coming age star trek generation coming age 19th episode american science fiction television series star trek generation aired broadcast syndication march sandy originally wrote episode performed uncredited write episode series directed went direct episodes deep space voyager enterprise set 24th century series follows adventures starfleet crew federation starship enterprise episode takes entrance exam ward investigate senior staff enterprise episode marked appearance series speaking role vulcan events episode continued conspiracy snare million viewers watched episode broadcast critics giving mixed response plot captain friend admiral ward assistant commander aboard enterprise classified reasons quinn ordered perform investigation enterprise crew fully operate causes tension crew particularly questions senior staff based personal logs past actions young cadet having failed entrance examination attempts run away ends drifting able direct cadet pilot shuttle away planet bouncing atmosphere investigation completed informs quinn sign wrongdoing expresses interest joining crew future quinn tells feels unknown force starfleet seeking assure trust enterprise crew help combat threat quinn offers promotion admiral job overseeing place near quinn times offer time eventually declines prepares academy entrance exam succeeds passing parts exam helps highly talented fellow competitor solve difficult test problem advance worried psychological exam directed room wait test start waiting hears explosion nearby leaves room investigate finds men trapped fallen components fire room helps release man wounded heavy pipe tries man leave burning room man refuses forced leave scared man inside man safety outside room soon realizes psychological test eventually cadets told results granted admission encouraged try year thanks help wishes future success returns enterprise failed examination time production directed single episode generation later directed episodes deep space voyager enterprise conducted uncredited script write left details conspiracy deliberately open plans underway follow story coming age featured generation including appearance series appearance vulcan speaking role series quarter set built coming age set expanded gradually according scene requirements season construction errors scale model failed match miniature smaller new shuttle design later appearing previous episodes referenced investigation including gone battle angel justice scene cut episode crew celebrate 16th birthday wouldn ship time joining academy guest stars included fan original series later won pulitzer prize act play kentucky cycle previously main cast member guest stars later appeared franchise different roles appeared deep space episode progress returned different later generation episode matter honor film star trek generations events episode followed conspiracy features return quinn exam snare reception home media release episode aired march received nielsen ratings million broadcast increase million viewers previous episode home soil watched million viewers weeks prior following week episode heart glory watched million viewers reviewers watched episode end series writing questioned wasn guarded comparing similar situation original series episode machine felt sequence shuttle bounced atmosphere resembled premiere episode said exam sense surprises obvious leave series despite representing ultimate cliché liked episode credited strong performance cast called performance best season gave episode score review zack_handlen thought episode like getting continued end credits felt episode felt storyline having unconnected storylines happened original series handlen gave episode grade den geek said good episode despite heavy recommended readers watch episode described interviews sequence fantastic whilst writing described episode said knowing insane alien parasite conspiracy conspiracy ahead time look negatively episode coming age released vhs cassette united_states canada november episode included star trek generation season dvd box set released march season blu ray set released july
Coming of Age (Star Trek: The Next Generation)