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toothpastepancakeSo! I watched Starfleet Academy last night. Only episode 1, because I'm watching with my mom who only does one "stressful" episode of anything a day, lol. I have lots of thoughts. In 2017 I got obsessed with the Kelvinverse Starfleet Academy minicomic, so I have been waiting for a Starfleet Academy series for NINE ENTIRE YEARS. It came... not in the way I expected.
SPOILERS BELOW YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
The first thing that became apparent to me is the racism they make Caleb face. He's abused, ripped from his mother, MUZZLED, and given a forced haircut (which is played for laughs, unlike the aforementioned things). I don't necessarily think the narrative realizes this was deeply racist either, but. You know.
I am immediately shocked at how much I love the male characters of Jay-Den and Caleb. I am NOT a person who typically likes male characters, but I find myself loving Caleb's backstory and trauma - and him biting a fascist's ear off! - and feeling so bad for him. Like blorbo material, sadly. Jay-Den's name is lazy lol but man he is such a good character. A sweet, insecure Klingon healer, and his moments with Lura near the end were extremely touching. I am very glad that Caleb is... I think he might be the only fully human main character? Which is fucking amazing to me. I find myself wanting to rip Caleb out of this franchise.
I am also really shocked at how much I ship Nahla and Caleb. Yes, yes, I know---but I swear they have sizzling chemistry in the premiere. (And I've already written a fic about it!) I really don't want this to be as straight as SNW; this is the only M/F ship I care about so far despite the fact that it feels like Genesis/Caleb or Genesis/Khionian guy I can't remember the name of are going to be big things here. I think Genesis had the most chemistry with SAM by far. I think Caleb had chemistry with Jay-Den as well. (Also, Jay-Den is BEAUTIFUL.) But I find myself most drawn to Caleb/Nahla because man it's so complex and hot.
And can we talk about how SAM is maybe the best Star Trek character ever created? Oh my GOD. She's so precious and sweet. I need 500 episodes centered around her. I love her.
Also I need to know more about that beautiful butch officer. She's so hot. I need her.
Overall, I see a lot of potential here. It's very much a teen drama but - and this is a very unpopular opinion - I actually wanted it to be. I think The Vampire Diaries of Star Trek is a very fun idea, if not only to cringe at and hatelovewatch. It's not getting a lot of good reviews from fans though...
SPOILERS BELOW YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
The first thing that became apparent to me is the racism they make Caleb face. He's abused, ripped from his mother, MUZZLED, and given a forced haircut (which is played for laughs, unlike the aforementioned things). I don't necessarily think the narrative realizes this was deeply racist either, but. You know.
I am immediately shocked at how much I love the male characters of Jay-Den and Caleb. I am NOT a person who typically likes male characters, but I find myself loving Caleb's backstory and trauma - and him biting a fascist's ear off! - and feeling so bad for him. Like blorbo material, sadly. Jay-Den's name is lazy lol but man he is such a good character. A sweet, insecure Klingon healer, and his moments with Lura near the end were extremely touching. I am very glad that Caleb is... I think he might be the only fully human main character? Which is fucking amazing to me. I find myself wanting to rip Caleb out of this franchise.
I am also really shocked at how much I ship Nahla and Caleb. Yes, yes, I know---but I swear they have sizzling chemistry in the premiere. (And I've already written a fic about it!) I really don't want this to be as straight as SNW; this is the only M/F ship I care about so far despite the fact that it feels like Genesis/Caleb or Genesis/Khionian guy I can't remember the name of are going to be big things here. I think Genesis had the most chemistry with SAM by far. I think Caleb had chemistry with Jay-Den as well. (Also, Jay-Den is BEAUTIFUL.) But I find myself most drawn to Caleb/Nahla because man it's so complex and hot.
And can we talk about how SAM is maybe the best Star Trek character ever created? Oh my GOD. She's so precious and sweet. I need 500 episodes centered around her. I love her.
Also I need to know more about that beautiful butch officer. She's so hot. I need her.
Overall, I see a lot of potential here. It's very much a teen drama but - and this is a very unpopular opinion - I actually wanted it to be. I think The Vampire Diaries of Star Trek is a very fun idea, if not only to cringe at and hatelovewatch. It's not getting a lot of good reviews from fans though...
