Ep 18. Coming of Age
- TV-PG
- March 14, 1988
- 45 min
-
7.1 (3,602)
As the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise prepares for a formal inspection, a young Starfleet academy cadet named Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) travels aboard the ship to take his Starfleet entrance exam. Meanwhile, an undercover investigator named Lt. Commander Remmick (Robert Schenkkan) arrives on board to evaluate Captain Picard's leadership and crew morale. As Remmick conducts his investigation, Wesley spends his time studying for his exam and attempting to fit in with the Enterprise crew.
As the two storylines unfold, the crew members of the Enterprise must confront their own personal issues and doubts about their roles in Starfleet. Wesley grapples with the pressure of passing his exam and fulfilling his dream of following in his late father's footsteps, while crew members like Lt. Tasha Yar (Denise Crosby) begin to question their own motivations for joining Starfleet and serving on the Enterprise.
Meanwhile, Remmick's investigation becomes increasingly invasive and unsettling, causing Captain Picard and his crew to question the motives behind Starfleet's strict protocols and evaluations. As tensions rise, Wesley must choose between his loyalty to Starfleet and his own personal beliefs, while the crew must determine whether they can trust Remmick and the higher-ups at Starfleet Headquarters.
Overall, "Coming of Age" is a thought-provoking episode that explores the complexities of duty, ambition, and the politics of Starfleet. With strong performances by the cast and a fast-paced storyline, it provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of Star Trek: The Next Generation and sets the stage for many more thought-provoking episodes to come.