'The Next Generation's Wil Wheaton on Returning to 'Star Trek' for 'The First Duty' 30 Years Ago (Flashback)
etonline.comPatrick Stewart) gets involved and soon discovers there's more to the story than what's been offered. As it turns out, the cadet died while attempting a dangerous flying stunt.
Not only that, he had been peer-pressured by the flight squadron after initially voicing his concerns about pulling it off.Picard implores him to reveal the truth — «the truth» also being revealed as the titular «first duty» of Starfleet -- at the academy tribunal, along with sharing his disappointment in Wesley's actions.
It was a shocking development for the character. First introduced as the Enterprise's boy genius, Wesley was all but destined to become an exemplary Starfleet officer under the mentorship from a legendary captain like Jean-Luc.While had already seen its fair share of trial-centric plots (see “The Menagerie,” “The Measure of a Man,” “The Drumhead” and many others), Wheaton recognized “The First Duty” was throwing a layer of into the mix. “The [problem is] between Wesley's loyalties to the principles of Starfleet and his loyalty to his friends,” he teased at the time.As he reflected on his decision to depart the series nearly two years earlier, the star said it was a choice that reflected his age.“I left to go off to do films and try to expand my career.
And sort of stretch my limits,” Wheaton recalled. “It's a time of transition. A time of change. That's where I am and that goes through everything.
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