Plot Synopsis: 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, Dorvan V, is inhabited by the descendants of Native Americans. They do not wish to leave their new home, which they had spent many years searching for.
Plot A and B Analysis: The teaser is brief. The Enterprise is at a starbase to meet with an admiral, and while there they pick up Wesley Crusher! It’s apparent he isn’t happy. Plot A is about the relocation of the Indians, plot B is about Wesley’s journey. Turns out the Federation and Cardassians have negotiated new borders for their territories, and a Federation world needs to be evacuated as it is now Cardassian. Unfortunately it’s got some Native Americans on it, and…well…it’s uncomfortable. The admiral is clear: “by whatever means are necessary.” The leader of the Indians, Anthwara, tells Picard they’re not leaving. Back on the ship, one of the Indians approaches Wes and says he knew he was coming for the past two years, and wants to help him find the answers he seeks. Meanwhile Anthwara throws Picard a massive curveball: turns out 700 years ago during the Pueblo Revolt, Spanish soldiers were ‘savage’ to the Indians, and one of them was Picard’s ancestor! Anthwara is convinced Picard was sent to wipe clean an old ‘stain of blood’ from his family. Then the Cardassians arrive to survey the planet. Wes has a vision quest where he sees his father, Jack Crusher, who tells him he should not follow his path any longer. Things deteriorate on the planet, as Picard is compelled to plan on forcible removal, and when Wes finds this out from Worf he causes a massive scene. Afterward as Picard chews him out, Wes leaves Starfleet! The situation on the planet gets worse. A fight breaks out and Wes steps out of time. Lakanta reveals himself as the Traveler, and says Wes has now evolved to the point he can exist on another plane of existence. The Cardassian captain (okay, Gul) does the right thing and war is averted.
Favorite Scenes: My favorite scene is where Wes has is breakout moment, and the Traveler appears. That’s still pretty cool, frankly I’d love it if it happened to me. There is a life lesson early on this episode, and I’ve remembered it. Picard rolls out the red carpet for admiral Nechayev in an effort to ‘establish a new relationship’ with the admiral. When Riker asks him about out his answer is instructive for all of us:
Picard: We don’t have to like her, Will, but we have to follow her orders, and maintaining this atmosphere of confrontation serves no purpose.
There’s another piece of advice for parents of kids that have grown up. Beverly doesn’t know what to do with Wes and asks Picard to talk to him, because “he needs our help:”
Picard: Beverly, he’s got to want that help. If he doesn’t, then any efforts on our part could only push him further away. He’s got to work this out for himself.
There’s a final piece of advice that I agree with, from Lakanta, who is Wesley’s guide. He tells Wesley he is a sacred person:
Lakanta: So if you are sacred, then you must treat yourself with respect. To do otherwise is to desecrate something that is holy.
Use of Cast/Characters: Picard does quite a bit in this episode: he’s the head negotiator with the Native Americans, and later on deal with the Cardassians. Riker, Troi, Worf and Data are merely placeholders, they have very little to do. Geordi does have one scene with Wesley, so that’s something. Beverly Crusher is in the episode, but primarily as a worried mother. This episode has a very significant Wesley Crusher presence, as he gets very significant character development. He outgrows who he thought he was going to be, a Starfleet officer like his dad, and becomes who he can be: a higher form of life. There are seven guest stars in this one, I will say they all do a good job. I think Ned Romero as Anthwara is especially good. It’s always cool to see Eric Menyuk return as the Traveler, I love that guy. Natalija returns as he adversarial Nechayev, but the irony is she actually agrees with Picard; unfortunately, her hands are tied.
Blu Ray Version: The orbital shots of the planet was replaced and is much better. Pause at 19:42, when Wes starts going up the steps. Look to the right side of the screen and you’ll see the boom mike operator right in the frame! There is a deleted scene. It takes place right before the scene with Geordi. Picard comes to visit but Wes is still asleep. It’s fairly awkward, and when Picard asks him how Boothby is, we learn Wes doesn’t keep in touch with him: “he was really getting on my nerves, I mean he’s got an opinion about everything.” It’s not bad, they could’ve left it in.
Nitpicks: The worst, most cliched line in the episode goes to Wil Wheaton: “Maybe I am sick of following rules and regulations!” Ugh. I’m also not convinced that the Native Americans staying on what will be a Cardassian-ruled planet is going to work out, long term. I just don’t see the dirty Cardassians leaving them alone.
Overall Impression: This episode was a bit better than I remembered. There are some good moments, and I found myself respecting these Native Americans and their point of view. The Lakanta-Wesley dynamic is nice, especially since we don’t have any idea where it’s leading. Picard’s back is against the wall, and the Cardassians ratchet the tension up to a nice degree, and the climax delivers–both regarding the planet and Wesley’s ‘journey’s end’. Even the title makes sense. I can’t say it’s a great episode, but it’s pretty decent. I rate this episode 3.5 out of 5 stars on a good day.
Behind the Scenes/Trivia: For DS9 fans, this episode marks the beginning of the demilitarized zone and the beginning of the Maquis. Ron Moore really pushed to have Wes do something besides Starfleet, especially if he’s such a special guy. Wil Wheaton talked about it as well: “Gene Roddenberry had this idea that there was going to be something special about Wesley Crusher. He put in the first-season writers’ guide that, at some point during the first season, the Enterprise would encounter some kind of alien and the alien would reveal to Picard that there was something special and different about Wesley.” Wil has said he believes Wesley is either like the Star Child from 2001, or a Timelord. For me, I think the Star Child is more accurate. Way back in Where No One Has Gone Before the Traveler specifically warns Picard not to tell Beverly about Wes, but it’s pretty clear he did!
Why is there tension between the Enterprise and admiral Nechayev? Think back, she was the one who took his command away in Chain of Command, and later in Descent she rebuked him for sending Hugh back to the Borg in I Borg. So yeah, we don’t like her. We will see her one final time in Preemptive Strike. Ned Romero, who plays Anthwara, also appeared back in TOS episode A Private Little War, and will appear again in the VOY episode The Fight. Finally, this is the sixth time a member of the production crew were accidentally filmed. Look carefully and you’ll spot them in The Naked Now, Angel One, Unification II, Time’s Arrow, and Birthright, Part I.
Missable/Unmissable? This ties up Wesley Crusher’s entire character arc on the series, so I’d recommend it. The next one is pretty forgettable.