Star Trek's New Show Is One Step Away From "Harry Potter In Space"

The basic premise of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy involves bright young things of the 32nd century being put through their paces on the path to becoming Starfleet officers and representatives of the Federation. Naturally, then, the new series has certain aspects in common with other school-based movies and TV shows from across the years. Caleb Mir certainly has a sprinkling of Zack Morris about him.

But it seems to be Harry Potter that Starfleet Academy bears the strongest resemblance to, with the hallowed halls of the James T. Kirk Pavillion standing in for the grandiose architecture of Hogwarts. This isn't a criticism. Harry Potter is a very popular franchise with plenty of universal themes, and similarities aside, Starfleet Academy still feels very much like a Star Trek TV show.

Still, once you start noticing the Potter-isms, it's hard to stop.

Starfleet Academy's Characters Have Counterparts In Harry Potter

Caleb Mir - As the leader of Starfleet Academy's ensemble and a prodigious talent, it's hard to look past anyone other than Harry Potter himself as the counterpart to Caleb Mir. The fact that Mir spends much time brooding about his missing mother only brings him nearer to Daniel Radcliffe's orphaned wizard.

Genesis Lythe - Perhaps the most obvious Star Trek/Harry Potter mirror image, Genesis is quite clearly the 32nd century's answer to Hermione Granger. Studious and smart to the extreme, there's a scene in Starfleet Academy episode 4 where Genesis raises her hand to answer a class question like it's her most natural reflex. Hermione would be proud.

Darem Reymi - Aloof upper-class attitude? Toxic parents who never showed proper love? Acts like a jerk but is really a good guy at heart? You must be Draco Malfoy!

SAM - Lighthearted, innocent, and often existing within her own happy bubble, SAM is the Luna Lovegood of Starfleet Academy. Luna, of course, hid an inner steel beneath her fairy-like persona, and SAM has shown hints of the same during her brief appearances so far.

Jay-Den Kraag - The destruction of Qo'noS meant Jay-Den experienced a childhood free from luxuries, but a strong bond with his elder sibling carried him through. He joins Starfleet as an awkward student who would rather fade into the background than make a name for himself, but has the courage to stand up for his friends nonetheless. As he develops a brother-like bond with Caleb, Jay-Den is one bad sweater away from being Ron Weasley.

Nahla Ake - A chancellor who bends the rules, befriends her students, and is relaxed to the point where you question how she's still in the job, Dumbledore and Nahla Ake clearly went to the same teaching college. Over 400 years old, Ake also has a similar air of mystery about her.

Lura Thok - Every super-chill headmaster/chancellor needs a second-in-command who takes the harder line with unruly students, but still carries a softness at heart. Just as Album Dumbledore had Minerva McGonagall, Nahla Ake has Lura Thok.

The parallels between Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Harry Potter aren't just limited to the characters. As a petty criminal who bounced from one misadventure (to prison) to the next, Caleb Mir spent his entire life in a different world than most Starfleet cadets are used to, and this forces him to examine his place in the same way Harry Potter often examined his place in the wizarding world after being raised by muggles.

And despite taking place in a galaxy of alien life and infinite dangers, Starfleet Academy still finds time to test its students with more normal teenage dilemmas - debate contests, making friends, studying, etc. Especially in the earlier movies, the same contrast underpinned Harry Potter's story. The rivalry between Starfleet Academy and the War College even matches the kind of semi-friendly feud seen between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

Starfleet Academy Needs One More Element From Harry Potter

A central pillar of the Harry Potter franchise was the main group of students becoming embroiled in conspiracies that really should have been left for the adults to resolve. 11-year-olds shouldn't have to face down the most dangerous dark wizard who ever lived, and final year exams shouldn't involve defending the school from a literal army, but that's what makes the plot exciting.

Thus far, Caleb and his Starfleet Academy pals have mostly avoided dangers above their station. An early brush with Nus Braka aside, the biggest threat the cadets have faced has been a giant talking plant. It's still early days for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, but this is an element that should become more prevalent as season 1 continues. Prank wars and school rivalries are fine, but these students need to find themselves out of their depth and contending with a villain even the most seasoned Starfleet captain wouldn't want to name out loud.