Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Coming of Age (1988) User Reviews

A transitional episode.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 11 November 2014]

"Coming of Age" is an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" that is very transitional in nature. In other words, it concerns events that will SOON be unfolding. Because of that, you might not enjoy the episode so much until you learn more about what REALLY is happening. In one plot, Lt. Cmdr. Remmick and Admiral Quinn later appear in "Conspiracy"--and exactly WHO they are and WHAT they are doing finally becomes apparent. Here in this particular episode, however, their goals are unclear and the pair are involved in some sort of loyalty investigation--and it comes off a bit like the investigations during the so-called 'Red Scare' of the late 1940s and into the 50s. The other plot involves Acting Ensign Crusher going to take the Starfleet exam. While Crusher does not yet enter the academy, this will take up quite a bit of the show later--when he is absent from the ship and a few episodes involve his academy life.

Despite not having the answers, this is a very good episode and when seen as a whole, they are excellent and should be seen by fans. Well worth seeing and well written.

Coming of Age

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 14 June 2012]

This probably should be watched in a two-part double header with "Conspiracy". It seems like the conspiracy storyline involving high ranking members of Starfleet, "controlled" by a "parasitic evil from within" should have produced an over-arching influence on future seasons, but it all ends towards the end of the first season with the aforementioned, "Conspiracy". Mysteriously, Admiral Quinn (Ward Costello), an old friend of Picard's, comes on board the Enterprise with an investigative officer, Lt. Commander Dexter Remmick (Robert Schenkkan) hiding his reasons under a cloak of secrecy. What are Quinn and Dexter after—it seems to be Picard! Through a confrontational, antagonistic, bluntly authoritative manner that polarizes all those he interviews intensely, Remmick makes enemies with all of Picard's main crew, as he pursues any strange "discrepancies" or questionable decisions and behavior that would offer proof of "something wrong". Quinn later explains that this investigation is about making sure Picard was on "the up and up" so he could have the Captain promoted to Admiral and head over Starfleet Academy! Obviously Picard wasn't ready to leave the Enterprise so this will be turned down, but this will not be the last time Quinn and Remmick will be seen: fascinating enough, these two, dedicated in trying to prove the Federation was being invaded from within the most powerful positions, fall prey to the very "corrupting influence" they were after. Meanwhile, the other portion of the episode shows Wesley Crusher on a planet taking a series of difficult tests against a few hopefuls to enter Starfleet Academy. A distressed officer on board the Enterprise (Wesley beat out to win the coveted spot to take the tests on the planet) steals a shuttlecraft, with plans to meet a freighter, losing power, heading for the planet's atmosphere, certain to burn up unless Picard (Remmick watching, with plenty of questions towards his curious methods) can save him out of harm's way. Mordock, a Benzite, is one of the Starfleet hopefuls who befriends Wesley (Wesley even helps him win a test, almost breaking a record, sacrificing his own results), as a female Vulcan and a cute human girl (who calls Wesley cute with him gushing) also participate in the round of tests. Wesley's score just falls short and in disappointment doesn't think he deserves to join the Enterprise crew in the Admiral's farewell dinner, Picard admitting he himself failed the first time! It is a nice bonding moment for Picard and Wesley. The interviews between Rimmick and Picard's crew (Troi, LaForge, Data, Riker, Worf, and Crusher) are among the best scenes in the episode, strongly defending their Captain and his abilities in the position over the Enterprise. When Rimmick proclaims he would like to serve on the Enterprise when his current duties are over, it is a testament to the way Picard operates as leader and Captain.

Evaluation, that's the name of the game

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 8 October 2018]

In this TNG story the Enterprise is hosting a few visitors. Admiral Ward Costello and his aide Robert Schenkkman are on board, but the Admiral won't tell Patrick Stewart the reason for the visit. In the meantime Schenkkman who is an officious little twit goes around the ship poking his nose into a lot of places that don't concern him. That has the crew really annoyed and Jonathan Frakes duly reports said annoyance to the captain.

