Get a Sneak Peek at 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Episode 5: SAM Tries to Solve an Ancient Mystery (Exclusive)

Last week’s episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy taught us that not all Klingons are into death and battle as the character-centric episode focused on cadet Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diané), the sole Klingon at Starfleet Academy. This week’s episode focuses on SAM (Kerrice Brooks) the first holographic—or photonic, as she prefers to be called—student at the academy. This episode is a more lighthearted one with some laughs coming from scenes with the instructors and administrators.

In Season 1, Episode 5, SAM—which stands for Series Acclimation Mil—tries to solve an ancient mystery and ends up going on a journey of self-discovery, much like Data (Brent Spiner) did throughout the run of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Without spoiling anything, fans of a particular Star Trek series will likely enjoy this episode and we’ll also see the return of a few familiar characters. Meanwhile, Nahla (Holly Hunter) helps Chancellor Kelric (Raoul Bhaneja) with an elaborate and complicated alien ritual and ropes in others to help.

Here’s everything to know about Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1, Episode 5, airing Thursday, Feb. 5 on Paramount+. Don’t forget to check out the Parade exclusive sneak peek!

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What is Star Trek: Starfleet Academy about?

This new Paramount+ series follows a group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they will discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers. But as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries and first loves, the cadets must also face a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.

What happened in last week’s episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

Karim Diané as Jay-Den

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In “Vox in Excelso,” the fourth episode of Season 1, the cadets headed into debates with The Doctor (Robert Picardo) leading the charge. We learned that Jay-Den (Karim Diané) has a great deal of anxiety when it comes to speaking in public. Details were also revealed from his past—including how he got to Starfleet Academy.

Karim Diané, Martin Roach, Sean Jones, Tremaine Nelson and Dorothy Atabong

An existential crisis threatened to wipe out the Klingon race after a refugee ship carrying the last remaining Klingon houses suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure and crashed. It’s feared that Jay-Den’s parents—played by Martin Roach and Dorothy Atabong—are among those on board. Jay-Den is forced to confront his past and strained relationship with his family, while Nahla (Hunter) races against time to save the Klingons from extinction.

Related: Every ‘Star Trek’ Captain, Ranked

What happens in this week’s episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

From left to right: Sandro Rosta as Caleb, George Hawkins as Darem and Kerrice Brooks as SAM

In this week’s brand new episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, we get to know SAM (Brooks), the first photonic student at Starfleet Academy. As SAM 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 Chancellor Kelric (Bhaneja) with an elaborate alien ritual.

When does the next episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy drop?

Season 1, Episode 5 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy—titled “Series Acclimation Mil”—premieres on Thursday, Feb. 5 on Paramount+.

How to watch Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Starfleet Academy streams exclusively on Paramount+.

What time do new episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy come out?

New episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy drop Thursdays on Paramount+. Episodes typically become available on the streamer at 12:00 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET on Thursday mornings.

Related: Holly Hunter Reveals the Unexpected Challenge of Her New ‘Star Trek’ Role