I'm sure many found this charming. For me, it was just so so. If it weren't for the implications of the young woman's presence, it wouldn't be all that gratifying. The Enterprise acts as envoy to take a teenaged girl (or so we think) along with her guardian to hopefully settle hostilities on a couple warring planets. Wesley Crusher sees her and it's lights out. Suddenly, his work begins to suffer and he seeks advice on how to woo her. The funniest is Worf who explains Klingon mating rituals. Wesley is flabbergasted. Meanwhile, the guardian tells Picard to keep Wesley away from the young woman. She has big fish to fry and doesn't need distractions. This character is a shape-shifter and is able to take on the presence of an enormous creature or a silly looking bear-like thing. The young woman has the same powers and so any dalliance with Wesley is compromised. There is a touching scene where he shows her some of the holodeck projections from other celestial locales and they have a nice moment together. We still know where this is going. A pleasant episode and a bit of development for Wesley's character. Worth seeing, certainly.
26 Reviews
The Dauphin
Scarecrow-8819 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
It is kind of unfortunate for the Beverly Crusher character that she wasn't on board the Enterprise when her son met his first love and had his first kiss. "The Dauphin" is a great episode for the Wesley character as he tries to maintain his duties helping Geordi make some routine adjustments in Engineering after meeting eyes with a lovely young woman named Salia (the stunning Jaime Hubbard, with a knockout smile and warm presence), raised in isolation by an allosomorph (shapeshifter), Anya (Paddi Edwards), who has been preparing her for a planet in a generational civil war to lead them into a hopeful peace. Salia was born from parents who were from opposite sides, so after their deaths, she was taken from her homeworld and sheltered light years away, Anya raising her for this specific purpose. Salia has reservations (who wouldn't?) and reluctance about the whole idea of becoming some leader of an entire planet, supposedly the last chance for a peace, the beacon of hope for centuries of war. Wesley becomes a monkey wrench in these plans, stirring the anger of Anya who serves as a Mama Bear Protector (and can shift into a giant furry creature with bulging red eyes, bear claws, and fangs), as Salia begins to contemplate the idea of exploring galaxies, enjoying the sights and sounds of other worlds
introduced to her by Wesley on the Holodeck and throughout the ship. So Picard is in a pickle and he has asked Wesley to stay away from Salia (
as Anya has insisted Salia stay away from Wesley). That will not be easy. Good moments between Wesley and Guinan (especially the end) talking about first love and how empty it can feel once that person that built such a strong bond with him is now gone. This episode also makes a statement (when Salia reveals what she *really* looks like) about love not being about what you look like as much as who you are, although Wes is rather taken aback by Salia's secret regarding the ability to take forms of any lifeform she so chooses. Worf's scenes with Anya, over which is a superior fighter and protector, make for some nicely intense back-and-forth, but their truce is perhaps even more special when both acknowledge their similarities. More or less an episode dedicated specifically to Wesley, this will probably most appeal to fans of the character (or the actor) than casual Next Gen fans.
It's okay Wesley --- Salia's smile would melt my heart too.
thevacinstaller9 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I liked this one -
I like a good 'low stakes' episode from time to time. The stakes of this episode involve the character of Salia wrestling with duty verses love with everyone's favorite ensign ---- Wesley Crusher.
Wesley has been adjusted for S2 and his superpowers have been put on hold during puberty; I find this has benefited his character immensely. I enjoyed the portrayal of Wesley's first time in love ----- it's like being under the influence of alcohol/drugs and it cracked me up when he was dropping equipment in engineering because he was so messed up on dopamine.... He should have walked into the Turbolift doors or stumble into Worf on the bridge.
The Riker/Guinan scene in ten forward was delightful ---- some over the top soapy dialogue and luvy dovey eyes at one another. Perfectly delivered.
