Ep 20. Journey's End
- TV-PG
- March 28, 1994
- 45 min
-
6.3 (2,753)
In the season 7 episode 20 of Star Trek: The Next Generation, entitled "Journey's End," the crew of the Enterprise is tasked with relocating a group of Native American settlers from a planet known as Dorvan V. The settlers are members of the once-great "American Indian Movement," and have been living on the planet for over a decade after being displaced from Earth.
The settlers on Dorvan V have been living in peace with the nearby Cardassians, but tensions between the two groups have begun to rise. The Cardassians have claimed that the settlers' presence on the planet is disrupting their mining operations, and the Federation has decided to relocate the settlers in order to avoid an interstellar conflict.
Captain Picard is troubled by the idea of forcibly removing people from their homes, especially given the settlers' history of displacement. However, he is tasked with overseeing the relocation, and he must balance his duty with his conscience.
Meanwhile, Wesley Crusher, who has returned to the Enterprise after spending time with Native American spiritual leader "The Traveler," has been having visions of a mysterious energy field surrounding the planet. Wesley believes that the energy field could be a gateway to another dimension, and he becomes convinced that the settlers' relocation will disrupt the field and cause irreparable damage. He sets out to prove his theory to Captain Picard and the rest of the crew, but finds himself at odds with both the settlers and the Federation.
As tensions rise and the stakes become higher, the Enterprise crew must navigate a complex web of politics and ethics in order to do what is best for everyone involved. The episode raises poignant questions about cultural identity, displacement, and power. It is a fitting farewell to one of the show's most beloved characters, Wesley Crusher, who has grown and evolved throughout the series.
"Journey's End" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant episode that is a testament to the show's enduring legacy. It is a must-watch for fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation and science fiction.