This New Show With 43% on RT Is Officially One of the Worst 'Star Trek' Projects Ever Made

Gene Roddenberry's franchise, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2026, has weathered many storms. But the new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy managed to hit rock bottom amid all the previous setbacks.

Unanimously disappointing to fans, this show is already one of the worst projects in the franchise's history.

This isn't just a matter of ratings – the series' very essence is far more telling. Under the guise of utopian science fiction, it offers viewers an outright soap opera set in outer space.

What Is 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' About?

The story is set in the 32nd century, long after the devastating cataclysm known as the Burn. This event destroyed much of the Federation's warp technology and severely disrupted its diplomatic relations.

In an attempt to regain its lost leadership, Starfleet decides to reopen the Academy, a training ground for exploration and diplomatic missions. The plot centers on a group of young cadets from across the galaxy.

Leading them is Caleb Mir, a rebel whose family suffered at the hands of the Federation. He enrolls at the Academy under the supervision of Principal Nahla Ake, where he attempts to find his family, make friends, and understand his feelings.

'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Looks Like a Soap Opera Set in the 'Star Trek' Universe

The main criticism of Starfleet Academy isn't that it's bad, but that it's completely unrelated to Star Trek. It's a typical teen show, similar to Riverdale or Glee, with pranks, dates, hormones, campus squabbles, and spontaneous dance routines.

The worst part, though, is that it's almost entirely devoid of the intellectual fabric that underpinned Roddenberry's philosophy. Instead of reflections on diplomacy, ethics, and the nature of conflict, there are endless emotional roller coasters.

The Failure of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Is a Direct Result of the Decisions Made by Alex Kurtzman

Almost ten years ago, Alex Kurtzman took over the Star Trek television branch and has since transformed the universe into something far removed from the original vision.

It all began with Discovery, a series in which diplomacy was replaced by nonstop action and an unexpected sister of Spock was introduced into the canon. This trend continued with Picard, the first two seasons of which fans still recall with horror.

Now comes Starfleet Academy – a show that tries to please everyone and ultimately pleases no one. Kurtzman not only fails to live up to Roddenberry's legacy, he also seems to misunderstand it entirely.

His characters thrive on emotions, not ideas, and his conflicts are resolved with fists, not words. His Star Trek has ceased to be a story about a bright future and has become a poorly assembled collection of cliches from teen series and soap operas.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy'?

• Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has 88% from critics and 43% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 4.3/10.

Where to Watch 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy'?

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is available to stream on Paramount+.