I think the subplot is stronger however. Commander Robert Ito and a few candidates for StarFleet Academy are also on board and the Enterprise is used as a training exercise field. That offers no advantage to Wil Wheaton who is one of those candidates. Some really interesting tests are given the candidates, especially the last one for Wesley Crusher who is reminded of the great family tragedy in his life.

Nicely done with both Costello and Schenkkman returning in the future in the same characters.

A prelude to a future episode

[russem31 · 11 April 2006]

ST:TNG:19 - "Coming Of Age" (Stardate: 41416.2) - this episode begins the problems in the highest ranks of Starfleet that will be concluded in the late 1st season episode "Conspiracy". In fact, the very two guest stars that starred in this episode will make a return in the aforementioned future episode - that being Ward Costello as Admiral Gregory Quinn and Robert Schenkkan as the hated Lt. Cmdr. Dexter Remmick. Meanwhile, Wesley goes off to take the strenuous Starfleet Academy entrance exam, competing against 3 other candidates for the 1 open position. This episode also makes mention of previous season 1 episodes including "Where No One Has Gone Before", "The Battle", and "Justice".

Dadriffic Picard moments.

[thevacinstaller · 6/10 · 4 March 2021]

It's pretty neat to make a visit to a starfleet training center. I always enjoyed the starfleet academy centric episodes of TNG. Our very own wonder child --- Wesley Crushers does not succeed in getting the starfleet academy posting and given his prominence in previous episodes that is a bit surprising --- but I like to be surprised.

It was nice how the writers tied in Picard's decision to stay on as Captain with saving the life of Jake. Picard is definitely having a few surrogate dad moments in this one ---- he tells Wesley that he also failed his first attempt to get into the Academy ---- I think he was just throwing Wesley a little life preserver to feel better about not making the cut. This is Jean Luc Picard we are talking about.

We even get some slight Worf development in this one. We get some warrior wisdom, "Only fools have no fear..." and he drops some wisdom bombs on Wesley. Where's Tasha you ask? Tasha is currently standing behind Picard with folded arms.

The starfleet B plot is very 'after school special' in it's overall message. The message being that it is okay to lose if you did your best. It's like a motivational poster you would put in your office cubicle. In fairness --- Wesley works well with the Mordock character in this one and it was surprising that Wesley did not win.

My takeaway from the investigation A plot is that the crew of the enterprise has Captain Picard's back. Worf was 2 seconds away from hitting Remmick with a chair, Bev was giving him the death stare ---- sure, they forgot to ask Tasha Yar but she was too busy in her quarters looking in the mirror and saying, "I am a CROSBY, what the hell am i doing with my life here!?"

There was enough in this episode to keep me entertained with laying foundation for future episodes ---- It warms my heart to see crew camaraderie.

Oh o! It's time for a starfleet audit.

[amusinghandle · 6/10 · 30 December 2023]

It was unexpected that our favorite son Wesley Crusher did not win the honor of going to starfleet ----- you are universally accepted as #1 in our hearts though ---- What a selfless guy.

Remmick makes a good jerk inquisitor but we are going serialized with the ultimately plot resolution on this one. I did laugh out loud at the look of disdain on Picard's face when Remmick suggested he would like to be posted to the Enterprise after his witch hunts are over. "It'll be a cold day on Vulcan before any nose picking bureaucrat serves aboard my ship!"

I can appreciate good star trek ham ---- so, I enjoyed the whole Wesley Crusher academy plot.

I wonder if Picard was on the fence about his decision to leave the enterprise until he ran into the kid who failed the entrance exam who's life he saved with a classic Picard space maneuver.

I enjoyed Rikers 'diva' moment on the bridge. So dramatic!

Knowing where this episode leads to ----- There should have been a scene with Picard having a contemplative/reflective look out the window and pondering if his friend is a few cards short of a full deck.

