Science Fiction for a New Generation: Star Trek Prodigy
- Lyla Sebeck
- Jun 22
- 3 min read
By: Lyla Sebeck
[Warning: This review contains minor spoilers for the first few episodes of Star Trek: Prodigy]
On the day of September 8th, 1966, the world was introduced to a future of peace, prosperity, and hope to explore “the final frontier” through the Original Series of Star Trek. While many people enjoyed the show, especially during the Space Age of rockets and moon men, few could truly grasp the cultural impact of what seemed like a simple program.
Today, there is a large variety of Star Trek shows to choose from. With everything from ships to stations, every Star Trek fan has a particular part of the Federation they call home. However, none of these TV shows have been explicitly for children. The majority of older shows are geared towards family audiences, but they were never made for youth directly.
In 2021, this was changed, as the landmark Star Trek show Star Trek Prodigy aired for the first time. Unlike most shows in the Star Trek universe, the audience does not follow Starfleet officers or crew, but instead starts with a group of teenagers on the prison mining camp Tars Lamora. The main character, Dal, an alien with no clue about his species, seeks to escape, but quickly gets caught up in a plot to hunt for Prisoner Zero, a member of a species that causes mental distress and memory loss when viewed in their true form. Along the way, he meets more and more youth, until eventually stumbling upon the old Starfleet ship, the Protostar. The crew uses this ship to make their escape, trying to get to the famed Federation of Star Trek, but there are many hurdles they must face before they can get there.
Interestingly, a central theme of the show is how language is used to define people and cultures. One of the main characters, Gwyndala, is a teenage linguist trained by her father, the evil Diviner, who wants to take the Protostar for himself, to conduct deals for Tars Lamora. Her knowledge of thousands of languages gets the Protostar crew out of more than one tricky situation, and her genuine wish to experience every culture she can provides a lovely message to kids about embracing cultural differences.
Gwyn and Dal, the two main characters, share a relationship that serves as a driving force behind the show. It is explicitly stated that the two characters knew each other before the events of the show, and some tension does exist in the beginning. However, circumstances aboard the Protostar cause them to go from rivals to friends. While Dal is impulsive, Gwyn is meticulous, and they bounce off each other interestingly. Long-time Star Trek fans could see the correlation between the dynamics of Gwyn and Dal, and, Kirk and Spock, but only time will tell what their relationship will become.
The ensemble cast of the show allows for dynamics to form that both create and solve conflict on a variety of planets. There is the young Rok-Tak, an alien who is originally only seen for her strength, but becomes a valued science officer with a particular interest in Xenobiology. Another member of the cast interested in STEM is Jankom Pog, an engineer with a prosthetic hand that can have various tools and attachments. Rounding out the ensemble cast is a hologram of Admiral Janeway, most known for her role as the main character of Star Trek Voyager. She gives helpful advice to the crew of the stolen ship and almost becomes a parental figure in a way, as these teenagers definitely need it.
The majority of the show takes place in space, and the visuals are stunning. The color pallets are harmonious and visually interesting, consisting primarily of blues and purples, yet the show never feels dull or visually disinteresting. Both adults and children alike can revel in the gorgeous scenes of the Protostar traveling through space.
Star Trek Prodigy is not a show that tends to talk down to its audience. The tenets of Star Trek are embedded in every episode, from cultural diversity to the importance of cooperation. These ideas apply to every field of the future, but as more countries seek to enter astronomy, these ideas are central for our young astronomers to internalize as well. Children can find role models in the ambitious Gwyn, the kind Rok, the resourceful Jankom, the resilient Murf, the empathetic Zero, or the courageous Dal.
Overall, if you are looking for a Star Trek show with gorgeous visuals, a space-centric story, and an ensemble cast that never makes you feel bored, I recommend Star Trek Prodigy.
About the author: Lyla is a high school student currently residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Besides being a space and science fiction fan, she enjoys writing, dancing, making music, and learning of all kinds.
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