Changes: Journey's End (episode)

Revision as of 04:40, 17 December 2006

While visiting the Enterprise, Wesley Crusher protests the removal of American Indians from a planet ceded to the Cardassians.

Summary

As a result of a long-disputed treaty with the Cardassians, the Federation has agreed to return several planets to Cardassian control. One such planet is inhabited by the decendents of Native Americans. They do not wish to leave their new home, which they had spent many years searching for. Picard pleads with them, saying that the Cardassians insist on the removal of all inhabitants.

Meanwhile, Wesley Crusher has returned from Starfleet Academy for a vacation. He's out-of-character though, snappy and caustic in manner. He is rude to Geordi La Forge in the engine room. Dr. Crusher tries to talk to her son, but gets nowhere.

On the planet, Wesley comes in contact with one of the inhabitants, a Native American holy man of sorts. He guides Wesley on a journey of self-discovery, in which he talks to his father. After this experience, he discovers Worf attempting to enact a forced, but covert, relocation of the planet's inhabitants and thwarts the operation, resulting in the planet's inhabitants demanding Starfleet's departure. Picard strongly reprimands Wesley for his behavior, which Wesley responds to by calmly denouncing the relocation on moral grounds. Picard in turn demands that Wesley keep his opinions to himself and follow orders so long as he is in a Starfleet uniform, and Wesley promptly announces his resignation from the academy.

Eventually his guide reveals himself as The Traveler, with whom Wesley had contact years ago. Wesley decides to leave Starfleet and explore the universe with him.

The Native Americans, still insistent on staying on the planet, decide to forego Federation citizenship and remain on the planet under the Cardassians' control.

Memorable Quotes

"Now, you be sure and dress warmly on those other planes of existance."

- Dr. Crusher, to Wesley

"Have faith in their abilities to solve their problems on their own."

- The Traveler

Background Information

This episode marks the creation of the DMZ and the beginning of the Maquis. The Maquis are formed in the DS9 episodes "The Maquis, Parts I and II". They later go on to appear in Star Trek: Voyager as well.

This was Wil Wheaton's last appearance on television as Wesley Crusher. He would later reprise the role for a cameo in Star Trek: Nemesis, although this scene was eventually cut from the final version of the film.

Links and References

Guest Stars

References

2370; Dorvan V; Dorvan system; Native Americans ; Starbase 310 ; Vetar; Katowa; Pueblo Revolt; Javier Maribona Picard

Previous episode:
Genesis

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 7

Next episode:
Firstborn

@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 *This episode marks the creation of the [[DMZ]] and the beginning of the [[Maquis]]. The Maquis are formed in the [[DS9]] episodes "[[The Maquis, Part I|The Maquis, Parts I]] and [[The Maquis, Part II|II]]". They later go on to appear in ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' as well.
-*This was [[Wil Wheaton]]'s last appearance on television as [[Wesley Crusher]].  He would later reprise the role for a cameo in ''[[Star Trek: Nemesis]]''.
+*This was [[Wil Wheaton]]'s last appearance on television as [[Wesley Crusher]].  He would later reprise the role for a cameo in ''[[Star Trek: Nemesis]]'', although this scene was eventually cut from the final version of the film.
 ==Links and References==