Interesting but Not So Original

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 30 July 2014]

Until I started re watching this series, I didn't realize what a dominant presence Wesley was early on. He has already done two or three things that have saved the bacon of the crew. In this one he is about go to a place where he and three other candidates will vie for a single entry into Star Fleet Academy. Of course, the things they do are beyond our understanding (as well as the script writers). It's hard to imagine him having so much punch on board, but that's entertainment. The other, more serious, plot involves an investigation on board the Enterprise the object of which is completely hidden from us. An over-zealous investigator with no sense of humor and no tact begins to grill the crew. Everything seems to center around Picard's competence. The mysterious nature of this will apparently be explained at a later date, as my fellow reviewers have indicated. The Academy test is interesting with four candidates, one a Vulcan and the other a guy who apparently needs a tray under his chin to breath in some vapors. There is also the other earthling, a very attractive young woman who Wesley has a Crusher on (bad joke). Anyway, the final test, while interesting, has been done to death in other settings on other shows. Pretty easy to see it coming.

Admiral Picard?

[gritfrombray-1 · 10/10 · 8 August 2007]

We see Wesley taking his exams in this for his entry into starfleet academy in this. The other candidates are interesting and we get to see the first Benzite seen in the Trek lore. The differences the way the candidates handle the facets of the exam were interesting. The investigation on the Enterprise was an interesting subplot and set up a story to be concluded later. The crew's frustration at Remmick's grilling, looking for something wrong with the way the Enterprise is being ran was compelling viewing. Remmick eventually departs and asks to one day serve aboard Enterprise. Picard has a look of total disgust and shock and mildly turns away. Wesley fails to win an Academy place and Picard reveals he failed the first time and Wesley is a little reassured. Interesting episode that dealt with many new aspects of Starfleet and investigations

Starfleet Academy Logistics and Recruiting

[jurific · 8/10 · 27 October 2018]

A good episode for season 1. But I want to talk about this Starfleet Academy admittance procedure. This episode explains that only 1 (one*!) person per year is admitted to Starfleet from this planet. Now unless admission is based on world population, with an appropriate ratio, the implication seems to be one person per planet per year. Wesley has no connection to this plant, he just seems to be around here when the test is happening. In fact, AT LEAST 3 of the 4 applicants are certainly not born on this world (1 Vulcan, 1 Benzite, Wesley and another human), so already the logistics are confusing.

Now, I looked this up and there are 183 member species, and 895 Billion individual lives in the Federation. Lets assume each of those species have on average a few different well colonized planets - populous enough to merit academy testing. Now this episode means to tell us, that only one person per planet is able to START the training for Starfleet. if we multiply 183 member species by 4 colonised planets we get about 730 worlds. that is slightly over a billion lives per world so probably its being generous. So Starfleet, which is responsible for hundreds of billions of lives, is allowing 700 people maximum per year to go to Starfleet academy? Surely not everyone passes. If 600 of them graduate each year, is that really enough personnel to staff an organisation that has influence and responsibility over a quarter of the galaxy? I think not.

Does this mean Earth gets one applicant per year? How outrageous. Imagine if every country on Earth only hired one new policeman, one new fireman, or one new solider every year. Laughable. They even sound remorseful at the end when they declare its too bad because they would all make good candidates. Why would this system ever exist? What if Earth had 1000 great applicants and Vulcan's best 10 were all lesser applicants?

By my numbers it is safe to assume that even with a more generous future retirement ages (humans live to be older in Star Trek), there are only about 50,000 total active Starfleet officers. 50,000 for 895 Billion lives! For reference there are almost 1 Million Police officers in the United States of America, for only 300+ Million people. To say nothing of other services.

It's season one and the universe had not been as fleshed out but come on Gene. You invented this intergalactic Federation, and you invented its intergalactic military/police/exploration/diplomacy arm. This system is bogus and I am pretty sure Wesley does something different later anyway.

An Apt Title

[anarchistica · 8/10 · 20 March 2020]

It took 18 episodes but finally TNG *works*. Wunderkind Wesley at long last becomes a real boy. Picard really shines as both as a leader and a substitute father. And while the whole "mysterious threat" thing has been overplayed and makes you roll your eyes nowadays (see: JJ Abrams mystery box), here it is a detail, not the entire focus. Plus there's an actual payoff which isn't awful. Those were the days...

