Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Family (1990) User Reviews

Definitely One Of The Strongest Episodes

[M_Exchange · 9/10 · 2 February 2017]

This story was PERFECTLY timed for a release after the Borg crisis. It reminded us of humans' and klingons' superiority over the Borg in the form of three dimensional, sentient beings who aren't under the thrall of collectivized thinking. It also connected us even further into Worf and Picard's backgrounds. Patrick Stewart delivered a convincing and passionate note of closure (until "First Contact") about his traumatic Borg experience, which his character needed desperately and is probably why he visited his family in the first place.

Every every actor who was involved with this episode delivered well, including the guest actors who played Worf and Picard's relatives.

It's definitely a great start to season four.

TNG at it's emotional best.

[dlaird8 · 9/10 · 24 March 2019]

This episode is somewhat a continuation of the 'Best of Both Worlds' episodes as it features both the ship and crew recovering after their encounter with the Borg. Picard and Worf visit and have a visit respectively with their family. Dr Crusher has a message for Wesley from his father. I enjoyed Wesley's part in this episode, it seems many others did not. It certainly is the weak subplot, Worf's subplot is far stronger, although less emotional, hey it's Worf, what do you expect? Picard's role in this episode is fantastic. A view into his experience and the effect it had on him while being part of the Borg collective. Great story telling to further add to the narrative of ' Best of Both Worlds'.

Shore Leave

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 20 May 2020]

This episode rakes the Enterprise back to earth for some rest and relaxation for the crew. For some members its a chance to connect with friends ad family.

Jean-Luc Picard goes home to the wine country of France where his older brother runs the wine business he inherited from the father. Jeremy Kemp is the older brother the dutiful and obedient son as opposed Patrick Stewart who looked at horizons and wanted to explore.

Theodore Bikel and Georgia Brown are Worf's adoptive earth parents and they show he infinite patience it took to raise a child from an alien and warrior culture. Bikel served one some smaller ships and he's really impressed with the Enterprise.

And Wil Wheaton gets to run a program his late father left him in the holodeck. A most tender moment.

No Doubt the Most Touching Episode of All

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 20 August 2014]

The sage continues. Picard, reeling from the effects of being invaded by the Borg, goes on holiday to visit his brother at his vineyard. There is little love between the brothers. Robert (Row-Bear) has stayed close to the soil, growing grapes and producing wine, while Jean-Luc has been exploring the stars. Robert, the older brother, has been in the shadow of his brother his whole life and is full of resentment. Even though they have not seen each other for years, the tension between them can be cut with a knife. His brother comes off initially as petty and small minded. He also accuses Jean-Luc of trying to corrupt their son. The thing that is going on, however, is that the Captain is damaged. He has never felt out of control before and his experiences in the previous episode are on his sleeve. There is a wonderful scene which I won't spoil.

Other subplots have to do with Worf's adoptive parents showing up on the Enterprise. It's the old Klingon tussle with his roots. His parents are impressive, especially his father, a very well known engineer. They are, however, humans, and Worf feels they are a bit too showy. It's a neat subplot.

Also, Beverly Crusher hands Wesley a recording his father made for him. She has picked up a storage box that contained his effects, including his uniform. He, of course, died early. There are some scenes in this episode that will make it hard to keep a dry eye. What a great beginning to this season.

It's about family.

[russem31 · 20 April 2006]

ST:TNG:78 - "Family" (Stardate: 44012.3) - this is the 2nd episode (to air) of the 4th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, though it is the 4th episode to go into production.

After the tumultuous events of "The Best Of Both Worlds", the Enterprise and her crew need to recuperate. While the Enterprise docks in Earth orbit to undergo repairs, Picard and crew take time off to visit family.

For Riker and Troi, it's to visit an old romantic spot in Angel Falls, Venezuela.

For Worf, his human parents come to see him because of his dishonor in "Sins Of The Father", only to greet a distant Worf who is uncomfortable with them being there.

