Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		4.0

Star Trek: Prodigy - Season 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 15, 2024

It's been really fun to watch Star Trek: Prodigy evolve from a fairly entertaining side story through the Star Trek universe in season one (available on Blu-ray as a split release) into, here in season two, a truly bonafide Star Trek experience. While season two retains the same kid-friendly vibe that seemed to be the main thrust of season one -- hearty and silly but unmistakably Trek -- there's something different here, a more genuine foray into the nuts and bolts of Star Trek that tames, but does not eliminate, the humor all the while retaining the cartoonish charm and snazzy colors that, combined with the more Trek-like narratives and character elements, makes for what is arguably the most unique Star Trek experience to date and one of the best times I've had with he franchise since its TNG-DS9-VOY heyday.

Prodigy's second season simply picks up where season one ended, with most of the main characters -- Dal (Brett Gray), Zero (Angus Imrie), Jankom Pog (Jason Mantzoukas), Murf (Dee Bradley Baker), and Rok-Tahk (Rylee Alazraqui) -- no longer cutting their teeth on a starship but rather sinking their teeth into the ins-and-outs of Starfleet at the Academy. Of course, each of them finds life at the Academy, and their growth in the ways of Starfleet, to be unique to each of them. Meanwhile, Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) assembles them all for a delicate mission to reunite with Chakotay (Robert Beltran) on the Voyager-A alongside the EMH (Robert Picardo).

To dive much deeper would be to ruin the fun, and satisfaction, that Prodigy's second season has to offer. There's some really great stuff at work and in play, and even if the season does expressly fall into some very rote Star Trek mechanics, it does so with a pleasant blend of wink and nod playfulness but also very serious storytelling chops that allow it to overcome its reliance on cliché while wholeheartedly embracing it at the same time. Like Picard before it, season two brings in Wesley Crusher (Will Wheaton), but a very mature and very different version of himself, making use of the character in interesting ways and developing him in very satisfying directions that remain faithful to established characterizations while also progressing him in ways that were certainly never even on the radar when he was introduced, and essentially worked off of, TNG so many decades ago. But also like Picard, Prodigy succeeds in its reconnection with other characters and blending together crews in logical ways to support stories, resolve Star Trek questions, and of course work in a good bit of fan service along the way, and the show succeeds in these areas at every turn.

Prodigy is the contemporary animated Star Trek that Lower Decks should aspire towards. Less juvenile, but still kid friendly, more serious, yet still silly enough, Prodigy finds that happier balance between humor and heart, excess and excitement, and light but, now especially in season two, also laser-focused on really being Star Trek. But not only is it more serious while still being almost as silly, it's also much more adept at building characters and exploring arcs, which is not a problem in Lower Decks but it's done better here, especially in how the season works through Gwyn (Ella Purnell) who is in many ways at the center of the show, even if she's not in the middle of things as the season opens. But every character is explored to great satisfaction, with broad arcs and intimate moments alike building towards a number of peaks and crescendos that does all of them justice. And, in doing so, it hits on very necessary and deep themes that remains impressively accessible to the target -- read younger -- demographic. It's insanely impressive how well Prodigy's second season is Star Trek through and through yet walks that tightrope between satisfying mature Trekkies and tickling the fancy of its younger viewers at the same time, never alienating either group. In other words, this is a rare Star Trek that can have its cake and eat it, too.

Star Trek: Prodigy - Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Paramount transports Star Trek: Prodigy - Season 2 to Blu-ray with a superb 1080p transfer. The image is impeccably clear and rich, just as one might expect of a high end digital animation in 2024. The picture is practically faultless. I detected only trace amounts of aliasing and banding, nothing to really interfere with the overall quality on display. The picture is clear and very well defined, bringing out the very best of the digital animation at their 1080p resolution. The detail is striking, whether looking at individual character aesthetics, details around the ship or on planet surfaces, or even Starfleet uniforms. Colors are rich and expressive, deep and vivid, showing off, again, the various colors of character skin, Starfleet uniforms, phaser fire, and glowing nacelles: anything and everything is just bold and precise. Even black space elements are very deep and true, never losing depth in favor of gray. This is a very nice looking release from Paramount.

Star Trek: Prodigy - Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Star Trek: Prodigy - Season 2 warps onto Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, and what a track it is! The presentation dazzles and delights around every bend, offering impressive extension, clarity, and bass throughout. Listeners will find engaging surround stretch even in the opening theme, which is presented with rich detail ands exceptional flow, maybe pushing a bit too hard in the rears but otherwise offering sensational movement and sound placement to both sound effects and score alike. The first scene of episode one features phaser fire tearing through the stage, with bursts zigging and zagging around the listener, supported by potent bass. The same depth holds true for space action and the same kind of fluid zip is present as the ship maneuvers through the cosmos. Music is consistently clear and detailed with wide front stage engagement and, as noted, heavy surround usage, but never to an unbalanced level. Dialogue is clear and precise, centered, and delightfully lifelike for the duration, especially critical given the various pitches and cadences from the various characters heard throughout the show.

Star Trek: Prodigy - Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This three-disc Blu-ray release of Star Trek: Prodigy - Season 2 incudes two extras on disc three. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does ship with a non-embossed slipcover.

• Producing Prodigy: The Legacy (1080p, 6:01): Exploring the future of the Federation after TNG and Voyager; bringing in the EMH, Nova Squadron, and Wesley Crusher; the show's accessibility; and voice work.
• They Odyssey of Prodigy (1080p, 18:40): The season two arc, ship design, sound effects, using the time travel crutch, voicing Wesley Crusher and developing the character, score and sound effects, the season's (series'?) ending, and more.

Star Trek: Prodigy - Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Outside of Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Prodigy - Season 2 is the best Star Trek in decades, maybe the best since Voyager. It's hard to argue with the results here, with the show's ability to appeal to longtime Star Trek die-hards (myself) while also satisfying the younger crowd at which the show was obviously originally aimed (I can't wait to share this with my 4-year-old son and soon-to-be 7-year-old daughter). Season two is a major step forward and significant maturation, and it's a shame to see the show in a state of uncertainty going forward with the changing of hands from Paramount+ to Netflix. But, even if this is it, it's a worthwhile close and a most welcome addition to the Star Trek canon. Paramount's three disc Blu-ray set delivers wonderful picture and sound. Extras are brief, but effective. Very highly recommended!