Trying to Uncover Dirt on Picard

[Samuel-Shovel · 5/10 · 25 June 2019]

In "Coming of Age" Wesley is chosen to take the entrance exam into the Star Fleet Academy. The exam takes place on nearby Relva VII where an old friend of Picard's (Admiral Quinn) happens to be. He pops up to the Enterprise ostensibly for a friendly visit. It turns out however that Picard and the Enterprise are under investigation for unknown reasons. Quinn's right-hand man is tasked with turning over every rock he can on the ship and interview all personnel.

Picard and the ship pass with flying colors and Quinn reveals this was all a vetting process to promote Picard to Admiral and put him in charge of the Academy. Quinn is worried there are spys and usurpers high up in Star Fleet and he wants men he can trust in positions of authority in case things go sour. Picard declines and remains captain of the Enterprise.

Meanwhile down on the planet, Wesley makes a friend with a fellow testee, Mordock. In the end, Wesley helps Mordock across the finish line of the test. Mordock wins and feels bad that he's taking Wesley's place but the result stands. Wesley will just have to try again next year.

This is a Wesley-heavy episode which is almost always a bad sign. I really couldn't care less about his plotline during this. Mordock's design is pretty cool and it's nice seeing a Vulcan on TNG since we really haven't even encountered any thus far. The one scene of this I did like was Worf giving advice to Wesley in the holodeck. This is one of the first scenes of the series where we really get to see Worf shine.

The investigation itself is pretty boring. It's more interesting when viewed as a building block for a future related episode, less interesting as a standalone story. I did like when Quinn's assistant requests to be on the Enterprise and Picard gives me that icy stare. Hilarious.

The one scene I did like was the interview montage where the person being interrogated changes with each question. It's all edited together rather well. Even though I'm not the hugest fan of this one, I can't deny that it was directed and written pretty well. I just think the overall plot ideas are rather pedestrian.

Invasive Log Reviews and a "Drama Club" Psych Test

[Rizar · 18 September 2009]

Enterprise arrives at Relva VII where Wesley Crusher will test for the Star Fleet Academy, but an Admiral Gregory Quinn and Lieutenant Commander Remmick beam aboard the Enterprise to discuss a private matter with Picard.

Admiral Quinn wants Picard to cooperate with Remmick in an investigation of Picard's logs. Remmick won't tell anyone his objective, but only that he suspects a discrepancy in the Captain's log.

"Coming of Age" (Episode 18, Season 1, Air Date 03/14/88, Star-date 41461.2) switches between two threads of plot line -- Wesley's multiphase entrance tests and Remmick's disruptive and invasive questions.

*Spoiler's Follow*

While Wesley takes his test, Picard and his crew must suffer Remmick's glaring eyes and annoying questions. Riker gets testy. There are some action sequences to put the crew to the test and demonstrate their teamwork and loyalty to Picard.

We hear about past episodes during Remmick's investigation of the Captain's log, but the episode seems to misinterpret Picard's decision in 'Justice' (Picard actually said he thought the prime directive was never intended to prevent him from saving Wesley; Picard doesn't say he violated the intent of the prime directive).

Wesley Crusher's entrance exam for Star Fleet Academy consists of (1) a set of science questions; (2) a spatial & speed test to arrange certain chaotic computer objects; (3) intermittent practical tests, such as reacting to an angry Zaldan; (4) and a psych test that challenges applicants to face their greatest fear.

The psych test would be very difficult to grade and seems like something a script writer would create more so than a space academy concerned to find the best applicant.

But apparently applicants have many pre-requisites to accumulate prior to the test since the test director, Lieutenant Chang, tells them they all merit consideration for the Academy. The other applicants are a Vulcan (T'Shanik), a Benzite (Mordock), and another human (Oliana Mirren). Mordock is already famous for one of his inventions, so the competition looks difficult and only one person can advance to the Academy out of the four.

During the third part of Wesley's test, he bumps into an angry Zaldan and must correctly deal with the situation. Zaldans are humanoids with webbed fingers, but they believe one should never engage in fake social conventions. Wesley calms the Zaldan by yelling back at him rather than excusing himself or apologizing for bumping into him. We should be more like the Zaldans!