For Wesley, it's to meet his father Jack (in the Original Series Star Trek movies uniform) in the form of a hologram made at the time Wesley was 10 months old.

And for Picard, he goes back to the French village where he grew up - to meet his estranged brother Robert (played by Jeremy Kemp) who has a disdain for technology and the future (unlike his captain brother) and also to meet his wife and nephew (a nephew we will see again in Star Trek: Generations along with the mention of Robert and wife).

This is truly a unique TNG episode, in that it's "down to earth".

Trivia note: this episode is the only time you don't see the Enterprise Bridge in all of TNG. You won't see the Picard family vineyard again until "All Good Things . . ." And, Guinan (played by Whoopi Goldberg) asks Worf's parents why they never introduced him to prune juice (referring to her introduction of the drink to Worf in "Yesterday's Enterprise)!

You gotta see this one.

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 17 November 2014]

This episode picks up after the giant Armageddon-like battle with the Borg. Now, things are calm and it's a time to regroup, relax and take stock. And, for Picard and Worf, it's a time to reconnect with family now that they are just outside the Earth. And, there's a minor plot involving Wesley viewing a message left to him by his father--a father who was killed in action long ago.

As for Worf, he's embarrassed by his human adoptive parents. While nice folks, the always stolid and gruff Worf doesn't know how to act in front of the crew and he's obviously uncomfortable. And, in Picard's case, he heads back to his ancestral home in France--and his homecoming is awkward, as his relationship with his brother is estranged. It seems that the brother wanted Jean-Luc to remain home and run the family estate--whereas Jean-Luc wanted the adventure of space travel. All this gives Worf and Picard a chance to think through where they've come in life and where they are headed.

This is a wonderful follow-up episode to the great two-parter that preceded it. Great because it explored the frailty of two important characters and did it in a way that seemed real and quite touching. Exceptionally well acted and among the very best shows in the series.

All in the family

[Mr-Fusion · 10/10 · 7 January 2017]

'Family' is one of my favorite TNG episodes; partly because it's deceptively uneventful, but mostly because it's a brilliant human drama. The acting is impressive from everyone involved, but especially Patrick Stewart. This shore leave story feels entirely necessary after the dust settles from 'The Best of Both Worlds' and Picard takes this opportunity to reconnect with his roots.

A contentious sibling relationship is something we can all relate to, but Robert is the presence Picard needs to finally come to terms with what he was forced to do:

"You don't know, Robert. You don't know... They took everything I was. They used me to kill and to destroy and I couldn't stop them!"

This is a show-stopping scene and renews the explorer in Picard. And that restless sense of adventure doesn't stop with his generation.

It's an amazingly cathartic episode.

10/10.

Meet the Picards!

[gritfrombray-1 · 10/10 · 2 May 2007]

After watching The Best Of Both Worlds I really believed Next Gen could not get better than this. Then I saw this episode and had to pinch myself as it was one of the best episodes of Star Trek as a whole, that I've ever seen. This is actually part three of the previous two parter and is about Jean Luc's exorcism from the demons of his experience as part of the Borg collective. The guest cast in this was first rate and Jeremy Kemp was fantastic as the brother with a grudge to Jean Luc. Worf's foster parents gave a golden performance and really brought a warmth and new softer side not often seen in Worf. In the Picard home we see Robert and Jean Luc squabbling and it eventually comes to blows then laughter at their absurdity of being two men fighting like schoolchildren! Jean Luc's laughter quickly turn to tears as the events of his experience overcome him. Robert makes it clear that Jean Luc needed that release and the two get to singing and drinking together. Worf eventually confronts his parents and tells them that he does care and he's glad to have them aboard. They make it clear the he is their son and that they love him and would be proud of him no matter what he'd done, in one of the episode's most touching scenes. Back at the Picard's Jean Luc says farewell and he says goodbye in turn to Rene then Marie, Robert hands Jean Luc a bottle of Château Picard and tells Jean Luc to try and not drink it alone. The two brothers then face each other for a brief moment, watch these two actors for a powerful scene as they look at each other as two brothers who have nearly lost a lifetime together and finding it again, who then embrace, and Jean Luc walks away. Back on the Enterprise Worf's parents are departing and Worf asks his Mom to send him some rokeg blood pie! When Jean Luc meets Worf and family he is delighted and asks Sergei did he have the full tour of the ship, he replies that there's still a few areas because of the repairs, he is quickly bustled into the transporter room by his wife to depart, Jean Luc walks away with a smile being far more repaired than the ship itself.

