In 2383, five years after the USS Voyager returned to Earth, a motley crew of young aliens in the Delta Quadrant find an abandoned Starfleet ship, the USS Protostar. Taking control of the ship, they must learn to work together as they make their way towards the Alpha Quadrant. The series uses computer animation, differing from previous Star Trek animation. The series is intended for younger audiences than the rest of the franchise. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “An enthralling and unique offering from a franchise that doesn’t normally cater to a kid-specific audience, Star Trek: Prodigy is an action-packed CGI-animated series that kids will love!” See his full review below.

Star Trek: Prodigy

By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

An enthralling and unique offering from a franchise that doesn’t normally cater to a kid-specific audience, Star Trek: Prodigy is an action-packed CGI-animated series that kids will love!

Star Trek: Prodigy follows a crew of six young aliens, all of whom are outcasts, tasked with navigating the galaxy searching for a better future. These six young outcasts know nothing about the ship they have commandeered – a first in the history of the Star Trek franchise and an element that certainly keeps the show approachable for newbies. It’s an entertaining and novel concept, and the sense of wonder the characters feel is contagious.

My favorite character has to be Dal (Brett Gray). He’s instantly likeable, seems to be up for any challenge, and has one heck of a personality! It’s characters like Dal who make this series the perfect way for Star Trek to introduce the franchise to younger audiences. Showrunners Dan and Kevin Hageman and director Ben Hibon evidently worked hard on the plot and overall look of the show. They came up with a whole new cast of protagonists and animation language, which I find perfectly fitting for the show’s intergalactic theme. The soft purples, oranges, yellows and blues work in tandem to produce a wonderful backdrop for the saga of the young misfits, played by Ella Purnell, Jason Mantzoukas, Brett Gray and Rylee Alazraqui. Kate Mulgrew’s reprisal of her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway is also especially exciting, and Mulgrew manages to phenomenally hit every beat.

Star Trek: Prodigy promotes teamwork, kindness and the idea of working hard to achieve your greater goals and dreams.  As Engadget puts it, “part of the franchise’s ethos is exploration,” and discovery is certainly a major theme in this show.

I give Star Trek: Prodigy 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for kids age 8 to 18, plus adults. Star Trek: Prodigy premieres October 28, 2021 on the streaming service Paramount+ with its first 10-episode season. Go check it out!

Keywords: Science fiction, Kevin Hageman, Dan Hageman, Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry, Ben Hibon, Kate Mulgrew, Rylee Alazraqui, Brett Gray, Angus Imrie, Jason Mantzoukas, Ella Purnell, Dee Bradley Baker, John Noble, Jimmi Simpson, Michael Giacchino, CBS Eye Animation, Nichelodeon Animation, Secret Hideout, Roddenberry Entertainment, Paramount+,