Wesley must react to another fake scene and face his 'greatest fear' in the final part of testing. But I found the Academy test a bit implausible. For example, NASA would use regular psychological measurements for its psych profile (but that's not even a condition for becoming an astronaut, just a pre-launch safety check sort of step), not a drama-club like scenario right out of Orwell's '1984' as the one Wesley must pass. Yes, a director testing actors for fake 'personality' would do that, but not NASA!

In case you are wondering, NASA astronauts (1) must have a 'bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics' and possibly an advanced degree or experience in a related technical profession for mission specialist positions; (2) and they have to pass a space physical: good vision of '20/100 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 each eye'; good blood pressure of '140/90 measured in a sitting position'; and an acceptable height between 64 and 76 inches; (3) pilots must have 'at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in a jet aircraft' and possibly 'flight test experience'.

These are more practical standards that a space agency would create. Wesley must pass the standards of a script writer, trained in drama class and by English teachers (kidding)! Obviously the Academy is more of an academic institution since it doesn't specify anything about a physical requirement as part of the test.

This is an excellent episode for all the little touches. Picard must make an interesting decision about his career, Wesley must face his greatest fear, and the crew must defend against an intentionally invasive review of their performance. But I wish they would have created better tests for the Academy!

Best episode of Series 1 so far

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 23 May 2021]

Enterprise faces an internal review and Wesley goes through Starfleet recruitment tests.

This is a strong episode with an excellent story and a number of great character moments.

The story has two interesting plot threads that are similar in theme and unfold superbly with the lead characters coming together at the end for a nice moment of reflection. Another strength is that it displays good continuity with other episodes with a number references that help the Star Trek universe feel connected.

Several characters have moments to shine. Picard is especially strong as he displays great leadership throughout and one incredibly cool moment that impresses everyone.

It's enjoyable to see Riker's hostility to outside inspections. This is written in a way that brings out his pride in Enterprise and extreme loyalty to Picard.

Other crew members have solid moments under interrogation, such as Dr Crusher, Data, Troi, Worf and Geordie. These scenes are very well done, particularly the ones that seamlessly transition between each other.

Certain aspects of what happens are slightly predictable, but for me it does not diminish the level of entertainment.

The visuals are quite effective with some great makeup effects and costuming of one character. There are some action based moments that work well. The strongest aspect of the episode is the editing as there is a perfect balance between the two plots and generally great pacing.

Performances are great with Patrick Stewart and Will Wheaton leading their character arcs well. All the series regulars such as Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Michael Dorn, Brent Spiner, Marina Sirtis and LeVar Burton contribute well.

Since when did Robert Ito become Chinese?

[kwithyco · 9/10 · 10 May 2022]

While watching this, or re-watching this, i recognized Robert Ito as someone who seemed sooooo familiar. Ahhh Robert Ito, from Quincy!!! Then I thought, wait, why does he have this heavy accent?

So I've found, after much hunting, ye olde Quincy episodes on the Tube. Yup, as Canadian as the toque is long.

So why, in future Pangaea Earth-governed dystopia, does he present with this oddball, nonsensical accent? So cringe. I'm guessing producers suggested it.

"Only fools have no fear."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 15 September 2023]

I liked the continuity of this episode by referring to prior stories in Next Generation's first season. There was mention made of the Kosinski episode (Where No One Has Gone Before), the story involving the Prime Directive (Justice), and the one about the Ferengi incident (The Battle). All made in regard to questioning Captain Picard's (Patrick Stewart) competence by a Starfleet officer dispatched from the Inspector General's office. Lieutenant Commander Dexter Remmick (Robert Schenkkan) had this grating personality that brought him in conflict with Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes), while making waves with the rest of the officer crew. As all this was going on, acting Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) was in the midst of a strenuous exam to determine the next candidate for Starfleet Academy training, while one who didn't make the grade (Stephen Gregory) briefly commandeered a shuttlecraft in a fit of pique. One disadvantage I have compared to other reviewers here (or maybe it's an advantage), is that I'm watching this series in order for the very first time, so I don't have an inkling how characters from this story will have an impact on future episodes. I did like this one, and I like the way Picard and Wesley handled themselves under trying circumstances. Picard sharing his little secret with Wesley near the finale was an effective way for the young ensign to comes to grips with his failure to be selected for Starfleet, and I felt he learned much more than he expected to during his rigorous psyche evaluation.

Annoying Benzite & Crusher

[Johnny_West · 3/10 · 3 June 2021]

Wil Wheaton, who played the androgenous Wesley Crusher, spends the entire episode pestering everyone about his exams. Meanwhile the Benzite student walks around with some kind of chin guard to keep his halitosis under control. Both of these tools fight for the title of the galaxy's most benign turd.

When I watched this show as a kid, I hoped Captain Picard would one day answer whining Wesley by spacing him, but that never happened because Picard was banging Wesley's Mom, Dr. Crusher. So he had to put up with wimpy Wesley. The show would have been so much better without him. Once Wesley got sent to Starfleet Academy, the show did get a lot better.

Wesley Crusher is Blue Pill Beta Male Garbage and I want to murder his face

[snarky-trek-reviews · 1/10 · 4 September 2021]

You guys remember Jake, the other young man we've been getting to know over the past 18 episodes? Do you remember how we watched him and Wesley compete with each other, develop a friendship, and then work together to get into Star Fleet Academy. You don't? That's okay, just assume all that happened off camera while Wesley apologizes for being better than someone we've never met before. Don't you see how Nobel and good Wesley is. He feels bad about succeeding like the blue pill beta male that he is. And he's going to Make Jake reassure him that everything is okay. What a guy! See Wesley is all grown up now so his mom calls him "Mr. Crusher" and he calls her "Doctor" because this is how family members talk to each other. You remember that part of being a teenager don't you?

At least there is a B-Plot to break up that nauseating dialogue. Turns out it's another evil admiral, or a suspicious one at least. His name is Quinn and he's here to investigate Picard and his crew. He's brought a leg humping commander named Remmick along with him. These two seem like they mean business but Picard and Quinn are old friends so we should get some of the inside baseball before long.

Back over to the Wesley story a pretty young thing walks up to Wesley and asks him about his unit because Wesley is the most interesting young man in the galaxy and she has heard all about how smart and young he is as she looks at his crotch. 5:51 on Netflix, watch the scene yourself. Bashful Wesley makes me want to slap his face but this pretty young thing needs Wesley to encourage her. A Vulcan girl walks up and she wants Wesley's nuts too, but Wesley is all about the blue fish looking dude with a breathing thing in his face. His name is Mordock, he's a Benzite, and he is even more famous than Wesley.

In comes Lt. Chang to start their exams. Sounds to me like Star Fleet Academy is too hard to get into but maybe they have four new candidates here every week. Back aboard the ship Remmick is making friends with the bridge crew. They seem to like him well enough though Riker's panties seem to be in a bit of a twist. Sigh, back on the planet Wesley is getting questions right and reassuring Oliana or whatever her name is that he isn't the prodigy he's been made out to be since Encounter at Far Point. It's a good thing Wesley is cute or he could really be obnoxious. Excuse me while I go clean a toilet with my tongue.

Back on board the ship the Riker Remmick bromance is in full bloom. They examine and discuss some of the Captains logs together. Why they do this in the Captain's ready room instead of on the poop deck is a little strange but maybe Picard has a bathroom in his ready room we don't know about. Remmick then goes to engineering to make friends with Geordi, back to the ready room for a chat with Troi, and just when as the B-plot starts to get interesting we cut to an establishing shot of Wesley on the Holodeck. Worf walks in but agrees to leave because Wesley is the superior man between the two of them. Wesley takes pity on him and the two of them have a heart to heart. This is the first time we see a little bit of Worf's character, but it's in relation to Wesley so that makes this scene a wash for me.

Back on the bridge Jake steals a shuttle and runs away from home before losing power and putting himself on a collision course with the planet. Worf is back on the bridge somehow and even though Wesley has been beaming up and down all day Jake is mysteriously out of transporter range. Picard handles the situation like a boss and the bridge crew celebrates. Even Remmick gets in on the fun.

Back on the planet Wesley is hanging out with some aliens by a map painting of a hallway when things threaten to take a violent turn. But Wesley channels his inner alpha because he's perfect and always knows how to handle every situation and is totally believable and everyone likes him.

Remmick has a strange way of making friends with Picard and his senior staff so Picard heads down to see Admiral Quinn.

Back on the planet Mordock gets frustrated so Wesley sacrifices his chance at a top score to help Mordock earn the second fastest time ever recorded on this particular test. You see, Wesley isn't just smart, cute, and self-assertive he is also humble and self sacrificing, always putting others ahead of himself. Excuse me while I get back to cleaning that toilet.

Remmick delivers his report to Picard and Quinn. It's full of apologies because he has nothing but good things to say. He then asks Picard for a job because that follows logically and is completely fitting with his character. Quinn wants to promote Picard to admiral and have him take over Star Fleet Academy. He's got his reasons. Apparently there is some rot inside of Star Fleet. I've been pointing this out for years but whatever, it's time for Wesley's psyche test. Turns out his deepest fear is playing the hero when disaster strikes an environmental lab. I'm going to go finish off that toilet.

Mordock wins the candidacy and apologies for his success because that's what winners do in the Star Trek universe. We see Jake for the last time ever as Picard makes his way about the ship dispensing wisdom to the next next generation of academy graduates before turning down the job at Starfleet Academy. Wesley flies the ship off into the sunset with a stupid smile on his punchable face and the episode is over.

Verdict: Cringe your way through or skip completely.

Typically tepid first-season TNG

[skinnybert · 5/10 · 28 May 2023]

Like so many first-season episodes, this one includes elements (and characters) who will become more meaningful later on -- but aren't very much here. Yes, we'll continue one plot on the later episode "Conspiracy", of which this is practically Part One -- so that's not too bad. But it's rather heavily over-played, like they don't know that's where the story will later go. The result feels rather like a story that was written without Trek in mind, because it doesn't really go anywhere. The two guest actors are very good, though -- as is, of course, Patrick Stewart.

The other plot, of course, is the Wesley story -- and there's simply nothing really good about it. The one girl is earnestly cute but gets no substance to her character; Mordock is essentially the same, despite the script trying hard to give him some gravitas. The other girl is wasted as Vulcan, having very few lines and nothing really to do. Ito is wasted as the instructor, and there is no real drama in any part of the story -- never mind wondering why Starfleet should deny admission to three candidates it regards as eminently suitable, just because a fourth one scores higher ... in some nebulous way that isn't actually described, but suits the plot.

Like so much TNG Trek, it's all just a bit too mild: mildly pleasant, mildly dramatic but not very convincing.

A Senior Trekker writes.......................

[celineduchain · 5/10 · 26 December 2021]

Writing in 2021, it is great to see that I am not the only person taking a retrospective look at Star Trek, the Next Generation. When this series was first released in 1987, a little less than twenty years after the end of the Original Series, many people thought that, without Captain Kirk and his crew, it couldn't really be Star Trek. However, original creator Gene Roddenberry, was fully invested in the casting, writing and overall look of the new series, so let's see how it shaped up:

Coming of Age: a classic interweaving of two stories, neither of which were thought capable of standing up on their own. I'm not so sure.

The hostile inspection by a slightly creepy Star Fleet representative was clearly meant as a forerunner to Conspiracy, aired later in the season. By jettisoning the B story and having the new Captain and crew admit to the occasional mistake or lack of confidence, this episode could have been made to feel much more ominous.

On the other hand: Wesley's competitors were an interesting bunch and the tests they were put through properly challenging. Certainly, this too could have made an interesting stand alone episode. We know now that young Mr Crusher went on to fail to get into Star Fleet on multiple occasions, then got involved in an ugly conspiracy that cost the life of one of his classmates, quit Star Fleet in a huff towards the end of the series and then, mysteriously, fetched up back in uniform in the film Nemesis. I hope the other recruits did better.

(Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5)