Podcast – The Topic is Trek

Episode 194: It’s All Academic Now

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Listen below or click here for full show notes

Star Trek’s Robert Picardo Pens Strong Message About Franchise’s History Ahead Of Starfleet Academy

Robert Picardo Reminds Fans What STAR TREK Has Always Been as The Franchise Turns 60 — GeekTyrant

Zoe Saldaña Becomes Highest-Grossing Actor of All Time With ‘Avatar 3’

Main Mission, Part 1 (with an appropriate sound effect)

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Season 1, episode 1
“Kids These Days”
Written by Gaia Violo
Directed by Alex Kurtzman

Subspace Chatter
  • Star Trek panoramas from the CD-ROM era – Boing Boing
  • Exclusive: Christina Chong Talks “More Swings” For ‘Strange New Worlds’ Season 4, “Bittersweet” Season 5 – TrekMovie.com
  • Say Goodbye to Star Trek on Netflix
  • Star Trek Fans Bought A Lot Of Props At Auctions In 2025, But I’m Shocked At The Most Expensive Get From The Next Generation
  • Alex Kurtzman on Star Trek’s Future — and Paramount’s New Regime
  • ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Casts Sulu and Bones for Series Finale
  • STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Series Finale Casts Thomas Jane as McCoy, Kai Murakami as Sulu – TrekCore.com
  • Dr. McCoy and Mr. Sulu to Appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Series Finale – IGN
  • ‘Star Trek’ Legend Offered ‘Klingon School’ to 2026 Cast
  • Warner Bros. Discovery Still Sounds Open to a Paramount Deal
  • DOJ Reviewing Paramount’s Warner Bros. Discovery Bid
  • Paramount Loses Bid to Fast Track WBD Disclosures on Netflix Deal
  • Paramount Loses Bid to Fast Track WBD Disclosures on Netflix Deal

    • In Vulcan, Alberta, Canada news…

    Town of Vulcan Recreation – Public Access

    Here are links to 144  additional stories.broken out by series, movies and other categories. 

    CLASSIC TV SERIES (in order of premiere)

    Star Trek: The Original Series (1966 – 1969) [3 seasons]

    1. Star Trek: TOS S2 episodes to be thankful for on Turkey Day
    2. One Star Trek Actor Played Three Characters in the Original Series (After She Was Cut From The Pilot)
    3. Star Trek actress, 85, makes unexpected comments about co-star William Shatner | HELLO!
    4. Star Trek Used Kissing Noises To Create The Sound Of A Classic Monster
    5. Star Trek episode showed Trekkies just how funny the series could be
    6. 59 Years Later, This Star Trek: TOS Episode Remains the Scariest Hour in Sci-Fi TV History
    7. One Line From Star Trek: The Original Series Created A 58-Year Plot Hole
    8. The Star Trek spinoff Starfleet Academy is as much a school on-screen as it is off, according to co-star George Hawkins | Popverse
    9. Classic Star Trek Is Finding A New Audience Through YouTube Reaction Videos – TrekMovie.com
    10. One of Kirk’s Greatest ‘Star Trek’ Episodes Ever Is a Masterclass in 1 Thing the Sci-Fi Show Does Best
    11. One Star Trek Actor Couldn’t Do Spock’s Vulcan Salute
    12. Star Trek’s Tribbles Got Their Noise From A Very Unlikely Animal

      13. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987 – 1994) [7 seasons]

      1. Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “Schisms” Is Still the Darkest Hour of Body Horror in Trek History
      2. Star Trek’s annoying TNG guests shouldn’t stop fans from watching must-see Data episode
      3. “I can’t, they’re out of control”: Denise Crosby on Star Trek Director Getting Fed Up of TNG Cast
      4. Star Trek: TNG Is Superior Because It Respected One Rule The Original Series Constantly Broke
      5. All 7 Seasons of STAR TREK: TNG, Ranked
      6. 32.9M Streaming Hours Prove This ‘Star Trek’ Spin-Off Aged Better Than Expected
      7. The Star Trek: The Next Generation Episode That Michael Dorn Considers The Worst
      8. Star Trek: The 7 Best Captain Picard Episodes Of All Time – ComicBook.com
      9. New Star Trek Show Finally Completes The Redemption Of The Next Generation’s Most Hated Character – ComicBook.com
      10. 6 Darkest Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes, Ranked

        11. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993 – 1999) [7 seasons]

        1. 28 Years Ago, Star Trek’s Future Was Changed Forever in 2 Weeks

          2. Star Trek: Voyager (1995 – 2001) [7 seasons]

          1. Star Trek’s Controversial Janeway Episode Is the Most Problematic 46 Minutes in Sci-Fi History
          2. Star Trek: Voyager’s Best, Darkest Story Was Almost A Season-Long Adventure – ComicBook.com

