Starfleet Academy Controversy: Right Wing Outrage Explained
Starfleet Academy, as with any new entry to the Star Trek canon-especially those that were hated upon release only to eventually become diehard favorites of the fandom-courts its fair share of controversy when it comes to its approach to the broader series. Some of this is in its nature as a successor to Star Trek: Finding, a series that weathered its own fair share of controversies over the years. Some of this is the intention of the show itself, which occasionally seems to delight in its young adult viewpoint, allowing it the chance to bite its proverbial thumb at the franchise’s authority, almost enticing detractors into an argument.
But some of it is because people are very stupid, and sometimes, when those stupid people just happen to have the ear of the Trump administration and right-wing grifts are more culturally lucrative than ever, even the most minor and surprising of flashpoints can become the latest volley in the culture war.
Such has been the case as Starfleet Academy‘s first two episodes aired late last week, when, above all the noise of the pros and cons discussed about its premiere, one complaint rose above all thanks to it being platformed by none other than White House advisor and noted ghoul Stephen Miller. The issue Miller seemingly took umbrage to? There’s some gosh-darned glasses in this Star Trek show.
The foofaraw began when Miller took to Twitter to quote-tweet a clip of the series from an account named ”End Wokeness” (likely thing for him to do),which featured a scene from the premiere of Holly Hunter’s captain,nahla Ake,wearing a pair of thickly rimmed spectacles as she talks to her first officer,Lura Thok (Gina Yashere),and another member of the academy’s senior staff,lieutenant Rourke (Tricia Black).
Miller was initially vague about just what had annoyed him particularly about the scene-perhaps the dialog, perhaps that it featured multiple women talking among themselves, who can say-but he described it as tragic, imploring that Paramount, now owned by Trump ally David Ellison, should “save” the franchise by relinquishing all creative control to William shatner.
😳 😱
I am so on the same page with you @StephenM!
The fact that they have not cure Hyperopia by the 32rd Century is an abysmal oversightHear’s a verified update on upcoming release dates for Star Trek, the future of the DC Universe in film and television, and the latest on Doctor Who, as of January 20, 2024.
Star Trek Release Dates
Currently, several Star Trek series are in production or have confirmed release windows. Star Trek: Discovery concluded with its fifth season in 2024. Star Trek: Picard concluded in 2023. Star trek: Strange New Worlds has been renewed for a fourth season, with production expected to begin in 2024, though a release date hasn’t been announced. A new series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, is in growth.
Detail: Paramount+ is the primary streaming home for Star trek series. The franchise continues to expand with new stories set within the established universe. Section 31, a film intended for Paramount+, is reportedly still in development, but its status is uncertain.
Example: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 premiered on august 31, 2023, and concluded on November 9, 2023 Space.com.
DC Universe Film and TV
The DC Universe (DCU) is undergoing a significant overhaul under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. The first projects under the new DCU banner are slated to begin releasing in 2025. Superman,starring David Corenswet,is scheduled for release on July 11,2025. The Brave and the Bold, a Batman-focused project, is planned for 2026.
Detail: The new DCU aims to create a cohesive and interconnected universe across film and television, similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Several existing projects,such as the Wonder Woman film directed by Patty Jenkins,were cancelled as part of the restructuring. Max (formerly HBO Max) will be the primary streaming home for DCU content.
Example: james Gunn outlined the first ten projects of the DCU in January 2023, including Superman, the Authority, and a Green Lantern series The Verge.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who returned for its 60th-anniversary specials in November 2023, starring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor. Ncuti Gatwa debuted as the Fifteenth Doctor in the 2023 Christmas special, “The Giggle,” and will lead a new series in May 2024.
Detail: Russell T Davies returned as showrunner for the 60th anniversary and the subsequent series with Ncuti Gatwa.The series will continue to air on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ internationally. The show is undergoing a revitalization with a new Doctor and companion, Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson).
Example: the first episode of ncuti gatwa’s era as the Doctor, part of a new series of episodes, will air on May 11, 2024, on BBC One and Disney+ Radio Times.