Star Trek: TNG Season 1 – Coming of Age

Link to StarTrek.com episode guide.

This episode is really all about tests of all different kinds . . .

• aptitude
• qualification
• character
• loyalty
• interpersonal skills

As Wesley gets tested along with some other youths, the adult crew members of the Enterprise are being tested in more ways than one.  Picard gets to show off some of his piloting skills.  The episode sets up some things for a later episode as well. 

I found a couple of good quotes/truisms too.  First from Worf: “Thinking about what you can’t control only wastes energy.”  I find this is a very Klingon attitude and one of the first times that Worf really gets to share some of his personal philosophy.  Second from Picard: “You have to measure your successes and failures from within.”  Very captain-like if you ask me.

This was also one of my least favourite episodes.  I think it’s due to the choice of the guest starring star fleet officers, perhaps related to the bad costuming of the early episodes.

Cool Science/Gadgets:

• Shuttlecraft

Fun Stuff:

• We get to see the dress uniforms