221. Starfleet Debate Bro (SFA 1.04)

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)