At the recent Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo a rare event happened. The core cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation united on stage for a panel. There, an interesting question was posed to Wil Wheaton by a unique fan: Battlestar Galactica’s Aaron Douglas.

This prompted the youngest member of the cast (now 39 years old) to take a moment and get something off his chest to his former cast mates.

So great to see these guys all together and I wish I could have been there for this awesome and genuine moment.

Wil’s character Wesley Crusher on Next Generation was not unanimously received and Wil’s decision to leave the show was apparently his own. It’s not like he has been out of work since leaving Star Trek, however in geek circles, he has earned his own recognition – even playing himself on The Big Bang Theory.

But to hear him come to terms with his position on the stage, and finally be able to admit to the cast he worked with the longest that he always felt like an outsider – and then be affirmed by them – had to be a big relief for him.

This was very touching to see. Considering the show has been off the air for 18 years, and the last feature film with this cast was a decade ago, it is a testament to the fans who still have a soft spot for the franchise.

Clearly this made a great impact on Wil Wheaton’s life and career.

Do you still consider yourself a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation?