The TREKKER Reviews


SERIES
The Next Generation
EPISODE
19
TITLE
Coming of Age
STARDATE
41416.2


Wesley is going to be tested for entrance into the Starfleet Acadamy. If he passes he will be off the ship - for once we can only hope that things go well for him. When he beams down Admiral Quinn beams back and wants to speak to Picard privately. The admiral introduces his pet lawyer Remmick, who is to do a full investigation of the Enterprise.

On the planet below, Wes meets the other applicants - a Bimbo, a Vulcan and a BEM. The BEM is a named Mordock and lives his life in a perpetual drug haze - probably an arts student. An examiner enters and proclaims: "There can be only one!". Will they fight to the death with swords? Nope, just sit a few exams. Rats.

Riker wants to know about Remmick, and Picard won't tell him. Laughing-boy wanders off in a huff and won't talk to Remmick at all. After a little bravado between them, Remmick finally manages to get Riker in the captain's ready room. Lucky boy. He tells Riker about discrepancies in the captain's log, and asks Riker about them. Riker is very evasive, but eventually squeals...

The testing continues on the planet, and while Wes is doing well, the bimbo is having a harder time of it. Wes tries to explain that it really isn't that easy and she says: "It's a good thing that you're cute, or you could really be obnoxious". If she hasn't got the brains to work out that Wesley is obnoxious and definitely not cute, I hope she never gets into Starfleet.

To add to the stories that his officers have been telling Remmick, Picard's credibility drops further when an unauthorised shuttle leaves the Enterprise. It is Jake, who failed to make the entrance qualifications to sit for the Starfleet examinations. He is so embarrassed at being outdone by Wesley that he decides to plow his shuttle into the planet in the hope of destroying the brat. His plot is foiled when Picard manages to save him.

By this time, Remmick has interviewed all the members of the crew, including the captain. He doesn't look too fazed, but still goes straight to the admiral asking what is going on. Remmick comes in and gives his report - he can't find anything wrong. After delivering this amazing news he crawls to Picard saying that he would like to be assigned to the Enterprise. Two chances, Buckley's and none.

Admiral Quinn says that he thinks that someone or something is trying to destroy Starfleet and that he is looking for officers he can trust. Oh no, not another conspiracy! He offers Picard a promotion to admiral and the position of commandant of the Starfleet Acadamy.

Wesley has only one test to go - the psych test. This is sure to sink him. While waiting in the room for the examiner, he hears an explosion in the hall. Something has gone wrong in the Environmental Lab and there are people trapped. Since there is no-one else around, Wes leaps in and manages to save one of the hurt scientists, but can't save the other as the doors close. He tries to explain, and then realises that this has been his test. The examiner tells Wes that Captain Picard had to make the same choice, and it killed Jack Crusher!

Riker is annoyed that Picard doesn't seem to want to take the commission. It means that he can't get too cosy in the main bridge chair. Picard tells the admiral that he is no good at politics, and declines the position. I think that he couldn't handle a college filled with Wesley Crushers - but who could?

The final results are in, Mordock wins and Wesley is crushed. He mopes back on the Enterprise and Picard gives him a father-figure talk - a little ironic don't you think? Wes gets pepped up and we get depressed as we realise he will be with us for another series.

Roll Credits...

Character development for Wesley is one of the worst concepts for a TNG episode, and when it guarantees that he will be with us for at least another season it is truely crushing! Picard also refuses a commission - Kirk could still have a ship when he was Admiral, why can't Picard?


This review is Copyright © 1994, Phil Kernick.
Permission is granted for anyone to electronically distribute it - details available on request.