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SFA's series debut is way better than its poor rating (and this is why)

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s series premiere proves its critics wrong with heartfelt character work, sharp Trek lore, and five standout moments that go way beyond a 5.8 rating.
L-R: Robert Picardo as The Doctor, Kerrice Brooks as Sam and Bella Shepard as Genesis in season 1 , episode 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
L-R: Robert Picardo as The Doctor, Kerrice Brooks as Sam and Bella Shepard as Genesis in season 1 , episode 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
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“Kids These Days,” the series premiere of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, plays like a confident mini-movie with rich character work, classic Trek optimism, and an unexpected third act, despite its modest 5.8-star IMDb rating.

That score reflects review-bomb fatigue and expectations baggage more than the polished, character-forward pilot that knows what kind of Star Trek it wants to be. With that in mind, the following are five standout moments that show why this premiere deserves a reappraisal.

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