Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy"

Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Glenn Weldon
Guests: Regina Barber (NPR’s Shortwave), Joelle Monique (filmmaker, iHeartRadio producer)

Overview

This episode dives into Paramount's much-anticipated series "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy," exploring its place within the Star Trek franchise, the show's cast, themes, and its fresh take on the iconic universe. With Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti in standout roles, the conversation is an honest, energetic mix of joy, critique, and the panelists’ own Star Trek fandoms.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Starfleet Academy Premise and Cast

• Premise: The series is set at the newly reformed Starfleet Academy, which is welcoming its first class of students in 120 years.
• Key Characters:
  • Chancellor Nala Ake: Played by Holly Hunter, a retired captain returning as chancellor ([03:13]).
  • Caleb Mir: Sandra Rasta stars as a rebellious cadet with a past connection to Ake.
  • Bracca: Paul Giamatti plays a scene-stealing antagonist ([03:44], [08:31]).
  • Others: Includes an ensemble of diverse young cadets, including Betazoid siblings, and Klingon characters.

2. First Impressions and Emotional Resonance

• Regina’s Connection: Regina wore a Starfleet Academy shirt through undergrad and relates personally to the coming-of-age themes ([04:29]).

  "I wanted there to be a future with no money and bunkbeds and regular meals. At first, I was a little wary… but I think it gets better and better." – Regina Barber ([04:29])

• Joelle’s Experience: Newer to Trek, Joelle started with "Discovery" and "Lower Decks," loving both, and compares Star Trek’s longevity to "Doctor Who."

  “I love a school novel. Put the kids in school, make them fight... But also give me the classic Americana Star Trek vibes. If you’re an old head Star Trek lover, you love it.” – Joelle Monique ([05:11])

• Glen’s Take: Longtime Trek fan but admits to skipping "Enterprise." Finds early episodes “rough” but gets “hooked” by episode six due to improving ensemble dynamics ([06:23], [07:10]).

3. Character Dynamics & Writing

• Caleb Mir: Some debate on favoritism due to his connection with the chancellor.
  • Glen: "The favoritism he gets in this show is rage-inducing for a rule follower like me. It's not fair and I hate it." ([07:17])
  • Regina & Joelle: See merit in the show addressing trust issues and found family themes ([07:38]).
• Holly Hunter’s Performance: Universally praised.

  “Holly Hunter as schoolmaster… hippie who’s got a fantastic office. I love her.” – Glenn Weldon ([08:10])

• Paul Giamatti’s Villain: Enjoyed for being over-the-top and committed ([08:55]).

4. Tone, Set Design, and Humor

• Set Observations: Glen humorously likens the main set to an “upscale Boca Raton mall food court,” with an oddly prominent staircase ([09:20]).

  “Every time I see… this one staircase… why are there stairs in the future? We’ve eliminated disease, poverty, and racism. We could skip stairs.” – Glenn Weldon ([09:20])

• Cameos and Easter Eggs: Stephen Colbert as the school’s voice is a crowdpleaser ([09:14], [09:18]).
• Needle Drop: The Rufus Wainwright “San Francisco” cover in episode 1 shouldn’t work, but does ([11:17]).

5. Body Positivity & Representation

• Diversity: Noted improvements in visible diversity, including “the gun show is here to stay” for yoked characters ([11:11]).

6. School Setting as Narrative Engine

• Regina’s Perspective: Former professor, appreciates authentic mentor dynamics; addresses misconceptions about “bad” teachers ([14:20]).
• Joelle’s Thoughts: School setting is great for plot driven by “children with no rationale… hormones at an all-time high.” Appreciates Star Trek’s morality tales reframed through youth experience ([15:07]).
• Glen’s Critique: Has difficulty finding high stakes but references the “Buffy” formula for making teen drama feel cosmic ([17:35]).
• All: Appreciate the show’s ability to channel big existential questions through small, coming-of-age stories ([16:03], [19:16]).

7. Conversations on "Wokeness" and Star Trek’s Legacy

• Joelle: Rebuts criticism that the series is “too woke,” noting the historically progressive nature of Star Trek ([16:04]).

  "It's strange to me that anyone would go to Star Trek, of all places, and be like, this is too woke. I'm like, this is all they know how to do.” – Joelle Monique ([16:53])

• Glenn: Reiterates franchise history—interracial kiss, consistent diversity, etc.—and dismisses “sudden wokeness” arguments ([16:53]).

8. Specific Performances, Ships, and Romance

• Gina Yashere as Laura: Praised for comedic delivery and non-human mix representation ([21:19]).

  “She’s one of the best, like violent, comedic, you know, characters in the show.” – Regina Barber ([21:44])

• Romance in Star Trek: Show embraces romance and steamy plotlines—a welcome development ([22:06]).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Starfleet’s Diversity:

  “It’s baked in. And if you don’t know that, don’t pretend you know anything about Trek.” – Glenn Weldon ([16:53])

• On School Setting:

  “Put the kids in school, make them fight against that school across the campus… Love the genre.” – Joelle Monique ([05:11])

• On Teen Drama Logic:

  “Every week, the plot of a school set show is they do something that bends or breaks the rules. Every week they should get expelled. Never are they expelled. This is the Potter problem.” – Glenn Weldon ([17:58])

• On Emotional Growth:

  “The idea of becoming—who am I to the world, to myself, what I want to do… those really big questions are great plot fodder.” – Joelle Monique ([19:16])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:13] – Intro of main cast and setup
• [04:29] – Regina shares personal Starfleet Academy connection
• [05:11] – Joelle on entering Star Trek fandom, school stories
• [06:23] – Glen on sticking with the show and slow start
• [07:17] – Discussion of Caleb Mir, favoritism debate
• [08:10] – Praise for Holly Hunter’s performance
• [09:14] – Stephen Colbert’s cameo as school voice
• [11:17] – Discussion of needle drop/music cue
• [14:20] – Regina on the authenticity of school/mentorship
• [16:04] – Joelle and Glenn on “woke” critiques, Trek’s legacy
• [16:53] – Commentary on Star Trek’s historic diversity
• [19:16] – Joelle on coming-of-age themes and plot
• [21:19] – Praise for Gina Yashere’s performance and character
• [22:06] – Noting the embrace of romance and new directions

Conclusion

The episode is an enthusiastic, nuanced look at "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy," balancing reverence for franchise legacy with honest critiques of early writing and plot structures. It celebrates the show’s diversity, emotional grounding, and willingness to try new things, all while wrestling with what makes school-based storytelling resonate (or not) for different viewers. The panel is united in excitement for the future direction of the series and the hope for many more seasons.

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