Star Trek: Prodigy - Brink (S2E17)
As war looms between the Federation and Solum, Gwyn proposes to lead the cadets on an undercover mission to gather intelligence and rescue Ilthuran.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 8.0 (8 votes) |
| Air Date | 2024-07-01 |
| Genres | Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y7 |
| Network(s) | Netflix, Paramount+ |
Storyline
With tensions escalating between the Federation and Solum, Gwyn steps forward with a bold plan to prevent all-out war. She proposes leading the young cadets on a covert mission behind enemy lines to gather critical intelligence about Solum's military capabilities and intentions. The mission carries a dual purpose: while collecting information that could help the Federation avoid catastrophic conflict, Gwyn is also determined to rescue her father, Ilthuran, who remains trapped on Solum.
The episode places the cadets in a high-stakes scenario where their training is put to the ultimate test. Operating undercover in hostile territory, they must balance stealth and strategy while navigating the moral complexities of espionage. Gwyn faces the personal challenge of reconciling her duty to the Federation with her desire to save her father, forcing her to make difficult choices about loyalty, sacrifice, and the greater good as war looms ever closer.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children about the courage required to take initiative during a crisis. Gwyn demonstrates leadership by proposing a solution when others might feel paralyzed by fear, showing young viewers that stepping up with a plan—even when the stakes are high—can make a meaningful difference. Her willingness to lead the mission models how taking responsibility and acting decisively can help prevent larger conflicts.
The story also explores the tension between personal desires and collective responsibility. Gwyn must balance her mission to gather intelligence for the Federation with her personal goal of rescuing her father. Children learn that sometimes doing the right thing means prioritizing the needs of many over individual wants, and that true leadership often requires making sacrifices for the greater good.
Additionally, the episode highlights the value of teamwork and trust in dangerous situations. The cadets must rely on each other's skills and judgment while operating undercover, demonstrating how cooperation, clear communication, and mutual support are essential when facing challenges that no one person can overcome alone.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the war theme too intense for younger children? | The episode addresses the threat of war between the Federation and Solum, but the focus remains on prevention and intelligence-gathering rather than graphic combat. The tension comes from the high stakes and the cadets' undercover mission rather than violent imagery. The show maintains its family-friendly approach while exploring serious themes, making it appropriate for most elementary-aged children, though parents of very sensitive younger viewers may want to watch first to gauge their child's comfort level. |
| What kind of undercover mission do the cadets undertake? | Gwyn leads the cadets on a covert intelligence-gathering operation in Solum territory. The mission involves stealth, careful planning, and working together to collect information about Solum's military intentions without being detected. The episode portrays espionage as a strategic alternative to violence, emphasizing problem-solving and teamwork. The undercover elements are presented in an age-appropriate way that focuses on the cadets using their skills and training rather than depicting deception in morally ambiguous ways. |
| How does Gwyn handle the conflict between saving her father and her duty? | Gwyn faces the difficult challenge of balancing her personal mission to rescue Ilthuran with her responsibility to gather intelligence for the Federation. The episode explores this internal conflict thoughtfully, showing how she must weigh her love for her father against the potential consequences for countless others if war breaks out. Her struggle provides a meaningful example of how leaders sometimes face painful choices, and the episode handles this moral complexity in a way that encourages discussion about duty and sacrifice. |
| Are there positive messages about conflict resolution? | Yes, the episode strongly emphasizes seeking alternatives to violence. Rather than accepting war as inevitable, Gwyn proposes a mission designed to gather information that might prevent conflict altogether. The story demonstrates that understanding your adversary and seeking diplomatic solutions requires courage and effort, but can be more effective than rushing into battle. This message about choosing intelligence-gathering and strategy over immediate aggression provides a constructive framework for thinking about conflict at any scale, including everyday disagreements children face. |
| What leadership qualities does Gwyn demonstrate in this episode? | Gwyn shows initiative by proposing a concrete plan when faced with an impending crisis, demonstrating that leaders take action rather than waiting for others to solve problems. She also displays the courage to volunteer for a dangerous mission and the responsibility of leading her peers into a high-risk situation. Her willingness to put herself in harm's way while managing both strategic objectives and personal concerns illustrates that effective leadership involves balancing multiple priorities and making difficult decisions for the benefit of others. |
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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