John Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 4,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises.
Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1, Episode 3 -"Vitus Reflux"Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and the War College are represented by a pair of familiar alien creatures first seen in Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Directed by Doug Aarniokoski, and written by Alex Taub & Kiley Rossetter, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 3 centers on the rivalry between the two schools sharing the USS Athena's campus. After centuries of producing Starfleet Officers, Starfleet Academy was shut down due to The Burn breaking the United Federation of Planets apart. In its stead, the Federation founded the War College to train new Starfleet Officers for a different mission: fighting and defending the Federation instead of exploration and scientific pursuits. The reopening of Starfleet Academy didn't scuttle the War College. Both universities now exist side by side, with their cadets becoming naturally competitive. Since Starfleet Academy and the War College both host athletic competitions, their sports teams have mascots based on alien species Star Trek fans will recognize. Starfleet Academy's Mugato Mascot Is From Star Trek: The Original Series The War College's mascot is the Mugato, which was first seen in Star Trek: The Original Series season 2, episode 6,"A Private Little War." The Mugato is a fearsome, horned, white ape-like creature that's native to the planet Neural. The Mugato attacked Captain James T. Kirk , who nearly died from its poison. It took 53 years for the Mutago to return. In Star Trek: Lower Decks season 2, episode 4,"Mugato, Gumato," the USS Cerritos discovered Ferengi poachers were killing Mugatos to harvest and sell their horns. The Mugato became a protected endangered species, with Starfleet convincing the Ferengi that it would be more profitable to create a Mugato nature preserve.The Mutagos' aggressive reputation makes them an ideal mascot for the War College in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Amusingly, Caleb Mir wore a replicated Mugato costume to infiltrate the War College dorms and help Starfleet Academy win their prank war in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 3. Starfleet Academy's Lapling Mascot Is From Star Trek: The Next Generation Starfleet Academy's mascot, the Lapling, is more of a deep-cut Star Trek reference. The Laplings' lone appearance was in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3, episode 22,"The Most Toys," as part of Kivas Fajo's menagerie that he attempted to add Lt. Commander Data to. Dive into Star Trek mascot lore - subscribe to the newsletter Subscribe to the newsletter for curated coverage of Star Trek lore, including obscure creatures, mascot histories, and canon ties that deepen your appreciation and show how small details connect across the franchise. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. The Lapling is an adorable cross of a frog with the beak of a bird, and the defenseless little creature is a curious choice for Starfleet Academy's mascot. Perhaps its fitting that Commander Lura Thok chose Ocam Sadal to wear Starfleet Academy's Lapling costume, as the young Betazoid is one of the most amusingly hapless Starfleet Academy cadets.Both mascots played the targets in Starfleet Academy and the War College's high-tension game of Calica in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 3. Along with cadets donning costumes of the mascots to rally cadets for athletic events, both the Lapling and the Mugato are emblazoned on Starfleet Academy and the War College's school banners. 25 8.7/10 Star Trek: Starfleet Academy 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed Drama Science Fiction Fantasy Release Date January 15, 2026 Network Paramount+ Showrunner Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau Directors Alex Kurtzman Writers Gaia Violo, Gene Roddenberry Cast See All
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's Wall Of Heroes - 10 Biggest SurprisesJohn Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 4,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises.
Read more »
IDW April 2026 Full Solicits With New Star Trek: Starfleet AcademyIDW's April 2026 solicits and solicitations include the launch of Event Horizon: Inferno 1, Sleepy Hollow: The WItches Of The Western Wood 1, Star Trek Starfleet Academy: Lost Contact 1 as well as lots of Turtles, Godzilla, Sonic, Quiet Place, Smile and more.
Read more »
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Gina Yashere On Lura Thok And Jett Reno's RelationshipJohn Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 4,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises.
Read more »
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy S1E3 Recap: Prank War Victory & Character GrowthJohn Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 4,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises.
Read more »
‘Starfleet Academy’ Makes a Prank War Out of One of the Oldest Debates in ‘Star Trek’'Vitus Reflux' pushes the show's balance between 'Star Trek' ideas and its youthful vibe to a fun, if fruitless, stretching point.
Read more »
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Actors On Originating New Alien SpeciesJohn Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 4,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises.
Read more »