PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG S4E9

Ah this one... What to say. Pays off in the end but it's a bit of a struggle to get there.

How long do you think Weasley's reassignment to thr Academy will last? Will he be back this season? Next?

Probably in my bottom five. Regresses on Picard/Wesley relationship until very end. Music score like a Hallmark drama, swelling in emotional scenes. B plot OK but asteroid belt trope just bad. Needed a Wrath of Khan reference: "You're thinking 2-dimensionally" and tow above the star system's plane. Bright spots: Riker captainy, Boothby teaser

Never saw this one before and I feel it really justifies Wheaton's decision to go. It was easily one of the best Wesley episodes but, as a departure episode it's kind of weak. I thought Tasha's speech at the end of Skin of Evil was way better.

Sad to see Wesley go. It’s too bad they didn’t write more shows like this one for him, Wil might not have decided to leave.

One of the better Wesley episodes, a good episode overall, but not in the top tier. I enjoy the conflict between Picard and the shuttle captain, only for Picard to be put out of the picture and Wesley having to grow a pair. If we had more of this Wesley on the show, the character would have been regarded more highly.

I always felt like Wesley comes off well in this. Aligns well with the season two episode where they take the shuttle craft together. Wesley needing to be the one who "saves Picard" (not sure that he would have died without the water it seeing how the enterprise was on it's way). I almost cheer when the drunken captain gets taken out. Not sure if that's healthy...

I think sending trash to burn up in the sun is a great idea, but my neighbors always complain when I throw mine at the sun.

I saw Nick Tate in the credits and envisioned Space:1999 Alan Carter in a Starfleet uniform. But by the time he showed up, I forgot about it and Nick is almost totally unrecognizable in the makeup.

Final Mission, it's the episode where the crew has to get rid of a giant hunk of garbage threatening everything around it .... oh also there's a ship spewing a bunch of radiation

Nice touch casting Nick Tate (the chief Eagle pilot from 70’s sci-fi show Space: 1999) as the pilot. Otherwise, a decent episode as a send off for Wesley, but otherwise nothing too memorable.

I feel giving Wesley an episode to shine is a good idea, I just wish it was a little better.

I really like this one. Wesley and Picard have a believable relationship. I like that Durgo's phaser is a prop from Star Trek 3 with rawhide wrapped on the handle.

Ah, Weasel. We were just getting to know you.

Automatic S tier for finally pulling the trigger on getting rid of Wesley this time. Now Crusher can really get her freak on without worrying about her son being around.

Have always had a soft spot for this one. The location filming is a nice change of scenery. Wil Wheaton turns out his best performance of the series. Much like Tasha Yar we get the strongest scenes and moments for the character in their farewell episode. If only they had given him more to do in previous seasons! I think this episode is a nice hint of what could’ve been l, especially when he stands up to Durgo: watching Wesley mature and grow into a young man and become a leader. What could have been. As for the B-plot of the aliens with the melted faces and the radioactive space garbage, well, let’s just say I have more sympathy for Pakleds. The alien’s performance is so melodramatic.

Bye Wessles… you will be missed ? This is so cinematic for a Wesley good bye episode, Tasha’s death looked like it was shot on video 🤣

This episode gives Wesley a very nice sendoff. Especially when you consider that the last time he was scheduled to leave Picard barely said goodbye. This time he gets to leave the ship and have heartfelt moments with Picard. And the desert planet looks great. The sentry tower obstacle is forgettable but that doesn’t negate all the good.

Watchable I guess? Definition of a C tier episode to me. My main issue is how I feel like we wasted so much time with the Wesley character over the course of the show. Obviously this is the end of Wesley on the main cast and what did we get from it? Doesn't really feel like there is any pay off to justify the amount of screen time he got. I don't hate Wesley but this really is a disappointing end to an underwhelming character.

It's fine. I guess.

I like the scenes with Picard and Wesley and they elevate the episode somewhat. Otherwise it’s just fine. Nothing particular bad but outside the above nothing great either.

Kinda average episode only elevated by it being a rather low-key send off. Plus, an appearance of some TOS style phasers as a way to show how dated that pilot's equipment was. What a jerk he was, he can take his dreski and go.

An overall solid episode with some nice Wesley/Picard moments and a pretty forgettable B plot on the Enterprise. I always did appreciate how Picard had a bit of a surrogate family dynamic with Wesley, especially how that all ties to Beverly, but at the same time that never seemed to develop as deeply as maybe it could have.

Geordi's visor musta been malfunctioning cause idk how tf he okay'd that shuttle for Picard and Wesley to ride in.

Possibly the most annoying guest star since Dr. Stubbs - it's actually a relief when the shuttle captain bites it. The B plot is actually interesting but overall this is a nice farewell for Wesley and offers some touching moments between him and Picard in the final few minutes.

I think I like this one a bit more than most, because I never hated Wesley as a character. He was a little annoying in S1, but S2 and on, he's a solid character acting appropriately given his natural intellect. Bonding with Picard in an impossible situation just makes sense.

Not a big fan of this one. The arrogance of the shuttle "captain" is just too annoying. But Wesley is fine! Peril for Picard™. Meh.