A Classic 'Star Trek' Species Is in Serious Danger on This Week’s 'Starfleet Academy' (Sneak Peek)
- - A Classic 'Star Trek' Species Is in Serious Danger on This Week’s 'Starfleet Academy' (Sneak Peek)
K.L. Connie WangJanuary 29, 2026 at 2:19 AM
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Last week’s episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy leaned into hijinks, rivalries and a full-blown prank war. But the gloves come off in this week's all-new episode, titled "Vox in Excelso."
In Season 1, Episode 4, the cadets trade practical jokes for public debates, with Robert Picardo’s Doctor stepping in as their demanding—and highly opinionated—coach. But what begins as an academic exercise quickly escalates into a galaxy-level emergency—one that threatens to wipe out a familiar and famously controversial Star Trek species altogether.
As one cadet grapples with anxiety, family trauma and the fear of speaking out, Nahla (Holly Hunter) races against time to prevent an extinction-level event that could ripple far beyond Starfleet Academy’s walls.
Here’s everything to know about Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1, Episode 4, airing Thursday, Jan. 29 on Paramount+.
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What is Star Trek: Starfleet Academy about?
This new Paramount+ series follows a group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they will discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers. But as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries and first loves, the cadets must also face a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.
What happened in last week's episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?Star Trek: Starfleet Academy." data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Pa0SLXvjXYZA7OAnbmCO4g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/deb580a60d602d80d33c9a744056d88f>Star Trek: Starfleet Academy." src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Pa0SLXvjXYZA7OAnbmCO4g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/deb580a60d602d80d33c9a744056d88f class=caas-img>A still from Season 1, Episode 3 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
It was a prank war on the last episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. In Episode 3—titled "Vitus Reflux"—the cadets trained to compete to be a part of the elite Calica team at the Academy, but an escalating prank war between the War College and Starfleet Academy threatened to derail a visit from an oversight committee.
Bella Shepard as Genesis in the Paramount+ series
Darem (George Hawkins) and Genesis (Bella Shepard) competed to be Captain of the Calica team while Nahla (Holly Hunter) planted a seed in our cadets' formative minds by teaching them about the Vitus Reflux plant. Caleb (Sandro Rosta) learned that being part of a team might not be a bad thing after all, while Cadet Master Thok (Gina Yashere) might have become everyone's favorite Starfleet Academy character.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1dVJWZ5Nn5zh.s0Clkt0wA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/c343a350ea5f9b7fa9869f5ddaeb9b76>Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1dVJWZ5Nn5zh.s0Clkt0wA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/c343a350ea5f9b7fa9869f5ddaeb9b76 class=caas-img>A screenshot from Season 1, Episode 3 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Viewers may have noticed that the episode was dedicated "in loving memory of Carla Mingiardi." Mingiardi worked in the costume department on both Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Short Treks. On Sept. 9, 2024, she died at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer.
Related: Every ‘Star Trek’ Captain, Ranked
What happens in this week's episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?
Karim Diané as Jay-Den and Sandro Rosta as Caleb
In "Vox in Excelso," which is the fourth episode of Season 1, the cadets head into debates with The Doctor leading the charge. An existential crisis threatens to wipe out a beloved—but infamous—Star Trek species. One of our Starfleet Academy cadets is forced to confront his past and strained relationship with his family. As he pursues an unexpected method of coping, Nahla races against time to save this species from extinction.
When does the next episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy drop?
Episode 4 "Vox in Excelso" of Season 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres on Thursday, Jan. 29 on Paramount+.
How to watch Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Starfleet Academy streams exclusively on Paramount+.
How to watch Star Trek: Starfleet Academy for free
For a limited time, Paramount+ has made the series premiere available on their YouTube channel for a limited time. You'll have to subscribe to Paramount+ to see the rest of the season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, but check out the series premiere episode below.
To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so.What time do new episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy come out?
New episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy drop Thursdays on Paramount+. Episodes typically become available on the streamer at 12:00 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET on Thursday mornings.
Related: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Premieres January 15, 2026—First Look at Cast, Trailer and More
Does Parade have a sneak peek from this week's episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?
We debated with ourselves whether or not to share this with you and guess who won out? Check out this sneak peek from the next episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy below.
Check out images from the next episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Take a look at some select images from next episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy in the gallery below.
Star Trek: Starfleet AcademyEpisode 104 "Vox in Excelso"
Holly Hunter as Nahla and Karim Diané as Jay-Den
Bella Shepard as Genesis, Karim Diané as Jay-Den and Kerrice Brooks as Sam
Karim Diané as Jay-Den
Bella Shepard as Genesis, Karim Diané as Jay-Den, Sandro Rosta as Caleb and Kerrice Brooks as Sam Brooke Palmer/Paramount+ (Brooke Palmer/Paramount+)
Gina Yashere as Lura Thok and Holly Hunter as Nahla
Karim Diané as Jay-Den and Sandro Rosta as Caleb
George Hawkins as Darem
Bella Shepard as Genesis
Kerrice Brooks as Sam
Robert Picardo as The Doctor
Karim Diané as Jay-Den
This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the TV section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