            3. Star Trek: Enterprise (2001 – 2005) [4 seasons]

            1. The Worst ‘Star Trek’ Episode Ever Pointlessly Killed Off a Beloved Character To “Create Conversation”

              2. STREAMING SERIES AND MOVIES (in order of premiere)

              Star trek: Prodigy (2021 – 2024) [2 seasons]

              1. Star Trek’s Most Beloved Show Being Erased From Streaming In 2026, You Can’t Watch It | GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT
              2. Kate Mulgrew Reacts to ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Cancellation

                3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022 – present) [4th season yet to premier, 5th/final season finished filming]

                1. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Christina Chong Wraps Series Filming
                2. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Christina Chong Shared A Post After Wrapping On The Final Season, And I’m Starting To Get Emotional | Cinemablend
                3. A Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Director Shared The Last Time The Cast Was On The Bridge, And I Have Two Big Questions | Cinemablend
                4. Star Trek actor can’t even find the words as Strange New Worlds wraps
                5. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Cast & Crew Say Farewell
                6. STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Wraps Production; Cast Bids Farewell with Two Seasons Yet to Air – TrekCore.com
                7. Melissa Navia teases deeper trauma and untold backstory for Strange New Worlds pilot Erica Ortegas | Popverse
                8. Star Trek legacy villain could show up in Strange New Worlds finale (and this is how)

                  9. Star Trek: Section 31 (streaming TV event)

                  1. Star Trek: Section 31’ Nominated For Image Award – TrekMovie.com

                    2. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy [2026 – present] [renewed for second season]

                    1. Paul Giamatti, Star Trek’s Latest Villain, Just Proved His Trek Fandom to Us – IGN
                    2. First Look: Wrestling Champion Becky Lynch On The ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Bridge – TrekMovie.com
                    3. Star Trek’s Next Villain Is Channeling 4 of The Most Iconic Sci-Fi Bad Guys Of All Time – ComicBook.com
                    4. Meet the Cadets of STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY in Video Spotlights, Plus Behind-the-Scenes Peeks at Production – TrekCore.com
                    5. Set primarily on Earth, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy rethinks what a Star Trek series can be | Popverse
                    6. Alex Kurtzman Explains Why Starfleet Academy Isn’t Set Post-‘Picard,’ Hints More Star Trek TV Is In Development – TrekMovie.com
                    7. Star Trek Fans Clash Over Klingons as One Actor Responds – Parade
                    8. Star Trek Star Hits Back At New Show’s Klingon Controversy – ComicBook.com
                    9. 25 Years Later, New Star Trek Show Finally Fixes A Major Voyager Injustice – ComicBook.com
                    10. Every Legacy Star Trek Character We Hope to See in Starfleet Academy
                    11. ‘Most-Hated’ Character Honored in New ‘Starfleet Academy’ Clip – Parade
                    12. Star Trek’s Next Series Is Breaking A Cardinal Rule Of Every Show So Far – ComicBook.com
                    13. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s Karim Diane Knows His Klingon Character Is Different, But Explains Why It’s Not Uncommon | Cinemablend | Cinemablend
                    14. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy — Season 1 review: ‘compelling’
                    15. Starfleet Academy Will Revive an Age-Old Star Trek Conundrum | Den of Geek
                    16. ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’: Paul Giamatti and Holly Hunter on beaming into the storied sci-fi franchise (interview) | Space
                    17. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – A Love Letter To Deep Space Nine In Episode 5
                    18. See New STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY Photos from This Week’s Two-Episode Premiere, “Kids These Days” and “Beta Test” – TrekCore.com
                    19. New Star Trek Spinoff Has an Unexpected Alien: Romulus Connection (Exclusive)
                    20. Holly Hunter Says ‘Star Trek’ Role Is like ‘Winning the Lottery’
                    21. Star Trek’s New Spinoff Officially Explores a Canon-Accurate Detail About Klingon Healers (Exclusive)
                    22. Star Trek Confirmed The Return of a One Off Villain to Live-Action – ComicBook.com
                    23. PREVIEW: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Series Premiere – Trek Central
                    24. Paul Giamatti On Villain in Big Fat Liar, Star Trek Starfleet Academy
                    25. Holly Hunter & Paul Giamatti on ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,’ Villains & Federation Legacy – YouTube
                    26. Star Trek: The Burn profoundly affects Starfleet Academy
                    27. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s American Museum of Natural History premiere – downthetubes.net
                    28. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Review: Star Trek Meets College Drama in This Fun but Frustrating Series – TV Guide
                    29. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Boldly Going Nowhere, But So Very Youthfully — Original Cin
                    30. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Review: A Playful New Spinoff
                    31. Star Trek Starfleet Academy Review, Season 1 On Paramount Plus
                    32. TV Review: What grade does STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY deserve?
                    33. Starfleet Academy review: Star Trek kicks off 60th anniversary by connecting its past and future
                    34. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy review – The kids are alright
                    35. ‘Starfleet Academy’ Is a Solid Successor to the ‘Star Trek’ Legacy
                    36. Early Review: ‘Starfleet Academy’ Season 1 Deftly Balances Strong Characters, Star Trek Lore, And Different Tones – TrekMovie.com
                    37. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Brings Historic Firsts For The Franchise
                    38. Star Trek is placing new show Starfleet Academy in an uncertain future to make it more meaningful for new fans today | Popverse
                    39. ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Brings Back What Fans Have Been Missing
                    40. Star Trek Starfleet Academy TV Review: An introduction to the next generation of the franchise
                    41. Star Trek Is About To Ruin Your Favorite Voyager Character
                    42. Paul Giamatti Ranks His Favorite Star Trek Shows and Talks Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – YouTube
                    43. Star Trek actor provides BTS tour of Starfleet Academy
                    44. Exclusive: ‘Starfleet Academy’ Showrunners Talk Easter Eggs, DS9 “Love Letter,” And Keeping Star Trek Alive – TrekMovie.com
                    45. Exclusive: Robert Picardo And Gina Yashere On Ad Libbing & Season 2 Of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ – TrekMovie.com

