New Star Trek Clip Finally Completes The Redemption Of The Next Generation’s Most Hated Character

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As Paramount takes the helm of Star Trek, 2026 may mark the end of an era for some existing shows. Despite looking to the future, recent Star Trek series consistently draw on the show’s history, often building on or even questioning established storylines. This allows creators to refine existing details and, in one notable instance, completely rehabilitate the reputation of a famously disliked character.

Thirty-five years after leaving The Next Generation, Wesley Crusher is now being recognized by Starfleet Academy in the future. A recent clip shared on Star Trek‘s Instagram from the new Trek series shows Wesley’s name on a wall honoring famous Starfleet officers. Captain Ake specifically calls out “…our greatest officers… who went on to become legendary” while pointing to the mural. It seems Wil Wheaton’s character is finally getting the recognition he deserves, and his inclusion is sparking a conversation among fans – even if it feels like a nod to longtime viewers.

Wesley Crusher DOES Deserve Praise (But Would Starfleet Actually Give It?!)

When Wesley Crusher departed the Enterprise in 1990, he held the rank of Ensign, having been promoted by Captain Picard after initially serving as an acting Ensign due to exceptional performance. While this seems minor now, it actually caused a lot of frustration among viewers at the time, and for years afterward. We can be glad The Next Generation didn’t premiere in the age of social media. Many fans criticized Wesley as a ‘Mary Sue’ – a character who is unrealistically perfect – and felt his solutions to problems came too easily, like a convenient plot device. His accomplishments often didn’t feel genuinely earned.

However, the criticism of Wesley’s promotion quickly fell apart. Even if he hadn’t fully earned his initial position, his actions aboard the Enterprise more than proved he deserved it. He should have received multiple commendations, even considering his relatively short time on the bridge. While he became less prominent after the first season and eventually left the show, his accomplishments during those early seasons were remarkable – we just tend to forget them because the show was always focused on intense situations and conflict, and he was simply one of the crew.

Given everything, it makes sense that Wesley Crusher is included on the Starfleet Academy mural. However, it’s a little strange from a Starfleet perspective. He did leave the Academy, even though it was to pursue something important, and it feels unusual for them to officially honor someone who didn’t complete their training. It’s also odd considering the mural seems to highlight a very specific, limited period of time in Starfleet’s long history. But ultimately, this is a nod to fans, and after all Wesley went through, he deserves this recognition, so we can overlook the inconsistency.

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2025-12-28 03:40