Pranks get out of hand between the Academy and the War College in episode 3.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s third episode, which is titled “Vitus Reflux,” refers to a “highly protected” fungus that looks eerily similar to Audrey II in the classic horror musical Little Shop of Horrors (1986). Referred to as “The Empathy Flower,” Vitus Reflux plays a hilarious and integral role in the storyline, but this installment of the new Star Trek series isn’t quite as engaging as the first episode, “Kids These Days.”
The following is a non-spoiler review of Starfleet Academy episode 3, which will objectively critique the story, character, acting, and overall production elements featured in "Vitus Reflux."
Story
The crux of “Vitus Reflux” revolved around the Academy cadets engaging in a so-called prank war with the rival War College. It was an intriguing idea, which did focus on the younger characters, but episode 3 didn’t push the overall story forward, particularly where the season’s main villain Nus Braka is concerned.
Giamatti being a no-show hurt the show's storytelling, in terms of the overall season arc, as did his absence in episode 2’s “Beta Test." And another focal thread weaving its way through season 1 was completely cut: no mention of Caleb Mir’s (Sandro Rosta) search for his mother was made, at all.