Worf (the funniest character in trek history) is great in this episode. He has a line that turns out to be completely true in the first act of the episode, "The body is just a shell" in reference to the future leader Salia. He then provides Wesley with some sage like advice on how to win a klingon mate ----- His alternative advice for mating with human's "beg --- like a human...". At the end of the episode Worf is sad that he will not get a chance to fight Salia's caretaker because she was a worthy opponent. Worf cracks me up.
This is just one of those cute episodes with a bit of mystery mixed in. Instead of having Wesley be able to control space/time we get to explore his reaction to a universal human emotion --- and that makes him and the episode relatable.
I like a good 'low stakes' episode from time to time. The stakes of this episode involve the character of Salia wrestling with duty verses love with everyone's favorite ensign ---- Wesley Crusher.
Wesley has been adjusted for S2 and his superpowers have been put on hold during puberty; I find this has benefited his character immensely. I enjoyed the portrayal of Wesley's first time in love ----- it's like being under the influence of alcohol/drugs and it cracked me up when he was dropping equipment in engineering because he was so messed up on dopamine.... He should have walked into the Turbolift doors or stumble into Worf on the bridge.
The Riker/Guinan scene in ten forward was delightful ---- some over the top soapy dialogue and luvy dovey eyes at one another. Perfectly delivered.
Worf (the funniest character in trek history) is great in this episode. He has a line that turns out to be completely true in the first act of the episode, "The body is just a shell" in reference to the future leader Salia. He then provides Wesley with some sage like advice on how to win a klingon mate ----- His alternative advice for mating with human's "beg --- like a human...". At the end of the episode Worf is sad that he will not get a chance to fight Salia's caretaker because she was a worthy opponent. Worf cracks me up.
This is just one of those cute episodes with a bit of mystery mixed in. Instead of having Wesley be able to control space/time we get to explore his reaction to a universal human emotion --- and that makes him and the episode relatable.
One's first love.
russem3114 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
ST:TNG:36 - "The Dauphin" (Stardate: 42568.6) - this is the 10th episode to air in the second season of The Next Generation. This episode deals with one's first love - in this case, Wesley Crusher and a 16-year-old girl named Salia, who is destined to rule the planet of Salia, have an immediate attraction to each other, to the point that Wesley becomes absent-minded with his thoughts only about her. Over the course of the episode, they meet with each other, even behind Anya's (Salia's guardian) back and her wishes that Salia doesn't have anything to do with Wesley. However, of course in Star Trek tradition, something isn't what it seems to be. What this episode to find out!
Trivia: Wesley notes that ONLY 19% of the galaxy has been charted!
Trivia: Wesley notes that ONLY 19% of the galaxy has been charted!
Well Worth Watching
M_Exchange3 January 2017
I think that this episode is receiving a fairly low rating just because it revolves around most people's least favorite "The Next Generation" character, Wesley. Well, it's not one of the best TNG episodes, but it's definitely one of its better ones. It has a few unexpected, genuinely funny comedic twists and a light and entertaining romance story. I was actually impressed by the youngest actors' performances in this one, and the script is fairly solid.
I think that its rating might also be suffering because it follows one of the best Next Generation episodes of all time ("The Measure of a Man"). But it's well worth seeing. In comparing it to another episode that also featured Wesley fairly heavily, it's not the ridiculous, crushing bore that "The Naked Now" was.
I think that its rating might also be suffering because it follows one of the best Next Generation episodes of all time ("The Measure of a Man"). But it's well worth seeing. In comparing it to another episode that also featured Wesley fairly heavily, it's not the ridiculous, crushing bore that "The Naked Now" was.
Wesley Hearts Orangutans
anarchistica24 March 2020
The Dauphin is a Wesley-focused episode but it's quit nice. There are some fun, goofy monsters. The aliens are really alien. And there are a bunch of solid interactions between characters. Sure, the episode has someone talking to a giant teddy bear, but it all works - even the teeny-bopping melodrama isn't too painful.
Best scene did not involve Wes or Worf....
DrAGGill18 May 2022
A decent episode, the teen angst worked well enough, but for me the highlight was how Guinan and Riker sold their flirting showcase to Wesley. Just a short clip, but it was really starting to sizzle!
