Star Trek: Starfleet Academy isn't for everyone. I happen to think it's fantastic, and it's only getting better. However, there are portions of the Star Trek fan base who don't approve of very specific elements of the new Paramount+ show. While some can voice their criticisms in a calm and respectful way, others have been taking to social media to vent without an ounce of respect for those making Starfleet Academy.
One comment in particular went in unnecessarily hard on how Holly Hunter's Captain Ake sits in her chair on the bridge aboard the USS Athena. For some reason, it's become a bit of a sore point for certain viewers. However, Star Trek: Voyager's Kate Mulgrew has ridden to the rescue of her franchise co-star, putting a disgruntled Trekkie in his place for his poor online conduct.
Kate Mulgrew comes down hard on insulting Captain Ake Facebook post
As is commonplace these days, the official Facebook account for Star Trek posted a simple announcement yesterday to announce that the newest episode of Starfleet Academy is now available to stream on Paramount+. It's a great one if you haven't seen it, but some users hurried to the comment section to just spread general hate instead of genuinely appraising the installment. I will embed the post below, but there is every chance the user in question may delete his comment in the near future.
Jumping into the comments one Facebook user wrote: "Is Captain Janeway going to time travel so she can b****slap Captain [Ake] when she spots her lounging in the captain's chair like she's getting ready to watch the hallmark channel instead of commanding a starship!" (He was so angry, he forgot to capitalize "Hallmark Channel.") Surely expecting support from his fellow critics of Captain Ake's chair-sitting choices (...how did we get here?), the user was met with a deliciously scathing reply from the actress behind the USS Voyager's commanding officer.
"On the contrary," Mulgrew replied, "sending you and every other disrespectful troglodyte who insults my fellow Captain & Starfleet officer to the brig where you belong. Keep Janeway's good name out of it. Dismissed." The user's original comment, of which he also posted some version on other posts, has been similarly put down by real Star Trek fans. Plus, while the sentiment has barely broken 30 reacts at the time of writing, Mulgrew's perfect response has already surpassed 800. Thank you for your service, Captain.
Starfleet Academy Episode 6 is the weirdest time to renew this Captain Ake criticism
I am a big fan of how Captain Ake lounges about in her chair. It's something different, and suits her breezy, Lanthanite demeanor perfectly. While I can understand why it might irk some people, I can't understand how it gets some so riled up. Besides, I'm fairly convinced that the aforementioned Facebook user didn't even watch Episode 6.
"Come, Let's Away," wasn't just one of Hunter's best Starfleet Academy performances to date, but it also gave meaning to her weirdly big chair controversy. When the training mission suddenly goes wrong, Captain Ake sits bolt upright in her chair and never re-adopts her more laid-back pose. If there's a bigger sign that the Athena crew needs to lock in, I can't think of one. Nope, not even a Red Alert. I've come to accept that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will always have its haters, but Hunter's bridge posture is one of the dumbest things to highlight as "bad."
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 is streaming now on Paramount+. Witness Captain Ake in all her chilled-out glory.