                      46. unannounced “Captain Janeway” series

                      1. Star Trek: Kate Mulgrew on Janeway Spinoff Series Becoming a Reality


                        2. unannounced “Resort Planet” series [currently in early development]

                        1. “Star Trek” Comedy Series Update – Dark Horizons

                          2. Trek series that never were, for one reason or another, [such as “Phase II”]

                          1. 19 Lost ‘Star Trek’ Episodes From the Unproduced ‘Phase II’ Series | Woman’s World


                            2. THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES (in order of premiere)

                            Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

                            1. William Shatner Said Star Trek: The Motion Picture’s Uniforms Threatened His ‘Ability To Procreate’

                              2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

                              1. The Star Trek Actor Who Spoiled Spock’s Death Before Wrath Of Khan Even Began Shooting

                                2. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1989)

                                1. 20 Things You Never Knew About Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country – video Dailymotion

                                  2. OTHER MEDIA
                                  Star Trek books, audio books

                                  1. Star Trek: Khan: Beyer Discusses Starfleet Academy, Canon Flexibility

                                    2. Star Trek collectibles

                                    1. Review — Fanhome’s New USS Archer and USS Harlan Expand the STAR TREK Starship Collection – TrekCore.com
                                    2. EXO-6 Reveals New STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Captains Chair Replica with Authentic Lights and Sounds – TrekCore.com

                                      3. Star Trek DVDs

                                      1. Star Trek: SNW season 3 warp-speeds beyond digital (epic SteelBook on the horizon)

                                        2. Star Trek video games/board games

                                        1. Embracer sell Neverwinter and Star Trek Online devs Cryptic, allowing them to gather their party and boldly go where Saber went before | Rock Paper Shotgun
                                        2. Embracer Group sells publisher Arc Games and Star Trek Online developer Cryptic Studios, but once again clings on to the publishing rights for Remnant 2 | PC Gamer
                                        3. ICv2: New ‘Star Trek: Into the Unknown’ Release Features Cardassians and Klingons
                                        4. A Look Into ‘Star Trek: Star Realms – Borg: Invasion Expansion’
                                        5. Destination Board Game: Star Trek: The Next Generation– Master Replicas
                                        6. Master Replicas Unveils Three Star Trek XL Desk Mats Inspired by Iconic Bridge Stations – GameSpace.com
                                        7. “Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown” Release Date & Switch 2 Confirmed; Watch New Gameplay Video – TrekMovie.com

