Wesley Crusher’s story arc gets a worthy, and fitting, conclusion in Journey’s End. What makes the episode so successful is that not only does Wesley’s story fit into the episode’s main conflict, but Journey’s End also manages to provide a measure of closure for an idea first introduced in Season 1′s Where No One Has Gone Before — namely, the notion that Wesley is a prodigy, with a destiny very different from that of everyone else.

The episode’s main conflict centers around the Cardassians. Having just concluding some very precarious negotiations, the lines on the galactic map have been redrawn to allow for concessions on both sides. But that means that some colonies are now on the wrong side of the border. The Enterprise is charged with relocating one of those colonies. The problem? It’s a colony of Native American Indians who, two decades earlier, had just concluded two centuries of wandering to find a new home.

The moral implications are certainly not lost on Picard — nor on Admiral Nechayev. In spite of their previous tense relationship, both Picard and Nechayev put aside their differences. And, perhaps surprisingly, she time and again throughout the episode will do whatever she can for Picard. Actually, she doesn’t do a whole heckuva lot. But the effort demonstrates that she isn’t so bad, afterall.

While this is unfolding, Cadet Wesley Crusher has returned to the Enterprise, on leave from the Academy. But this is a very different Wesley Crusher. He is sullen, moody, and even rude. The rudeness does tend to become annoying to watch, but thankfully, it’s a rather minor part of the episode.

During a reception for the Native Americans in Ten Forward, Wesley is approached by Lakanta, a man who claims to have known, for more than two years, that Wesley would arrive. This opens the door to the episode’s rich spirituality. Lakanta explains to Wesley that everything on the colony, from the buildings to the sky is sacred — everything, including Wesley. It’s the beginning of the end for Wesley’s journey.

Wesley admits that he has not respected himself for a while. And so Lakanta leads him to a scared chamber, and leads him into a spirit quest. During his quest, Wesley has a vision of his father, who tells Wesley not to follow him any longer. As Wesley leaves the sacred room, contemplating the revelation, he sees Worf ordering security officers to surreptitiously transport the colonists off of the planet. Wesley intervenes, much to the fury of Picard.

Picard had been in the midst of some very delicat, and ultimately futile, negotiations with Anthwara, the leader of the colony. Anthwara had explained to Picard that their new home wasn’t just a place to make a home, but rather it was a spiritual place — a planet with which his people felt a deep connection. Not only that, Anthwara tells Picard that Picard family ancestor had once taken part in the slaughter of Native Americans in New Mexico. As a result, Anthwara is confident that Picard will not force the colonists from the planet and therefore will “erase the blood stain” from his family.

But of course, Picard also has a duty to Starfleet, and a mission he was ordered to carry out — one which Wesley Crusher has just made all the more difficult. The two launch into a heated exchange which ends with Wesley resigning from the Academy. Picard’s reaction is absolutely compelling. He’s very much at a loss, deeply saddened.

But Wesley is at peace. He realizes that his destiny is not with Starfleet, and with fulfilling the expectations of others. It’s an important archetype the finding of oneself, of one’s own true path. Wesley has found it, even though it is vastly different from what he once envisioned. But it’s plausible, heartfelt, and sincere.

Wesley transports to the planet where tensions of reached a boiling point. As phaser fire erupts, Wesley shouts, “No!” and everything freezes. Lakanta appears and tells Wesley that he has literally pulled himself out of time. Wesley has taken the first step on a brand new journey. But Wesley is not yet convinced about what has happened. To that end, Lakanta reveals his true nature: The Traveler. He is to be Wesley’s guide on a grand adventure.

As for the Native Americans and the Cardassians, the Native Americans agree to relinquish their Federation citizenship, and accept Cardassian rule. The Cardassians, for their part, are enlightened enough to see this as the best possible solution — and agree to leave the Native Americans in peace.

Journey’s End is a fine episode. It’s worth watching on a number of different levels. But the return of the Traveler, as well as the transition of Wesley’s journey are true highlights. That’s not to say it was perfect. The pacing was a bit slow. And not all of the elements were seamlessly constructed. And Dr. Crusher’s last line is horrifically cringe worthy. But even so, this is one episode that should not be missed.

Topics: Cardassians, The Traveler
Filed under: TNG Reviews