Star Trek: Prodigy - A Tribble Called Quest (S2E13)
While harvesting bosonite on a barren world, the crew encounters aggressive, genetically-modified tribbles — and the Klingon scientist who created them.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 7.0 (7 votes) |
| Air Date | 2024-07-01 |
| Genres | Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y7 |
| Network(s) | Netflix, Paramount+ |
Storyline
The crew of the Protostar lands on a desolate planet to harvest bosonite, a critical resource for their mission. What begins as a routine mining operation quickly turns chaotic when they discover the world is overrun with tribbles that behave nothing like the harmless, purring creatures from Federation records. These tribbles are aggressive, fast-moving, and dangerously territorial, attacking the crew and threatening their safety.
The mystery deepens when the young officers encounter the tribbles' creator: a Klingon scientist conducting unauthorized genetic experiments. This scientist has engineered the tribbles to be weapons rather than pets, fundamentally altering their biology and behavior. The crew must navigate the dual challenges of surviving the tribble onslaught and confronting the ethical implications of the scientist's work. The episode explores themes of scientific responsibility and the consequences of tampering with nature, all while delivering the action and problem-solving that define the series.
What kids learn
Children learn about the ethical boundaries of scientific experimentation through the Klingon scientist's reckless genetic modifications. The episode demonstrates that scientific knowledge carries responsibility, and that creating something simply because we can does not mean we should. Young viewers see how tampering with living creatures for weaponization purposes creates unforeseen dangers and suffering, reinforcing the importance of considering consequences before acting.
The crew's response to the aggressive tribbles models problem-solving under pressure and adaptability when expectations don't match reality. Rather than panicking when the tribbles behave differently than anticipated, the young officers work together to understand the threat and develop solutions. This teaches children the value of staying calm during unexpected challenges and using teamwork to overcome obstacles.
The episode also touches on respect for natural life and the dangers of treating living beings as tools or weapons. By contrasting the scientist's exploitative approach with the crew's more ethical perspective, children learn that all creatures deserve consideration and that power over nature should be exercised with care and compassion.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are the tribble attack scenes too scary for younger children? | The aggressive tribbles are more intense than the cute, purring versions from classic Star Trek, but the action remains animated and age-appropriate for the show's target audience. The tribbles swarm and chase rather than cause graphic harm, and the crew handles the threat with problem-solving rather than violence. Children familiar with action-adventure cartoons should manage the tension well, though very sensitive younger viewers might find the swarming scenes overwhelming. |
| What is genetic modification and how do I explain it simply? | You can explain that genetic modification means changing how a living thing is built, like rewriting instructions that tell a creature how to grow and behave. The Klingon scientist changed the tribbles' instructions to make them aggressive instead of gentle. This is a good opportunity to discuss how scientists in real life must think carefully about changing nature and follow rules to keep everyone safe, unlike the scientist in this episode. |
| Does the episode explain why the scientist created weaponized tribbles? | The episode reveals the Klingon scientist's motivations for creating these dangerous creatures, providing context for the genetic experiments. This backstory helps children understand that even misguided actions often have reasons behind them, though reasons don't justify harmful choices. The crew's response demonstrates how to address wrongdoing while still trying to understand the person responsible, modeling balanced moral reasoning for young viewers. |
| How does this episode connect to classic Star Trek tribble episodes? | The episode references the original series' famous tribble episode where the creatures were harmless but reproduced rapidly. By transforming tribbles into threats, Prodigy creates dramatic contrast that longtime fans will recognize while newcomers can enjoy the story independently. Parents familiar with classic Trek can share how these tribbles differ from the originals, making it a fun cross-generational viewing experience that honors franchise history. |
| What happens to the tribbles and the scientist by the end? | The episode resolves both the immediate danger and the larger ethical questions raised by the scientist's experiments. The crew finds a solution that addresses the tribble threat while grappling with what should happen to creatures created for harmful purposes. The resolution reinforces the show's values about responsibility and consequences, providing closure that allows for meaningful post-viewing discussion about right and wrong in complex situations. |
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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