                                          8. Star Trek Comics/graphic novels/magazines

                                          1. See Janeway Fight To Escape The Clutches Of Species 8472 In Preview Of ‘Star Trek: Voyager: Homecoming’ #3 – TrekMovie.com
                                          2. The Resurrected Captain Kirk Takes Command in Star Trek: The Last Starship #3 – IGN
                                          3. The Wild STAR TREK: TNG ’80s Comic Had a Space Santa – Nerdist
                                          4. Star Trek Can’t Let Captain Kirk Go, And It’s Become A Problem
                                          5. Star Trek Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Webtoon Expansion in 2026
                                          6. IDW Preview: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Seeds Of Salvation #5 | Comic Book Club
                                          7. In Review: Star Trek: Voyager—Homecoming #4 – Between A Rock and A Hard Place
                                          8. See Spock Befriend A Giant Space Squid In ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Seeds of Salvation’ #5 Preview – TrekMovie.com

                                            9. MISCELLANEOUS

                                            Franchise-wide/Miscellaneous

                                            1. 12 Philosophical Star Trek Episodes That Will Leave You Thinking
                                            2. It’s Hard To Be Excited About ‘Starfleet Academy’ When the Star Trek Franchise Is Struggling
                                            3. Netflix Says Goodbye to All Remaining Star Trek Titles
                                            4. From TOS to Strange New Worlds: How Long Will It Reasonably Take To Complete All Star Trek Episodes – Your Complete 2026 Guide
                                            5. A Brief History of Klingon-Federation Conflict
                                            6. 10 Best Holodeck Episodes In Star Trek, Ranked
                                            7. The life and legacy of Dr. Soong, the creator of Star Trek’s Data
                                              What To Expect From Star Trek In 2026: A Franchise At A Crossroads – TrekMovie.com
                                            8. Star Trek 2025: The Biggest News And Surprises Of The Year
                                            9. 10 Star Trek Episodes That Predicted The Future
                                            10. Star Trek’s Renaissance During Stranger Things’ 9-Year Run
                                            11. The Star Trek Movie Timeline, Explained
                                            12. Star Trek’s most fascinating moments of 2025 ranked worst to first
                                            13. ‘To boldly go where no-one has gone before’ – opinion – Western People
                                            14. 12 Strongest Star Trek Characters, Ranked By Power
                                            15. 10 Greatest Star Trek Moments In 2025
                                            16. Star Trek’s best Captain Christopher Pike actors ranked
                                            17. Star Trek: Everything We NOW Know About The 25th Century – YouTube
                                            18. Star Trek Showrunner Accidentally Admits How Boomers Saved The Franchise | GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT
                                            19. Star Trek: 10 Times Captains Lost Control – video Dailymotion
                                            20. 10 Biggest Reveals In Star Trek Novels – video Dailymotion
                                            21. 10 Deleted Star Trek Scenes That Would Have Changed Everything
                                            22. Star Trek Franchise Head Alex Kurtzman Gave Us An Update On His Contract And How He Feels About His Future | Cinemablend
                                            23. Paramount+ Holds ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ World Premiere Event – Media Play News
                                            24. STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY Starts Soft Before Hitting Warp Speed (Review) – Nerdist
                                            25. STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY’s First Class Has a Promising Start — Our Spoiler-Free Review – TrekCore.com
                                            26. Star Trek’s Allegory-First Storytelling Rule is Fumbled by Most Franchises
                                            27. 5 Star Trek Characters That Were Nerfed Over Time
                                            28. Trekkies, Michael Westmore’s documentary trailer looks out of this world
                                            29. UPDATE: Star Trek NOT Eligible For New Emmy Legacy Award… Due To A Technicality – TrekMovie.com
                                            30. Hear Me Out: I Think Hallmark Should Make A Holiday Movie For Star Trek Fans | Cinemablend
                                            31. What Is To Be Done About Star Trek? | Comic Book Club

                                              32. Actor Watch

                                              1. Jeri Ryan’s Favorite Star Trek Episode Is A Classic Original Series Adventure
                                              2. Tig Notaro: ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ shows ‘same Tig, different galaxy’ | Out.com
                                              3. ‘Star Trek’ Icon, 94, Announces Nostalgic Event — and Fans Are Thrilled
                                              4. Star Trek’s Michael Dorn Questioned The Direction Of One Klingon Design
                                              5. William Shatner Connects ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Twilight Zone’ and Wizard of Oz (Exclusive) | Woman’s World
                                              6. How Rebecca Romijn Became a ‘Star Trek’ Legend on ‘Strange New Worlds’ | Woman’s World
                                                7. Main Mission, Part 2 (with an appropriate sound effect)

                                                Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
                                                Season 1, episode 2
                                                “Beta Test”
                                                Written by Noga Landau & Jane Maggs
                                                Directed by Alex Kurtzman

                                                End Of Show

                                                It’s about time to refill the dilithium chamber and get on out of here. 

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                                                  Podcast – The Topic is TrekBy Clinton Alvord, Kreg Steppe, and Chuck Tomasi