Thinking back knowing what will happen to Wesley, does anyone ever wonder if he stopped by on his journeys to visit Salia?
Thinking back knowing what will happen to Wesley, does anyone ever wonder if he stopped by on his journeys to visit Salia?
An embarrassing episode
alsation7218 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
A girl is being transported to a warring planet. Apparently her appearance will stop the fighting. Never really explained, only in very abstract terms.
She has a very strict older woman as an entourage. In the privacy of their room she turns into first a younger woman, then an embarrassing fake teddy bear alien thing. FTW?
Wesley gets a crush on the 'Dauphin' and goes around the ship asking everyone how to get laid.
The caretaker goes berserk over an ill person in sick bay (she wants him killed because the risk is too great) and the old lady turns into a larger furry alien; no less embarrassing than the small furry thing.
Worf has a limp wrist as he struggles with the beast, obviously they were holding a pose before the camera rolled. Worf will never seem tough again.
While the shape-shifting caretaker is confined to quarters, the Dauphin goes on a long boring date.
The climax occurs when the caretaker catches the Dauphin and Wesley talking in a room, triggering off the 'Chewbacca on acid' creature again for no apparent reason.
The Dauphin then turns into a square-shouldered fuzzy alien thing. This is getting humiliating. The costumes look like they were knocked up by school children.
The caretaker says she has to separate from the Dauphin, to a moon orbiting the warring planet that is the girl's destination. Seems like that would be more dangerous than talking to a boy ... but anyway.
Wesley is annoyed that the girl had been 'lying' by taking on a pretty girl's form. Wesley comes round and says goodbye on friendly terms, she turns into a sparkly ethereal form and is transported to the planet.
Could this be the worst episode of season 2?
She has a very strict older woman as an entourage. In the privacy of their room she turns into first a younger woman, then an embarrassing fake teddy bear alien thing. FTW?
Wesley gets a crush on the 'Dauphin' and goes around the ship asking everyone how to get laid.
The caretaker goes berserk over an ill person in sick bay (she wants him killed because the risk is too great) and the old lady turns into a larger furry alien; no less embarrassing than the small furry thing.
Worf has a limp wrist as he struggles with the beast, obviously they were holding a pose before the camera rolled. Worf will never seem tough again.
While the shape-shifting caretaker is confined to quarters, the Dauphin goes on a long boring date.
The climax occurs when the caretaker catches the Dauphin and Wesley talking in a room, triggering off the 'Chewbacca on acid' creature again for no apparent reason.
The Dauphin then turns into a square-shouldered fuzzy alien thing. This is getting humiliating. The costumes look like they were knocked up by school children.
The caretaker says she has to separate from the Dauphin, to a moon orbiting the warring planet that is the girl's destination. Seems like that would be more dangerous than talking to a boy ... but anyway.
Wesley is annoyed that the girl had been 'lying' by taking on a pretty girl's form. Wesley comes round and says goodbye on friendly terms, she turns into a sparkly ethereal form and is transported to the planet.
Could this be the worst episode of season 2?
"Gozer" vs Worf
XweAponX31 July 2013
Who was that girl? There really is not much info on Jaime Hubbard, she was only in a few TV shows from 1989-1995. No Bio, No other info or trivia on her page. I understand she was about 25 years old in this episode, but sells the Alien Teenage Princess thing beautifully.
So of course Wesley develops his first crush. Unfortunately, the girl has a nanny "Anya" acting as a Deflector Shield (Voice Actress Paddi Edwards - Who ironically was the voice of 'Gozer' in Ghostbusters).
In fact, Paddi the nanny was the high point of this Ep. We all thought she was just a protective old woman until she changes into a monster in sick bay. An "Alasamorph" - maybe a distant cousin to Odo, a Shapeshifter, and she's good at it. But her over-protectiveness is interrupting normal ship operations, and Salia (Jaime) is affecting Wesley the same way, he can't get any work done.
