When the son of Dr. Beverly Crusher came onboard the Enterprise, it wasn't exactly a welcome addition for Captain Picard. While Picard has a soft spot for Dr. Crusher, he's not very fond of kids. Initially, Picard wouldn't allow Wesley on the bridge. But it doesn't take long for Wesley to demonstrate that he's no rug rat. He's a bit of a genius, with a knack for science and engineering, who saved Picard after crash-landing on a desert moon.

Wesley's potential is underscored by the Traveler, an alien who tells Picard that Dr. Crusher's son has the capacity truly great things, if properly encouraged. Soon after, Picard appoints Wesley as an acting ensign, and allows him on the bridge.

When he takes the Starfleet Academy's entrance exams, Wesley's scores aren't high enough to get him in. He tries again the next year, and is accepted. Shortly before his Academy graduation, Wesley's life takes a dark turn. He participates in a cover-up regarding a fatal crash of the Academy's Nova Squadron precision flight team, and must deal with the consequences.

Wesley had some rough days on the Enterprise: He was sentenced to death on Rubicun III, and had to save his mother from terrorists and from a warp-bubble reality. Ultimately, Wesley resigns from Starfleet, disillusioned by officials' decision to evacuate colonists on Dorvan V.