What Happened to Wesley Crusher in Star Trek? How did He Become a Traveler?
by Aishwarya R
Updated May 24, 2023
Wesley Crusher Role in Star Trek
Wesley Crusher is a fictional character within the Star Trek franchise, prominently appearing in the first four seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) and making sporadic appearances in the following three seasons. He also appeared in the film Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) and the series Star Trek: Picard (2022). Portrayed by actor Wil Wheaton, Wesley is the son of Beverly Crusher and Jack Crusher.
Lieutenant junior grade Wesley R. Crusher was the gifted son of Starfleet officers Lieutenant Commander Jack R. Crusher and Doctor Beverly Crusher. He was also the half-brother of Jack Crusher. Wesley spent several years aboard the USS Enterprise-D and later attended Starfleet Academy for three years. His Starfleet career faced a setback due to a scandal at the Academy but took an unexpected turn when he severed ties with the United Federation of Planets and became a protégé of the transdimensional Tau Alphan known as The Traveler.
Notable episodes featuring Wesley include "Encounter at Farpoint," "Final Mission," "The First Duty," "Rascals," and "Journey's End." At the age of five in 2353, Wesley experienced the loss of his father, Jack R. Crusher, who died during an away mission while serving on the USS Stargazer under Captain Jean-Luc Picard's command. In a difficult choice, Picard had to prioritize saving another team member over Crusher, leading to his father's demise. Wesley harbored initial anger towards Picard, perceiving his survival as unfair.
However, with time, he gained understanding of the situation faced by Picard and his father. Nonetheless, this experience instilled a fear within Wesley, as he developed an apprehension of being confronted with similar life-or-death decisions. It is indicated that Wesley eventually returned to Starfleet and, by 2379, achieved the rank of lieutenant junior grade. He may have resumed his travels by 2401, although he no longer went by the name Wesley Crusher. These developments were depicted in Star Trek: Nemesis and referenced in the Star Trek: Picard episode "Farewell."
What Happened to Wesley Crusher in Star Trek?
In Wesley Crusher's final episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, he became a "Traveler" and relinquished his human existence. Although not officially part of Star Trek canon, Wesley used this explanation when he wrote "The Wesley Story for the 400th Star Trek comic." Initially, Wesley Crusher was a divisive character in the early days of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Portrayed as a prodigious boy genius who often outshined Starfleet officers, Wesley was sometimes viewed as an annoying plot device during the show's first two seasons.
However, when Michael Piller took over as the head writer in season 3, Wesley's character was given more depth and flaws, transforming him into a relatable member of the show's ensemble. After serving as a regular cast member for three and a half seasons, Ensign Wesley Crusher left the Enterprise-D to pursue his studies at Starfleet Academy. Wesley's time at Starfleet Academy was tumultuous, marked by a particularly dark period involving the cover-up of a fellow cadet's death in the TNG episode "The First Duty."
As a consequence, Wesley lost a year's worth of academic credits and faced social ostracism on campus. Eventually, he made the decision to resign from the Academy and join the enigmatic being known as the Traveler, portrayed by Eric Menyuk, in the TNG season 7 episode "Journey's End." Although both Beverly and Captain Picard had reservations about Wesley leaving Starfleet, they trusted him to follow his own path and make his own choices.
How did Wesley Crusher Become a Traveler?
According to Wil Wheaton, who portrayed Wesley Crusher, one of the fundamental rules of being a Traveler is to never directly interact with the people, places, or planets from their previous lives. This restriction is in place to preserve their judgment and prevent any disruptions to reality. Wheaton further explained that although Wesley would desire to visit his mother and meet his brother, he understands that refraining from such interactions is a necessary sacrifice for the greater purpose he serves.
In line with these principles, Wheaton's appearance in the Season 2 finale of Star Trek: Picard aligns with these parameters, as he only appeared to extend an invitation to Kore Soong (Isa Briones) to join the Travelers. In a surprising turn of events, Wesley made a cameo appearance in the finale of Star Trek: Picard season 2, where the Travelers were retroactively depicted as an organization dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the timeline.
The Travelers were revealed to be overseers of the Supervisors, beings introduced in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode "Assignment: Earth," which centered around the character Gary Seven, played by Robert Lansing. Wesley journeyed to the 21st century and recruited Kore Soong, portrayed by Isa Briones and the daughter of the infamous geneticist Adam Soong (Brent Spiner), into the ranks of the Travelers, an offer she accepted. It appears that Wesley continues his cosmic mission as the third season of Star Trek: Picard commences.
