STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
Season 1, Episode 19

Coming Of Age

Series: The Next Generation - (1987-1994)
Season: 1
Episode #: 1.19
Production #: 40271-119
Original Airdate: 03/14/1988

Writer(s): Sandy Fries and Hannah Louise Shearer (uncredited rewrite)
Director(s): Mike Vejar

Guest Stars
Ward Costello as Rear Admiral Gregory Quinn
Robert Schenkkan as Lt. Cmdr. Dexter Remmick
John Putch as Mordock
Robert Ito as Lt. Chang
Stephen Gregory as Jake Kurland
Tasia Valenza as T'Shanik
Estee Chandler as Oliana Mirren
Brendan McKane as Technician #1
Wyatt Knight as Technician #2
Daniel Riordan as Crewman Rondon

Uncredited Guest Stars
James G. Becker as Ensign Youngblood
Darrell Burris as an Operations division Officer
Dexter Clay as an Operations division Officer
Jeffrey Deacon as a Command Division Officer
Nora Leonhardt as a Science Division Officer
Tim McCormack as Ensign Bennett
Lorine Mendell as Lt. Diana Giddings
Burt Nacke as Relva VII engineer
Richard Sarstedt as a Command division Officer
Guy Vardaman as Lt. Darien Wallace

Stardate: 41461.2

Synopsis

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.

[ Complete Screencap Index ]

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.

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