Picard confines Anya to quarters. She has a great confrontation with Worf. This gives Salia a chance to sneak out and chase down Wesley.
But "Nothing is as it seems", in more ways than the obvious. It is not simply that the nanny 'Anya' is not who she seemed, but we see Salia talking to a young woman and then a short alien bear. Eventually we figure out that these are also Anya, and she is much more than a Nanny.
Basically this episode is Anya and Selia's taxi ride from Harlem to The Bronx, and what they did to spend the time. The Enterprise is simply a backdrop, and it was lucky for Salia as well that Wesley was there to get all bothered.
This episode was long before they had any digital shots, so there are a couple of transformation sequences done by Dan Currie which were matte paintings shot over each other in rapid succession. The end result was fantastic. Eventually, Foundation Imaging would do CGI for Odo's transformations in DS9, but here, they could do more than the regular Orangish Odo-Goo, you could see the hair and skin textures developing in each piece of the transformation.
This episode in fact had a lot of great imagery, and it was all practical effects. It's worth seeing, even if you don't like Wesleysodes like this. But the Wesley-Salia salivation is not the only connection, there is a strong Anya-Worf connection, and the interaction between Michael Dorn and Paddi Edwards is like watching two boxers in the ring. Or, even better: Two Klingons with Bat'Leth's
So of course Wesley develops his first crush. Unfortunately, the girl has a nanny "Anya" acting as a Deflector Shield (Voice Actress Paddi Edwards - Who ironically was the voice of 'Gozer' in Ghostbusters).
In fact, Paddi the nanny was the high point of this Ep. We all thought she was just a protective old woman until she changes into a monster in sick bay. An "Alasamorph" - maybe a distant cousin to Odo, a Shapeshifter, and she's good at it. But her over-protectiveness is interrupting normal ship operations, and Salia (Jaime) is affecting Wesley the same way, he can't get any work done.
Picard confines Anya to quarters. She has a great confrontation with Worf. This gives Salia a chance to sneak out and chase down Wesley.
But "Nothing is as it seems", in more ways than the obvious. It is not simply that the nanny 'Anya' is not who she seemed, but we see Salia talking to a young woman and then a short alien bear. Eventually we figure out that these are also Anya, and she is much more than a Nanny.
Basically this episode is Anya and Selia's taxi ride from Harlem to The Bronx, and what they did to spend the time. The Enterprise is simply a backdrop, and it was lucky for Salia as well that Wesley was there to get all bothered.
This episode was long before they had any digital shots, so there are a couple of transformation sequences done by Dan Currie which were matte paintings shot over each other in rapid succession. The end result was fantastic. Eventually, Foundation Imaging would do CGI for Odo's transformations in DS9, but here, they could do more than the regular Orangish Odo-Goo, you could see the hair and skin textures developing in each piece of the transformation.
This episode in fact had a lot of great imagery, and it was all practical effects. It's worth seeing, even if you don't like Wesleysodes like this. But the Wesley-Salia salivation is not the only connection, there is a strong Anya-Worf connection, and the interaction between Michael Dorn and Paddi Edwards is like watching two boxers in the ring. Or, even better: Two Klingons with Bat'Leth's
Did they raid the TOS dress up box for those monster costumes??
axlrhodes17 November 2021
I'm going to lean positive on this one and go with a 7/10. There's coming of age stuff going on that would have worked well for me in 1991 when I was roughly the same age as Wesley, but of course now it all seems a bit creaky...but I'd be an old miser to take the show to task TOO hard on that. Obviously it's a bumpy landing back to earth after last week, but that was an extraordinary episode.
Negatives are all fairly obvious. It's a bit nondescript. The teenage crush thing is a bit frivolous and it does dominate most of the episode, so maybe I'm high on something to give a 7 but I liked a lot of the surrounding stuff.
Negatives are all fairly obvious. It's a bit nondescript. The teenage crush thing is a bit frivolous and it does dominate most of the episode, so maybe I'm high on something to give a 7 but I liked a lot of the surrounding stuff.
