Trekkies, The Doctor knows best... listen to him, please!
One of the biggest sticking points giving some Star Trek fans pause about the new Starfleet Academy show is the controversial revelation that a female Jem'Hadar is a featured character in the franchise’s latest streaming series.
In the past, the Jem'Hadar were genetically engineered and incapable of procreation. However, Star Trek icon Robert Picardo, who reprises his role as The Doctor in Starfleet Academy, addressed the change during an interview (watch below) co-star Gina Yashere shared on her Instagram account. Picardo said:
“A reminder to Star Trek fans. If you can genetically engineer the Jem’Hadar in the 24th century, you can change them in the intervening 800 years in the 32nd century. You can genetically modify them. It’s not a big deal [laughing].”
“We are 900 years in the future,” Yashere added during the same sit-down:
The inability of close-minded fans to accept that Yashere’s half-Klingon, half-Jem'Hadar character, Lura Thok, can exist due to progress — nearly a century’s worth — is one of the most disappointing displays by the fandom I’ve ever witnessed. I scroll through the social media posts on a daily basis, and I’m truly appalled by all the hateful comments posted by so-called Trekkies about this issue.
As far as I’m concerned, those people who’d rather berate and vehemently censure progress, which is what Lura Thok represents, are NOT Star Trek fans — and there’s no place for them in this fandom. The late Gene Roddenberry would be appalled that these Trekkies can’t summon up enough vision to glimpse a future where the Jem'Hadar can evolve.
What do you think about Starfleet Academy featuring the female Jem'Hadar, Lura Thok? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is now streaming on Paramount Plus.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!