Star Trek: Starfleet Academy tackles and resolves a somber Doctor subplot
is backup from 1998’s “Living Witness.” Still, on the off chance the show never puts Picardo’s character in the spotlight, I suppose I’ll have to be content with the Doctor moments Starfleet Academy is giving me.
The Doctor’s holographic character has been in existence for around 900 years by the time of Starfleet Academy. While I expected to see a little more of him in an episode led by a fellow photonic, Kerrice Brooks’ SAM, the one scene they did share was deceptively poignant on numerous fronts. When SAM speaks with the Doctor about how Cirroc Lofton’s Jake Sisko dealt with the loss of his father in the 24th century, the Doctor turns almost militant in his insistence that grieving is essentially a waste of time. Despite his tough exterior, it’s obvious that he’s fooling himself, burying the sadness brought about by the loss of his Voyager family almost a millennium ago.
Although the Doctor “only” spent seven years aboard Voyager, that ship and its crew helped him gain self-awareness and become a fully-fledged individual. Star Trek: Prodigy proves that he maintained those relationships for years after the Voyager finale. Starfleet Academy introduces two characters that provide the Doctor with the lengthy companionship he requires – Holly Hunter’s Captain Ake, who is over 400 years old, and Tawny Newsome’s Illa Dax, the latest Trill host who shares a connection with the Doctor over their long lives.
The Doctor’s story in Starfleet Academy continues to unfold, offering a glimpse into the intricate emotional journey of this iconic character. The show succeeds in balancing the old and the new, keeping fans engaged and eager to learn more about the Doctor’s experiences and relationships in the 32nd century. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1 is streaming now on Disney+, with the finale set to air on March 12, 2026.