Wes Falls in Love with a Yeti
Samuel-Shovel1 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In "The Dauphin" the Enterprise is tasked with transporting the future leader of a warring planet from the planet she grew up on to her new kingdom. Her and Wesley fall for each other but there's something her and her governess aren't telling the crew: they are shapeshifters, capable of taking on many different forms.
This story revolves around Wesley's forbidden love story and boy does this thing drag on. There's no real B plot to speak of besides Worf and this old lady duking it out. The editing and pacing of this is all wrong. I hate Wesley-centric episodes and this one is no different. One of my least favorites of the season thus far.
This story revolves around Wesley's forbidden love story and boy does this thing drag on. There's no real B plot to speak of besides Worf and this old lady duking it out. The editing and pacing of this is all wrong. I hate Wesley-centric episodes and this one is no different. One of my least favorites of the season thus far.
Wesley's Crush
Tundrorock1 April 2021
Not sure why this gets such a low rating? Really enjoyed the episode. Wesley is immediately stunned by the beauty of a new visitor on the enterprise. As the romance progresses the visitors are not what they seem. Side plots however are a bit weak in this episode, those being the mutual respect between Anya and Warf and the warring factions. There's just not enough time to develop those subplots properly. The romance between Wesley and Salia is a charming one and carries the episode well enough.
"... I want to meet her, not dissect her."
classicsoncall31 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The title of this episode doesn't fit at all in any context. Not knowing what a 'dauphin' was, I had to look it up. It's a title that came to signify the eldest son of the King of France and was used from 1349 to 1830. The term wasn't even mentioned throughout the story, so whoever came up with it probably felt it sounded good without actually representing one of the principal characters, a young woman destined to be the negotiator of a peace agreement between the warring factions of her home planet. When Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) first lays eyes on Salia (Jaime Hubbard), it appears to be love at first sight on the part of both, but as events play out, a big surprise is in store for the crew of the Enterprise. Salia's mentor and protector Anya (Paddi Edwards) is an 'allasomorph', or shape-shifter if you will, and when she feels that her young protégé is in danger, she transforms into a hairy beast to scare off bystanders. Early on, a confrontation with Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) might have gotten violent, although his cooler instinct prevailed as Anya's temperament eased a bit as well. Wesley's initial crush is tempered as well when he learns that Salia also has the shape shifting ability, and that her true form is not human. It makes for a somewhat wistful ending as Wesley finds it hard to rationalize his feelings for a first true love, consoled by the fact that life will provide other opportunities to experience love in its many dimensions.
A Senior trekker writes..................
celineduchain2 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Second Season of Star Trek the Next Generation has often been downplayed due to multiple production and writing staff problems, and several major cast changes. Although of mixed quality, it does contain some outstanding and brilliant episodes. Senior Trekker is extremely grateful to all those people who worked so hard under difficult circumstances to keep it on our screens.
This is teen Wesley's First Romance episode and, what do you know? She's an alien who can turn into an old woman or a bug-eyed bear but her real form is a glowing silver cloud. That's about it.
So thrilled was Jaime Hubbard, the 29 year old actor who played Salia against the then 18 year old Will Wheaton, that she quit acting soon afterwards and qualified as a psychotherapist. She still lives and practices in Los Angeles where one of her stated specialities is mental problems encountered in the Entertainment Industry. It's been more than thirty years, Doctor Hubbard, this episode wasn't THAT bad..
(Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5)
This is teen Wesley's First Romance episode and, what do you know? She's an alien who can turn into an old woman or a bug-eyed bear but her real form is a glowing silver cloud. That's about it.
So thrilled was Jaime Hubbard, the 29 year old actor who played Salia against the then 18 year old Will Wheaton, that she quit acting soon afterwards and qualified as a psychotherapist. She still lives and practices in Los Angeles where one of her stated specialities is mental problems encountered in the Entertainment Industry. It's been more than thirty years, Doctor Hubbard, this episode wasn't THAT bad..
(Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5)
No advice needed. Just go with tasty chocolate --- it's time proven.
amusinghandle9 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Well, Wesley can check off "make out with a shapeshifting being of light" off the old bucket list.
Season 1 was filled with boy genius Wesley episodes that made it hard to relate to him. Here we have an episode where Wesley gets to experience the dopamine hit that is love at first sight --- and who can blame him? Salia is gorgeous and sweet.
Worf usually has solid advice but I can confirm that begging is not actually a successful method for winning a girls heart.
No real message with this episode but it's good lighthearted fare. I know this sounds crazy --- but how about asking Deanna Troi for advice? She's a counselor!
I had fun. I like regular human Wesley more.
Season 1 was filled with boy genius Wesley episodes that made it hard to relate to him. Here we have an episode where Wesley gets to experience the dopamine hit that is love at first sight --- and who can blame him? Salia is gorgeous and sweet.
Worf usually has solid advice but I can confirm that begging is not actually a successful method for winning a girls heart.
No real message with this episode but it's good lighthearted fare. I know this sounds crazy --- but how about asking Deanna Troi for advice? She's a counselor!
I had fun. I like regular human Wesley more.
Kind of silly...
planktonrules13 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The Enterprise has been sent to transport the next leader of Daled 4, Salea, back to her home planet. However, while this sounds like a simple task, it turns out that Salea's guardian, Anya, is a bit crazed--and is beyond just a bit over-protective. In fact, when she thinks that Salea is in danger (or pretty much ANYTHING COULD happen), Anya becomes a giant, snarling beast...literally. Well, it turns out that the pair are actually shape- shifters and Wesley doesn't realize this when his hormones start kicking in and he starts dreaming about her.
Seeing Wesley mooning about as well as the silly costumes the changelings all make this a very lightweight episode--one that is even a tad embarrassing at times. Not totally awful but not very good either.
Seeing Wesley mooning about as well as the silly costumes the changelings all make this a very lightweight episode--one that is even a tad embarrassing at times. Not totally awful but not very good either.
First Kiss
hubbardamanda8 June 2020
Almost as bad as "The Child"
Timothynorris10 September 2020
Another episode featuring Wesley. No, no, no. Tedious, silly,not engaging and those are the good points.
There are a couple of real stinkers in this season, this is one of them. Is it me or do the other actors seem less than enthused about being in this.
Shut up Wesley.
There are a couple of real stinkers in this season, this is one of them. Is it me or do the other actors seem less than enthused about being in this.
Shut up Wesley.
I was in love with Salia
Filmreader7 January 2022
The object of his affection
bkoganbing20 March 2019
This TNG story involves the Enterprise on a mission to bring back Jaimie Hubbard
the teen princess of a divided world to assume her thrown now that she has
reached her majority. The princess arrives accompanied by her maid/protector/duena and it seems to be taken from the story of Mary Stuart
when she arrives in Scotland from France.
The companion is played by Paddi Edwards who protects Hubbard from all but official contact. That's not pleasing to Hubbard as she's spotted Wil Wheaton who is close to her age. As for Wesley Crusher his hormones are kicking in.
Needless to say Hubbard is not what she seems and neither is the duena who can summon up some fierce powers in protecting her charge.
Nice to see Wesley growing up even though first female attraction for him is not quite what he imagined it to be.
The companion is played by Paddi Edwards who protects Hubbard from all but official contact. That's not pleasing to Hubbard as she's spotted Wil Wheaton who is close to her age. As for Wesley Crusher his hormones are kicking in.
Needless to say Hubbard is not what she seems and neither is the duena who can summon up some fierce powers in protecting her charge.
Nice to see Wesley growing up even though first female attraction for him is not quite what he imagined it to be.
Weak episode but some of it is so bad it's good
snoozejonc1 June 2021
Enterprise transports an important passenger and Wesley becomes romantically involved with her.
I found this to be one of the weakest entries in the second series mainly due to the lack of chemistry in the romance and the terrible visuals. It does have some saving graces that make it just about watchable, such as Guinan's contribution to the final scene and the unintentional humour generated by some of the effects and physical performances.
