Star Trek: Prodigy - Kobayashi (S1E6)
As Gwyn struggles to find her role aboard the U.S.S. Protostar, Dal tests his leadership skills in the newly discovered holodeck.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 8.0 (11 votes) |
| Air Date | 2022-01-06 |
| Genres | Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y7 |
| Network(s) | Netflix, Paramount+ |
Storyline
Dal discovers the Protostar's holodeck and eagerly dives into the Kobayashi Maru simulation, a legendary Starfleet training scenario designed to test command decisions under impossible circumstances. The simulation places Dal in command of a starship facing a no-win scenario: rescue a disabled vessel in enemy territory or protect his own crew. Confident in his abilities, Dal attempts the test repeatedly, each time meeting failure as the scenario is programmed to be unbeatable. His frustration mounts as he tries different strategies, all ending in disaster.
Meanwhile, Gwyn feels adrift aboard the Protostar, uncertain of her place among the crew now that she has left her father's world behind. She observes Dal's obsessive attempts to beat the simulation and eventually steps in to offer perspective. The episode explores themes of leadership, accepting limitations, and understanding that some tests are designed not to be won but to reveal character. Gwyn begins to find her footing by helping Dal see beyond the need for victory, while Dal learns that true leadership sometimes means knowing when to ask for help.
What kids learn
Children learn that leadership is not about always having the right answer or winning every challenge. Dal's repeated failures in the Kobayashi Maru simulation demonstrate that some problems do not have perfect solutions, and that struggling with difficult decisions is a normal part of growth. The episode teaches that persistence is valuable, but so is the wisdom to recognize when a different approach or perspective is needed.
Gwyn's storyline offers lessons about finding your place in a new environment and the importance of self-worth beyond assigned roles. Her journey shows children that feeling uncertain or lost when circumstances change is natural, and that value comes from who you are and how you help others, not just from a title or position. Her willingness to reach out to Dal models how offering support to others can help us find our own purpose.
The episode also reinforces that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Dal's initial insistence on solving the simulation alone contrasts with the collaborative spirit that ultimately helps him gain insight. Children see that working together and learning from teammates makes everyone stronger and wiser.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Kobayashi Maru test that Dal keeps trying? | The Kobayashi Maru is a famous Starfleet training simulation designed to be unwinnable. It places cadets in command during a crisis where they must choose between attempting a dangerous rescue or protecting their own crew, with no option leading to success. The test's purpose is not to be beaten but to assess how future officers handle impossible decisions and cope with failure, revealing their character under pressure. |
| Why does Dal keep failing the simulation? | The simulation is programmed to be unbeatable regardless of the strategy chosen. Dal fails repeatedly because he approaches it as a puzzle to solve through cleverness or determination, missing the test's true purpose. His failures frustrate him because he believes a good leader should always find a way to win, but the scenario is designed to teach that some situations have no perfect solution and that accepting this reality is part of mature leadership. |
| How does Gwyn help Dal in this episode? | Gwyn observes Dal's mounting frustration with the simulation and offers him a different perspective on what the test means. She helps him understand that the value of the Kobayashi Maru is not in winning but in how you face an unwinnable situation. Her outside viewpoint allows Dal to step back from his obsession with victory and consider what true leadership requires, including the humility to accept help and recognize limitations. |
| What does Gwyn learn about her role on the ship? | Gwyn struggles throughout the episode to understand where she fits aboard the Protostar now that she has left her old life behind. By reaching out to help Dal, she begins to realize that her value comes from her insights, empathy, and willingness to support her crewmates. She discovers that finding your place is not about having a specific job title but about contributing your unique perspective and caring for those around you. |
| Is this episode appropriate for younger Star Trek fans? | Yes, this episode focuses on character development and problem-solving rather than action or conflict. The holodeck simulation involves starship battles, but they are presented as training scenarios without graphic content. The themes of learning from failure, finding your place, and understanding leadership are age-appropriate and offer valuable lessons. The episode's emphasis on growth through struggle makes it suitable for children who enjoy thoughtful storytelling. |
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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