‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘Final Mission’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

If there is one unfortunate truth about television shows that fans don’t enjoy facing in the slightest, it would have to be, that keeping a cast together for years on end simply isn’t possible. Because actors are human beings, and they like to be challenged creatively in their careers like the rest of us, and that means that from time to time, they will exit a particular show in the hopes of finding the creative fulfillment they so seek. Which is of course, tough for the fans since they have to sit through a farewell episode for the character in question and sadly, this is something that happened in season four of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Because after years of flying the NCC-1701-D through the stars, Wil Wheaton decided the time had come to hang up Wesley Crusher’s ensign uniform and go do his own thing as an actor. Which is a respectable reason for certain, since he was eighteen at the time and undoubtedly ready to take on the world and his career, just like the rest of us are at that age. But it takes age and wisdom to properly understand the gravity of his decision. Because back in the day, when a majority of us were kids that looked up to Wil, this was a devastating decision for certain. Because our hero, the man that was a big nerd like us and inspired us to embrace who we are, was leaving the show and that made ‘Final Mission’ tough to sit through the first time around.

Thankfully though, enough time has passed between viewings of this episode, to properly appreciate what this story brings to the table and upon further review, this is actually quite the stellar sendoff for Wesley Crusher… for several reasons. Such as the fact that it finally gives young Mister Crusher exactly what he’s been working toward, admission into Starfleet Academy. A move that not only allows for the character to grow, but it keeps the door open for his return, easing the pain of his exit. Plus, this is a story that also isn’t all that sentimental. Sure, Wesley is leaving. But we don’t spend the entire hour hearing from the entire crew, about how much they’re going to miss him, and that matters because it means the story is acknowledging the fact that everyone knew this day was coming and they’ve said their piece in advance and there is something quite adult and refined about that storytelling choice.

But what truly makes Wesley’s exit from the series so supremely worth our while, is the sheer fact that he goes out, as a hero. Because once his final mission gets complicated and dangerous, and the goofball he and the captain are traveling with, seals his own horrific fate, it’s up to Wesley to save the day. And that's huge, simply because being a brave and bold Starfleet officer was his goal in life at this particular point in time and he succeeds at that in an epic manner. For he uses his wits and his training and outright ingenuity, to conquer his own personal Kobayashi Maru and save the man that he admires most; Jean-Luc Picard. If anything, it doesn’t get more fulfilling that that when it comes to a farewell and it really was quite lovely to see TNG send off this character in a proper manner, regardless of the fascinating twist his journey took at the end of the series.

However, we will discuss that another time. Because in the here and the now, we have a solid farewell to celebrate. One that really did let Wil Wheaton shine as an actor one more time before he headed off to enjoy new horizons and what’s truly impressive, is that the rest of this episode was actually quite intense in nature as well. Because the crisis that kept the crew of the Enterprise from joining the search for Wesley and Picard was pretty darn epic in its own right. Which makes this one engrossing and quality tale for certain. One that informed the audience of the fact that the series had outgrown its earlier mistakes when it comes to bidding farewell to series regulars. Since it offered up a wonderful and heartwarming goodbye for a cast member that wanted to move on, instead of outright killing their character off. Until next time.

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