“He’s so dedicated to becoming the best medical student that Star Trek has ever seen…”
Not only is The Doctor in, but the beloved Emergency Medical Hologram plays a significant role in mentoring young Klingon cadet Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diane) during season 2 of Starfleet Academy. Robert Picardo, who began portraying Star Trek's beloved EMH way back in 1995 (Voyager’s series premiere), broke the news about taking Jay-Den under his holographic wings during this year’s New York Comic Con.
Picardo said (per TrekMovie.com): “My primary relationships are with now with my daughter [SAM — portrayed by Kerrice Brooks], and of course with Jay-Den [Kraag], as I’m mentoring him as a future physician, and we have some terrific scenes together as well.”
“He’s [Jay-Den] so dedicated to his friends,” Diane, who was also in attendance for the Star Trek Universe panel, told the crowd at this year’s New York Comic Con. “He’s so dedicated to the task at hand. He’s so dedicated to becoming the best medical student that Star Trek has ever seen, which is super cool and it’s super noble and honorable.”
Most of The Doctor’s journey in Starfleet Academy season 1 revolved around his growing relationship with the shy and awkward cadet SAM, which stands for Series Acclimation Mil. Like the EMH, SAM is also a holographic lifeform. Although, she prefers being called a photonic.
During most of freshman year, The Doctor deliberately distanced himself from SAM because he feared getting too close to someone else. At just over 800 years old, the EMH had the misfortune of watching many of his friends grow old and die over the years, which SAM couldn’t understand when she first looked to him to be her mentor.
However, when push came to shove in Starfleet Academy’s “The Life of the Stars,” The Doctor finally faced and overcame his true fear (the death of his daughter Belle in Voyager) in order to save SAM’s life. Further, The Doctor took it upon himself to become the cadet’s father, which was one of the most satisfying story points of season 1, in my opinion.
However, being a fan of both The Doctor and Jay-Den, I’m even more excited now for Starfleet Academy season 2, since two of my favorite characters will be interacting more during the show’s final 10 episodes which begin streaming in March 2027. And, I'm sure true Trekkies and Trekkers will be excited to see SAM and her father's relationship continued to evolve, too.
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Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
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