Feb. 2, 2026

It's All About SAM in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Episode 105 “Series Acclimation Mil”

If you’ve been waiting for an episode that leans into one of Starfleet Academy’s most delightful and quietly fascinating characters, this might be your week.

Episode 105, “Series Acclimation Mil,” beams in this Thursday, and with a title like that, all holo projectors are on our favorite photonic being, Sam, played by Kerrice Brooks.

As the cadets continue to settle into Academy life, this episode looks like it’s asking some big questions about identity, purpose, and what it really means to choose your own path, especially when your existence is already a little… unconventional.

Here’s the official synopsis for episode 105:

As a cadet sets out to solve an ancient Starfleet mystery, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learns the value of forging her own path. Meanwhile, Nahla agrees to help a fellow chancellor with an elaborate alien ritual.

Written by Kirsten Beyer and Tawny Newsome and directed by Larry Teng, “Series Acclimation Mil” sounds like it’s blending classic Star Trek curiosity with character-driven storytelling, while still keeping that Academy flavor front and center.

Scroll down to check out 14 new images from this week’s episode, and make sure to join us LIVE this Thursday on YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook at 9:30 PM for our full review. And if you missed any of the journey so far, be sure to check out our previous episode reviews as well.

Class is in session, and this week, the lesson might just be about becoming who you were always meant to be.

"Series Acclimation Mil" Episode Images:

Robert Picardo as The Doctor and Tig Notaro as Reno in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

Romeo Carere as Ocam in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

Kerrice Brooks as SAM, George Hawkins as Darem, Romeo Carere as Ocam, and Bella Shepard as Genesis in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland Paramount+

Bella Shepard as Genesis in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

Karim Diane as Jay-Den, George Hawkins as Darem, Kerrice Brooks as SAM, Bella Shepard as Genesis, and Sandro Rosta as Caleb in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland Paramount+

Kerrice Brooks as SAM in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

Kerrice Brooks as SAM in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland Paramount+

Kerrice Brooks as SAM, Romeo Carere as Ocam, and Karim Diane as Jay-Den in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

Holly Hunter as Captain Nahla Ake in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

George Hawkins as Darem in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

Raoul Bhaneja as Commander Kelric in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

Sandro Rosta as Caleb, George Hawkins as Darem, and Kerrice Brooks as SAM in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

Robert Picardo as The Doctor, Tig Notaro as Reno, Raoul Bhaneja as Commander Kelric, and Holly Hunter as Captain Nahla Ake in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

Romeo Carere as Ocam, Karim DianÈ as Jay-Den, Sandro Rosta as Caleb, George Hawkins as Darem, and Bella Shepard as Genesis in season 1, episode 5, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer Paramount+

Julian Brown

Creator & Co-Host

Julian is the creator and co-host of Strange New Pod. His first experience with Star Trek was TNG and The Undiscovered Country. On his off days, he likes long walks on the beaches of Risa. Strives for the rest of his team to read the outline.

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