Since its premiere slightly over a month ago, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has garnered plenty of attention from viewers, critics, and a few internet trolls to boot. The show's tone is unlike other series in the franchise yet retains its core values, partly thanks to Holly Hunter's character, Nahla Ake, and her non-traditional way of leading the cadets.
Hunter had plenty to say about the subject while speaking to People recently and also revealed why the academy chancellor is often barefoot, noting, "That's fun, because it's the antithesis of what you should do – people are wearing protective footwear – boots, maybe with steel toes [laughs]. And there I am completely unprotected and trotting around, loping around, lazing around. Yeah, I like the opposition of it.”
Hunter added:
“Because I'm the Starfleet chancellor as well as the captain, I wanted to avoid rigidity. I wanted to avoid formality and kind of a more militaristic posture. I wanted to be adaptable and leaning into them and curious and playful. And I wanted to be approachable. I wanted to lead with some humor.”
Any fan who was around when Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered in 1987 can tell you that the main complaint about Jean Luc Picard was that he was much too rigid. There's simply no pleasing some people.
Since its inception in 1966, Star Trek has always used humor to reveal the humanity of its characters. Physical comedy, quips, cultural references, and unapologetically comedic episodes like "The Trouble with Tribbles" set a precedent that continues today with Starfleet Academy and Hunter's character.
Would these untried cadets come together as a unit if Ake were more like Picard, at least in the way he lead his people and presented himself? Perhaps we'll get a mirror episode for this series one day, but for now, the chancellor's curious, playful ways that keep her grounded within herself have had a positive effect on the young people so far.
For example, in episode 3, "Vitus Reflux," the chancellor is more than aware of the prank war that escalates between the cadets and a rival school, and it clearly amuses her to the point that the playfulness of her personality cannot keep her from offering her cadets tips that will win them the war.
It's something older fans (like myself) can connect with, wanting to both teach from experience and be part of something that helps them keep that youthful vibe. Although, I don't hate it when mentors have curmudgeon shells and soft insides like our dear Dr. Leonard McCoy.
What's your favorite humorous moment from the franchise, and which lines hooked you into a series itself? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is streaming on Paramount +.