Episode 119: "Coming Of Age" 

While the U.S.S. Enterprise orbits Relva VII, Wesley beams down to take the grueling Starfleet Academy entrance exam.
Back on board the ship, Picard and his crew are quizzed by Lt. Commander Dexter Remmick, a Federation officer who is investigating Picard's competence on the orders of the captain's old friend, Admiral Gregory Quinn. Although neither Picard nor his crew understands the reason for the inquiry, they give Remmick their full cooperation.

In the midst of the investigation a young man named Jake Kurland, distraught over not qualifying for the Academy entrance exam, steals a shuttlecraft and heads into space. When he discovers that the craft has a major malfunction, Jake panics and begins to plummet toward certain death. Fortunately, Picard keeps his cool and manages to help the teen make a safe return to the ship. Remmick, meanwhile, watches with interest.

After an exhaustive study of Picard's performance record, Remmick tells Quinn that he has failed to find any flaws in the captain's command. Quinn then informs Picard that he has proven himself worthy of the prestigious post as Commandant of the Starfleet Academy and may be promoted to the rank of admiral.

Despite Wesley Crusher's obvious intelligence and promise, he is not selected for the Academy. Although clearly disappointed, the youngster's spirits are lifted after a pep talk by Picard, who has decided to remain with the U.S.S. Enterprise rather than accept Quinn's offer.

Production: 119
Season: 1 Episode: 18
Air Date: 03.14.1988
Stardate: 41461.2
Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes as William Riker
Brent Spiner as Data
LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Worf
Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi
Denise Crosby as Natasha (Tasha) Yar
Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher
Tasia Valenza as T'Shanik
Ward Costello as Admiral Gregory Quinn
Robert Schenkkan as Lt. Cmdr. Dexter Remmick
Robert Ito as Tac Officer Chang
Stephen Gregory as Jake Kurland
John Putch as Mordock
Biography for: Wil Wheaton
Birth name: Richard William Wheaton III

Height: 5' 11" (1.80 m)


Wil Wheaton made himself known starring in the Rob Reiner film Stand by Me (1986). Wheaton left the Hollywood scene for eighteen months to pursue personal video production. He returned to Los Angeles and is working on many projects.

Plays guitar and golf.


Family: parents, Rick and Debbie; younger siblings, Jeremy Wheaton, Amy Wheaton.


Wil's first big break in acting was opposite Bill Cosby in a Jell-O Pudding Pops commercial.


Loves hockey, magic and juggling.


He said a few lines on Chunky A's (Arsenio Hall) song "Dope, The Big Lie". The song appears on the Chunky A album "Large And In Charge".


He and wife, Anne, have two sons: Nolan and Ryan. They live in Los Angeles (actually his step-children).


Was once spokesman for NewTek company, after leaving "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987).

Click this link to view the complete script in a TXT format

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION

"Coming Of Age"
(fka "Starfleet Academy")
#40271-119

Written by
Sandy Fries

Directed by
Mike Vejar

THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

Copyright 1987 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.

3RD REV. FINAL DRAFT

DECEMBER 30, 1987

STAR TREK: "Coming Of Age" - 12/30/87 - CAST

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Coming Of Age"

CAST

PICARD                                            JAKE KURLAND
RIKER                            ADMIRAL GREGORY QUINN
BEVERLY         LT. COMMANDER DEXTER REMMICK
DATA                                                       MORDOCK
TROI                                               OLIANA MIRREN
TASHA                                                      T'SHANIK
WORF                                  TAC OFFICER CHANG
GEORDI                                                   RONDON
WESLEY                                       TECHNICIAN #1
TECHNICIAN #2
Voice-Over
 

Click this link to view the complete script in a TXT format