Class is officially in session. The brand-new Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series debuted on Paramount+ this week with a two episode premiere that featured a little bit of everything for everyone.
Fan reaction was mixed leading up to this week’s release, with some viewers expressing skepticism about the show’s overall tone and the general direction suggested by its initial trailers. Set after the events of Star Trek: Discovery in the post-Burn 32nd century, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows the first new generation of cadets training at the newly reopened Academy as Starfleet works to rebuild.
So how's everyone reacting to the latest series? With surprisingly positivity among critics, and divisive reaction among general audiences.
31 reviews are currently counted on Rotten Tomatoes, and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy sits at a solid 84%. That's pretty much in line with reviews for Star Trek: Discovery, but well below the glowing reviews of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Still, it seems that at least critics are enthused by the latest venture.
General audiences, on the other hand, are a bit more divided, although the score skews overwhelmingly negative on Rotten Tomatoes. There's only slightly more than 100 audience ratings right now, but so far Starfleet Academy sits at a dismal 37% (2.2 stars) on the Popcornmeter.
Now it's worth pointing out that the Popcornmeter isn't necessarily reflective of how Star Trek fans feel about the series. Too often we see shows get hammered on Rotten Tomatoes because of cultural divisiveness and just before the premiere of Starfleet Academy we saw certain parts of the online community bash a 5-second clip from the series. So take this user score with a grain of salt.
Meanwhile, if you head over to the Star Trek subreddit, you'll find dozens of posts praising the new series. Many longtime fans are comparing the vibes of Starfleet Academy to the beloved Deep Space Nine series. And after watching both premiere episodes, I have to say, I largely agree with that sentiment.
What makes Starfleet Academy particularly refreshing is its focus on the young cadets. For the first time in Star Trek, it feels like a series that's actually been written for millennials and Gen Z, especially when you see them inheriting a broken world and stepping up to make change.
This thrilling new chapter follows a fresh class of cadets as they train under the watchful, demanding eyes of Starfleet’s finest. Together, they’ll face the highs and lows of academy life: forging unbreakable friendships, clashing in explosive rivalries, experiencing first loves, and stepping into their destiny as the next generation of Starfleet officers. When a mysterious new enemy threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself, these cadets must rise to the challenge or risk losing everything they’ve just begun to fight for.
What are your thoughts on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy following the two-episode premiere this week?