Star Trek: Prodigy

I wasn't immediately convinced when Prodigy smashed onto our screens in late 2021 and it felt like strongly like a tonal mash between CG Clone Wars and Trollhunters. It all felt a bit bombastic and heavy-handed, but honestly it really began to grow on me and by the time of the wildly canonical "Kobayashi Maru" episode I was fully on board. With some beautiful backgrounds, dynamic set pieces, respectful references and a strong focus on character Prodigy ends up as one of the strongest entries in the recent Trek canon and easily my favourite in the 21st non-prequel canon. Season Two, sadly mauled and maligned, doubles-down into the Trekkiness even further and although we lose something in the original dynamic to chase Voyager continuity threads, it has pluck and energy. What happened to it was a tragedy and we've been struggling to boldly go forwards ever since.

Though it is difficult to judge with one episode out. But I love the essential "exploring with a ship" foundation and looking forward to what happens. The characters seem interesting and the animation very nice. The storyline so far seems pretty basic but we'll see.

Despite it might seem it will be more of a kids show it still has many elements that are enjoyable for any ST fan. Give it a chance!

Excellent exciting fun. This is a show disguised as a children show, but don't underestimate it. It has all the scale and adventure of a motion picture paced over 10 episodes.

For the Star Trek gatekeepers insisting it misses the traditional formula that distinguishes Star Trek, this is true to a degree. Prodigy doesn't completely discard that formula, not at all, the intellectual dilemmas, bonding of crew mates, strange new worlds, diversity of culture and much more are still there.

Prodigy democratizes Starfleet by telling us the potential to be, not merely a lower decker, but a bridge member, can be drawn out of the most unexpected of us. That within the least of us, lies the Prodigy required for Starfleet greatness. With the right conditions the greatness Starfleet crews excel to is formed. That by trying conditions not merely Starfleet academy testing prodigy's are found.

Prodigy does exactly what Star Trek proclaims to do. It boldy goes, without reserve, where it's predecessors were either unwilling or lacked the courage and vision to. By flipping formulaic tradition Prodigy reaches an audience of the pragmatic and not merely the academic. With it's ragtag team of youth it opens Starfleet to all of us.

It has heart, genuine character arcs, strong dilemmas and a fun mystery. If you're a hard purist gatekeeper stay far away. If you can see the good in what I described, you'll enjoy it.

It's not that I expected Prodigy to be bad, I just had no real expectations. It was specifically marketed as a way to get a younger audience interested in Star Trek and I can see how it would. But it's honestly better written than some of its recent live-action peers. It strikes a nice balance between the chock-full of callbacks nature of Lower Decks and covering new ground that still seems recognizably situated in the same universe.

This show is not perfect.

But it is really good.

Lower your expectations and just enjoy it for what it is. It's a nickelodeon show about the star trek universe with 6 completely new members and a brand new ship.

It doesn't follow the normal star trek set-up, it's obviously made with children in mind, so don't expect anything to deep, or too dark.

And in this lies the charm. It just feels like good old charming star trek. There is enough here for old fans, and enough here for new fans.

And I promise you, the characters will grow on you. What felt a little bit awkward and stiff in the beginning soon melts away and you'll come to love this crew just as much as previous crews.

I really hope we get more seasons of this. Because this is the best star trek since the 90s.