A masterclass

[Kinnear18 · 10/10 · 14 June 2019]

Stewart gives the best piece of acting in the history of Star Trek in this episode in my opinion. Brilliant

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Family

[Scarecrow-88 · 10/10 · 17 August 2013]

"Family" is a very personal film to me. While the subplot with Wesley Crusher is of such significance to me, the "Picard returning home to France to salvage old wounds still bleeding just a bit" part is certainly a major reason the episode retains such a measure of value, with this power that resonates because of what just previously happened to the Captain in "The Best of Both Worlds".

In "Family" Picard's past will be open to us, as will his emotional wounds still gushing internally yet truly shared externally. Picard's brother, a wine grower, taking his father's place on the farm kept in the family for generations, still harbors ill will, resentment, and jealousy towards Jean Luc; mainly displeased with how he left behind such a shadow, brother Robert (Jeremy Kemp) considers him too arrogant, absent humility, and "too good" for the farm and little village of his youth. This is Picard's chance to right the ship and better his relationship with a brother he hasn't seen in 20 years (he hadn't visited the home of his youth in this span of time), but "Family" is also a chance to explore the Borg's rape of the Captain. Such violation gave Patrick Stewart an opportunity to expose emotions laid bare, with a vulnerability rarely shown at such a scale; Picard spends a lot of time distanced and withdrawn, until he finally admits it all in a confessional to a brother needing to see his "humanity". That muddy scuffle in the wine thickets is a chance to see just how damaged a person can be when violated as Picard just breaks open for Robert who is honest in that the Captain will have no choice but to live with what Locutus of Borg did to innocent life. That tension between brothers, with a charming Samantha Eggar as Robert's wife, Marie, trying to smooth matters over and offering a kindness Picard so desperately needs, provides plenty of emotional fireworks. Robert and Marie's son has dreams of being a starship captain, bonding with Picard while he's visiting. There's a beautiful closing scene where the kid is looking out into the stars that perhaps paralleled Jean Luc's own experience as a child. Sadly, as we learn later, this dream won't come true.

Also a marvelous subplot features Theodore Bikel and Georgia Brown as Worf's delightful human parents: unflappable, proud, and awestruck by their son's achievements and the Enterprise itself, taking advantage of the shore leave and the starship's docking at an orbit of Earth while under repairs after their war with the Borg, these two just want to see their son and spend time with him. Bikel, of course, is so amazed at the ship and wants to see every inch of it, fascinated by its inner workings because he was once an officer (now retired, of course, but still he's curious and interested), with Brown always so gushing with joy, sometimes embarrassing to Worf (he asks them to possibly "be more restrained"). A smaller but just as valuable subplot has Dr. Crusher going through her husband's things from Earth kept in a box for the right time, finding an "introduction" to her son from him, wondering if she should allow Wesley to finally see it (she feels uncertain because he's just coming to terms with his father's absence). Because I lost my father at such a young age, this was especially potent to me. Wesley seeing his father, the message directed to him right after birth, and the father talking as if he would have plenty of time to direct other messages to his son: this allows a son to see his father and accept that while he never would have time with him, he would know what this man really felt and the look on his face while speaking this to his son. Ultimately, this is about Picard coming to grips with a contentious past regarding his brother that needed settling and to no longer avoid the agony beset upon him by the Borg experience.

REVIEW 2022

[iamirwar · 7/10 · 2 September 2022]

After the high excitement of The Best Of Both Worlds episodes, we return to a more comfortable, and perhaps mundane type of episode: Family. Family is everything the name implies as we get to meet Worf's parents, the Captain's nephew, brother and sister-in-law. Even Wesley's old-man.

