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Wil Wheaton's Wesley Crusher was one of Star Trek: The Next Generation's most divisive characters, but he has made some truly great contributions to modern Star Trek. Introduced as a child prodigy-type character in Tng's first season, Wesley was, in part, a self-insert character for Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. Despite being one the youngest people on the USS Enterprise-d, Wesley often solved problems that stumped even the most senior officers on the ship. This led some fans to dislike the character, even though the young Wil Wheaton consistently delivered a solid performance.

Aside from his role as Wes, Wil Wheaton has become a staple in the Star Trek fandom and hosted the official Star Trek after show, The Ready Room on Paramount+. Wheaton ultimately left Star Trek: The Next Generation during the show's fourth season, but later returned for four more episodes. After brief appearances in Star Trek: Nemesis...

Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) served as the Chief Medical Officer on the USS Enterprise-d for six out of Star Trek: The Next Generation's seven seasons, but her Starfleet rank was rarely mentioned. Introduced in Tng's first episode, Gates McFadden was a Star Trek: The Next Generation series regular. Dr. Crusher was one of the original crew members of the Enterprise-d, serving under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). Crusher and Picard had romantic feelings for one another, although they didn't officially embark on a romance on screen. Crusher lived on the Enterprise with her child-prodigy teenage son, Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton).

Throughout her six seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Beverly Crusher treated the injuries and illnesses of the USS Enterprise-d's crew. Dr. Crusher was a skilled scientist who helped investigate strange phenomena and helped find cures for alien ailments that infected the Enterprise. On...

Michelle Yeoh's Paramount+ movie, Star Trek: Section 31, would be the perfect way for Star Trek to introduce a younger Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). In Section 31, Yeoh reprises her role as Star Trek: Discovery's Emperor Philippa Georgiou. After the USS Discovery jumped to the 32nd century, Georgiou needed to return to a time when the Prime Universe and Mirror Universe were closer together. The Guardian of Forever (Paul Guilfoyle) sent Philippa Georgiou back to the early 24th century—also known as Star Trek's "Lost Era", between Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Few Star Trek projects have been set in the "Lost Era" before Star Trek: Section 31, but Star Trek: The Next Generation has occasionally referenced this elusive part of the Star Trek timeline. Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, episode 14, "Tapestry", spends a significant amount of time in...

Scottish actor James McAvoy was considered for a role in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009), but wasn't a great fit, opening the door for him to take on his perfect Star Trek role. Star Trek (2009) brought the franchise back into the mainstream with a blockbuster film that introduced a whole new generation to James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto). McAvoy may be most known for portraying Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, the younger version of Patrick Stewart's character, but he has a long list of impressive film and television credits.

McAvoy recently appeared on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, where he spoke about his love of Star Trek. McAvoy revealed that he was approached for a role in Abrams' Star Trek (2009), but ultimately felt he wasn't the best fit for the part. McAvoy also shared his passion for Star Trek: The Original Series and its subsequent films,...

Star Trek: Prodigy has redeemed Wesley Crusher's character by explaining his abilities through his Traveler powers. Wesley's journey as a troubled youth with unmatched skills has been resolved in Star Trek: Prodigy season 2. Instead of being an annoyance, Wesley has evolved into one of the most intriguing characters in the Star Trek universe.

Star Trek: Prodigy is finally fixing Star Trek: The Next Generation's Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) misakes. In the first few seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wesley was often depicted as childish and rash. Somehow, the untrained teenager was able to fix complex problems that seasoned Starfleet officers could not solve. Even the other characters in Star Trek: The Next Generation often had issues with Wesley's impulsiveness and out-of-place expertise.

Wesley Crusher's parents, Lt. Commander Jack Crusher (Doug Wert) and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), impacted his life in many ways. After his...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Prodigy season 2.

Wesley Crusher's return in Star Trek: Prodigy ties back to his original prodigy storyline in The Next Generation. Time travel complicates Wesley's age in Prodigy, suggesting he exists outside the normal flow of time. Wil Wheaton, who is older than Wesley, makes a comeback as Traveler Wesley Crusher in Prodigy.

