Actor Robert Picardo, known for his role in Star Trek: Voyager, has responded to criticism labeling the new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy as too 'woke.' In tweets, he urged fans to watch before judging and highlighted the franchise's history of inclusivity. The show's first season holds an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Some fans of the Star Trek franchise have criticized the upcoming series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, accusing it of being overly progressive or tailored to contemporary audiences. This backlash has included targeted review bombing, prompting a defense from returning star Robert Picardo.
Picardo, who played the Doctor in Star Trek: Voyager, addressed the complaints on social media. Replying to a fan who argued that Star Trek works best with conservative elements, he shared a personal anecdote: "And you are perfectly entitled to feel differently than I do. I remember refusing to see THE GODFATHER. Being 100% Italian American, I thought it promoted negative stereotypes. I prejudged it and refused to watch it for years. Now it is my favorite movie. I learned a lesson about a young age about hating something in advance without actually watching it. I enjoy a good story, well told, even if the characters have very different goals, ideals, and worldview than I do. But that’s just me."
He further lamented the current trend of online attacks, stating: "Here it is, simply. I miss the days when, if you didn’t like a TV show, you simply didn’t watch it. What I find sad about this present moment is that people who don’t like a television show make it their mission to keep others from watching it, to attack it round the clock, to destroy it. This isn’t a football game. This isn’t a zero-sum battle to the death. This is freedom of choice in entertainment. Aren’t there more positive ways to spend your energy than simply trying to destroy someone else’s creative effort? If you are certain you can do better, write a pitch and take it to CBS-Paramount. You have writing talent and credentials. Invest all of the time spent in trying to tear something down into trying to build something new. I promise you I’ll watch it."
Picardo emphasized Star Trek's longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusivity, noting that the series has always celebrated differences among people. Despite the fan criticism, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's first season has received positive reviews, earning an 87% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer. Critic Shah Shahid praised it as a blend of elements from prior shows: "Take the wild frontier vibe of Star Trek: Enterprise, the idealism of Star Trek: Prodigy, the darker and serious storytelling from Star Trek: Discovery, and you truly get a new show that imbues qualities from the best of all Trek."
The article was published on January 18, 2026.
