March 11, 2026

The Final Test: Starfleet Academy Season 1 Finale “Rubincon” Preview

After a season of trials, personal growth, and narrow escapes, we have reached the end of the line.

The training simulations are over, and the future of the Federation is officially in the hands of the freshman class.

The Starfleet Academy season finale, “Rubincon,” beams in this Thursday. While we’ve seen Nahla navigate bureaucracy and training protocols all year, this week she faces a ghost from her past that threatens to burn everything down. With an existential threat looming, the distinction between "instructor" and "cadet" vanishes.

The Official Synopsis

When an old enemy resurfaces as an existential threat to the Federation, Nahla must outwit a vengeful foe with a personal vendetta against her -- as our cadets and instructors undertake a dangerous, seemingly impossible, mission to save everyone and everything they hold dear.

The teleplay for "Rubincon" was written by Alex Kurtzman and Kirsten Beyer based on a story by Noga Landau and Gaia Violo. The episode was directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi.

Scroll down to check out 6 new images from the season finale! And make sure to join us LIVE this Thursday on YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook at 9:30 PM for our final review of the season on Episode 278 of Strange New Pod.

"Rubincon" Episode Images:

Tatiana Maslany as Anisha in season 1, episode 10, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland Paramount+

Robert Picardo as The Doctor and Holly Hunter as Captain Nahla Ake in season 1, episode 10, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland Paramount+

Holly Hunter as Captain Nahla Ake in season 1, episode 10, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland Paramount+

Holly Hunter as Captain Nahla Ake in season 1, episode 10, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Michael Gibson Paramount+

Gina Yashere as Lura Thok and Oded Fehr as Charles Vance in season 1, episode 10, of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Michael Gibson Paramount+

Julian Brown

Creator & Founder

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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