How old is Star Trek: The Next Generation's Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) when he returns in Star Trek: Prodigy? It's fitting that Wesley's return is integrated so well into Star Trek: Prodigy since Wesley Crusher was Star Trek's original prodigy as a teenager on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Wesley showed promise as an acting ensign on the USS Enterprise-d and Starfleet Academy cadet before joining the Traveler (Eric Menyuk) in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7, episode 20, "Journey's End". Aside from a brief cameo in Star Trek: Picard,...

Dr. Beverly Crusher's love interests on Star Trek: The Next Generation were just one aspect of her well-rounded character. Each romantic relationship explored deep and sincere feelings, raising questions about the nature of love itself. Crusher's longest and most poignant relationship was with Admiral Jean-Luc Picard, which spanned years and showcased their mutual love and respect.

On Star Trek: The Next Generation, Dr. Beverly Crusher's (Gates McFadden) romantic life was presented as just one aspect of her well-rounded character, with only a handful of Crusher's unique love interests sprinkled throughout Tng's seven-year run. Tng episodes dedicated to Beverly as a character generally focused on her career as Chief Medical Officer of the USS Enterprise-d, her role as mother to Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), or as a friend to the Enterprise crew, with the occasional B-story highlighting Beverly's theatrical hobby, a trait she shared with Gates McFadden.

While Dr. Crusher remained...

Wesley Crusher's destiny to join Starfleet was assumed by Captain Picard and the Enterprise crew without considering other possibilities for his future. Wesley's failure to initially get into Starfleet Academy made him question his path and fear disappointing others, leading him to realize he never questioned his future before. Wesley's encounter with his father's vision and the guidance of the Traveler revealed that he was always destined for something greater than Starfleet.

Star Trek: The Next Generation's Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) seemed destined to have an accomplished career in Starfleet, but was this truly his dream? Much to the annoyance of some Star Trek fans, Wesley was introduced in early Tng as a child prodigy who regularly found solutions to problems that stumped the adults around him. Wes devoted himself to studying things like science and engineering, and knew almost as much about starship engines and warp...

Patrick Stewart defends Jean-Luc Picard's F-bomb in Star Trek: Picard season 3, stating it was appropriate for his character's emotional state and to make an impact on viewers. Director Jonathan Frakes encouraged Stewart's ad-lib and believed the use of the curse word was understandable and suitable given the intense situation in the scene. Swearing has been present in previous Star Trek series, so Picard's use of the F-bomb was a reminder that even a legendary space hero like him is still human.

Patrick Stewart explains Admiral Jean-Luc Picard's controversial F-bomb, which was his own ad-lib in Star Trek: Picard season 3. In Picard season 3, episode 4, "No Win Scenario," Jean-Luc recounts a story from his past to his son, Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), where Picard and Jack's namesake, Lt. Jack R. Crusher (Doug Wert) were lost in a shuttlecraft for "ten f***ing grueling hours." While many fans applauded Picard's realistic speech,...

Captain Picard's time on the USS Stargazer shaped him into the honorable and diplomatic captain he became on the USS Enterprise-d. Picard's experiences on the Stargazer, including the Cardassian wars and his encounter with the Ferengi, influenced his command decisions and leadership style. The relationships formed on the Stargazer, particularly with Lieutenant Jack Crusher and his eventual romance with Dr. Beverly Crusher, played a significant role in his personal and professional development.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) may be most remembered for being Captain of the USS Enterprise-d on Star Trek: The Next Generation, but he commanded the USS Stargazer for 22 years before taking over the Federation's flagship. Picard served as a bridge officer on the Stargazer until he took over command in 2333 after the captain and first officer were killed. At the time, Jean-Luc was one of the youngest captains in Starfleet, and his time aboard the Stargazer would...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard's greatest claim to fame is his tenure as Captain of the USS Enterprise-d, but his first command posting was on the USS Stargazer. Unlike other iconic Enterprise captains, Picard had already been a captain for 22 years before taking over the Enterprise-d, giving him an earned confidence and clear sense of his commanding style. Picard's time on the Stargazer made him a better captain, as he likely worked through many problems and learned how to handle difficult situations before earning the big chair on the Enterprise-d.

When Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) took over command of the newly commissioned USS Enterprise-d in the pilot of Star Trek: The Next Generation, he had already accomplished one thing that other Enterprise captains had not. Picard would eventually become one of Starfleet's most accomplished captains, and he is most remembered for his time commanding the Enterprise-d. Picard commanded the Enterprise-d for...

Star Trek: The Next Generation introduced two of the franchise’s most powerful characters in Q (John de Lancie) and Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), but who’s ultimately got the edge in superhuman abilities? Both characters were introduced in Tng's first episode "Encounter At Farpoint" as the USS Enterprise-d, under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), began its voyage into the great unknown of the unexplored galaxy. A member of the omnipotent Q Continuum, Q put the crew of the Enterprise-d on trial for the perceived crimes of humanity, believing them to be a backward species unworthy of deep space exploration.

Wesley Crusher was the teenage son of Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), the widow of Captain Picard's late friend Lieutenant Commander Jack R. Crusher (Doug Wert). Unusually bright, Picard noted Wesley's abilities early on and eventually made the young man an acting Ensign. He would remain...

Warning: Spoilers for Star Trek: Picard Season 3Star Trek: Picard season 3 ended with Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers) doing something that Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) never could. Jack is the son of Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), which makes him Wesley's younger half-brother. Both Crusher boys are children of cosmic destiny: Wesley became a Traveler who defies space and time while Jack was born with organic Borg DNA that turned him into Vox of Borg, a transmitter that briefly assimilated Starfleet. And, when it comes to Starfleet, Jack's achievement bettered his big brother Wesley.

Unlike Wesley, who came of age aboard the USS Enterprise-d in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Jack didn't know his father, Jean-Luc, until Crusher was in his early 20s. To keep Jack safe from Picard's myriad enemies, Beverly raised him far from Starfleet's reach. Together, Jack and Beverly performed...

From humans and Vulcans to ex-Borg drones and holograms, Star Trek has been home to some of the most enduring, fulfilling friendships in all of science fiction. Starfleet is essentially a military organization, with ranks and procedures that sometimes require a certain professional distance, generally for the captain. And yet in virtually every iteration of the franchise, deep bonds of friendship take hold and define some of Star Trek's most celebrated characters.

The strongest friendships in Star Trek often occur between characters who don't immediately have much in common, overcoming some sort of social or professional barrier to become close. The relationship between Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) in Star Trek: The Original Series set the tone for friendships where each character's life becomes richer and more interesting due to forming a bond with someone fundamentally different. It's yet another way Star Trek bridges the unknown,...

Warning: Spoilers for Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 4 - "No Win Scenario"Star Trek: Picard season 3 has put the spotlight back on the family of Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), a family that's been crucial to the franchise since the earliest days of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Beverly and her kin have been important players in the life of Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) for years before the events of Tng. Beverly and Jean-Luc would eventually form one of the strongest bonds over Tng's seven seasons and four feature films.

Conspicuously absent from the first two seasons of Star Trek: Picard, Beverly Crusher made her long awaited return in the very first moments of season 3's debut episode "The Next Generation." In the same episode, it's revealed Beverly's former shipmates from the USS Enterprise-d have not had any contact with her for decades, a mystery that haunts them, especially Picard.

Warning: The Following Article Contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 4 - "No Win Scenario"Star Trek: Picard's Jack Crusher (Ed Speelers) implied his name was meant as an insult to his father in season 3, episode 4, "No Win Scenario", but Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) isn't offended by Beverly Crusher's (Gates McFadden) choice to name Jack after her first husband. Star Trek: Picard season 3 has already dropped some major bombshells on its audience in the first four episodes, including the return of the Changelings from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. However, one of the biggest so far is that Beverly Crusher's newly revealed son, Jack, is also Picard's son, who Beverly kept a secret for over twenty years.

The reveal and subsequent fallout of Jack's parentage in Star Trek: Picard season 3 has been one of the main focal points of the first four episodes. Jack's existence has also set...

