Why was Wesley written out of Star Trek? Details explored

Wesley Crusher first appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation on the pilot episode titled Encounter at Fairpoint. Ever since his debut, the character of Wesley Crusher appeared frequently throughout the first four seasons of Star Trek: TNG. However, soon after the conclusion of the debut season of the show, Wesley's contributions to the narrative was cut short, with him being eventually written out of the show altogether.

Here we take a look at the reason why the character of Wesley Crusher was written out by the creators of Star Trek: TNG alongwith a few words from Wil Wheaton, the actor who portrayed Wesley Crusher.

Why did Star Trek let go of Wesley Crusher?

Ever since his first appearance, several sections of the audience weren't exactly fond of the character of Wesley Crusher and they made their dislike felt. To many who watched the initial telecasts of Star Trek: TNG, Wesley came across as a precocious young boy who was also perceived as a one-dimensional character devoid of relatable characteristics and who seemed morally flawless.

On the other hand, the character also drew flak owing to the allegation of being a stand-in for Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. It is an interesting co-incidence that Roddenberry's middle name is Wesley. Through Wesley, Roddenberry sought to put himself and his own views directly into the action of the show. Nevertheless, as Roddenberry's direct intervention in the making of the show became sporadic following the conclusion of the first episode, so did Wesley's narrative importance.

Wil Wheaton speaks about Wesley Crusher and the show

In a recent interview with Cinemablend, actor Wil Wheaton expressed his delight after having watched TNG on Netflix. He remarked:

"For the first time in my career, I watched something I did with absolutely no self-consciousness. I wasn't watching one of my performances to see what I did wrong so I don't do that in the future. I was just loving Wesley and the way he was interacting with these kids and the production design and the visual design and all of it. I texted Jen [Muro] and I said, ’I didn't think I could love Wesley more, and I was wrong. I know him in a way now that I never did before. I feel like I get what kids when I was a kid got. I feel like I understand. I can feel Wesley Crusher the way people who love him, feel him, and it's different. I feel him as a fan in a way that I had only felt him as the guy that brings him to life.’"

He then went on to share a snippet of the character as shared with him by the show's co-producer and staff-writer Jennifer Muro:

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"‘He does have two hearts. One heart is Wesley Crusher's heart, and one heart is your heart. And they both exist inside of this character.’ And I was like, ‘Well, I'm wiping away the tears now, and I'm also going to steal that and make sure the world knows that because I love that.’"

Star Trek: The Next Generation is available for streaming on Netflix.

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