Anika and Liz take their podiums to discuss Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's "Vox In Excelso". But there's not much debate to be had, because we agree it's very good!
- Liz, a former debate kid, has a lot of feelings about this episode (and also about how debate bros have ruined the fine art of having a structured argument)
- We don't need Star Trek: United because we already have SFA
- Caleb is critical of the Federation, but he also embodies its values, both the humanistic and paternalistic tendencies
- Is this an allegory for the queer experience, or is Jay-Den literally gay? And if he is not, we will be demanding compensation for queerbaiting.
- "Actually, your dad abandoned you because he was supporting you" feels like Worf Parenting Apologia, but also, Lura clearly comes from a happy family and cannot imagine anything else
- Klingons are climate refugees
- A lot of YA is about the fantasy of teens having power; this is about the fantasy of adults respecting teens but taking responsibility for fixing the world
- Are we meant to be shipping Darem/Jay-Den? Because we think Darem is shipping it…
- Building a love interest for Captain Ake (when your brain was rewired by Picard/Crusher at a formative age)
