The new season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has been streaming on Paramount+ since January 15, and while the show brings fresh faces and new storylines to the beloved franchise, one particular scene has sparked a heated debate among Trekkies. Holly Hunter, who plays Chancellor Captain Nahla Ake, has drawn criticism from some fans for the way she sits in the captain’s chair. But now her co-star, Paul Giamatti, is speaking out in her defense.
The debate centers on a moment in Episode 6, titled “Come, Let’s Away,” where Hunter’s character curls up in the center seat, sprawled out like a cat, reading a book while wearing glasses. For some traditionalists, this casual posture felt like a disrespect to the iconic chair that captains like Kirk, Picard, and Janeway once occupied. However, Giamatti, a lifelong Star Trek fan himself, sees things very differently.
Paul Giamatti Shares His Take on Holly Hunter’s Unique Performance
In a recent conversation on The D-Con Chamber, hosted by former Star Trek: Enterprise stars Connor Trinneer and Dominic Keating, Paul Giamatti opened up about working alongside Holly Hunter. When asked about her choice to sit barefoot and curled up in the captain’s chair, Giamatti made his feelings clear .
“I think that the idea that she had her shoes off was in the script, and I think that she just ran with that. And I think she ran with being [420] years old. She’s been around for a long time, so I think she doesn’t really give a sh*t. She’s just been everywhere and seen everything, and there’s this kind of ease in the world.”
“The first time I saw her [sit in the Captain’s chair], we went onto the set for the bridge, and she got in the chair like that, I just thought it was great. I’m sure there’s people who would [be] outraged… But I’m an old Star Trek fan, and I thought, ‘That’s great.’ What a great thing that somebody is just gonna be that comfortable in there, and it’s a different kind of command stuff, you know.”
Giamatti’s response highlights an important detail about the character that some viewers may have missed. Captain Ake is a 420-year-old half-Lanthanite who has lived through centuries of Starfleet history. Her laid-back style, including going barefoot and lounging in her chair, reflects someone who has seen it all and no longer feels the need to stand on ceremony .
Holly Hunter’s Vision for Captain Ake’s Physicality
The Oscar-winning actress didn’t just randomly decide to sit that way. Holly Hunter has explained that her approach to the character was carefully thought out and discussed with executive producer Alex Kurtzman. During a Television Critics Association press conference in January, Hunter shared the reasoning behind her character’s physical choices .
“Alex had written that my character was barefoot and I loved that,” Hunter said. “That kind of opened up this whole idea of what she might be like, physically, for me.” She also revealed that her character’s name, Nahla Ake, means “water in the desert,” which inspired her to bring “a kind of fluidity to the character” .
Hunter and Kurtzman spent time rehearsing on the bridge set, working out blocking and discussing ideas. “We went over scenes on the set, just him and me, just talking about ideas and talking about blocking ideas,” she explained .
Why Some Fans Are Unhappy with the Captain’s Chair Scene
Despite the thoughtful approach behind the performance, a segment of the Star Trek fanbase has been vocal about their disapproval. Online forums and social media platforms have seen heated discussions about whether Hunter’s portrayal fits the dignity expected of a Starfleet captain .
Some critics argue that the captain’s chair should be treated with more respect, comparing it to a throne that represents authority and command. Others have taken issue with what they see as the show’s shift toward a more casual, “Gen Z” tone that differs from earlier Trek series .
The backlash has been harsh enough that Kate Mulgrew, who played Captain Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager, stepped in to defend Hunter. When a Facebook user made a crude comment suggesting Janeway should travel back in time to discipline “Captain Mumbles,” Mulgrew fired back :
“On the contrary, sending you and every other disrespectful troglodyte who insults my fellow Captain & Starfleet officer to the brig where you belong. Keep Janeway’s good name out of it. Dismissed.”
Mulgrew’s strong response shows that the actors who have played these iconic roles support Hunter’s fresh take on command.
