Blink and you’ll miss the (SPOILER)!
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy finally debuts in just under two weeks, and the latest Instagram video promoting the show’s upcoming release subtly tipped its hat to a classic Star Trek series. In the clip below, pay attention near the end of the footage when the text “Throwing secret parties during the night shift” pops up on the screen.
It’s at this point that you will be able to see someone dressed up like a Mugato from the Star Trek: The Original Series episode “A Private Little War.” The homage comes as the Starfleet Academy cast members conclude playing a game of red flag or green flag. The friendly person in the cool Mugato costume is having a little fun and high-10ing someone crossing his path.
I love this nod to The Original Series, and this is a far kinder representation of the famous Star Trek creature compared to how it was portrayed in “A Private Little War.” In that TOS season 2 episode, Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy are attacked by a vicious Mugato after returning to the planet following Mr. Spock's near-fatal injury.
Bones is roughed up by the alien creature, but it’s Kirk who gets the worst of the attack. The Mugato bites Kirk with its sharp fangs, which poisons the captain of the USS Enterprise! McCoy finally vaporizes the threat with his phaser, but It’s then up to Kirk’s friend Tyree to provide the only known antidote to the Mugato’s venom.
Fortunately, Tyree’s wife, Nona, is a Kahn-ut-tu of the planet's Hill People who can heal the deadly Mugato bite. Sure, Kirk falls under her spell afterward, and things get all hot and heated between them, but that’s just great television, right, Trekkies?
How do you feel about seeing Starfleet Academy's homage to the Mugato in the show’s latest marketing video? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres with two episodes on Paramount Plus Thursday, Jan. 15.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!