Star Trek: Prodigy - Last Flight of the Protostar (1) (S2E11)
Thanks to Wesley Crusher's timely intervention, the cadets find the Protostar — but the ship's marooned guardian isn't eager for their assistance.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 7.0 (8 votes) |
| Air Date | 2024-07-01 |
| Genres | Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y7 |
| Network(s) | Netflix, Paramount+ |
Storyline
Wesley Crusher, the legendary Traveler and former Enterprise crew member, intervenes at a critical moment to help the young cadets locate the missing Protostar. His timely assistance guides them to the ship's location, where they finally discover the vessel they've been searching for throughout their mission. The reunion with the Protostar represents a major breakthrough in their quest, but the discovery comes with an unexpected complication.
Upon arriving at the Protostar, the cadets encounter the ship's guardian, who has been stranded with the vessel and is responsible for protecting it during its isolation. Rather than welcoming the rescue party with open arms, this marooned protector proves resistant to their help and unwilling to cooperate with their efforts. The guardian's reluctance to accept assistance creates tension and raises questions about what has transpired during the Protostar's time in isolation, setting the stage for the cadets to navigate both the technical challenges of recovering the ship and the interpersonal challenge of winning over its defensive caretaker.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children about the importance of persistence and following through on commitments. The cadets demonstrate dedication by continuing their search for the Protostar despite obstacles, showing young viewers that important goals often require sustained effort and determination. Wesley Crusher's intervention also illustrates how asking for help and accepting guidance from more experienced mentors can be crucial to success, normalizing the idea that even capable people benefit from support.
Children can learn valuable lessons about approaching defensive or resistant individuals with patience and understanding. The guardian's reluctance to accept help provides an opportunity to explore why people sometimes reject assistance even when they need it, teaching kids that fear, pride, or past experiences can make others wary. The cadets must practice empathy and communication skills to understand the guardian's perspective rather than simply forcing their way forward.
The episode also reinforces themes of responsibility and trust. The guardian's protective stance toward the Protostar demonstrates commitment to duty, while the cadets must prove themselves trustworthy to someone who has no reason to believe in them yet. Young viewers learn that earning trust takes time and that respecting others' boundaries and concerns is essential to building cooperative relationships.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do kids need to know who Wesley Crusher is to understand this episode? | While familiarity with Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: The Next Generation adds depth, the episode introduces him in a way that makes his role clear to new viewers. He's presented as a helpful, knowledgeable figure with special abilities who aids the cadets at a crucial moment. Children who haven't seen previous Star Trek series will understand his importance through context, though longtime fans will appreciate the connection to the broader franchise. |
| Is this a complete story or does it end on a cliffhanger? | This is the first part of a two-part episode, so it does not provide complete resolution. The story establishes the discovery of the Protostar and introduces the conflict with the guardian, but the situation remains unresolved at the episode's end. Parents should be prepared for children to want to watch the second part immediately, as the narrative is designed to continue directly into the next episode. |
| Why is the guardian reluctant to accept help from the cadets? | The guardian's resistance stems from their protective responsibility for the Protostar during its isolation. Having been alone with the ship for an extended period, the guardian has developed a defensive posture and may not trust strangers who suddenly appear claiming to help. This creates a realistic conflict where good intentions aren't automatically accepted, teaching children that building trust requires patience and understanding of others' perspectives and experiences. |
| What skills do the cadets use to handle the guardian's resistance? | The cadets must employ communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills when faced with the guardian's unwillingness to cooperate. Rather than using force or authority, they need to understand the guardian's concerns and demonstrate that they're trustworthy allies. This models for children how to approach difficult interpersonal situations with patience and respect, showing that listening and understanding are often more effective than insisting on being right. |
| Are there any scary or intense moments in this episode? | The episode maintains the series' typical adventure tone with some tension surrounding the search for the Protostar and the initial confrontation with the guardian. The conflict is interpersonal rather than violent, focusing on distrust and reluctance rather than physical danger. The pacing builds suspense as part of the two-part structure, but the content remains appropriate for the show's target audience without graphic or frightening imagery. |
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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