Star Trek Prodigy
If CBS/All Access, now known as Paramount+ knew one thing, it was the hunger fans had for new Star Trek. With that in mind, they embraced the franchise from the start. First with Star Trek Discovery (4 seasons and counting). Discovery became a fan favorite following in the long line of successful Star Trek Series. Star Trek TOS, Star Trek TNG, Star Trek DS9, Star Trek Voyager, and Star Trek Enterprise laid the groundwork that Paramount+ built upon. With the success of Discovery, they expanded their catalogue even farther with Star Trek: Picard (2nd Season in production). But they were not finished. For those fans of Star Trek: The Animated Series, they created Star Trek: Lower Decks (Approved for its 3rd Season). Now, Paramount+ in collaboration with Nickelodeon have produced a Star Trek Series aimed at a younger audience.
Star Trek Prodigy tells the tale of a rag-tag group of young people who escape their captivity from Lars Lamora, a prison mining facility by appropriating a newly uncovered Starfleet Vessel, the Protostar. With the help of the Ship’s Holo-Guide, Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), they take the ship to escape the mines, explore the galaxy and perhaps, learn what Starfleet and the Federation is all about. They do this while trying to avoid being recaptured by the Mines Administrator and Warden, the Diviner (John Noble) and his henchman Drednok (Jimmi Simpson).
The Protostar’s New Crew
The ship’s crew includes Dal RL (Brett Gray), an alien of unknown origins who relies on his quick wit and street smarts to get by. Dal had thought of nothing else other than escaping . With this ship, those thoughts are about to become reality. At his side is his huge red-rocked buddy Rok-Tahk (Rylee Alazraqui) who Dal finds out (after accessing the ship’s universal translator) is a young female…who can kick almost anyone’s butt. The Ship’s engineer is Jankom Pog (Jason Mantzoukas), a Tellurite who likes to argue about everything. If you want a “Yes Man,” he’s not your guy. But he can fix anything. Just ask him.
Acting as ship’s helmsman is Fugitive Zero, or just Zero (Angus Imrie). A Medusan (as seen in Star Trek TOS, “Is There in Truth No Beauty“), Zero has created a robot body to carry its non-corporeal form after also escaping the Diviner’s clutches. As a Medusan, Zero is a telepath who more often than not recoils from the minds it reads. Also on board is a little blue slimer that Rok-Tahk has named Murf. Murf likes to attempt to consume anything laying about. But sometimes, that comes in handy. Finally, the crew has invited (AKA Kidnapped) the Diviner’s Daughter Gwyn (Ella Purnell) to come along. She had always wanted to see the stars, now her wish has come true. Whether she wanted it now or not. Fortunately for them, they have help. The aforementioned Holo-Janeway whose job is to guide them on their journey. Much to the surprise of Dal and company.
Thoughts
The hardest part of any new Star Trek Series is to introduce entirely new characters who fans are unfamiliar with. The best way to do that (especially on a show aimed at youth) is to create engaging and likeable characters while having other parts that of the show reflect some of the rich history of the Star Trek Canon. Star Trek Prodigy succeeds at both. The embrace the Canon with the Medusan Zero, the Tellurite Engineer as well as utilizing Kate Mulgrew’s Captain Janeway from Voyager. As for the characters, they have included a nice mix of species and talented voice actors to bring them to life. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I embraced many of them right from the start.
Especially Rylee Alazraqui as the massive Rok-Tahk. There’s no way a voice so cute should come from such an imposing character. It was a nice twist and it really works well. I loved where she thought that first Dal and then herself might also be telepathic like Zero. I also enjoyed Jason Mantzoukas as Jankom Pog and his explanation of why he argued so much. Not to mention the back and forth between Dal (Brett Gray) and Gywnn (Ella Purnell). Its not everyday you get accused of being in “CatBoots” with someone. They also served up a nice dose of villainy with the Diviner (John Noble) and his number one, guyyyyy Drednok (Jimmi Simpson).
Visuals
Visually, Star Trek Prodigy has sort of a Star Wars The Clone Wars vibe, which is never a bad thing. The scene where Gwynn went to see her father and bowed down before him especially brought that comparison to mind (Darth Diviner?). Again, that’s not a bad thing. It is a unique look for a Star Trek series and they captured Kate Mulgrew’s Captain Janeway very nicely. Overall, it was great start and I look forward to seeing where we go from here. I give Star Trek Prodigy Episode One a strong 4 out of 5 out of the blocks. Star Trek Prodigy Episode One, Lost and Found can be seen now on Paramount+ with new episodes premiering on Thursdays.
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Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
