# Starfleet Academy EP6 - PURE STUPIDITY! - Angry Review Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxwPmCCeeJ0 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/mxwPmCCeeJ0 Generated: 2026-02-17T03:37:09.036+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The reviewers overwhelmingly conclude that Star Trek: Academy Episode 6 is "trash" despite having the bones of a potentially better episode, citing massive continuity errors, nonsensical plot points like a hologram being vulnerable to physical harm, and poor writing, with Paul Giamatti's performance as the villain Nus Baraka being the sole redeeming quality. **Key Points:** - The episode contained numerous plot holes, including a hologram girl who was repeatedly shown immune to phasers and bullets suddenly cowering, being bound, and getting shot. - The reviewers criticized the use of technical jargon incorrectly, specifically noting that Captain Nala ordered "full power to forward shields" while being attacked from behind, which contradicts basic tactical sense in Star Trek. - Paul Giamatti's performance as the villain Nus Baraka is repeatedly praised as the saving grace, with one reviewer calling him "surprisingly one of my favorite Star Trek VILLAINS IN AN OVER-THE-TOP WAY." - A key character, the Vulcan from the War College (Bobby), who was starting to become likable, was killed off, leading the reviewers to complain that the show kills off competent characters while the main protagonists survive. - The conceptual failure is highlighted by the sonic weapon used against the Furies in space, a weapon that should be ineffective in a vacuum, yet it supposedly disables the Saratoga. - The episode failed on continuity regarding character attire, noting Caleb switched between shorts/boxers and pants in consecutive shots after a sex scene. - Reviewers noted the show's low performance, mentioning that on Paramount+, Star Trek: Academy was being beaten in streaming viewership by shows like 'King of Queens' and 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch'. **Context:** The transcript captures an angry review session by multiple commentators (including Joe, Alex, and another unnamed person) dissecting the sixth episode of the series Star Trek: Academy. The discussion centers on the perceived decline in quality, focusing heavily on egregious plot holes, continuity mistakes, and character logic, contrasting these failures with the potential the episode setup offered, particularly praising the acting of guest star Paul Giamatti. ## Detailed Analysis The reviewers express extreme disappointment with Star Trek: Academy Episode 6, labeling the execution as pure stupidity even when the underlying concept was slightly better than previous weeks. Major criticisms target the holographic character, who previously phased through attacks, suddenly becoming vulnerable to capture and being shot, which the reviewers argue breaks established character rules without explanation. Continuity errors abound, such as Nala ordering power to forward shields during a rear attack, and a character switching clothing instantly after an intimate scene. The antagonists, referred to as Furies with cheap, 'Halloween Express' costumes, were deemed ineffective, being beaten by teenagers despite being augmented super soldiers, and their supposed vulnerability to sound weapons in the vacuum of space was mocked. Conversely, Paul Giamatti's performance as the villain Nus Baraka is lauded for elevating the 'shitty material' with his over-the-top charm, making him a favorite villain despite the overall show's quality. The reviewers also lament the death of the competent Vulcan character, Bobby, while incompetent characters like Captain Nala survive. Finally, the discussion touches upon the show's poor metrics, noting it trails older shows on Paramount+ and suggesting the writers, hired specifically for having no prior Star Trek experience, fail to grasp basic franchise concepts like the meaning of 'full spread' or the implications of technology like singularity drives in the 32nd century. ### Episode Quality Assessment - The episode is deemed 'trash' and a 'descent into stupidity' despite having a dilemma and stakes - The only saving grace is that it is slightly more like Star Trek should be, featuring risk of death and boarding actions. ### Hologram Inconsistency - The hologram girl, previously shown impervious to phasers and bullets, is captured, bound, and shot - Reviewers question why she did not simply phase out of danger, calling it an unexplained failure of her established powers. ### Villain Performance Highlight - Paul Giamatti's character, Nus Baraka, is praised as an excellent actor elevating the material through modern, vernacular speech - He is quickly becoming a favorite over-the-top villain. ### Continuity and Logic Failures - Criticism targets Nala's command decisions like ordering 'full power to forward shields' when attacked from behind, and the use of a sonic weapon in the vacuum of space to disable a ship, which was clearly destroyed on screen but later called 'disabled'. ### Character Death Analysis - The reviewers express anger over the death of the competent Vulcan character (Bobby), contrasting it with the survival of characters like Nala Aki, whom they call the 'dumbest Star Trek captain ever'. ### Franchise Context and Ratings - The show reflects a deliberate choice by Alex Kurtzman to hire writers unfamiliar with Star Trek, resulting in errors like misusing 'full spread' - The show's poor performance is evidenced by streaming metrics where it lags behind 'King of Queens' on Paramount+.