What do parents need to know about the new series Star Trek: Prodigy?

Star Trek: Prodigy is out

For the first time in its 55-year history, the first-ever Star Trek series geared towards children, Star Trek Prodigy, hit Paramount Plus with a bang on Thursday, and it did not disappoint. This shall be, hopefully, an informative piece to help let parents know what can be expected from the new animated series and what kids might be able to take from it as well.

I’m going to act under the assumption that anyone reading this is already aware of the premise of the series, so I will forgo a description and get right to what jumped out at me.

What can parents expect from Star Trek: Prodigy

I noticed almost immediately, that this is the first-ever Star Trek series that is completely void of any human characters in the main cast or at all for that matter. I’m sure this was a conscious decision by the show creators, and it is one I completely approve of, and I believe that other parents will as well.

This is the most diverse cast of characters I have ever seen in a Trek series, bringing together memorable characters with a wonderful assortment of physical characteristics that would only be seen in Trek, a wide range of personalities and colorful backgrounds that are just waiting to be explored, not to mention the cool, unique and sometimes very funny traits of each character that is sure to be a pleasure to watch for new-comers to the series and Trek veterans alike.

It is my belief that the cast of characters will turn out to be one of the strengths of this series, acting as a subtle teacher to children about how everyone is very different.

The choice to make all the starring characters so vastly different, I believe will showcase the ability to establish teamwork and long-lasting friendships, despite how very different the characters might be, and there is no series better than Star Trek to instill this message to a new generation of Trek fans.

The new series does not pander to its younger audience. The story is fast-paced, engaging, and is sure to feature the fantastical stories we have come to expect from Trek.

While this show may not contain some of the darker tones like some of the later Trek series have featured, it is sure to please not only younger audiences but adults who have been following Trek since the days of James T Kirk. The show has plenty of callbacks to the past series, the most obvious of which being the presence of one of the greatest captains of all time, Captain Kathryn Janeway, in the form of an emergency hologram.

Speaking from the point of view of a parent with two small children, this is one show you need not concern yourself over what your children are watching or what they might be picking up from it.

Star Trek Prodigy offers a colorful and diverse cast of characters, teaching children about the importance of acceptance and individuality, and a compelling story that is not dumbed down or pandering to a younger audience, peppered with just enough throwbacks to the roots of Star Trek to hold the interest of old Trek fans as well.

In short, Star Trek: Prodigy is the perfect vehicle to speed a new generation of Trek fans and maintain its already current fan base at the same time, and I am excited to see what this show will continue to deliver.