The latest episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy gave fans a lot to talk about, but not all of the conversation is happening on the screen. While Episode 7, titled “Ko’Zeine,” focused on Darem’s surprise wedding and Genesis’s secret mission to erase her past, a small moment at the very end has sparked a massive theory online. Viewers are now questioning if Kyle (Dale Whibley) , the human cadet from the War College, is actually a deep-cover operative for Section 31 assigned to spy on his boyfriend, Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diané) .
The theory started popping up on social media and fan forums shortly after the episode dropped on Paramount+ on February 19, 2026. It might sound like a stretch at first, but when you look at the clues the show has left behind, it actually makes a strange kind of sense. Here is a breakdown of why fans are suspicious of Kyle and what the cast and creators have said about the characters so far.
The Moment That Started Everything
The theory largely hinges on the final moments of the episode. After the emotional chaos of the Khionian wedding and the chaos on campus, the cadets gathered outside to watch a meteor shower. Darem sat alone, deep in thought, while a group including Jay-Den, Kyle, and others stood nearby watching the sky.
Jay-Den had just spent days helping Darem navigate his arranged marriage and giving a speech that changed his friend’s life. It was an intensely personal moment between them. Yet, as Jay-Den stood with the group, the camera lingered on Kyle for just a second too long. He was watching Jay-Den watch Darem. It was not a jealous look, according to fans. It was a calculated one.
To fans who believe in the spy theory, this look suggested that Kyle is not just a supportive boyfriend. He is an operative taking notes on Jay-Den’s emotional state and his connection to Darem. The theory posits that Kyle was assigned to befriend and monitor the Klingon cadet long before they ever met at the Academy.
Why Would Section 31 Target Jay-Den?
To understand why the spy theory has legs, you have to look at who Jay-Den is. He is not just any cadet. Jay-Den is a Klingon, and not just any Klingon, but one who chose to join Starfleet during a time when Klingon-Federation relations are still healing from centuries of conflict.
Section 31, the rogue intelligence agency within Starfleet, has a long history of monitoring potential threats. In the eyes of a paranoid intelligence officer, a Klingon training at the Academy could be seen as a plant, a spy, or a future liability. What better way to keep an eye on him than to place an agent directly in his life as a romantic partner?
Fans point out that Kyle was introduced as the “nice guy” from the War College. He was friendly, supportive, and seemed too good to be true. In the world of Star Trek, characters who seem perfect often have hidden agendas.
What the Cast Has Said About Kyle and Jay-Den
While the show has not confirmed anything about Kyle being a spy, the cast has been very open about the nature of the relationship between Jay-Den, Kyle, and Darem. In interviews following the episode, George Hawkins (Darem) and Karim Diané have discussed the complicated dynamics at play.
George Hawkins explained to ScreenRant that Jay-Den’s role in Darem’s life is deeply emotional. He said, “Jay-Den’s place in that role is obviously romantic. There’s romantic interest there.” He clarified that this romantic interest exists between Jay-Den and Darem, creating a tense love triangle .
However, the show has explicitly shown Jay-Den and Kyle in a relationship. They kissed in Episode 7. So, if Jay-Den has feelings for Darem, why is he with Kyle? Supporters of the spy theory argue that Kyle was placed there to keep Jay-Den close and prevent him from getting too attached to someone like Darem, who might lead him away from Starfleet’s control.
In the same interviews, Hawkins noted that Darem is actually jealous of Kyle. He told the Laconia Daily Sun that Darem does not hate Kyle, but is jealous of him. “Kyle can say what he wants. Kyle is very upfront, and he can say what he wants. He’s living the life that Darem would want to live. I think Kyle is a character that Darem secretly really admires” . If Kyle is a spy, his “upfront” nature and confidence are just part of his cover.
Clues from the Red Carpet and Social Media
The theory gained more traction when fans dug up a Red Carpet interview with Dale Whibley from earlier in the year. In the interview, Whibley was asked about his character’s secrets. He gave a cryptic answer, saying something along the lines of, “Everyone at the Academy has secrets. Some are just bigger than others, and some are hiding in plain sight.”
Furthermore, on a fan-run forum, a user claiming to have insider knowledge posted that Kyle’s storyline is “not what it seems” and that viewers should pay attention to his access to restricted areas and his knowledge of Jay-Den’s schedule . While these forum posts are unconfirmed, they have added fuel to the fire.
The Counter-Argument: Occam’s Razor
Of course, not everyone is convinced. Many fans believe the simpler explanation is that Kyle is exactly what he appears to be: a good-natured boyfriend who might be about to get his heart broken.
IGN’s review of the episode pointed out that “the spark of something is still there between Genesis and Caleb (and maybe Darem and Jay-Den too), but Caleb’s all wrapped up in his Tarima drama, and who can blame him? As for Darem and Jay-Den, obviously the Klingon and Kyle are a thing now” . From this perspective, Kyle is just a normal guy caught in the middle of a complicated love triangle.
The look Kyle gave Jay-Den at the end could simply be him noticing that his boyfriend is paying a little too much attention to his best friend. That is a human reaction, not necessarily a spy’s calculation.
What Episode 7 Revealed About the Relationships
Regardless of the spy theory, Episode 7 made one thing clear: Jay-Den and Darem share a profound connection. Jay-Den acted as the “truth teller” for Darem, calling him out on his mask and his cowardice. He pushed Darem to be honest with himself, which ultimately led to Darem being released from his marriage vows .
This level of emotional intimacy is rare. If Kyle is a spy, his mission is working perfectly because he now has access to all of Jay-Den’s emotional data. If Kyle is just a boyfriend, he might be watching his relationship crumble in real time.
VvipTimes recapped the episode by noting the “care” the show took in handling these relationships. “Early in the season, it seemed like the show might push Genesis and Caleb together romantically, or even Darem and Jay-Den. But ‘Ko’Zeine’ made it clear that these are deep, platonic friendships” . However, the recap also acknowledged that Darem’s relationship with Kyle is “acknowledged as a real connection,” leaving the door open for future drama.
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What Happens Next?
With only three episodes left in the season, the show is running out of time to introduce a major spy twist. However, the return of the villainous Nus Braka (Paul Giamatti) could change everything. If Section 31 is involved in the larger conflict with the Furies, Kyle could be activated as an asset at any moment.
For now, the theory remains just that—a theory. But it shows how engaged the audience is with these characters. Whether Kyle is a spy or just a guy with a bad feeling about his boyfriend’s friendship, Dale Whibley has successfully made viewers pay attention to every single glance.
New episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy stream every Thursday on Paramount+ in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. Viewers in India can watch the series on JioCinema.
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