Wesley Crusher: The Star Trek Character Who Deserved Better After 38 Years of Hate

20 years following NBC’s abrupt cancellation of the original series, managed against all expectations to establish Gene Roddenberry’s universe as a bona fide “franchise.” Although the series is deeply cherished within the canon, the Star Trek: TNG fanbase regrettably showed ill-will towards one of the show’s distinctive characters – Wesley Crusher. After almost four decades, it’s high time for Wil Wheaton to receive recognition for his portrayal of the brilliant but often criticized young Starfleet genius.

In many dedicated fan groups, an unexpected phenomenon often arises: those who are most passionate about a storytelling universe can sometimes be the most critical of new developments within it. To put it differently, it’s not uncommon to find that Star Trek fans are among the harshest critics of Star Trek. This pattern is also observed in other long-running franchises such as Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans of Star Trek (often called “Trekkies”) have a history of reacting negatively to changes, even when these changes expand their beloved universe.

For example, fans once protested NBC for more episodes of the original series, leading the network to greenlight a sequel series. When they learned it would be Star Trek: The Animated Series, some fans were disappointed. Modern shows in the current Star Trek universe also face this backlash, but efforts to rewrite history tend to downplay the criticism these classic series like The Next Generation (TNG), Deep Space Nine, and Voyager received.

The intensity of dislike for Wesley Crusher was so pronounced that it became a meme. However, neither the character nor the actor who portrayed him deserved this treatment, and the reasons given by critics don’t stand up to close examination.

Wesley Crusher Was Gene Roddenberry’s Self-Insert ‘Mary Sue’ Character

As TNG Struggled In Early Seasons, His Character Suffered the Most

In the 1980s, it was commonly believed that television show sequels would never surpass their original versions, according to traditional Hollywood thinking. However, despite being successful in syndication, Star Trek: The Original Series wasn’t a huge hit during its initial broadcast. Yet, the dedication of Trekkies pushed Paramount to attempt reviving the show in the 1970s, which eventually evolved into the feature film series. Following the success of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Paramount asked Gene Roddenberry to create The Next Generation. Among the fresh faces joining the crew of the new USS Enterprise, none stood out more than Wesley Crusher.

A significant portion of what was initially planned for “Star Trek: Phase II” found its way into the first film featuring the original cast. Consequently, when it came to creating the sequel series, Roddenberry and previous “TOS” producers such as Bob Justman, Dorothy Fontana, David Gerrold, among others, aimed to make “TNG” distinctly unique. Not one to let a good concept go unused, Roddenberry did incorporate many ideas. Interestingly, it appears that Wesley Crusher was a character that the Great Bird of the Galaxy had conceived, which resonated with many “Trek” fan fiction writers of the time.

In fan critique, it’s common to misunderstand the fact that Paula Smith, a Star Trek fan and writer, originated the concept of a character known as a “Mary Sue” within fanfiction. Wesley Crusher, in this context, can be seen as Gene Roddenberry’s personal version of a Mary Sue character, although there are differences. Unlike typical Mary Sue characters in fanfiction, not everyone on the ship immediately admires Wesley and he is not flawless. Instead, Wesley frequently learns from other crew members and, despite saving the ship and crew on numerous occasions, he has his imperfections. Although less well-known than his accomplishments, it’s worth noting that Wesley often learns valuable lessons from others in the crew. Following his departure from the main cast, Wesley returned for two episodes where he broke Starfleet rules, principles, and was involved in an activity resulting in the death of a fellow cadet.

Why Wesley Crusher Was So Controversial Among Star Trek: TNG Fans

Like Jar Jar Binks, He Appealed to Children, and They Weren’t In the Conversation Yet

Many ardent Star Trek fans, or “Treksters,” found issue with Wesley Crusher’s role in the stories primarily due to their attachment to the series’ established principles. Numerous online debates centered around the idea of having a teenage cadet on the bridge of Starfleet’s primary vessel being questionable. Additionally, fans struggled to accept that Wesley, a teenager, would frequently provide solutions to problems in each episode, given the series’ penchant for the extraordinary. In a series like Star Trek, where implausible events are common, objections to a story’s believability often come down to personal preference.

Robert Justman suggested the character be changed to a young woman because their adolescence was largely unexplored on TV at the time.
A casting announcement for “Leslie Crusher,” a 15-year-old girl with a similar characterization, went out, but eventually the character reverted to a young man.

