HERE THERE BE SPOILERS
Star Trek: Prodigy represents the first attempt to reach a younger audience, if not the first animated franchise entry. As such, most of the characters aboard what we’ll learn is the USS Protostar are young, though we don’t yet know how young they’re meant to be. However, they are no strangers to trauma as we meet all of them on a prison planet doing hard labor. While this decision may seem to be off-putting, it’s a solid move. The episode recognizes that children and teenagers are no strangers to trauma and even more subtly, that they possess the necessary tools to navigate through that trauma when we let them do so. Even though “Lost and Found” gives off more of a Star Wars vibe than a Trek one, I have high hopes for the rest of the season.
Plot Ahoy!
Dal R’El, a young being of unknown species, plots his escape from the mine in which he works, glancing at the chimerian mineral haulters and speculating that they will offer him an escape. While working through his plan, he spots a strange, robotic looking being in the far distance. A terrifying robot named Drednok approaches him to demand to now what Dal knows of “Fugitive Zero.” Dal knows nothing, but a commotion elsewhere causes his ankle bracelet to come apart. Dal takes the opportunity to escape, stealing Jankom Pog’s Class D loader in the process. Dal succeeds in leaving the mines, but he fails to launch the loader into space, resulting in his recapture by the robotic forces.
Gwyn, a young Vau N’kat and daughter of Solum the Diviner, negotiates with a Kazon slaver for the purchase of a young Caitian kit. They reach an agreement, and after the Kazon leaves, Drednok informs Gwyn that she is to extract all information Dal knows about Fugitive Zero. Gwyn reluctantly agrees and questions Dal, ultimately making a deal with him that he will turn over Fugitive Zero to her by the end of the day. Gwyn sends him to the dangerous Northwest Crevasse to investigate, despite his smaller size.
While being transported, the Diviner’s henchbots pair Dal with a large Brikarian as all workers in the Crevasse must work in pairs, using the budy-system to keep each other alive. Once they’re out of sight, Dal tries to convince the Brikarian to help him escape, but the Brikarian steadfastly keeps working until Dal throws something aggressively. Dal attempts to protect himself from the Brikarian, using the mining laser, but in so doing, he destroys the roof of the cavern, causing the chamber to collapse. The Brikarian saves Dal, and when they clear away the debris, they discover what is clearly a Federation ship lying derelict in the asteroid.
Dal and the Brikarian investigate the ship, and the Brikarian activates the ship’s Universal Translator. Suddenly able to understand each other Dal and Rok-Tahk introduce themselves to each other. Zero appears and explains that it’s a Medusan who has been used by the Diviner’s Henchbots to do unspeakable things and that it wants to escape. The trio discusses the minimum requirements for crewing the Starfleet vessel, and Zero comments that they at least need an engineer. Dal and Rohk-Tok head off to convince Jankom Pog to join them.
They all work on the ship to get it space-ready, but the ship detects incoming Watcherbots. Dal agrees to stall them, and Gwyn comments that he should have cooperated. Drednok sends him to the surface, from which no one returns. Dal survives due to a serendipitous surge and returns to the ship while Gwyn watches on a monitor, having caused the surge. Gwyn tracks him to the ship where Dal asks if she’s willing to join them in their escape. Saying that it’s too late, she stands still as Watcherbots surround the ship.
While Dal, Rok-Tahk, Jankom Pog and Zero are surrounded and the newly acquired Murf hiding on the bridge, Gwyn explores the ship. Dal signals to Zero telepathically that they should take Gwyn hostage. Zero dislikes the idea, but Jankom Pog thinks it’s a great plan. Jankom initiates the attack, and the four retreat back to the ship. They take Gwyn prisoner and try to fly their way through the asteroid to space, but the ship’s shields need repairs. Dal takes the missing part and tries to insert it where it goes, but Drednok attacks him. Due to some inadvertently fancy flying by Zero, they shake Drednok and blast their way into space. Just as Dal mutters that he needs help deciding where to go, the ship manifests a holographic Captain Janeway who announces herself to be the training assistant.
Back on Tars Lamora, the Diviner exists his containment pod and demands Drednok prep his ship. The Diviner intends to follow the youngster to take back his prize, the USS Protostar.
Analysis
Outside We don’t know a lot about the world Star Trek: Prodigy occupies, but given the information we have, we can make some fairly good guesses. The presence of a Kazon slaver indicates that the asteroid is located somewhere in the Delta Quadrant, though how at least three Alpha Quadrant species made it to the Delta Quadrant is unknown. Neither Jankom Pog nor the Caitian appears to have experienced assimilation, despite Jankom’s bionic arm, discrediting the Borg theory. Furthermore, none of the main characters recognizes the now-iconic delta shield insignia aboard the Protostar, granting credence to the Delta Quadrant theory as does Gwyn’s offhand reference to “this side of the Delta.”
