William Shatner reacts to Starfleet Academy's cancellation

Shatner shares his thoughts on SFA's early demise.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s cancellation continues to send ripples through the true fandom community. Those Trekkies who understand the importance of Gene Roddenberry’s vision and the franchise’s commitment to Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations (IDIC) realize what Starfleet Academy brought to the table, and that includes iconic actor William Shatner.

Yes, the original James T. Kirk himself was saddened to hear the news that Starfleet Academy will come to an end after its second season of 10 episodes eventually drop — likely in 2027. The beloved Star Trek actor took to social media and reacted to the disappointing news shortly after the show's cancellation was announced. Shatner posted (below) on his X, formerly Twitter, account:

“Star Trek exists in more than one world. It exists in the fantasy of science fiction - weird and wonderful things that play unimaginable possibilities of exploration and human endeavor. But it also exists in the fantasy of human beings, the perfection of human beings, the exploration that human beings have made since the dawn of time and the continuing exploration - physically mentally and morally.”

Shatner continued by writing:

“It’s that aspect of Star Trek that I’ve always loved, to look at something physically that doesn’t exist now by these talented writers & designers but also to tackle the eternal human questions the agonies, the ecstasies. Star Trek should exist for a long time to come based on those truths. I for one would love to see its continuity. It’s with sorrow that I hear about the cancellation of the new Star Trek series.”

Starfleet Academy came under fire from toxic, so-called fans who don't have an inkling what Star Trek stands for and couldn’t appreciate the unique steps creator Gaia Violo’s short-lived series boldly took.

I loved that the show focused on a half-Lanthanite chancellor, Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter), relying on her 422 years of life experience to teach a new generation of cadets to become Starfleet explorers.

One of the most ridiculous criticisms laid at the doorstep of the show was how Nahla lounged in the captain’s chair of her starship, the USS Athena.

Who cares if she curls up with a good book in HER chair when she’s off duty? The bridge essentially doubles as the chancellor’s office.

Whenever all hell broke loose on the show, Nahla NEVER relaxed in the chair, except when she sunk into it suddenly to prevent Nus Braka’s (Paul Giamatti) hologram to sit there during the series premiere, "Kids These Days."

Are you a lifelong, true Trekkie like me, who can’t understand the vitriol spewed online by so-called fans with such a narrow bandwidth of what life could be like in the 32nd century?

And, yes, that time rightly includes a gay Klingon cadet and half Jem’Hadar female first officer. For those senselessly attacking these wonderful characters online, "Leave any bigotry in your quarters, there's no room for it on the bridge," as Captain Kirk (Shatner) once said.

Share your thoughts and comments with us about Starfleet Academy’s cancellation on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.

Live long and prosper, Trekkies!