It’s finally here! Star Trek: Prodigy is now live on Netflix! Star Trek: Prodigy 2×01 “Into the Breach, Part 1” is a solid opener for season two. We’ve got some nice set-up for our season-long adventure, a look at Starfleet Academy, a new ship, and so much more. One of the things I love about Star Trek: Prodigy is that it is accessible for kids, while also being fun and heartwarming for adults. Therefore, I think it will be helpful to structure my reviews with that in mind. Now, buckle up, because we’re going to “Go fast!” as we take a look at Star Trek: Prodigy 2×01 “Into the Breach, Part 1.”
For the Kids
Star Trek: Prodigy 2×01 “Into the Breach, Part 1” gives the kids in the audience a good flavor for the structure of a starship. Each of our main crew has a job to do and learns to work on their own. There’s a bit of humor here, especially with Murf apparently entering the arena in a gladiator-type scenario. However, what I especially enjoy about our young crew getting split up is that it teaches kids that they can learn and work on their own, and then come back together and share that experience with their friends.
The other thing that works well here is showing our young crew being unabashedly excited about their fields of interest and no one shames them for it! No one tells them to calm down! Their enthusiasm is embraced and celebrated. How refreshing! I love how Jankom “ooohs’ and “ahhs” over the warp core and how hard Rok-Tahk fangirls over Cetacean Ops! Also, props to our Star Trek animated series for giving us a proper geek-out over Cetacean Ops. Between Star Trek: Prodigy and Star Trek: Lower Decks, Cetacean Ops is getting a lot of love.
Learning to Lead
But what I love the most about our young crew getting their new assignments is what Dal learns about command. Dal is the stand-in for the kids in the audience, in particular, the young boys who think leading is all about going on adventures and doing spectacular feats of derring-do. Sure, that might be part of the gig, but in order to be in command, one must be a diligent student, knowing proper procedures, and knowing everything they can to help their mission succeed. If Dal really wants to lead, he must hit the books.
Another thing that Star Trek: Prodigy 2×01 “Into the Breach, Part 1” does well is illustrate how our young crew are perceived by their peers. They’re misfits. They are “Janeway’s Troublemakers,” and even, as Nova Squadron puts it, “Never Squadron.” No one expects Dal, Rok-Tahk, Zero, Jankom, or Murf to amount to anything. That’s important, not just because we expect our heroes to persevere, but it’s important for the kids in the audience who may feel that way about themselves. Not every kid is lucky enough to grow up in a home where they are fully loved and supported in their dreams and pursuits. It’s important for kids to know that they too can live up to their potential, no matter what anyone else thinks. Heck, even kids with support need that reminder sometimes too.
For the Adults
For the adults in the audience, Star Trek: Prodigy 2×01 “Into the Breach, Part 1” gives several Star Trek Easter eggs. This is our first mention of the Lamarr Class of starships. This is a wonderful homage to actress Hedy Lamarr, who was a brilliant scientist. If you use wifi, GPS, or Bluetooth, say thank you to Hedy Lamarr. In a show with so many positive women, especially women in STEM fields, this homage is perfect.
Nova Squadron is back, which is interesting. I’d have assumed that would have been something that would have gone with Nick Locarno, since we didn’t hear anything further about it after the accident in Star Trek: The Next Generation 5×19 “The First Duty.” Apparently not. It does give a bit of an ominous vibe to the group. We’ll see how they turn out.
Temporal Shenanigans
There’s an interesting bit about this cloaked ship, Infinity, now with temporal shields. Of course, cloaking tech is illegal in the Federation, but the temporal shields are a nod to Star Trek: Voyager’s “Year of Hell” two-parter. I appreciate that Janeway is willing to defy Starfleet when she thinks they’re wrong. She never leaves a crew member behind, and as far as she’s concerned, Chakotay is still part of her crew. That feels true to character for Janeway, and I hope the rest of the season reflects that as well.
Star Trek: Prodigy 2×01 “Into the Breach, Part 1” also gives us the subject of much ire and memes, Admiral Jellico! We saw a bit of Jellico last season, so it makes sense to see him again. I anticipate him being a thorn in Janeway’s side all season.
Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to mention that we have The Doctor back! I love Robert Picardo as The Doctor so much. He’s so fun and funny. I anticipate him bringing a good dose of levity and imparting wisdom to our young crew.
Final Thoughts
The heart of Star Trek: Prodigy 2×01 “Into the Breach, Part 1” comes from the good Doctor in a conversation with Zero. He says, “In my experience, we all have an opportunity to grow beyond our programming.” There are kids and even adults in the audience who probably feel stuck because of their circumstances or upbringing. Kids are smarter than they are often given credit for. They can perceive when the adults in their lives aren’t doing right by them or if their adults are practicing attitudes and beliefs that are unethical or ignorant. They may feel trapped by that. Shoot, many adults feel like they are trapped by their upbringing too. Knowing that we all can grow beyond our “programming” or upbringing is encouraging for everyone in the audience. This is the kind of messaging I want in my media, be it directed at kids or adults.
Star Trek: Prodigy 2×01 “Into the Breach, Part 1” gives us a solid start to season two, and I eagerly await for where our crew boldly goes next.
What did you think of Star Trek: Prodigy 2×01 “Into the Breach, Part 1?” Leave me a comment, and let’s talk Trek.
All episodes of Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 are streaming now on Netflix.
THIS SEASONS REVIEW
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×01 Review: “Into the Breach, Part 1”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×02 Review: “Into the Breach, Part 2”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×03 Review: “Who Saves the Saviors”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×04 Review: “Temporal Mechanics 101”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×05 Review: “Observer’s Paradox”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×06 Review: “Imposter Syndrome”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×07 Review: “The Fast and the Curious”
- Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×08 Review: “Is There in Beauty No Truth?”
