Star Trek: Prodigy - Let Sleeping Borg Lie (S1E12)
When the crew encounters a dormant Borg Cube, Zero risks everything to save their ship.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 7.0 (11 votes) |
| Air Date | 2022-11-03 |
| Genres | Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y7 |
| Network(s) | Netflix, Paramount+ |
Storyline
The crew of the Protostar stumbles upon a derelict Borg Cube drifting in space. What initially appears to be a dormant, abandoned vessel quickly becomes a life-threatening situation when the ship's systems begin to reactivate. The young crew must navigate the dangers of Borg technology while trying to understand why this Cube has been left adrift and whether any drones remain active inside.
Zero, the Medusan crew member who exists as pure energy within a containment suit, recognizes the unique threat the Borg pose to their friends. When the situation escalates and the Protostar itself comes under threat from the Cube's awakening systems, Zero makes a critical decision that puts their own existence at risk. The episode explores Zero's willingness to sacrifice for the crew and highlights the particular dangers the Borg represent, even when seemingly inactive. The team must work together to escape the Cube before its systems fully come online.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children about the importance of selflessness and putting others before yourself in moments of crisis. Zero's willingness to risk everything for their crewmates demonstrates that true friendship sometimes requires personal sacrifice. Young viewers see that heroism isn't about seeking glory, but about doing what's necessary to protect the people you care about, even when it's frightening or dangerous.
The episode also reinforces lessons about teamwork and trusting your friends' unique abilities. Each crew member brings different strengths to the table, and the team must rely on one another's expertise to survive. Children learn that diversity in skills and perspectives makes a group stronger, and that respecting what each person contributes is essential to overcoming challenges.
Additionally, the story explores themes of caution and respect for unknown dangers. The crew's encounter with the Borg Cube teaches viewers about the importance of being careful when facing unfamiliar situations and not underestimating potential threats, even when they appear dormant or harmless at first glance.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How scary is the Borg Cube for younger children? | The dormant Borg Cube creates tension through atmosphere rather than graphic content. The episode builds suspense as systems reactivate and the threat grows, but Star Trek: Prodigy maintains its family-friendly approach. Younger or more sensitive children might find the enclosed, dark setting and the idea of reanimating technology unsettling, but there are no jump scares or graphic imagery. Parents know their children best and can gauge comfort levels during the episode. |
| What sacrifice does Zero make in this episode? | Zero puts themselves in direct danger to protect the Protostar and their crewmates from the Borg Cube's threat. As a Medusan, Zero has unique abilities that become crucial to the crew's survival, but using them in this situation comes with significant personal risk. The episode handles this sacrifice age-appropriately, focusing on Zero's bravery and the crew's concern for their friend rather than dwelling on graphic peril or consequences. |
| Do I need to explain Borg history to my child? | The episode provides enough context for children to understand that the Borg are dangerous and that the Cube represents a serious threat. You don't need extensive Star Trek background knowledge. If your child asks questions, you can simply explain that the Borg are a powerful force that the crew must be very careful around. The show focuses on the immediate danger and the crew's response rather than requiring deep franchise lore. |
| What positive messages does this episode teach? | The episode emphasizes courage, self-sacrifice, and loyalty to friends. Zero's actions demonstrate that protecting others sometimes requires personal risk, and the crew's response shows how much they value each member. Children see characters working together, trusting one another's abilities, and supporting each other through frightening circumstances. These themes of friendship and bravery are central to the episode's emotional core and provide excellent discussion points. |
| Is this episode too intense compared to earlier ones? | This episode does raise the stakes compared to some earlier adventures, introducing a classic Star Trek threat in the Borg. However, it maintains the show's established tone and age-appropriateness. The tension comes from the situation and the crew's problem-solving rather than violence or horror elements. Children who have been comfortable with previous episodes should handle this one well, though the suspenseful atmosphere is more pronounced than in lighter installments. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | A group of lawless teens, exiled on a mining colony outside Federation space, discover a derelict Starfleet ship. Dal must gather an unlikely crew for their newfound ship if they are going to escape Tars Lamora, but the Diviner and his daughter Gwyn have other plans. |
| 1 | 3 | Even with the guidance of their hologram advisor Janeway, the crew of The Protostar is tested when their ship is on a dangerous cosmic collision course. |