The story is a fairly uninspired teenage romance doomed to failure with some reasonable themes around parental attachment and protectiveness. I did not care for the relationship at all, as it is one of those typically bad 'they're in love because they are' type situations. Romances rarely work on episodic television as there is only 45 minutes to get you invested and the ingredients to make it work are not possible in such as short space of time unless its particularly cleverly written and well acted. For me a screen couple either have to go through something meaningful together from which the love develops or the actors need sizzling chemistry from the moment they share the screen. Neither of this happens in 'The Dauphin'.
As a romance, it is nowhere near as bad as it is an attempt at a creature concept. The visuals are truly horrible, with costumes and camp physical performance that would look bad in the original series. In addition to this the general visuals are awkward and poorly choreographed. The fight scenes, the entry of the security team and Wesley's first sight of his love interest are but a few examples of unintended comedy.
The less said about the scenes where Wesley seeks romantic advice from the crew members the better as most of it is pretty cringe-worthy, particularly Riker who comes across as creepy as ever when trying to be amorous.
Performances are generally decent. Will Wheaton is solid, but is no romantic lead and likewise Jamie Hubbard. Paddi Edwards does well with some quite poor material, as does Michael Dorn. The standout performer is easily Caryn Johnson as Guinan in two scenes, but mostly so in the final sequence where she is effortlessly natural.
I found this to be one of the weakest entries in the second series mainly due to the lack of chemistry in the romance and the terrible visuals. It does have some saving graces that make it just about watchable, such as Guinan's contribution to the final scene and the unintentional humour generated by some of the effects and physical performances.
The story is a fairly uninspired teenage romance doomed to failure with some reasonable themes around parental attachment and protectiveness. I did not care for the relationship at all, as it is one of those typically bad 'they're in love because they are' type situations. Romances rarely work on episodic television as there is only 45 minutes to get you invested and the ingredients to make it work are not possible in such as short space of time unless its particularly cleverly written and well acted. For me a screen couple either have to go through something meaningful together from which the love develops or the actors need sizzling chemistry from the moment they share the screen. Neither of this happens in 'The Dauphin'.
As a romance, it is nowhere near as bad as it is an attempt at a creature concept. The visuals are truly horrible, with costumes and camp physical performance that would look bad in the original series. In addition to this the general visuals are awkward and poorly choreographed. The fight scenes, the entry of the security team and Wesley's first sight of his love interest are but a few examples of unintended comedy.
The less said about the scenes where Wesley seeks romantic advice from the crew members the better as most of it is pretty cringe-worthy, particularly Riker who comes across as creepy as ever when trying to be amorous.
Performances are generally decent. Will Wheaton is solid, but is no romantic lead and likewise Jamie Hubbard. Paddi Edwards does well with some quite poor material, as does Michael Dorn. The standout performer is easily Caryn Johnson as Guinan in two scenes, but mostly so in the final sequence where she is effortlessly natural.
Wow!! That was a good story starring Young Wesley Crusher
jseph1234-262-61748817 July 2022
I have to say that the story was quite well done and very nice characterisation of the Princess Bride ala Star Trek starring Young Wesley Crusher.
It kinda illustrates the difficulties that Wesley goes through as a fatherless boy and millions of answers he his seeking as he grews into a Young Adult aboard a working Starship. Very Poignant story.
It kinda illustrates the difficulties that Wesley goes through as a fatherless boy and millions of answers he his seeking as he grews into a Young Adult aboard a working Starship. Very Poignant story.
What was the point?
tomsly-4001520 May 2023
This episode really had no point other than Wes falling in love for the first time. While I am not as harsh with the character of Wesley Crusher as others - he is not the worst Star Trek character ever, this would be Adira and Gray from Discovery - the lack of his acting skills are still obvious.