Paul Giamatti’s Lifelong Dream of Joining Star Trek
For Paul Giamatti, being part of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy represents the fulfillment of a childhood dream. The actor has been open about his love for the franchise, which began when he was just seven years old watching reruns of the original series with his father, A. Bartlett Giamatti, who was the president of Yale University and later the commissioner of Major League Baseball .
“I was probably 7, maybe, and I think he identified me as the one of his three kids who would probably be really into this,” Giamatti recalled in an interview with People magazine. “He was really psyched that was on again, and so he kind of sat me down and I watched it with him, and that’s when it started” .
The actor had mentioned for years that he would love to play a Klingon, never actually expecting it to happen. “People would say, ‘Well, who would you like to play someday?’ and I’d say a Klingon, never thinking it would actually happen,” he said. “So dream come true. You can manifest your dreams, kids” .
In Starfleet Academy, Giamatti plays Nus Braka, a villain who is half-Klingon and half-Tellarite. When the makeup team told him about the hybrid concept, he was thrilled. “I was like, ‘The pig guys?’ Because I remembered them from the original series,” he said excitedly. “And I said, ‘Well, now you have two really aggressive races too, so I’m going to be super-aggressive’” .
Holly Hunter’s Childhood Connection to Star Trek
Like Giamatti, Holly Hunter also grew up watching Star Trek. She remembers viewing the original series with her father and brothers, drawing parallels between the show and the westerns she enjoyed .
“It was very iconic and very Gary Cooper-ish, you know? It had some of the same feeling that westerns had for me when I first started watching the show,” Hunter said. She noted that Star Trek carries deep nostalgic meaning for many people. “It can start at the beginning of your life or in your actual childhood when you are surrounded by your home, your family, your home television set. All that stuff comes back to you with the two words, ‘Star Trek’” .
What the Controversy Says About Star Trek Fandom
The debate over Holly Hunter’s captain’s chair scene reflects a larger divide within the Star Trek community. According to fan reviews aggregated by various sites, the show has an 88% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes but only a 43% audience score, suggesting that while professional reviewers appreciate the new direction, some longtime fans are resistant to change .
Some fans have pushed back against what they see as “review bombing” driven by cultural politics rather than genuine criticism of the show’s quality. On Reddit, one fan wrote, “Academy is good and I realized I dont like this community,” expressing frustration with the negativity surrounding the series .
Others have pointed out that Star Trek has always been progressive. From the original series’ commentary on racial discrimination to The Next Generation’s exploration of ethics and humanity, the franchise has never shied away from challenging conventions .
How Captain Ake Fits Into Star Trek’s Legacy
Despite the controversy, many viewers appreciate what Holly Hunter brings to the role. Her character represents something new in Star Trek: a captain who has lived so long and experienced so much that she no longer feels bound by rigid protocols. Yet when danger strikes, as seen in Episode 6 when Nus Braka hands the Federation a major defeat, Captain Ake shifts instantly into a more traditional command mode .
This duality shows that Hunter’s choices aren’t about disrespecting Starfleet traditions but about creating a fully realized character with depth and complexity. As Giamatti noted, her approach makes sense for someone who has been around for over four centuries.
The show also features other legacy characters, including Robert Picardo reprising his role as the holographic Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager, and Tig Notaro returning as Jett Reno. Picardo’s character has also evolved, now using contemporary language and even occasional profanity to connect with a new generation of cadets .
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Where to Watch Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is currently streaming on Paramount+ in the United States. The first season consists of 10 episodes, with new episodes releasing every Thursday. The show premiered on January 15, 2026, with a double-episode launch, and will continue through mid-March .
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the series is also available on Paramount+. Canadian viewers can stream the show on Paramount+ as well. In Australia, the series is available on Paramount+. Indian audiences can watch the show on JioCinema, which carries Paramount+ content.
The series introduces a new class of cadets played by Sandro Rosta, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, and Karim Diané, alongside veterans like Hunter, Giamatti, Picardo, and Notaro .
A second season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is already in production, indicating that Paramount+ has confidence in the show’s future despite the mixed fan reactions .
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