Wesley Crusher Death Picard
In the episode "Justice" of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wesley Crusher is sentenced to death on an alien planet for inadvertently breaking their laws. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is faced with the challenge of saving Wesley's life while grappling with the decision of whether to violate the Prime Directive.
However, it is important to clarify that the rumors suggesting Wesley's decapitation in an unaired episode are unsubstantiated and lack any evidence. Wil Wheaton, the actor who portrayed Wesley Crusher, has repeatedly addressed these claims, confirming that Wesley did not meet his demise in the series.
In a recent appearance in Star Trek: Picard Season 2, in an episode titled "Farewell," Wesley made a return. The Travelers, who were previously retconned as a group dedicated to maintaining the timeline, were introduced. These Travelers were revealed to have connections to the Supervisors, who were first featured in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode "Assignment: Earth" and revolved around the character Gary Seven, portrayed by Robert Lansing.
Wesley, alongside the Travelers, traveled to the 21st century to recruit Kore Soong, the daughter of the nefarious geneticist Adam Soong, portrayed by Brent Spiner. While Wesley acknowledged that he couldn't guarantee Kore's safety, he still extended an offer to join the Travelers, which she gladly accepted.
As Season 3 of Star Trek: Picard begins, it appears that Wesley is still involved in his cosmic mission. Therefore, to clarify, Wesley Crusher did not meet his demise in Star Trek: The Next Generation or any other series within the Star Trek franchise.
Who Plays Wesley Crusher Role in Star Trek?
Richard William Wheaton III, born on July 29, 1972, is an American actor and writer known for his various roles. He gained recognition for portraying Wesley Crusher in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Additionally, he appeared in films like Stand by Me as Gordie Lachance, Toy Soldiers as Joey Trotta, and Flubber as Bennett Hoenicker. Wheaton has also contributed to voice acting, playing characters such as Aqualad in Teen Titans, Cosmic Boy in Legion of Super Heroes, and Mike Morningstar/Darkstar in the original continuity of the Ben 10 franchise.
He had recurring appearances as a fictionalized version of himself on the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, as well as roles like Fawkes in The Guild, Colin Mason in Leverage, and Dr. Isaac Parrish in Eureka. Wheaton co-created and hosted the board game show TableTop on YouTube. Furthermore, he narrated several audiobooks, including Ready Player One and Ready Player Two. Wheaton was born in Burbank, California, to Debra "Debbie" Nordean (née O'Connor), an actress, and Richard William Wheaton Jr., a medical specialist.
He has a brother named Jeremy and a sister named Amy, both of whom made uncredited appearances in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "When the Bough Breaks." Wheaton and Amy acted together in the 1987 film The Curse. As an adult, Wheaton has publicly discussed his difficult upbringing, describing his father as abusive during his childhood and his mother as an enabler of that abuse. He has also mentioned that his parents pushed him into becoming an actor. Currently, he is estranged from his parents.
On November 7, 1999, Wheaton married Anne Prince, and they reside in Arcadia, California, along with her two sons from a previous relationship. Upon reaching adulthood, both sons requested Wheaton to legally adopt them, and he fulfilled their wish.
What Happened to Wesley Crusher in Star Trek - FAQs
Wil Wheaton is an American actor and writer known for his portrayal of Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He has also appeared in films like Stand by Me and Flubber. Additionally, he has had recurring voice acting roles in Teen Titans and the Ben 10 franchise. Wheaton has made appearances on The Big Bang Theory and has been involved in web series such as The Guild and TableTop.
Wheaton has openly discussed his difficult relationship with his parents. He has described his father as abusive during his childhood and his mother as enabling that abuse. Wheaton is currently estranged from his parents.
No, Wesley Crusher did not die in Star Trek: The Next Generation or any other series within the Star Trek franchise. Rumors suggesting his decapitation in an unaired episode are not supported by any proof. Wil Wheaton himself has addressed these claims and confirmed that Wesley Crusher did not pass away in the series.
Wesley Crusher, portrayed by Wil Wheaton, made a recent appearance in Star Trek: Picard Season 2. In the episode titled "Farewell," Wesley, as part of the Travelers, traveled to the 21st century to recruit Kore Soong, the daughter of the character Adam Soong.
Apart from his portrayal of Wesley Crusher, Wil Wheaton has had several notable roles. He played Gordie Lachance in the film Stand by Me, Joey Trotta in Toy Soldiers, and Bennett Hoenicker in Flubber. He has also been involved in voice acting, including roles such as Aqualad in Teen Titans and Cosmic Boy in Legion of Super Heroes. Wheaton has appeared on the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, web series like The Guild, and hosted the board game show TableTop on YouTube. Additionally, he has narrated audiobooks, including Ready Player One and Ready Player Two.