Introduction

So, here we are, diving into the good old universe of Star Trek, where spaceships zoom, aliens roam, and apparently, the art of swearing is still a work in progress. Buckle up, folks, because we’re about to explore how Starfleet Academy proves that Star Trek just doesn’t quite have the hang of throwing around colorful language!

Colorful Metaphors? More Like Clumsy Attempts!

Cast your mind back to that memorable scene from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Remember that heartfelt chat between Kirk and Spock, where Kirk calmly tells Spock that maybe he should lay off the “colorful metaphors”? Yeah, well, fast forward to the latest in the Star Trek saga, Starfleet Academy, and we find ourselves questioning whether anyone took Kirk’s advice to heart.

Take the rich kid, Darem Reymi, who – in a moment that’s equally bold and cringe-worthy – takes a stab at surviving the chilly void of space without a suit. When asked how he plans to do this, he casually declares, “I’m Khionian, bitch.” Talk about trying too hard to sound tough!

Do We Really Need More Swearing?

Repeated yelling of “Khionian, bitch” and other sharpy little curses fills the air, and while it might aim to hype up the teen viewers, it feels more like awkward dad humor than anything else. Even seasoned characters like Captain Nahla Ake and pirate Nus Braka get in on the cursing act, throwing insults like they’re back in high school!

Look, we get it; Starfleet Academy is targeting a young audience and, sure, it’s a teen drama backdrop in a universe as expansive as a black hole. But that still doesn’t mean it should resort to laughs that don’t land!

It’s Not Just a Teen Thing

Now, let’s not point fingers purely at Starfleet Academy! New Star Trek installments, like Picard and Discovery, have all dipped their toes in the swearing pool too. Who can forget Admiral Clancy’s fine use of the f-bomb? Or those times when Mariner from Lower Decks lets the expletives fly like confetti? Swearing has definitely been part of this franchise – even back in the Original Series!

Let’s face it: humanity didn’t wake up one day and decide that swearing was no longer fashionable after the 24th century. Nope! We might have ditched a few things, but colorful language? It’s still kicking around!

Language: A Cultural Thing

But here’s the kicker: in newer shows, cursing often feels more like a gimmicky trick rather than a natural part of alien speech. It’s like seeing one of those cringe-worthy attempts at ‘cool’ lingo that sounds straight out of a time capsule from the early 2000s. “Khionian, bitch” could have been a catchphrase in a bad sitcom! Let’s not forget how Admiral Clancy drops the f-bomb to take Picard down a peg. It may have been intended for shock value, but it just feels overdone.

The swearing may be forgiven in a different light, considering the awkwardness of trying to fit these new phrases into a universe that has established norms. However, the desperation to sound edgy? It feels like a high schooler trying too hard to fit in.

Finding the Right Balance

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Not every Star Trek show is guilty of this struggle. Remember Lower Decks? That one nails the cursing because it understands the tone and premise of an adult animated series while being a fun nod to nerd culture. Mariner and Boimler aren’t just characters—they’re fans who represent us in this universe, so their quirky dialogue fits the bill!

So, here’s hoping that Starfleet Academy can find its footing and keep the swearing within the realm of teenage antics, rather than trying to become something it’s not. If it can make that magical leap, it might just stumble upon the knack for cursing!

Conclusion

In short, Starfleet Academy is a mix of storylines about space exploration and teenage drama. If it can hold onto its sense of humor while sprinkling in a few choice words that feel natural for its setting, we might just become more forgiving of those cringe-worthy attempts at being edgy. Until then, let’s just appreciate the show for what it is, while hoping for some more elegant expletives down the line!

Catch new episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming every Thursday on Paramount+!