Star Trek: Prodigy - Ascension (2) (S2E16)
Overwhelmed by Asencia's mysteriously advanced weaponry, the Protostar and Voyager crews take a series of calculated risks that endanger the cadets.
| Runtime (min) | 22 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 8.0 (7 votes) |
| Air Date | 2024-07-01 |
| Genres | Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y7 |
| Network(s) | Netflix, Paramount+ |
Storyline
In the second part of this two-part season finale, the Protostar and Voyager crews face their most dangerous confrontation yet with Asencia, whose weaponry proves far more advanced than anything they anticipated. The cadets find themselves in the crossfire as both crews struggle to counter technology that seems to defy their understanding of temporal mechanics and Starfleet capabilities. The episode escalates the stakes established in part one, forcing the young crew members to rely on their training while the adults make difficult tactical decisions.
As the battle intensifies, Captain Chakotay and Admiral Janeway coordinate their vessels in a desperate attempt to protect the cadets while neutralizing Asencia's threat. The crew takes calculated risks that put the young officers in jeopardy, testing the bonds between mentors and students. The episode builds toward a climactic confrontation that will determine not only the fate of the Protostar crew but also the timeline itself, as Asencia's mysterious technological advantage suggests deeper complications in the temporal Cold War storyline that has defined the season.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children about the weight of leadership decisions, particularly when protecting others requires accepting personal risk. The adult characters demonstrate that sometimes keeping people safe means making choices that feel uncomfortable or dangerous in the moment, showing young viewers that responsible leadership involves calculated risk rather than reckless abandon or paralyzing caution.
The cadets' experience under fire illustrates the importance of trusting your training when circumstances become overwhelming. Children see that preparation and practice matter most when situations spiral beyond your control, and that panic serves no purpose when you have skills to fall back on. The episode reinforces that even when adults are making the big decisions, young people still have agency and responsibility in crisis situations.
The storyline also explores themes of technological superiority and the dangers of underestimating an opponent. Children learn that assumptions about what is possible can be dangerous, and that adaptability matters more than raw power. The crew's need to think creatively against an enemy with better weapons demonstrates that intelligence, teamwork, and resourcefulness can counter advantages in equipment or force.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How intense is the space battle action in this episode? | The episode features sustained space combat with ship-to-ship weapons fire and tactical maneuvering under pressure. The action is animated rather than live-action, which softens the impact, but the stakes are clearly high and characters express fear and urgency. The violence is bloodless and focused on starship damage rather than personal injury, consistent with Star Trek's typical approach to space battles. The pacing is rapid during combat sequences, which may be exciting or overwhelming depending on your child's tolerance for action. |
| Are the cadet characters actually in serious danger during this episode? | Yes, the episode's premise centers on the cadets being endangered by the tactical decisions the adult crews must make. The young characters face real peril as their ship comes under fire from Asencia's advanced weapons. However, the show handles this within the context of Starfleet training and mentorship, emphasizing that the adults are trying to protect them even as circumstances force difficult choices. The danger is genuine within the story but presented in a way that reinforces themes of courage and trust rather than dwelling on graphic consequences. |
| What does 'calculated risks' mean in the context of this episode? | The calculated risks refer to tactical decisions made by Chakotay and Janeway that involve exposing the cadets to danger in order to achieve a larger strategic goal or protect more people. These aren't reckless choices but deliberate decisions made under pressure when all options carry risk. The episode uses this to explore the difficult reality that sometimes protecting people requires putting them in harm's way, a mature theme that may prompt discussion about when risk is justified and who gets to make those decisions. |
| How does the episode handle the power imbalance between Asencia's weapons and the heroes' technology? | The episode portrays the crews as outmatched and struggling to understand how Asencia has obtained such advanced weaponry. Rather than having the heroes easily overcome this disadvantage, the story emphasizes creative thinking, teamwork, and using their knowledge in unexpected ways. This creates tension but also demonstrates that technological superiority isn't everything. The mystery of how Asencia acquired her weapons ties into the season's larger temporal storyline, adding intrigue beyond the immediate combat. |
| Is this episode appropriate as a standalone watch or does it require seeing part one? | This is explicitly the second part of a two-part finale, so watching part one is essential for understanding the context, character positions, and why Asencia's weaponry is so shocking. The episode jumps directly into the ongoing crisis without recapping extensively. Additionally, the season-long temporal Cold War arc provides important background for understanding the stakes and the mystery surrounding Asencia's technology. For the best experience and comprehension, children should watch the episodes in order, ideally with recent memory of the season's earlier developments. |
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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