"Vitus Reflux" Starfleet Academy S1E03 Review SNWF045

The Redshirts give you an extra long review of the Star Trek series Starfleet Academy third episode "Vitus Reflux." In this 32rd Century version of Hogwarts, the episode dives headfirst into a classic underdog showdown, using a flashy competition with the War College to explore something much deeper: trust, leadership, and growing beyond fear. As rival cadets trade smug Vulcan smack talk, Klingon muscle, and the occasional exploding replicator, the real battle becomes internal—especially for Caleb, whose instinct to brute-force every problem finally gives way to a hard-won realization that teamwork matters more than ego. Genesis steps into true leadership, Tig delivers some of the episode’s sharpest emotional truths about chosen family, and Chancellor Ake quietly proves she’s playing a much longer, smarter game than anyone realizes. While familiar tropes and a divisive dash of teen romance spark debate with Carolyn, Jake, and SP, the episode ultimately lands as a character-driven turning point—one that shows Starfleet’s future learning to move past survival, fear, and isolation, toward cooperation, trust, and growth.

Thank you so much for listening to our coverage of Starfleet Academy.

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Best place to find SP: http://www.GonnaGeek.com/discord

Best place to find Jake: https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdy_old_man74

Best place to find Carolyn: https://x.com/ocean363

What is a Mugato?

• War College Mascot: Mugato
• The Original Series S2E16 “A Private Little War”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP1VoH_0l-E
• Lower Decks S2E4 “Mugato, Gumato”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6r1gpILmww