The First Duty (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
| "The First Duty" | |
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| Star Trek: The Next Generation episode | |
Cadet Wesley Crusher testifies at an accident inquiry.
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| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 19 |
| Directed by | Paul Lynch |
| Written by | |
| Featured music | Jay Chattaway |
| Production code | 219 |
| Original air date | March 30, 1992 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
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"The First Duty" is the 119th episode of the American syndicated science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 19th episode of the show's fifth season. It featured the return of former regular castmember Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher as well as the first of three appearances by Ray Walston as Boothby.
In this episode, while visiting Starfleet Cadet Wesley Crusher at Starfleet Academy, the crew of the Federation Starfleet starship USS Enterprise learn of an accident that claimed the life of a cadet.
The Enterprise returns to Earth, where Captain Picard is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Starfleet Academy's graduation ceremony. However, the crew comes to learn of an accident during flight training that has injured Wesley Crusher and caused the death of fellow Nova Squadron member Joshua Albert. Picard, concerned, orders his crew to investigate the accident. They discover evidence that Wesley's squad was attempting to perform, not the assigned "Yeager loop" but a banned maneuver called the "Kolvoord Starburst." Picard accosts Wesley and demands to know the truth, but Wesley responds that an answer would be self-incriminating. Picard reminds him of his Starfleet duty and gives Wesley an ultimatum: either the boy comes forward with the truth, or Picard would present his evidence of the deceptions discovered himself.
Wesley is torn between telling the truth and meeting the demands of Nova Squadron leader Nick Locarno, who insists that the accident was Joshua's fault. Locarno attempts to coerce Wesley into backing up the lie, claiming that Picard has no evidence for a credible accusation, thus tearing Wesley between their friendship and their obligations as Starfleet officers.
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