Star Trek's Wil Wheaton responds cryptically to whether or not his character Wesley Crusher will return for Picard season 3. With Star Trek: Picard season 2 having just concluded, leaving viewers with more questions than answers, speculation has already begun for the show's third and final season. Picard season 2 followed Patrick Stewart's titular character through space and time as he attempted to correct the Prime timeline while crossing paths with cast members from The Next Generation and other Star Trek media.
Picard seasons 1 and 2 have seen many Next Generation cast members reprise their roles for the show, including Jonathan Frakes as William Riker, Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan, Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi, Brent Spiner as Data, and John de Lancie as Q. Wheaton proved no exception, returning as Wesley Crusher in a brief cameo appearance in the Picard season 2 finale. The show's Next Generation presence is only getting bigger in season 3; Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton, and Gates McFadden have already been announced as returning to their Next Generation roles in Picard season 3 along with much of the aforementioned stars. However, Wheaton was not included in the initial announcement, much to the dismay of fans.
Speaking to CinemaBlend, Wheaton discusses his possible future in Picard season 3. When asked about whether the cameo at the end of season 2 sets up Wheaton's return for season 3, the actor remains coy about any potential appearance. This is largely due to spoilers, though Wheaton promises fans will be satisfied. Read his new comments below.
"Ok, the thing is, I can’t answer that. Because if I do, it’s gonna give away, inadvertently, some of the story direction. What I can tell you obliquely and unsatisfyingly is I have had some amazing conversations with my castmates, who are my family, and I cannot overstate how incredibly satisfying Season 3 of Picard is going to be for everyone who loves The Next Generation."
The Picard season 2 finale confirmed Wesley's return to the franchise as a Traveler, a being who can travel through space and time. While serving as a cadet aboard the USS Enterprise in The Next Generation season 1, Wesley encountered The Traveler, who quickly became fascinated with the boy's unique mind. Four years later, The Traveler returned, and Wesley resigned his commission from Starfleet and left under The Traveler's tutelage to experience different realms of existence. Wesley's appearance in Picard season 2 shows that he had apparently learned the ways of The Travelers and is now recruiting Supervisors to help protect the flow of time, convincing Kore Soong (Isa Briones) to join him and his colleagues on their mission.
Although Wesley whisked Kore away to start a new life among different realities, it is still uncertain if Wheaton will return to Picard. A number of Star Trek: Picard cast members are leaving ahead of season 3, including Briones, giving some credence to Wheaton's potential absence as their two storylines are now interwoven. The actor was also not listed as returning for season 2, yet he made a cameo appearance that had major implications for the past and future of his character. What role Wheaton will play in Picard season 3 remains to be seen, but only time will tell if Wesley makes an appearance when the show returns to Paramount+ in 2023.
Source: CinemaBlend