Star Trek Legacy Mentors For Starfleet Academy Cadets

Warning: SPOILERS For Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1A handful of legends from Star Trek's past would be the ideal mentors for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's cadets. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy introduced seven young heroes who are the main students of Captain Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) and the instructors serving on the USS Athena, the starship that doubles as Starfleet Academy.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is about the Class of 3196. Beginning in 3192, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy centers on the first group of cadets to study on Earth, in San Francisco, since The Burn happened over a century before. Along with Chancellor Ake, Starfleet Academy boasts excellent instructors, including The Doctor (Robert Picardo) and Commander Jett Reno (Tig Notaro).

Sadly, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy won't continue after season 2. This cuts off the cadets' Starfleet careers after their sophomore year. The cadets will continue to evolve in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 2, but based on what we've learned about them (and what they've learned about themselves) at the end of season 1, here are the best Star Trek legacy mentors for each cadet.

7 Series Acclimation Mil - Captain Benjamin Sisko

It's a no-brainer that Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) would be a fantastic mentor for Series Acclimation Mil (Kerrice Brooks). SAM already sought out Sisko to better understand her mission as Emissary to her people, the Kasqians. Meeting Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) and Professor Illa Dax (Tawny Newsome) in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 5 further inspired SAM to excel as an Emissary.

If Captain Sisko mentored SAM, then the photonic cadet would learn the finer points of leadership and sacrifice from her fellow Emissary. As Jake's father, Benjamin has the compassion and patience needed by a teenager searching for their own path in life. Series Acclimation Mil can also emulate Captain Sisko's daring to think outside the box and break the rules when necessary.

6 Ocam Sadal - Nyota Uhura

Ocam Sadal (Romeo Carere) has been a welcome comic relief since he joined Starfleet Academy. A Betazoid like his sister, Tarima Sadal (Zoë Steiner), Ocam has been cheerfully supportive of his friends in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1. A self-proclaimed "joiner," perhaps Ocam might be suited for the role of a Communications Officer.

Nyota Uhura, whether it's the younger version played by Celia Rose Gooding in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds or Nichelle Nichols' mature Lieutenant in Star Trek: The Original Series, would not only be amused by Ocam, but also embodies the value of understanding her crew. Uhura overcame her own uncertainty to become a Starfleet legend, which would be inspiring to cadet Sadal.

5 Tarima Sadal - Captain Worf

Tarima Sadal may be a Betazoid, but Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) wouldn't necessarily be the right mentor for her. Tarima has a volatility that comes from harboring immense psychic power that makes her a danger to others. Tarima initially joined the War College to learn marital skills, which points to her ideal guru who would motivate Tarima to never give in to her fear of herself.

The gruff and intimidating Captain Worf (Michael Dorn) would be an excellent teacher for Tarima Sadal. Star Trek's greatest Klingon is far from a great father, but he was a caring and effective mentor to Ensign Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill) on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Worf responds well to powerful women, and the Klingon who could mold Tarima into a warrior with a compassionate heart.

4 Jay-Den Kraag - Dr. Beverly Crusher

Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diané) seems destined to become a doctor, and possibly even the Chief Medical Officer of a starship. Despite The Doctor's presence in Starfleet Academy, there's another legendary Starfleet physician who would be the perfect mentor to the sensitive Klingon healer: Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden).

One of the greatest doctors in Starfleet history, Beverly Crusher has plenty of experience working with Klingons, thanks to her years serving with Worf on the USS Enterprise-D and E. Beverly is a compassionate mother to two sons who have coped with their share of troubles, and she is a genius-level doctor who headed Starfleet Medical. There isn't much Jay-Den wouldn't learn from Dr. Crusher.

3 Darem Reymi - Lieutenant Tom Paris

Darem Reymi (George Hawkins) is a complex young Khionan with parental issues, but at Starfleet Academy, Darem projects himself as a swaggering 'big man on campus' who is attracted to Jay-Den Kraag. In Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1's finale, Darem also revealed piloting skills that impressed Commander Jett Reno.

All of this makes Lieutenant Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) Darem Reymi's mentor with the right stuff. Paris overcame his troubles with Starfleet to become a legendary starship helmsman, and he can show Darem how to mature beyond his cocksure swagger. Tom also knows a thing or two about romancing Klingons. After all, Paris is married to Lt. Commander B'Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson).

2 Genesis Lythe - Captain Christopher Pike

Genesis Lythe's (Bella Shepard) singular determination, Starfleet knowledge, and dedication point to Cadet Lythe making her dream of becoming a Captain come true. Genesis has many role models to choose from, including Captain Ake and her own father, a Starfleet Admiral. However, a 23rd-century Captain of the Enterprise could teach Genesis how to overcome her insecurity and be a great leader.

The legendary Star Trek Captain who could best mentor Genesis Lythe is Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). On Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Pike is surrounded by his handpicked crew of smart and capable women on the USS Enterprise. Chris could teach Genesis the importance of listening to your crew's expert advice before making the hard call while also silencing your inner doubts.

1 Caleb Mir - Colonel Kira Nerys

Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta) benefits from two exceptional female role models, Captain Nahla Ake and his mother, Anisha Mir (Tatiana Maslany). The brilliant, troubled, and rebellious Caleb could learn a great deal from another powerful woman in Star Trek history: Colonel Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor).

Caleb spent 15 years surviving in the 32nd century, while Kira spent her whole life fighting the Cardassians occupying Bajor. Kira also gradually came to believe in Starfleet after a rocky start, just like Caleb. Cadet Mir would respond well to the no-nonsense Kira, who doesn't suffer fools, and they would find kinship in their tough outer shells hiding a great capacity for love and loyalty.

None of this is to say that any of these Star Trek legacy characters will appear in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 2. However, there are numerous sci-fi means, from holograms to time travel, to bring in legends from Star Trek's past. Each of these Star Trek icons would have a universe of wisdom to share with our newest generation of Starfleet cadets.