IR TV Review: STAR TREK - STARFLEET ACADEMY - EPISODE 3 (“Vitus Reflux”) [Paramount+]
After the intro of "Starfleet Academy" in its two part premiere, the question becomes what makes this class different in how they will come together as a group? Are they immature in many ways? Sure. But the question becomes in listening and going through the different trainings that will make them into future Starfleet officers. In Episode 3: "Vitus Reflux", the essence of strategy and leadership is put to the test as well as the idea of ambition versus acceptance. While Caleb is in many ways at the forefront, one of the better connotations of the series is really showing how this bigger idea works but also the importance of the faculty in their best way, staying out of the students' way.
Gina Yashere as Lura Thok, the commandant of the academy one would say, works well the more it plays because she has to be one way for the students, one way for the chancellor and another for Reno (Tig Notaro) as we see the interaction there evolve as well. This is a more woke Star Trek in many ways but it takes it in stride. A majority of the episode involves an elevation of back and forth pranks between Starfleet and the War College which was what existed before SA was re-established. They are more brutish but there is a distinct difference in how they operate. Interesting enough this diametric plays all the way back to "Enterprise". There is also a battle of power and loyalty between Jay-Den (Karim Diané) and Genesis (Bella Shepard) as the more alpha elements of the Starfleet cadets. It really does give an indication of where Starfleet Academy as a show can really shine. It is about optimism. Everything is not the end of the world. Caleb, of course, has a background story running and there is also a continuing perspective from the 2nd episode that helps along a romantic subplot with Tarima (Zoe Steiner -- another high point of the show).
However what their interaction here really does, despite anything else going on, is bring out a perspective that even Troi couldn't capture at the beginning with Riker: transparency. But it also has to do with the accessibility of the characters and what the build of their function is. It might be easier here than the 23rd Century...or maybe not. That said, Holly Hunter as the Chancellor continues to do something unusual in the Star Trek universe. The way she acts in terms of an authority figure in terms of style, appearance and structure is very left field and yet the depth of information she relays in the dialogue and subtext alone is pretty stellar. This is good writing but Hunter knows what she is doing. During one subtle face off with the more militant commandant of the War College, the way she moves and slithers is very specific and for a very specific purpose. Hunter is, as always, a gem...because this still feels like her. B+
By Tim Wassberg
