Coming of Age

Admiral Quinn and Lt Cdr Remmick of the Inspector General's office board the Enterprise. Remmick questions the senior staff about Picard's past decisions, looking for something to criticise, and refuses to explain why. Meanwhile, Wesley travels to Relva VII to compete for a single Academy place against three other candidates, including a Benzite, Mordock, and a Vulcan, T'Shanik. On board, a teenager, Jake Kurland, who has failed the same exam, steals a shuttle in panic. When it goes out of control, Picard talks him through a risky manoeuvre to safety. Wesley's final psychological test forces him to face his deepest fear, choosing whom to save, a choice that echoes his father's death. Mordock wins the place, and Picard tells Wesley that he failed his own first attempt. Remmick finds nothing wrong, and Quinn admits he fears something is threatening Starfleet. He offers Picard command of the Academy, which Picard declines.