Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Faces Review Bombing Amidst 'Woke' Criticism

The latest show from Paramount+, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, has become the target of review bombing, with critics labeling its portrayal of diverse characters as "woke." This backlash has arisen despite the show's intent to represent individuals with disabilities and people of varied races and body types.

Set in the 32nd century, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows a cohort of Starfleet cadets as they train to become officers, under the guidance of creator Gaia Violo. This series, a spin-off of Star Trek: Discovery, aims to capture the spirit of hope and optimism as these young cadets pursue their dreams.

Despite its positive critic reception, boasting an 87% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score tells a different story, sitting at a mere 43%. The stark contrast highlights the divided reception of the series, primarily fueled by accusations of "wokeness." This criticism appears to stem from the show’s focus on women and people of color in prominent roles.

Backlash from Notable Figures

The criticism even drew attention from Stephen Miller, a former United States Homeland Security Advisor, who commented on the show via social media. In response to a clip featuring three female characters—Chancellor Nahla Ake, played by Holly Hunter, the alien Lura Thok, portrayed by Gina Yashere, and academic liaison Lieutenant Rork, played by Tricia Black—Miller suggested that Paramount+ should "reconcile with William Shatner and give him total creative control" to "save the franchise."

Shatner, known for his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek series, has not been shy about sharing his views, though he has also been critical of former President Donald Trump.

Community Reactions

Some fans, discontented with the show's representation, expressed their frustration online. One user criticized the series as "the last gasp of ultra-woke, hyper-PC, anti-drama, pro-LGBTQ+++ Infinity, liberal nonsense," a sentiment reflective of the critique from certain quarters.

Additional controversy arose over the portrayal of Nahla Ake wearing glasses, which some viewers deemed unrealistic for a futuristic setting. Critics argued that visual impairments would have been "eradicated" by the 32nd century. This point of contention ignores the fact that the beloved Star Trek: The Next Generation character Geordi La Forge chose to wear a visor instead of opting for corrective surgery.

The show explains Ake's choice to wear glasses as a cultural preference. As a Lanthanite, her species cherishes physical objects to preserve memories, akin to a "living scrapbook." This cultural nuance highlights the richness of character background yet faced ridicule from some quarters.

Defending Creativity and Diversity

Elon Musk also entered the fray, posting a disparaging remark about the future setting of the series, joking about the absence of advanced medical procedures like LASIK. Lesbian actress Gina Yashere, who plays Lura Thok, responded to Musk’s comments with a scathing retort that quickly gained traction online.

"All this from a guy who has all the money in the world, yet his face still looks like a sock full of wet sand," Yashere quipped, expressing her disdain for Musk's disparaging remarks. Her response garnered significant support, with thousands of likes and numerous comments joining in the critique of Musk.

The response from Yashere and others underscores a broader defense of the show’s creative choices and its embrace of diversity. It highlights the ongoing cultural conversation around representation in media and the varied responses it elicits.

The first two episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy are currently available for streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes releasing every Thursday. As the series continues, it remains to be seen how the conversation around its portrayal of a diverse future will evolve.