Robert Picardo Shares Powerful Reflection on Star Trek’s Legacy Before Starfleet Academy

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and the Evolution of a Legacy

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set to debut on the 2026 TV schedule, and with the franchise celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, there’s a lot of conversation around it. The first trailer has sparked a wide range of reactions, with the term "woke" frequently being used by critics. This has led to discussions about what Star Trek represents and how it should evolve.

Robert Picardo, a veteran of the Star Trek universe, recently shared his thoughts on the matter. Picardo, who played the EMH/Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager, will reprise his role in Starfleet Academy. Ahead of the series’ two-episode premiere on Thursday, January 15 for Paramount+ subscribers, he took to Twitter to express his views on the franchise’s current state.

Picardo began his message by acknowledging the 60th anniversary of @Startrek and expressing pride in being part of it for half of its lifetime. He noted that many people debate what Star Trek is and should be, often speculating which new iterations would have been approved by Gene Roddenberry. This sentiment echoes a past comment made by William Shatner at San Diego Comic-Con in 2022, where he suggested that Roddenberry would "turn over in his grave" if he saw modern Star Trek. While Shatner later clarified that he was referring to sexual relations between crew members, some critics have used this statement to question the franchise’s direction, accusing it of promoting "wokeness."

Picardo addressed the term "woke" directly, highlighting how some fans use it as an insult against Star Trek. He reminded readers that the goal of Trek has always been to be "woke," even before the term existed. Despite the word being hijacked and used as a tool for ridicule and prejudice, Picardo emphasized that Star Trek’s core values remain strong.

The franchise has a long history of supporting progressive ideas, even when it wasn’t popular. This has always attracted its share of critics, with debates about the decisions made in each series. The conversation about what Star Trek is meant to be continues, and Picardo referenced Gene Roddenberry’s vision:

"People will still debate what Star Trek ‘should’ be but, if they do some research, they’ll discover what the man who created it meant to convey: ‘I believe that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day it learns to value diversity in life and in ideas.’ – G Roddenberry"

As mentioned, Picardo made these comments ahead of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which will follow the first wave of cadets in the Academy after "The Burn," a period that prevented warp travel for over a century. The series will provide a broader view of the 32nd Century, which was the setting of Seasons 3 through 5 of Discovery.

Starfleet Academy is also intended to serve as a mirror to a younger generation of adults, reflecting the problems they face today. Interestingly, the most vocal critics of the show may inadvertently justify its existence, as the characters learn to embrace diversity and trust one another after decades of baggage.

Paramount+ Subscription Options

Now is the best time to catch up on Star Trek and get a Paramount+ subscription. The Essential plan runs at $7.99 a month or $59.99 a year, while the ad-free Premium option is available at $12.99 a month. There are plenty of options to choose from, and signing up for an annual plan can help save money.

You can see Robert Picardo’s return as the EMH when Star Trek: Starfleet Academy airs on Paramount+ on Thursdays. He’s definitely one of the highlights of the new series, but in truth, the entire cast of this show is pretty great.

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