David Bianculli

Its final episode was televised in June 1969, one month before Neil Armstrong landed on the moon.

But in syndication in the 1970s, Star Trek grew a large cult following and began its string of successful series and movies.

Sixty years later, the newest incarnation is called Star Trek Starfleet Academy, an eight-episode first season premiering with a double header on Paramount+.

Viewers without any Star Trek expertise, or with hazy memories, can enjoy the new adventures out of context.

But there are echoes and Easter eggs throughout for those who catch them.

Previous starship captains, including James T. Kirk, are referenced.

A few characters from old series reappear.

And even the classic Stardate opening is retained.

This time, it comes from Holly Hunter, who plays Nala Aki, the captain of the USS Athena, which in time becomes the floating classroom that is part of Starfleet Academy.

Starfleet Academy is in a rebuilding phase.

The first episode has the retired Captain Nala, she's half-human and more than 400 years old, becoming Chancellor of the Academy, with the Athena as its university in space.

The faculty members allow for some familiar faces from previous Star Trek series, including Tig Notaro from Discovery and Robert Picardo from Voyager.

But the focus is just as much on the students, which allows relative unknowns like Sandro Rasta and Bella Shepard to not only reach for the stars, but try to become them.

Another young standout is Karis Brooks, who plays Sam.

She's a sentient hologram, the first of her kind.

She finds a particular delight when describing herself to Robert Picardo's The Doctor, a holographic physician who, like Captain Nala, has been around for centuries.

Paramount Plus has made six of the first season's eight episodes available to critics, and they're a strong addition to the canon.

Creator Gaia Violo and showrunner Noga Landau have worked with their staff of writers, directors, and production designers to give Starfleet Academy a modern, youthful sheen.

The sets are brighter.

The dialogue is sharper, with more expletives than expected from the elders as well as the kids.