We also don’t know exactly when Prodigy falls in terms of the franchise timeline. The presence of Janeway as a hologram indicates that the series takes place after the conclusion of Voyager, and the advanced technology on Protostar’s bridge reminds me of tech seen in 3190 Star Trek: Discovery. However, the Protostar’s nacelles are still attached, meaning that Prodigy occurs somewhere between Voyager and season three of Discovery, which is a pretty-wide time gap. Still, it gives us a sense of what to expect, especially amid teasers that other members of the Voyager crew may make guest appearances in Prodigy.
There are also things we aren’t meant to know. “Lost and Found” clearly lays out Dal’s species and why the Diviner wants the Protostar badly enough that he’s willing to let Dal and his crew escape rather than damage his “prize” as the season’s mysteries. Additionally, we don’t know why Gwyn and the Diviner have become the last two remaining members of the Vau N’kat species. These questions make for a pretty decent hook to grab interest.
The first episode’s strong reliance on solidly produced action sequences does give the episode a very Star Wars feel. Some of the character designs for Gwyn and the Diviner’s henchbots only reinforces that impression because Gwyn’s cloak screams Sith. Having Solum cooped up in some sort of energy tube from which we mostly only see his face brings back memories of Supreme Leader Snoke. However, the soul of Prodigy is very much Trek. From the beginning, the show emphasizes that the Diviner banned translators to keep the miners from talking to each other. The show validates his paranoia by featuring the ability to communicate as a key step in the Protostar’s escape. This emphasis on communication and cooperative effort represents Trek in its purest form. Gwyn explaining to the Caitian that learning a language grants a window into a new culture just reinforces that Trek ideals form the episode’s heart.
Aside from that short glimpse into where Prodigy falls in Trek, I have to say that Prodigy’s character designs are gorgeous. Everything from their eyes to Gwyn’s shapeshifting sword is beautifully rendered with great depth of field. While most of the characters remain humanoid-looking, Murf’s existence indicates that the show will capitalize on the freedom animation offers to explore more non-humanoid life. The Diviner’s robots remind me a bit of some of the Matrix designs, but the resemblance is not so strong that it’s distracting. Gwyn’s overall mien reminds me strongly of Jaylah from Star Trek: Beyond, which would be a nice nod. I did not recognize Jankom Pog as a Tellarite initially as he seems awfully hairless for a Tellarite, but I do like how the animators and artists have made his face more approachable than the usual Tellarite’s.
Prodigy’s casting directors deserve some recognition here, too. Angus Imrie is perfect as the genderless Zero as his voice has a certain androgynous quality that fits the character. You may recognize Solum’s voice as John Noble, frequent villain extraordinaire. Jason Mantzoukas has made a career out of portraying nearly manic characters, and he brings that same energy to Jankom Pog without letting it go too far. Rylee Alazraqui imbues Rok-Tahk with an absolutely fantastic innocence despite the horrors she must have seen in the mines.
I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the season, and I hope you’ll join me for the ride.
Rating
Five crates of Chimerian
Stray Thoughts From the Couch
- Before someone mentions it, as I know they will, I say there are three Alpha Quadrant species because Caitians, Lurians, and Tellarites are canonically implied to originate in the Alpha Quadrant. Brikarians may also be, but the only references to Brikarians are from several novels, including TNG-Starfleet Academy Novel: Worf’s First Adventure. Until they are confirmed to be from the Alpha Quadrant in canon, anything goes. I also can’t say that the Lurian depicted in Prodigy experienced assimilation because we only really see the character’s head either while he’s being driven insane by looking at Zero or behind a helmet.
- If you don’t remember Medusans, you can be forgiven. The only time they appear onscreen is in “Is There in Truth No Beauty”, from TOS. Yes, the sight of them does canonically drive humans and some other humanoids insane.
- I love that Jankom Pog exhibits the argumentative nature characteristic of Tellarites and also engages in percussive maintenance. Me, too, buddy. Me, too.
- The rock crusher sequence at the episode’s beginning feels like a Galaxy Quest reference to me.
- I hate that they abandoned the Caitian. Now, I’m worried about the kitten left to work in the mines.
- I don’t know what chimerian is, and I don’t know that anyone else does either, though it does glow a bit like dilithium.
- Hologram Janeway’s appearance made me giggle with glee.