STAR TREK: PRODIGY is an Uplifting Tale About Friendship and Optimism
By Movieguide® Contributor
STAR TREK: PRODIGY is a 2021 3-D animated sci-fi children’s series that streams on Paramount+. It follows a group of alien teen fugitives as they escape a deadly mine colony. The six aliens board the USS Protostar, a lost Starfleet vessel with hidden power. With the help of AI companion Hologram Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), the Protostar crew learns to fly and explore the universe together. The series was created by Kevin & Dan Hageman, the writers behind TROLLHUNTERS and LEGO NINJAGO.
STAR TREK: PRODIGY is an excellent showcase of great art direction, sophisticated writing, and positive role models. It respects the utopian ideals of legacy STAR TREK while also paving its own path. The kid-related humor and a few cosmic horror scenes are a slight turn off. As a TV-Y7 program, MOVIEGUIDE(R) recommends the series for older kids and families.
PRODIGY follows Dal (Brett Gray), a cocky 17-year-old purple alien who leads a team of alien crewmates. Dal and his friends are slave miners on Tars Lamora, an asteroid full of illegal crystal mining. Dal hatches an escape plan, but quickly catches the attention of crystal overlord the Diviner (John Noble). Dal and his companions stumble upon the abandoned USS Protostar and quickly elude the Diviner’s army.
With no prior experience of flying a spacecraft, Dal begins to panic. Hologram Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), the ship’s digital assistant program, offers to train the young stowaways as Starfleet Cadets. Dal accepts the offer and takes command of the Protostar. The alien fugitives travel the stars in search of adventure. They fight the Diviner’s army while discovering the power of mutual cooperation.
In terms of artistic merit, PRODIGY is an aesthetically pleasing show. The art direction is vivid, the character models are unique, and space travel effects are spectacular. The semi-surreal art style can easily be compared to STAR WARS: REBELS. PRODIGY’s space-centric vistas outshine the vanilla aesthetics of REBELS. The only nitpick with PRODIGY is with its human faces. Hologram Janeway matches her real life actor’s appearance, and it stands out in a sea of fantastical alien designs. However, it is easy to get used to this slight visual clash.
Most science fiction television today poses a cynical outlook for humanity. PRODIGY averts this pessimism by injecting the values of diplomacy, scientific advancement, and teamwork. Over the course of the first season, the Protostar crew learns to move past their differences and achieve a common goal. Dal rescues several miners in the opening episode. He starts out with doubting his leadership abilities, but learns to count on his new “family.”
The Protostar crew learns to exhibit other positive ideals. Gwyn, the Diviner’s multilingual daughter, starts the series as Dal’s common enemy. Gwyn acts out her father’s orders at will, but quickly renounces her father’s heartless methods. Gwyn betrays the crew and almost loses the Protostar, but Dal rescues her from a deadly vine planet. The Protostar aliens have different strengths in engineering, science, and diplomacy. But they work together to explore the depths of the universe.
PRODIGY boldly goes where STAR TREK has not gone before: children’s television. PRODIGY is a Nickelodeon co-production that aims for the 6-11 year old demographic. The show strikes a great balance of appealing to new fans and long-time Trekkies. For one, it treats its audience with respect. PRODIGY writes flawed characters who organically grow as capable cadets. The crew learns about sci-fi pinnacles such as replicators, holodecks, phasers, and Starfleet terminology. There is an emphasis on scientific ingenuity and concepts. The series also provides genuine emotional catharsis between Dal and his crew.
PRODIGY also respects the franchise’s legacy. Hologram Janeway might seem like a desperate addition at first, but she provides a critical presence. The digital Janeway provides great advice to the Protostar crew and even advances their development. The series pays tribute to legacy Starfleet concepts without relying solely on nostalgia.
The only serious downside to PRODIGY is its glimpses of cosmic horror. In the fourth and fifth episodes, the Protostar crew walks into a trap. They begin to hallucinate their worst fears and face a planet-sized plant monster. The Protostar crew also fights Drednok, the Diviner’s lethal robotic enforcer. The action scenes feature peril and intense sound design. These scenes push the TV-Y7 rating over the edge. They are appropriate for older kids, but are not advisable for younger children.
STAR TREK: PRODIGY is a triumph in sci-fi storytelling. It positively enforces scientific discovery, adventure, and the value of teamwork. The vibrant art direction and relatable characters will appeal to both newcomers and longtime fans. It features some brief cosmic horror which will turn away younger children. However, it will emotionally resonate with older children. MOVIEGUIDE(R) advises caution for older kids and families.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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