The monster costumes of the shapeshifters look ridiculous. We've seen more realistic creatures on the Muppets. And the security personnel of the Enterprise should be fired. They are useless. Worf is attacked by one shapeshifter in its monster form, yet the security crew does nothing but watch. How about using the phaser set on stun? And though Worf is security chief AND a Klingon, it is always fascinating how bad he is in fighting. Today they would cast actors for such a role, that have some martial arts background or at least are trained in fighting to perform their role. Just like Yar, Worf is useless as chief of security and hardly can't protect anyone on the ship.
And why is it that they always know so little about foreign species, yet they are called to assist them, or transport their people from planet A to planet B? And isn't the Enterprise a science vessel and exploration is the goal of its voyage? So how comes they hardly explore new species? Here they encounter shapeshifters. Yet no one seems interested in learning more about this species - biologically as well as culturally. They have no interest in exploring their homeworld. Finally feed the board computer with some data about this species and their planet. They always talk about that one day there might be the great cooperation between new species and the federation. Yet Starfleet doesn't seem to care about other species. Heck, even about Klingons they hardly know anything! Starfleet and the federation are a bunch of ignorants. Colonists that don't care about the species that they encounter.
The monster costumes of the shapeshifters look ridiculous. We've seen more realistic creatures on the Muppets. And the security personnel of the Enterprise should be fired. They are useless. Worf is attacked by one shapeshifter in its monster form, yet the security crew does nothing but watch. How about using the phaser set on stun? And though Worf is security chief AND a Klingon, it is always fascinating how bad he is in fighting. Today they would cast actors for such a role, that have some martial arts background or at least are trained in fighting to perform their role. Just like Yar, Worf is useless as chief of security and hardly can't protect anyone on the ship.
And why is it that they always know so little about foreign species, yet they are called to assist them, or transport their people from planet A to planet B? And isn't the Enterprise a science vessel and exploration is the goal of its voyage? So how comes they hardly explore new species? Here they encounter shapeshifters. Yet no one seems interested in learning more about this species - biologically as well as culturally. They have no interest in exploring their homeworld. Finally feed the board computer with some data about this species and their planet. They always talk about that one day there might be the great cooperation between new species and the federation. Yet Starfleet doesn't seem to care about other species. Heck, even about Klingons they hardly know anything! Starfleet and the federation are a bunch of ignorants. Colonists that don't care about the species that they encounter.
Some priceless moments
bwalker-7375118 November 2021
Ughhh! After The Measure of a Man we go back to season one... at least that's what it feels like in this very basic and hollow story.
Luckily season two has certain things going for it, like the amazing Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan who lights up her scenes, or Michael Dorn coming into his own as Worf and when he's gifted with anything even remotely amusing he can smash it out of the park with his superb delivery and timing.
Rushed and forced main plot but all around the periphery are nice moments. Then there's one or two scenes that are so bad that they're hilarious.
Not one to rewatch all that often....
Luckily season two has certain things going for it, like the amazing Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan who lights up her scenes, or Michael Dorn coming into his own as Worf and when he's gifted with anything even remotely amusing he can smash it out of the park with his superb delivery and timing.
Rushed and forced main plot but all around the periphery are nice moments. Then there's one or two scenes that are so bad that they're hilarious.
Not one to rewatch all that often....
Silly and Pointless
zombiemockingbird28 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Any episode where Wesley is the main character has three strikes against it to begin with. The whole story was boring from beginning to end. The Wesley/Salia romance was boring and completely uninteresting. The whole shape shifting thing was silly and uninteresting. What is there real appearance? Why not just be themselves? The girl stayed the same except the one time, but Anya was changing characters constantly; what's the point? I would have just shot the old bag with a phaser when she morphed into big foot on PCP. Anya is maniacal about protecting Salia while they're on a Starship, one of the safest places they could be, but when they get to their destination, she just lets her go off on her own. Huh? I either missed something or I just don't get it. Just a silly, pointless story. I gave this a 2 instead of 1 because I really enjoyed the scene with Guinan and Riker showing Wesley how to flirt. By the way, Guinan should replace Troi; she's a much better counsellor.
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