Final Mission is Wesley Crusher’s last episode before joining Starfleet Academy. As such, it is meant as both a sendoff as well as to provide a measure of closure to a story arc between the Ensign and Captain Picard. The episode’s storyline is serviceable, but otherwise unimpressive. And yet, in its most important scene, the episode delivers.

Reminiscent of the subplot in Samaritan Snare, Final Mission begins with Wesley once again accompanying Picard on a shuttle. This time, the two are on board a shuttle flown by a shady miner named Dirgo, en route to mediating a dispute. Predictably (after LaForge notes an unusual thruster configuration), the shuttle malfunctions and the occupants are forced to crash land on a desert moon. Also predictably, the Enterprise has been summoned away to deal with a planet-threatening crisis.

All this sets up a perilous dynamic on the desert moon: Dirgo, a rather untrustworthy fellow, brought no provisions and so the three marooned travelers are without food and water. They set off for a distant mountain range in hopes of both shelter and water. After entering the mountains, they do find a fountain but it is protected by a force field. To make matters worse, Picard is critically injured by a cave-in.

As a result, Wesley must fend off Dirgo’s willful stupidity as well as tend to the Captain, in addition to trying to find a way past the protective barrier surrounding the now life-saving water. It is important character growth to see Wesley dealing with such a life and death situation. And it sets up perhaps one of the best exchanges of dialogue in the series.

For starters, Wesley explains that everything he has done on board the Enterprise was to gain Picard’s approval. It is a poignant conclusion to the storyline that began with Picard returning the body of Jack Crusher to Wesley and Beverly. Wesley really does see Picard as a father-figure and, in turn, Picard sees Wesley as something of a son.

In the most profound moment of the episode, Picard says, “I envy you, Wesley Crusher … you’re just at the beginning of the adventure.” It’s perfectly symbolic of one of life’s most tragic paradoxes: only with the wisdom and experience of age does one truly appreciate the promise and opportunity of youth.

Of course, true to form, Wesley finds a way around the barrier, gets the water to keep Picard alive, and the two are rescued in the nick of time by Worf, Data and Beverly. And if the rest of the episode seems a bit pedestrian, it can be forgiven in light of the scene between Picard and Wesley.

While not perfect, Final Mission is a worthy send off for Wesley Crusher. It provides decent character development and some excellent dialogue as well.

Filed under: TNG Reviews