For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here
Overview – En route to Earth so that Captain Picard
can deliver the commencement address at Starfleet Academy, the Enterprise is
notified of an accident involving Wesley Crusher. While Wes survived the
accident, one of his friends did not. As they help Wes deal with his loss, an
inquiry is begun to determine what happened. Picard and his crew are dismayed
when it becomes apparent that Wesley and his friends are keeping vital
information secret from the Academy, information that could end Wesley’s
Starfleet career before it even begins.
Score: 8/10 – For an Earth-bound episode with no new
aliens, space battles, major mysteries, or the like, this is one amazing
episode that is packed full of powerful storytelling and pristine performances.
Of particular note are Patrick Stewart and Wil Wheaton. Both actors are at
their finest in this episode. This is the episode that caused many fans who had
previously been critical of the Wesley character to start respecting the
character. Wes was made more human and more real than the simple boy genius who
saved the ship every week during season 1. We are also introduced to Robert
Duncan McNeill, who would later be cast as Tom Paris in Voyager. It was often rumored
that they wanted to have Nic Lacarno in Voyager, but felt that his character
was a bit beyond redemption. This meant that Tom Paris was created, and
thankfully the same actor got the part. Add to that some great performances
from the rest of the guest stars and you have a solid episode of television. I
also liked the Canadian reference (being Canadian myself) when Wesley told the
father of his fallen friend about the ski trip that they did in Calgary. Being
the city where I currently live, I liked that.
Relevance - 3 points. A lot that ties in things here.
We see a continuation of Wesley Crusher’s story and his days at the academy. This
will be concluded in the seventh season episode “Journey’s End”. We are
introduced to Cadet Sito Jaxa, a Bajoran citizen who will later appear in the
seventh season in a great little episode called “Lower Decks”. Thought
Starfleet Academy has been mentioned many times this is the episode that first
get to see it. We also have reference to “Encounter at Farpoint” when Picard
reminds Wesley of his first visit to the bridge where he sat in the captain’s
chair. Finally, we get to meet the famous Boothby, groundskeeper and mentor to
Picard and so many other Starfleet officers. The role was brilliantly cast with
legendary Ray Walston as the wise gardener and caretaker. We will get to meet
him again, albeit as a disguised member of Species 8472 and a hallucination.
Continuity - 3 points. Character continuity gets a big
point here. Wesley is out of his element in trying to cover up for the sake of
the team. You see his inner turmoil as he wrestles with his sense of integrity.
Ultimately, he does the right thing and comes open about what happened. Picard
is also right in character by giving the young cadet a tongue lashing of a
lifetime, espousing the virtues of the truth.
This shows one of the most real elements of their relationship.
Continuity for the story is solid as well, and everything is right with the
universe. Full points here.
Character Development – 3 points. “Final Mission” was
a great Wesley Crusher episode. “First Duty” is a phenomenal Wesley Crusher
episode. We see his growth as a character take a great turn for the better. As
I mentioned earlier, this is the episode that turned a lot of the fan base
around on Wesley Crusher. He messed up, and messed up big. He was no longer the
“wunderkind” that he was originally presented as. He was human, hurt, and
fallible. Then, when Picard dresses him down for his actions, we saw Wesley’s
vulnerability. This also allows his relationship with Picard to evolve as well.
We see in Picard a different aspect of his mentorship role towards Wes. Ever
since the famous “Shut up Wesley!” in Season 1, we have Picard show young Mr.
Crusher the tough love that we sometimes have to show those who look up to us.
It takes Picard to a new level, and it is very effective.
Social Commentary – 3 points. “The first duty of
every Starfleet officer is to the truth, whether it’s scientific truth, or
historical truth, or personal truth! It is the guiding principle on which
Starfleet is based…”. With this line from Picard, we are given the message from
this episode, and it is the universal concept of “truth”. When we discuss
aspects like integrity, honor, and a sense of right vs. wrong, truth is always
there, front and center. This episode delivers that message with perfection. It
should come as no surprise that the United States Air Force shows this episode
to their cadets during training to emphasize their motto “I will not lie, cheat
or steal, nor tolerate those who do.”
Cool Stuff – 2 points. This is not your typical
science fiction episode. In fact, there are no space battles, science
principles, new aliens, or anything else that makes this episode really “cool”
that I normally include. Instead, there are two very cool things in this
episode that are noteworthy. First, Ray Walston as Boothby, What a pure stroke
of casting genius. I remember being at a convention before this episode was
aired, and it was announced that he had been cast in this role, and the crowd
erupted in cheering. I am hard pressed to imagine a better choice. Second,
Picard gives likely one of his best speeches in his verbal dressing down of
Wesley Crusher. Great acting and an emotional moment that great television is
defined by.
Rank Admiral – (22
points). I
have to admit that I am a little bit surprised that this episode is not
included in more people’s Top 20 lists. Maybe not Top 10, but Top 20 seems
about right. It does seem to get overlooked a lot in Top X lists, but it is an
excellent piece of television. It shows that you don’t need actions and fight
sequences nor love interests to be considered top quality television. Perhaps a
lot of us overlook it in favor of glitzier episodes, but this is a must watch
on my list.
If you would like to read an episode review from any of the Trek series, click the following link to get to the series catalog. If the episode you want reviewed has not been done yet, then feel free to request it in the comments and I will see what I can do.
