Skip to main content

Starfleet Academy's 'The Life of the Stars' is way better than its low rating (and this is why)

SFA's love letter to The Doctor and Voyager is a must-see episode.
Robert Picardo as The Doctor in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, episode 4, season 1, streaming on Paramount+, 3035. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.
Robert Picardo as The Doctor in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, episode 4, season 1, streaming on Paramount+, 3035. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.
5 of 6

2. Drama is the core of the episode

The Life of the Stars
L-R: George Hawkins as Darem, Karim Diané as Jay-Den, Romeo Carere as Ocam, Bella Shepard as Genesis, and Sandro Rosta as Caleb in season 1, episode 8, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland/Paramount+

This episode is perhaps the most dramatic of the series both literally and figuratively. The emotional stakes are high in this episode with grief at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Add in the fact that the cadets are afraid for SAM, and the drama is only exacerbated.

Within the episode, the play directed by Tilly adds its own element of drama. She is overly dramatic about making the cadets participate in the play, and the cadets work through their own feelings through drama.

Sometimes, shows will go over the top with drama. However, in this episode, it is perfectly used to drive home an important plot and set up the final two episodes.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations