Star Trek: Prodigy - Supernova (1) (S1E19)
Surrounded by the Federation armada, the crew attempts to stop their ship from destroying all of Starfleet.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 8.0 (9 votes) |
| Air Date | 2022-12-22 |
| Genres | Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y7 |
| Network(s) | Netflix, Paramount+ |
Storyline
The Protostar crew faces their most dire challenge yet when they find themselves surrounded by a massive Federation armada. The ship's living construct weapon threatens to destroy every Starfleet vessel in range, turning what should be a rescue into a potential catastrophe. Dal, Gwyn, Rok-Tahk, Zero, Jankom Pog, and Murf must race against time to prevent the Protostar from executing its deadly programming while Federation forces close in, unaware of the danger they're flying into.
As the crew works desperately to stop the weapon, they must also grapple with the consequences of their journey and the realization that their ship was designed as a trap from the beginning. The episode builds toward a critical confrontation where the young crew's ingenuity and determination are tested like never before. With Admiral Janeway and the USS Dauntless among the threatened vessels, the stakes couldn't be higher for these untested heroes who must find a way to save Starfleet from the very ship they've called home.
What parents say
Parents have praised Star Trek: Prodigy for making the franchise accessible to younger viewers while maintaining the thoughtful storytelling that defines Star Trek. Many appreciate that the show tackles complex moral questions and scientific concepts without talking down to its audience, making it genuinely enjoyable for family co-viewing.
Parents note that the series handles high-stakes tension effectively without relying on graphic violence. The action sequences are exciting but age-appropriate, and the show emphasizes problem-solving and teamwork over combat. Some parents have mentioned that the serialized nature of the first season, particularly as it builds toward the finale, makes episodes like this one more impactful when watched in order rather than as standalone installments.
Several parents on forums like Reddit's r/startrek have commented that the show's diverse cast of alien characters helps children understand themes of acceptance and cooperation across differences. The mentorship relationship between Hologram Janeway and the young crew has been highlighted as a positive model of guidance and learning.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children about taking responsibility for unintended consequences. The crew must confront the fact that their ship, despite being their home and means of escape, poses a grave danger to others. This illustrates how sometimes doing the right thing means making difficult choices that go against our immediate interests or attachments.
The storyline emphasizes the importance of teamwork under extreme pressure. Each crew member must contribute their unique skills and perspectives to solve a problem that no single person could handle alone. Children see how diverse abilities and backgrounds become strengths when people work together toward a common goal, rather than competing or working in isolation.
The episode also explores themes of courage and moral responsibility. The young crew must step up to protect others even when they're outmatched and afraid, demonstrating that heroism isn't about being fearless but about doing what's right despite fear. Their determination to warn and save the Federation fleet, even at great personal risk, models the kind of selflessness and integrity that defines true character.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this episode too intense or scary for younger children? | The episode contains significant tension as the crew faces a seemingly impossible situation with a fleet in danger. However, the show maintains its age-appropriate approach without graphic violence or disturbing imagery. The intensity comes from the high stakes and time pressure rather than frightening visuals. Children who have followed the season will be invested in the characters and engaged by the problem-solving, though very sensitive younger viewers might find the sustained tension challenging. The episode works best for kids eight and up. |
| Does this episode end on a cliffhanger? | Yes, as the first part of a two-part season finale, this episode ends with major unresolved tension. The crew's situation remains critical, and key questions about their fate and the Federation's safety are left unanswered until the next episode. Parents should be prepared for children to immediately want to watch the conclusion. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss serialized storytelling and delayed gratification, but having the finale available for viewing will make the experience less frustrating for impatient younger viewers. |
| What problem-solving approaches do the characters demonstrate? | The crew uses scientific thinking, technical knowledge, and creative collaboration to address the crisis. They analyze the weapon system, consider multiple solutions, and work together using each member's specialized skills. The episode shows children how complex problems require breaking down challenges into manageable parts, testing hypotheses, and adapting when initial approaches don't work. The characters demonstrate persistence and clear communication under pressure, valuable skills that translate beyond the science fiction setting into real-world problem-solving scenarios. |
| Are there any positive messages about leadership in this episode? | Dal's growth as a leader is central to the episode as he must make difficult decisions that affect everyone. The story illustrates that good leadership involves listening to your team, acknowledging when you don't have all the answers, and prioritizing others' safety over personal desires. The crew's dynamic shows that leadership isn't about one person having all the power, but about coordinating different strengths and trusting team members to contribute. This provides a healthy model of collaborative leadership rather than authoritarian control. |
| How does this episode connect to broader Star Trek themes? | The episode embodies classic Star Trek values of protecting life, seeking peaceful solutions, and taking responsibility for one's actions. The crew's determination to save the Federation fleet despite having no formal obligation to do so reflects the franchise's emphasis on doing what's right rather than what's easy. The moral complexity of being trapped by circumstances beyond their control while still being accountable for outcomes introduces children to nuanced ethical thinking. These themes provide excellent conversation starters about duty, sacrifice, and moral courage. |
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. |
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