effects in TNG: "Half a Life"
  • 19 Feb 2026
    Review of SFA: "Ko'Zeine" - The latest Starfleet Academy review is up: "Ko'Zeine" tries to build emotional stories about course corrections in the lives of two cadets, but ends up feeling shallow and predictable. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode guide and reviews
  • 12 Feb 2026
    Review of SFA: "Come, Let's Away" - The latest Starfleet Academy episode "Come, Let's Away" comes with a serious situation and a dramatic tonal shift. I welcome the change, but the story is not as convincing and suspenseful as it could have been. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode guide and reviews
  • 07 Feb 2026
    Updated Reviews of VOY: "Nightingale" and "Flesh and Blood I/II" - I needed a break from SFA and so I reviewed three more Voyager season 7 episodes, VOY: "Nightingale" and the double feature VOY: "Flesh and Blood I/II" . Star Trek Voyager (VOY) season 7 episode guide and reviews
  • 05 Feb 2026
    Review of SFA: "Series Acclimation Mil" - Here is my review of SFA: "Series Acclimation Mil". It features two great cameos, but also a contrived reveal and plenty of misplaced humor. The result is that SAM learns more about herself than about the subject she set out to study. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode guide and reviews
  • 29 Jan 2026
    Review of SFA: "Vox in Excelso" - Today's Starfleet Academy episode "Vox in Excelso" explores the art of debate, the traumatic experiences of a cadet and the fate of his species, but it doesn't handle any of it as well as it could have. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode guide and reviews
  • 22 Jan 2026
    Review of SFA: "Vitus Reflux" - Here is my review of this week's Starfleet Academy episode "Vitus Reflux". It fails on so many levels from the silly fungus with a stupid name to the questionable moral that I don't know where to start. I expect that this will remain a one-time misfire, though. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode guide and reviews
  • 19 Jan 2026
    Editorial: Why Starfleet Academy Deserves a Chance - As I can tell from the fan reactions, Starfleet Academy may be the most divisive Trek series ever. But that doesn't have to be so. I have compiled a few thoughts on the new series that are not yet covered in my reviews: Why Starfleet Academy Deserves a Chance. The latest posts and comments on EAS and its social media pages
  • 17 Jan 2026
    SFA-Related Updates in Several Articles - Here are the promised article updates with facts from the first two Starfleet Academy episodes: Classical Music in Star Trek, Locating Starfleet Buildings in San Francisco, The Emblem of Starfleet Academy, The Evolution of the Federation Emblem. Check out the "Pages with Recent Changes" list for even more updates. Identification of the various pieces of classical music in Star Trek, complete with sound files

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