Star Trek's Picard Season 3 Falls Short of Delivering The TNG Fan-Favorite Cameo

Article Overview

Wil Wheaton makes a guest appearance in the season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks, where he reprises his iconic role as Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode takes viewers back to Wesley's days at Starfleet Academy, shedding light on his collaboration with Beckett Mariner as part of Nova Squadron.

Wesley's absence in Star Trek: Picard season 3 disappointed fans, but his appearance in Lower Decks brings a joyful reminder that he can still be a part of the Star Trek universe.

The finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, titled "Old Friends, New Planet," begins with a significant cameo from Star Trek: The Next Generation that was missing in Star Trek: Picard season 3. In episode 9 of Lower Decks season 4, "The Inner Fight," Lieutenant Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) shares that she was acquainted with the infamous members of Nova Squadron at Starfleet Academy, as seen in the TNG episode "The First Duty" from season 5. Mariner held a friendship and looked up to Ensign Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill), who tragically lost her life during a mission depicted in the TNG episode "Lower Decks" from season 7. This event deeply affected Mariner and shaped her own perception of Starfleet.

Wil Wheaton Plays TNG Era Wesley Crusher In Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4 Finale

Disgraced former Starfleet Cadet Nicholas Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill) serves as the main antagonist in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4. Throughout the season, Locarno carried out attacks on non-Federation ships. Having taken Mariner aboard his starship, Nova One, it was revealed that Locarno had formed his own fleet known as Nova Fleet, comprised of Lower Deckers from various alien vessels. His ultimate plan involved using a stolen Ferengi Genesis Device to establish his dominance over the United Federation of Planets. Although Locarno and Mariner were not friends during their time at Starfleet Academy, he referred to her as a "junior member of Nova Squadron." However, an actual member of Nova Squadron finally emerges in Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Wil Wheaton last appeared as Wesley in Star Trek: Picard season 2.

Cadet Wesley Crusher, portrayed by Wil Wheaton, makes a comeback in the season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks. During a flashback to "Starfleet Academy, 13 years ago," which corresponds to 2368 in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 5, Wesley is shown alongside his close friends Nick Locarno, Sito Jaxa, and Joshua Albert as part of Nova Squadron. A youthful Beckett Mariner enthusiastically joins the group, discussing her fascination with studying the Iconians and the Xindi. However, both Wesley and Joshua express concern about the forbidden Kolvoord Starburst maneuver that Locarno is pushing Nova Squadron to perform. This maneuver has the potential to endanger Josh Albert's life and significantly impact the paths of Locarno, Sito, and Crusher.

The season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks marked the first on-screen appearance of Joshua Albert, who had previously been deceased in TNG's "The First Duty."

Despite fans' hopes, Wil Wheaton did not reprise his role as Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: Picard season 3. However, Wesley did make a brief appearance at the end of Star Trek: Picard season 2, where he recruited Kore Soong to join the Travelers. Wesley explained that he had changed and that Travelers were not supposed to interact with their past lives, which explains why he did not see his mother, Dr. Beverly Crusher, or meet his half-brother, Jack Crusher, in Picard season 3. Nonetheless, fans had long-awaited Wesley's appearance in Star Trek: Lower Decks, which finally came true. Fortunately, the flashback had significant implications for Lt. Beckett Mariner.

Wil Wheaton Joins Other TNG Actors To Play Their Characters On Star Trek: Lower Decks

Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, and John de Lancie have also voiced Riker, Troi, and Q.

Joining the ranks of Star Trek: The Next Generation actors who have reprised their roles on Star Trek: Lower Decks is Wil Wheaton. Lower Decks season 1 saw Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis setting the precedent by appearing as Captain Will Riker and Commander Deanna Troi, followed by Riker's return in season 2. Other TNG actors lending their voices to Lower Decks include John de Lancie as Q, Sue Gibney as Dr. Leah Brahms, and Lycia Naff as Captain Sonya Gomez. Additionally, Alice Krige voiced the Borg Queen and James Cromwell portrayed Dr. Zephram Cochrane from Star Trek: First Contact in Lower Decks.

Given Wesley Crusher's involvement with interdimensional travel as a Traveler, it seemed like an obvious choice to include him in Star Trek: Lower Decks. However, the animated comedy surprised audiences by featuring Wesley in a flashback before his transformation into a Traveler. Wheaton did an impressive job capturing his teenage self's voice, creating a genuine surprise for fans who witnessed Wesley prior to his Starfleet Academy plans being derailed. While absent from Star Trek: Picard season 3, Wesley Crusher's appearance in Star Trek: Lower Decks serves as a pleasant reminder that he is always welcome to make an appearance.

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 is available to stream on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the news that Wil Wheaton will not be reprising his role as Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: Picard season 3. On the one hand, I am disappointed that we won't get to see more of Wesley, who was a beloved character on Star Trek: The Next Generation. On the other hand, I understand that the showrunners may have felt that Wesley's story had already been told, and that it was time to move on to new characters and storylines.

I think it's important to remember that Star Trek is a franchise that has always been about change and evolution. The show has always been willing to take risks and try new things, and I think that's what has kept it fresh and relevant for over 50 years. So while I'm sad to see Wesley go, I'm also excited to see what the future holds for Star Trek: Picard. I'm confident that the showrunners will continue to tell great stories that will entertain and inspire fans for years to come.