# Starfleet Academy EP5 - KEEPS GETTING WORSE! - Angry Review Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_XKWqE61uY Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/C_XKWqE61uY Generated: 2026-02-06T19:35:31.435+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The reviewers heavily criticized Star Trek: Prodigy Season 1, Episode 5, labeling it as objectively bad and the worst episode of the series so far, primarily due to its perceived poor writing, excessive focus on contrived young adult drama/romance plots, and the failure to properly explore the complex lore involving characters like Gwyn and Jankowski. **Key Points:** - The episode received a 1/10 rating from the reviewer, deeming it the worst episode of Star Trek: Prodigy so far, even worse than the Klingon-centric episode. - The primary criticism targeted the B-plot involving Gwyn and Jankowski, which the reviewers found to be poorly written, cringe-inducing, and overly focused on contrived romance and political maneuvering. - The reviewers felt the episode unnecessarily forced a parallel between the Federation's struggle to integrate new species and the writers' apparent attempts to cater to a younger audience, resulting in awkward character interactions. - The reviewers strongly disliked the character of Gwyn, describing her actions (like faking distress or being overly emotional) as unearned and annoying, especially when contrasted with the more serious/complex lore elements. - The episode's attempts at drama, like the fake death/resurrection arc for Gwyn's father, felt unearned and were executed poorly, especially compared to the more compelling, lore-heavy plot involving Sisko's fate. - Specific scenes were mocked, including the glitter-vomiting cadet and the forced romantic tension between characters, which the reviewers felt was not earned by the writing. - The reviewers expressed a desire for the show to focus less on interpersonal/young adult drama and more on the established Star Trek lore and science fiction concepts. ![Screenshot at 47:48: The reviewer's extreme negative reaction to the episode's content, specifically highlighting the perceived lack of depth and forced drama, is visually represented by the reviewer covering his face in distress while his co-host laughs.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/C_XKWqE61uY/00-47-48.jpg) **Context:** The Angry Joe Show crew reviews "Starfleet Academy EP5," an episode of Star Trek: Prodigy. This episode introduces a significant subplot involving the character Gwyn and a young cadet named Jankowski, alongside references to Deep Space Nine lore concerning Captain Sisko's fate. The reviewers, who generally enjoy Star Trek but are highly critical of perceived narrative missteps, focus their critique on what they see as forced character drama, poor writing choices, and an overall tonal mismatch with established Star Trek themes. ## Detailed Analysis The review segment concludes that Star Trek: Prodigy Season 1, Episode 5, is exceptionally poor, assigning it a 1/10 rating. The main source of dissatisfaction stems from the B-plot involving Gwyn and the young cadet Jankowski. The reviewers felt this subplot was overly focused on contrived young adult romance and drama, which they found cringe-inducing and poorly written, especially the scene where Gwyn fakes distress leading to the glitter-vomiting incident. The reviewers mocked the show's attempts to create conflict between the Federation and the War College characters, viewing it as an unnecessary distraction from more compelling Star Trek lore, such as the mystery surrounding Benjamin Sisko's fate (which was displayed on a large screen). They felt the episode failed to earn its emotional beats and was constantly undermining any serious narrative points with unnecessary melodrama or poor writing decisions, such as characters acting overly emotional or forcing artificial conflict. ### Episode Rating & Overall Tone - The episode received an extremely low rating of 1/10, deemed the worst of the season so far; the overall tone of the episode was criticized as being overly focused on cringe-worthy young adult drama and failing to respect established Star Trek lore. ### Gwyn/Jankowski B-Plot Criticism - The subplot involving Gwyn and Jankowski was heavily derided for its forced romance, contrivances (like the glitter vomiting incident), and poor characterization, exemplified by Gwyn's perceived emotional manipulation. ### Comparison to DS9 Lore - The reviewers contrasted the episode's focus on the young characters' drama with the serious, unresolved mystery of Captain Sisko's fate, arguing the episode failed to treat serious lore elements with appropriate weight. ### Writing/Direction Quality - The writing was called 'terrible,' 'stupid,' and 'poorly directed,' specifically noting the awkwardness of having characters engage in melodrama when a larger, more interesting conflict (like the Romulan/Borg conflict) exists. ### Specific Scene Mockery - The scene where a cadet vomits glitter was highlighted as an example of the show's low points, alongside the forced romance and the over-the-top emotional reactions of characters like Gwyn. ![Screenshot at 00:11: The three reviewers displaying clear disappointment and frustration while watching the episode.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/C_XKWqE61uY/00-00-11.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:25: A cadet in a gray Starfleet uniform presents information on a holographic display about 'The Fate of Benjamin Sisko,' a lore element the reviewers wished the episode focused on.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/C_XKWqE61uY/00-00-25.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:36: A cadet violently expels a stream of colorful glitter onto a table in a club setting, representing a scene the reviewers found absurd and annoying.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/C_XKWqE61uY/00-00-36.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:07: The title card for the segment, 'A Story About Me,' mocking the episode's perceived self-centered narrative focus.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/C_XKWqE61uY/00-01-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:05: A character looking up at a large holographic display detailing the mystery of 'The Fate of Benjamin Sisko,' contrasting with the episode's focus.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/C_XKWqE61uY/00-03-05.jpg)