Star Trek has a history of great finales, and it looks like Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode 10 “Rubincon” will add itself to that number. We’ve hit the point of no return. The majority of the Federation is trapped behind an Omega-47 minefield. Nus has the upper hand, and we’re about to witness the 32nd-century edition of Judge Wapner’s People’s Court. Except this is no small claims case—the verdict will have effects that stagger across the entire Federation. We’ve got our day in court. Let’s get started with my review of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode 10 “Rubincon.”
Final Exam
Our cadets take their final exam, so to speak, in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode 10 “Rubincon.” Darem learns to lean on the knowledge of someone other than himself. SAM learns to trust in herself, using her whole realm of knowledge and existence to come up with a solution. The solution she builds for neutralizing the Omega-47 mines is as much a product of her intellectual knowledge as it is the emotional relationship she has with her Dad.
Jett Reno has a lot of great mic drop lines in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode 10 “Rubincon” as well, which also demonstrate her capabilities as a good teacher. Her speech echoes how she was found in Discovery. “You learn more when things go wrong than when they go right,” she says. And that’s true of every situation, not just the situations they find themselves in in Starfleet.
Genesis gets her time to shine in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode 10 “Rubincon.” Even if Reno says, somewhat sarcastically, “The Conn is yours, Cadet Lythe. Don’t screw it up,” Genesis shows she has what it takes to wield command. I do confess to giggling at the line “I have to pee,” because as someone who is always drinking multiple beverages at a time, I would probably say the same in her situation.
Finally, Caleb is learning to be emotionally vulnerable and seeing that vulnerability as strength. Being able to share himself wholly with another person allows them to find Ake and Anisha. And none of this is to mention Tarima, who has now learned that the thing that she feared the most about herself is something she can control and wield for positive, non-destructive purposes.
Jett may have handed out a few Cs and Bs during this “exam,” but for emotional growth, I give everyone an A+.
Check out our reviews of Starfleet Academy episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4, and episode 5!
Trial of the 32nd Century
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode 10 “Rubincon” goes straight for the jugular with this trial. Broadcast on the Verani Ral News Network, this is exactly what Tilly described in “The Life of the Stars”—political theatre. It is frankly, triggering to see the…interesting…ticker tape scrolling at the bottom of the page. The clearly biased language, describing Nus as a “hero” and a man of the people, is clearly absurd, even if you’re not on the side of the Federation. Also, the “puff pieces,” like the interview with a former Charles Vance aide who describes him as being an awful person. Again, none of it tracks with any measure of truth. And yet, it is an indictment of our own 21st-century “news.” May we have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Now, all that being said, the “political theatre” on display here between Tatiana Maslany and Holly Hunter is absolute *chef’s kiss.* Good grief, someone give Tatiana Maslany another Emmy for her performance in these past two episodes. I’m also going to need her in a movie with Holly and Paul, stat! She absolutely holds her own with two of the best modern actors in film and television right now.
Her delivery of the line, “That’s the only way I get justice. That’s the only way I get to dance on your grave,” is devastating. Knowing that Ake is repentant and doesn’t deny what she’s done, but also knowing that Anisha and Caleb have both suffered terribly because of circumstances that weren’t in their control and choices that were. Ake is right to make Anisha acknowledge the why of her choices, but also not to deny that the results were also devastating in an equally terrible way on another man’s family. There is plenty of blame to go around.
Ake’s words are absolutely golden in this scene. She says, “We all have to live with it. We don’t have to live with him. There is so much anger in the universe. So much atrocity. It all started with some guy saying what he is saying now. It’s us or them. Your hate will set you free.” It doesn’t have to be that way. It only further proves what she says to Anish earlier in the episode, “The only way out of this is together.” While in that scene, she is speaking literally of their immediate predicament with Nus, that idea also holds true as a theme of the entire series. Mutual cooperation and support are the only ways we all get through anything.
Ake lets Nus have it before he attempts to carry out punishment. “Is this the person you want to follow into the future? An angry child with his finger on the trigger whose worldview is based on a lie?” Everyone leaves. *chef’s kiss* Just make it rain Emmys in the general direction of this show.
Caleb’s Soliloquy
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode 10 “Rubincon,” gives Caleb a fantastic monologue. Not only does this show the culmination of his growth, but also how he has finally found purpose beyond mere survival. There are so many great mic drops in his speech. He says, “I can be more than just a space rat, a lost son, I have something to offer. …They all live for something bigger than themselves. …I can be part of this world without forgetting where I came from, without forgetting you.” Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
Further, he uses the knowledge he’s gained in his time at the Academy to help prove that Nus is totally full of it. Logic, science, and a balance of emotional justice are what win the day in the end. Can we please apply this same methodology and outcome in the real world?
We’ve got thoughts on Starfleet Academy episode 6, episode 7, episode 8, and episode 9!
Final Finale Thoughts
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 episode 10 “Rubincon” finishes strong. “Beautiful Child” by Rufus Wainwright is the perfect needle drop for the finale. It’s about reclaiming innocence and joy, which is what our crew has done all season. Caleb’s closing “Cadet’s log” demonstrates not only his personal growth but also an emotionally healthy example for us all. He knows he is accepted. He is loved, and he depends on his friends as much as they depend on him. Caleb has learned the value of having community, and gosh, do we need each other now more than ever. If you are reading this and have somehow NOT watched Star Trek: Starfleet Academy yet, by all means, give it a try. This is truly one of the finest seasons of Star Trek we have experienced in the modern era.
And, interestingly enough, getting out ahead of the “This kid grew up to be…” trend, we get some fun pictures of our cast as young kids. It’s worth pushing pause to read each of these, but my favorite is from Genesis, whose secret skill is party DJ! As someone who moonlights as a DJ, I couldn’t help but shout, that’s my girl!
Check out our interview with Starfleet Academy actress Mary Wiseman!
Final Season Thoughts
This first season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy far exceeded any expectation I had for a young adult, CW-style Star Trek show. I would never have suspected that the main themes would be emotional intelligence, addressing trauma, and nuancing the meanings and applications of law, justice, and mercy. If anything, it shows us that law and justice are often not as black and white as we would like. There must be room for mercy. It is my hope and prayer that this be a lesson we all carry with us.
There is so much manufactured hate surrounding modern Star Trek and, in particular, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. And I do, in fact, mean manufactured. Take a look at this post on Bluesky from Seán Ferrick of TrekCulture:
There are certain organizations that simply want to unite around their hate, as Ake says, thinking it will set them free. It will not. It never has, and never will. The only way out of this is together. Don’t believe the hate. Watch it for yourself and make your own decision. You don’t have to like it, but don’t base your entire perspective on a lie.
The first season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is streaming now on Paramount+.
One of the BEST first seasons of a Star Trek show! Excited to see where it goes next!
The haters are absurd. It’s a tv show, don’t like it then don’t watch it. If enough other people do like it, then it will get renewed and they have a right to watch what they like. The haters are like the anti-abortionists, anti-vaxxers, etc. They want to control others. F them.