Boars, Gore, and Swords Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Jan 16, 2026
The hosts dive into the challenges and excitement of launching Starfleet Academy, reacting to the casting choices, including the intriguing roles played by Tatiana Maslany and Holly Hunter. They compare the series' aesthetic to other shows and discuss its balance of school life and space adventure. An opening prison scene sparks debates on ethics and rehabilitation within the Federation. With nods to familiar characters and humor from Paul Giamatti, they ponder the series' continuity and express eagerness for what lies ahead.
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Episode notes
Get To The Ship Fast
- Hosts stress they value getting characters onto ships quickly rather than remaining stuck at school.
- They see a spacefaring focus as essential to feeling like real Star Trek.
Franchise Backstory Can Alienate New Fans
- The episode signals post-Burn consequences and moral compromises without fully explaining past events.
- Hosts note that heavy franchise backstory (the Burn) can confuse viewers who didn't watch prior series.
Handle Federation Failures With Clear Context
- Avoid making the Federation an unexplained villain; keep core values recognizable.
- Use clear context when showing institutional failures so viewers can accept reform arcs.
