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Sep 15, 2023

Why it isn't fair to compare Wesley Crusher and Jack Crusher

BURBANK, CA - 1987: Wil Wheaton, star of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," poses

BURBANK, CA - 1987: Wil Wheaton, star of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," poses during a 1987 Burbank, California, photo portrait session. Wheaton played the young "Wesley Crusher" character for three seasons. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

Jack Crusher and Wesley Crusher are brothers, but they are vastly different for a reason

Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers) quickly became a popular character on Star Trek: Picard's season three, coming in much like a younger version of Captain James Kirk (William Shatner). His bravado and sarcasm didn't immediately win over Admiral Picard (Patrick Stewart) or Captain Riker (Jonathan Frakes), but he certainly earned a place with the fans, so much so that many have taken to comparing him to Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), Dr. Beverly Crusher's (Gates McFadden) son with her deceased husband, Jack.

In a recent article from Screenrant, John Orquiola writes that Jack did what Wesley never could, which essentially was graduate from Starfleet. Orquiola adds that Jack's accomplishment "bettered his big brother Wesley." But I don't believe that's a fair comparison. It wasn't a case of Wesley not being able to graduate from Starfleet and take a position with Starfleet, he left the Academy and became a Traveler after having a vision from his father who showed him his destiny which was far beyond Starfleet.

Jack and Wesley Crusher chose different paths, but one isn't necessarily better than the other. Though Wesley's choice prevents him from having contact with his family, he is able to do more than any Starfleet officer ever could. After becoming a Traveler, Wesley could alter space and time. He could phase in and out of time and dimensions and move between planets and starships. This ability allowed him to appear before Isa Briones’ character, Kore Soong, on Star Trek: PIcard's second season finale.

Like many brothers, Wesley and Jack have gone in separate directions with their lives, and Jack's graduation from the Academy and new assignment aboard the Enterprise doesn't negate everything Wesley did accomplish. As a teenager, he became an acting ensign aboard the Enterprise. He saved the crew several times as well as Captain Picard himself. And he chose to leave his mother and the world he knew to embrace what being a Traveler was all about.

Being a Starfleet officer wasn't in Wesley's destiny. Not everyone can or wants to become an officer and travel the galaxy. The world we know in Star Trek needs those who choose alternate paths in life, and Wesley's choice shouldn't be diminished.