Summary
Although they’re set 800 years apart,Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s greatest cadet casts a long shadow over Paramount+’s upcomingStar Trek: Starfleet Academyshow. Set in the 32nd century timeline introduced byStar Trek: Discovery, the spinoff will center on the first group of prospective cadets in almost a century, as Starfleet Academy opens its doors for the first time since the Burn. It seems that Paramount is putting a lot intoStar Trek: Starfleet Academy, from the casting of Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti to the announcement that theStarfleet Academy location isStar Trek’s biggest-ever set.
Set 800 years after the events ofStar Trek: Deep Space Nine, the new show will introduce a brand-new generation of cadets, eager to make their mark on Starfleet history. Nobody knows that struggle better thanStar Trek: DS9character, Lt. Nog (Aron Eisenberg). Nog was the first Ferengi to join Starfleet Academy, andStar Trek: Discoveryhas already established that Nog’s made a lasting impact on the 32nd century, as he has a starship named after him. This makesDS9’sbeloved Ferengi officer a tough act to follow for the young cadets inStar Trek: Starfleet Academy.
11 Star Trek History Making Starfleet Academy Cadets
Starfleet Academy is the gateway to a career as a Starfleet Officer, and Star Trek has had some graduates who made history in various ways.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Nog Was Starfleet Academy’s Greatest Cadet
Obviously,Star Treklegends like Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) were great cadets, but audiences never got to experience their Starfleet Academy journeys in a substantial way. InStar Trek: DS9, the audience was present for every important step of Nog’s journey from Starfleet Academy cadet to serving officer. From trying to convince Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) to write him a letter of recommendation in “Heart of Stone”, to his horrific injury and struggles with PTSD in “It’s Only a Paper Moon”, viewers saw how much Nog put into becoming a Starfleet officer.
It’s also worth pointing out that,as members of the United Federation of Planets, Kirk and Picard had an easier application process than Nog. As a Ferengi, Nog had to work twice as hard to be accepted by an institution that still had prejudicial attitudes toward his species. An earlierfight between Sisko and Quark(Armin Shimerman) highlighted how much the Federation looks down on the Ferengi. When Nog first approached Sisko for a letter of recommendation, he was met with that same prejudice from Sisko and Lt. Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell), but proved them both wrong.
Jean-Luc Picard’s first application to Starfleet Academy was rejected, technically making Nog a better cadet than the captain of the USS Enterprise-D.
Why Starfleet’s First Ferengi Adapted To The Academy So Well
Where most Ferengi were driven by profit, Nog had the lobes for something much bigger. That’s ultimately why he was so suited to Starfleet Academy, as he was something of an outlier in his own family. The criminality he indulged in during the early days ofStar Trek: Deep Space Ninewas simply a young man trying to follow the family business but finding it lacking.At Starfleet Academy, Nog found the discipline and, crucially, the sense of meaning that he’d never been able to find while working in Quark’s Bar.
Of all the Starfleet Academy cadets seen inStar Trekso far, Nog was the least likely to succeed, but that’s what made him such a great fit for the institution.
Nog was also keen to avoid the mistakes of his father, Rom (Max Grodénchik), which also kept him focused on his studies and future career. And it was a hell of a career, as Nog rose through Starfleet Academy to become one of the many heroes of the Federation’swar against the Dominion. Of all the Starfleet Academy cadets seen inStar Trekso far, Nog was the least likely to succeed, but that’s what made him such a great fit for the institution. By working hard to prove everyone wrong,Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Nog became a truly great Starfleet officer, whose impact is still felt 800 years in his future.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Cast
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, also known as DS9, is the fourth series in the long-running Sci-Fi franchise, Star Trek. DS9 was created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller, and stars Avery Brooks, René Auberjonois, Terry Farrell, and Cirroc Lofton. This particular series follows a group of individuals in a space station near a planet called Bajor.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows a group of cadets as they embark on their journey to become Starfleet officers. Facing the challenges of friendship, rivalry, and romance, they confront a new enemy endangering the Academy and the Federation under the guidance of their rigorous instructors.