| 1 | 4 | The crew has their first away mission on an undiscovered planet that manifests their deepest desires, only to realize the planet has desires of its own. |
| 1 | 5 | Marooned on a deadly planet, the crew must work together with their captive Gwyn to stay alive…except the planet isn’t the only thing in pursuit. |
| 1 | 6 | As Gwyn struggles to find her role aboard the U.S.S. Protostar, Dal tests his leadership skills in the newly discovered holodeck. |
| 1 | 7 | When a mentor from Dal’s past persuades him to use their Federation cover for personal gain, they quickly discover Starfleet has protocols for a reason. |
| 1 | 8 | When the U.S.S. Protostar is fractured in time by an anomaly, Hologram Janeway must synchronize the disjointed crew and save their ship before it destructs. |
| 1 | 9 | The crew forgo their dreams of Starfleet to return to Tars Lamora in a no-win scenario. |
| 1 | 10 | When the plan goes awry, the crew must improvise. Meanwhile, Gwyn discovers a dark truth that will forever jeopardize their quest toward salvation. |
| 1 | 11 | At the edge of Federation space, the crew applies for asylum at a comm relay outpost, only for their starship to reveal its shocking true purpose. |
| 1 | 12 | When the crew encounters a dormant Borg Cube, Zero risks everything to save their ship. |
| 1 | 13 | The crew answers a distress call to find a colony trapped in Starfleet's past. |
| 1 | 14 | When the crew attempts to secure transport to the Federation, they unwittingly cross paths with the Vice Admiral who is hunting them. |
| 1 | 15 | Trapped in the Neutral Zone, the crew encounters a rogue geneticist who sheds light on Dal’s past. |
| 1 | 16 | A Starfleet Admiral digs into the past of the Protostar crew. Meanwhile, the Diviner recalls his life's mission. |
| 1 | 17 | When the crew gets trapped in the holodeck by a mysterious malfunction, they aren't sure what's programmed or what's real. |
| 1 | 18 | Desperate to warn Starfleet of their dilemma, a daring experiment goes awry as Dal inadvertently swaps minds with a Starfleet Vice Admiral. |
| 1 | 19 | Surrounded by the Federation armada, the crew attempts to stop their ship from destroying all of Starfleet. |
| 1 | 20 | As the Federation hangs in the balance, the crew must make the ultimate sacrifice to save Starfleet's future. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Dal and his friends board Janeway's starship to investigate the wormhole created by the Protostar. Tired of his training, Dal longs for some action. |
| 2 | 2 | Gwyn runs into a familiar foe on the planet Solum. Janeway reveals the true stakes of their mission to Dal and his friends. |
| 2 | 3 | Traveling through the time rift, Dal and the crew search for Chakotay on Solum. With the support of her father, Gwyn challenges Asencia. |
| 2 | 4 | Although separated by decades, the Infinity and the Voyager crews band together to save Gwyn's life. A mysterious messenger reaches out to Gwyn. |
| 2 | 5 | Reunited on the Voyager and under strict supervision, the gang must decode a secret message their mysterious benefactor left with Murf. |
| 2 | 6 | Hoping to hijack the Infinity before its scheduled destruction, Dal and the crew create hologram doubles to cover for their absence. |
| 2 | 7 | After using a Borg conduit to travel through time faster, Dal and his friends find themselves at the mercy of a demanding Kazon. |
| 2 | 8 | The crew detours to a colony of non-corporeal entities, who offer Zero an opportunity to obtain a physical body. Janeway discovers Dal's real intentions. |
| 2 | 9 | Finally arriving at the coordinates, the Infinity crew discovers a hidden planet – and the long-awaited identity of their mysterious messenger. |
| 2 | 10 | On the run from their time-erasing pursuers, the Infinity crew and their new ally search for an escape. The Voyager embarks on a rescue mission. |
| 2 | 11 | Thanks to Wesley Crusher's timely intervention, the cadets find the Protostar — but the ship's marooned guardian isn't eager for their assistance. |
| 2 | 12 | Chakotay and the cadets devise a bold but perilous plan to relaunch the Protostar. Before the ship can fly, however, it will first have to sail. |
| 2 | 13 | While harvesting bosonite on a barren world, the crew encounters aggressive, genetically-modified tribbles — and the Klingon scientist who created them. |
| 2 | 14 | The Protostar's reunion with Voyager has unexpected side effects, bouncing the crew between alternate realities — including the Mirror Universe. |
| 2 | 15 | Just as the Protostar and Voyager crews bring their mission to a close, a former enemy suddenly resurfaces with surprising new powers. |
| 2 | 16 | Overwhelmed by Asencia's mysteriously advanced weaponry, the Protostar and Voyager crews take a series of calculated risks that endanger the cadets. |
| 2 | 17 | As war looms between the Federation and Solum, Gwyn proposes to lead the cadets on an undercover mission to gather intelligence and rescue Ilthuran. |
| 2 | 18 | Admiral Janeway devises a clever plan to liberate her crew from Asencia's prison, where they're trapped with an angry captive from the Loom. |
| 2 | 19 | A desperate Asencia launches an all-out attack on the Federation that will destroy subspace, while Wesley and the cadets try to correct the timeline. |
| 2 | 20 | The cadets fight Asencia in a battle for control of Solum and the future — but a sudden invasion by a destructive species complicates their end-game. |
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.