Star Trek: Prodigy

THIS is TREK. FINALLY!!! It takes a bit to get going as it sets its stage in the first few episodes and its connection to trek starts off VERY murky. However, by the midseason break at about 10 episodes in it becomes clear this is a worthy trek production. By the end of the first season it becomes clear this is the natural continuation of Trek. Not STD. Not Picard. Not Strange new worlds. Not Lower Decks. All of them serving their specific niche. Prodigy stands alone as the true continuation of Trek that we have been dying for. In effect being the one that is the total package of the good parts of those other shows. Its edges might still be rough and it might not fit old preconceived notions but the story telling is the key hallmark here. It takes the serialized structure trek evolved from DS9 and Voyager and has seamlessly blended it together with modern production and story telling found in other franchises. This is securing the future of the franchise. Not just by connecting to the existing fanbase, but by introducing a new generation of fans being reached in their youth that will grow with the franchise much as the TNG generation did. With Prodigy, despite being only 22 minute long episodes we are getting the depth we were getting with hour long shows decades ago. This is the bright, hopeful future for trek, even if it is sometimes wearing a very dark coat. The best part is it shows the people creating the shows what we want out of the show and the biggest problem this generation has been plagued with is its ham fisted shoe horning in of romance and orientation identity politics plaguing ALL of TV and movies in this generation. Prodigy is thankfully devoid of this completely unneeded social engineering while still remaining a progressive, idealistic show. I have not had hope for trek on this level since the end of DS9. Watching the first half of the season finale I literally weeped tears of joy from beginning to end. Like the trek heavens had opened up and finally gifted us on the edge of Christmas the miracle what the last 5 years of Trek was making seem impossible. This is the trek we have been waiting for. The fact it is in a kids show format is irrelevant. As shows like Avatar: The last Air bender have shown in the past, no longer is it a foregone conclusion that kids shows are immature and lacking depth. It brings us a step closer to Borg-like perfection. Watch it for yourself. Watch it for your kids. Just watch it and watch through the first season and see for yourself. This IS Trek, past, present and future.

Great visuals, fun characters for kids. I love the spirit of found family in these ragamuffin alien teens as they search for a new life with Starfleet.