10 Terrible Decisions That Led To Star Trek Losing Key Players
1. Wil Wheaton Makes A 'Really Smart Career Move' That Left Him Feeling Ashamed
Wil Wheaton joined the crew of Star Trek The Next Generation as the fresh faced son of Gates McFadden's Dr. Beverly Crusher. Wesley was a stand-in for Roddenberry himself, something which drew the ire of Eugene 'Rod' Roddenberry, as he himself was having issues with his father at the time.
Wheaton stayed with The Next Generation into its fourth season when he elected to leave the show full-time so that he could pursue what he felt was going to be a successful movie career.
Unfortunately, it didn't pan out that way.
As his career stalled somewhat in the '90s, he began to fall into depression. He spoke about his decision at a convention appearance in 2012, where he described the shame he felt for having left the way that he did. He went so far as to say that he had felt too ashamed to speak to his fellow cast mates. He both acknowledges, but doesn't hide behind, the fact that he was young and inexperienced.
In a heartwarming moment, the rest of the cast embraced him as the wayward son who had struck out to find his way. Wesley may never have been the most popular character on The Next Generation but Wil Wheaton still managed to win the hearts of the fandom regardless.