Warning: Spoilers for Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 4 - "No Win Scenario"Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) drops an F-bomb in Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 4, reigniting the debate of whether the harshest four-letter curse words in Star Trek is going too far. The USS Titan-a found itself in dire straits; trapped in the Ryton Nebula's gravity well, all aboard believed death would come in a few hours. Before the Titan's heroes devised a means of escape, the crew fearfully congregated in a holodeck recreation of 10 Forward, where Picard tried to bond with his son, Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), and let loose the first F-bomb he's ever uttered in Star Trek.

Picard told Jack about a similarly harrowing shuttlecraft dilemma with his namesake, Lt. Commander Jack R. Crusher (Doug Wert), when they were both serving on the USS Stargazer. Picard and his best friend pilfered a shuttlecraft for...

Warning: Spoilers for Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 2 - "Disengage"Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 2, confirms that Dr. Beverly Crusher's (Gates McFadden) second son is named Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), but is his name an insult to his father, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart)? Picard and Captain Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) were shocked when Jack Crusher identified himself as Beverly's son at the end of Star Trek: Picard's season 3 premiere, although Riker immediately noticed Jack's traits reminded him of Jean-Luc. But it wasn't until the end of episode 2 that Picard accepted that Jack Crusher is indeed his son.

Star Trek: Picard season 3's first two episodes dropped some crucial info about Jack Crusher. Jack was conceived over 20 years before Star Trek: Picard season 3, which is when Beverly inexplicably left the USS Enterprise-e and severed all contact with her former Star Trek: The Next Generation crew mates, including Picard. Beverly raised Jack by herself,...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 1, "The Next Generation."The premiere episode of Star Trek: Picard season 3 has provided some insight into what some of the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation have been doing since they were last seen together in Star Trek: Nemesis. Picard season 3, the show's last, sees Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) reunite with his beloved friends from his days as Captain of the USS Enterprise-d. The old crew reassembles after a shocking distress call leads to the reveal of a new threat against the United Federation of Planets.

The first two seasons of Star Trek: Picard largely avoided the supporting cast of Tng, showcasing a new crew for Picard featuring the likes of the quirky cyberneticist Dr. Agnes Jurati (Alison Pill) and Soji (Isa Briones), the synthetic offspring of Picard's late friend and colleague Lieutenant Commander Data (Brent Spiner...

Star Trek: Picard season 3 is set to reunite Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) with his old friend Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), continuing his long association with the Crusher family. Many events in Picard's life were shaped by one or more members of the Crusher family. A stoic, private man by the time of his command of the USS Enterprise-d in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Picard had been a much different, reckless person in his younger days, even losing his heart in a bar fight as seen in the Tng season 6 episode "Tapestry."

The rough and tumble Picard would have to grow up fast, as he was promoted to Captain of the USS Stargazer at the age of 28 after the ship's previous captain was killed in action and Picard took charge. Aboard the rickety, underpowered Stargazer, Picard would become friends with Lieutenant Commander Jack Crusher (Doug Wert) and his wife Dr.

1984: Charles Shaughnessy debuted as Shane Donovan on Days.

1990: Another World's Frankie and Cass married.

2003: Guiding Light's Ben Reade died.

2008: Molly Burnett made her first appearance as Melanie on Days."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1967: On Another World, Pat (Susan Trustman) admitted to Mary (Virginia Dwyer) that she had kissed Mike Bauer (Gary Pillar) in the park before he left Bay City.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia hypnotized Maggie, who then forgot everything that happened while she was missing.

1979: On Another World,...

1984: Charles Shaughnessy debuted as Shane Donovan on Days.

1990: Another World's Frankie and Cass married.

2003: Guiding Light's Ben Reade died.

2008: Molly Burnett made her first appearance as Melanie on Days."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1967: On Another World, Pat (Susan Trustman) admitted to Mary (Virginia Dwyer) that she had kissed Mike Bauer (Gary Pillar) in the park before he left Bay City.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia hypnotized Maggie, who then forgot everything that happened while she was missing.

1980: On The Edge of Night, Logan (Joe Lambie) questioned Emily (Margo McKenna) about...