Now that the prank wars have ended, we can look ahead to the next episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Episode 4, titled "Vox in Excelso," will air on Paramount+ on Thursday, January 29. Ahead of its premiere, Paramount has shared a trailer and batch of images, as well as a synopsis.
While Episode 3 was a bit more lighthearted in tone and spirit, Episode 4 looks to up the intensity. Written by Gaia Violo & Eric Anthony Glover, and directed by Doug Aarniokoski, "Vox in Excelso," which is Latin for “Voice on High," sees our group of cadets training in public debate with Robert Picardo's Doctor.
What starts as a routine academic exercise rapidly spirals into a galaxy-wide crisis as it's revealed that a Klingon ship has suffered catastrophic mechanical failure, resulting in the possible extinction of the entire species. What's more, it's believed that Jay-Den's family was aboard the ship, putting him in the middle of a controversial debate about Klingon tradition and Starfleet principles.
"When an existential crisis threatens to wipe out a beloved but infamous Star Trek species, a cadet is forced to confront his past and strained relationship with his family," the synopsis reads. "As he pursues an unexpected method of coping, Nahla races against time to save this species from extinction."
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has received glowing reviews from critics for its first season, though it's not come without a bit of controversy. The series has been subject to review bombing due to its progressive values, resulting in a Rotten Tomatoes score of 88% on the Tomatometer from critics, but just a 43% on the Popcornmeter from general audiences.
"Injecting a heavy dose of hormones and humor into the Star Trek universe, Starfleet Academy marks a refreshing tonal shift that proves this franchise still has plenty of new thematic territory to explore," the critics consensus reads.
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.
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.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streams weekly on Paramount+ with new episodes available every Thursday. Episode 4, "Vox In Excelso," will release on January 29.