The Next Generation identified with Wesley, kids who watched TNG saw a character they could relate to. He was the hero and garnered the admiration of adults, some of whom were at the pinnacle of their professions, which made him highly significant. Representation can come in various forms, and Wesley Crusher made the Enterprise feel like home for those kids.

Another factor that influenced the writing of Star Trek: TNG, particularly in its early seasons, was the challenge of creating compelling, relevant, and engaging stories. Regrettably, none of these efforts seemed authentic enough to portray Wesley as a typical child his age. In one instance, he engages in a game of ball with an alien species, reminiscent of a school-aged child. The attempts to weave romance into Wesley’s character also fell short and failed to connect with either children or adults.

Why Wil Wheaton Wanted to Leave Star Trek: TNG and How His Absence Changed the Show

Wesley Crusher Brought a Unique Dynamic That Star Trek Needed and Should Repeat

In 1987, when Star Trek: TNG was first broadcasted, Wil Wheaton was undoubtedly the most recognized actor in the ensemble, thanks to his stellar role in Stand by Me. Despite some fans’ dislike for the character of Wesley, they were taken aback when he left the series. The explanation wasn’t perfect, but it made sense that he was going to Starfleet Academy to complete his education. However, given his remarkable intelligence and the opportunities for growth through on-the-job training, this move appeared to be a demotion. Later, it was revealed why this decision was made.

In a turn of events, Wheaton was unable to secure a break from TNG for just one week to wrap up a film made during the hiatus. The producers explained that this episode was crucial to Wesley’s character, his relationship with his mother, Dr. Beverly Crusher, and the series as a whole. However, when it was time to shoot this episode, the storyline for Wesley had vanished. This handling by the producers contributed significantly to Wil Wheaton’s decision to leave, and the harsh treatment he received from fans due to his portrayal of Wesley Crusher also factored into his departure.

Following his departure, Wesley made a return for several episodes, even during the last season. What’s particularly touching is that, unlike when the original series was produced (during a vastly different era), the cast of TNG exhibited warmth beyond professionalism. They were supportive of one another and, as time has passed since the show ended, it appears they genuinely appreciate each other. It’s plausible that this positive camaraderie is what drew Wesley back.

Wesley Crusher’s TNG Ending Was a Great One, and His Return to Star Trek Was Even Better

Prodigy Shows the Massive Missed Potential a Character Like This Has for the Universe

When “Star Trek” came back for its third installment, Wil Wheaton hosted a web series titled “The Ready Room” that analyzed episodes and included interviews with the show’s cast members. Not until “Star Trek: Picard” Season 2 did this occurrence take place. Remarkably, an omitted scene from the critically panned movie “Nemesis” validated his continued role as a “Traveler.” In his final episode of “TNG”, Crusher departed from the Enterprise once more to serve as an emissary for a near-mystical collective that safeguarded the continuity and integrity of time and reality.

Wesley Crusher in Star Trek
Title	Seasons	Episodes
Star Trek: TNG	One	25
Star Trek: TNG	Two	21
Star Trek: TNG	Three	26
Star Trek: TNG	Four	9
Star Trek: TNG	Five	2
Star Trek: TNG	Seven	2
Star Trek: Nemesis	Film	2 scenes
Star Trek: Picard	Two	1
Star Trek: Lower Decks	Four	1
Star Trek: Prodigy	Two	8

In Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2, Wesley Crusher made a significant comeback, showcasing his full potential. Much like the fans of Jar Jar, those who admired Wesley as children have grown up and shifted the general perspective on the character. It’s become evident that criticizing a teenager for their role is unfair, to say the least. In Prodigy, Wesley assumes a prominent role and is pivotal to the plot. Interestingly, this was more of a rehabilitation of a character who didn’t necessarily require it. The series also delved into the backstory of the individual who introduced him to his brother Jack.

In contrast to how fans responded during “TNG,” fans enthusiastically welcomed Wesley’s return in “Prodigy.” Although the actor may be at fault, a fair reassessment of “Star Trek: TNG” reveals that Wesley Crusher did not truly deserve the criticism he received. The character’s storylines had issues, just like other acceptable flaws in that series. Regrettably, this remains an unfortunate aspect of the franchise’s legacy, as it contradicts the values of tolerance, kindness, and compassion that are fundamental to the Star Trek universe.

2025-06-01 04:22