We spend some days with the Picard's at his family home in France. So, we have sibling rivalry between the two brothers, Jean-Luc and Robert. I found the attitude of brother Robare and his belief that cooking is becoming a lost art for which he blames technology, a bit silly. As Jean-Luc states, you don't have to lose anything just by adding a convenience. In truth, I don't think that this is a conversation that they would be having. As TNG is set around 2360s, it is unlikely that either men would have ever known a world that wasn't filled with new conveniences. It would be similar to someone who stands in a 2020 kitchen complaining about a microwave because they didn't need them in 1684. I comment on these things only because the story is a bit slow and turgid.

Having said that, I think this episode was important as it emphasised the trauma that Jean-Luc had experienced after his recent run-in with the Borg, and by doing so, the story adds more weight to the threat that the Borg present. Salut

Meanwhile, Worf takes his parents on a tour of the Enterprise. Still, I suppose we all need time to calm down and make some repairs to the ship. It's rest and recuperation time.

Footnote I: Georgia Brown appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show when The Beatles were on in 1964.

Robert distilling Captain Picard out of Jean Luc Picard.

[thevacinstaller · 10/10 · 21 March 2021]

Wonderful episode.

I want to highlight Jeremy Kemp's performance as 'Robert' as being absolutely spectacular. This episode has many themes in it but the one that stuck out to me was Robert's brotherly love for Jean Luc ---- the first scene is Robert mending a broken vine and this foreshadows the beautiful climax of the episode between the brothers. Jean Luc is collapsing inward and not sure of his identity anymore and Roberts constant confrontations and goading ultimately breaks through the wall that Jean Luc has created after his trauma. Patrick Steward is amazing as well but it's Jeremy Kemps performance as a tough love brother with genuine concern that gripped me throughout this one.

Worf's Russians parents are delightful. I loved the scene of his father using his love of ship design to get alone time with Geordi to discuss how to help out his son. Nice to see Worf figure out that these people have his back and show them some love.

I appreciated how they dedicated an episode to Picard dealing with the fallout. I am not a 'serialized' trek fan (as of 2021 at least) but that experience was just too weighty to not explore. With that said --- I wouldn't want 6 episodes of Jean Luc crying and have PTSD moments when arbitrating a alien dispute. One beautiful episode like this is enough and let's go boldly go forward.

This is the 3rd 10/10 for TNG. Touching.

A Part 3 in a Way

[Samuel-Shovel · 6/10 · 19 November 2019]

In "Family" while the Enterprise gets repairs done on Earth, different members of the crew reconnect with the families they have not seen in a long time. Worf's human parents visit the ship much to his Klingon chagrin. Wes receives a recorded message from his father from many years ago. Picard returns to his home village in France where he butts heads with his brother and is offered a prestigious role on a new research project on Earth. He also continues to deal with the emotional impact of what the Borg did to him.

After such an action packed pair of episodes I guess the writers wanted to sit back and relax a bit for an episode. The most action we get here is Picard and his brother mud-wrestling. But I thought his storyline was quite good, if not a bit disjointed. I've never cared for Wes and his daddy issues and this didn't change that. Big fan of Worf's overbearing parents though. They're quite the hoot. Pretty average episode that might get some flack because it's directly after the two part masterpiece but not every episode can be a classic.

At least it's better than season 1

[jpierce-66775 · 5/10 · 19 March 2020]

What's funny is the kid with the British accent that's from France! Stupid oversight!

TNG at its best

[chris-cerar · 10/10 · 26 February 2019]

Great and touching stories about Picard and Worf visiting with their families. One of my all time favorite episodes... perfect except for the contrived Wesley & Jack Crusher subplot.

Quality writing and acting

[endalayng · 10/10 · 21 August 2020]

Watched this today after many years , a bit of a forgotten episode. Excellent as a follow up to the Best of Both Worlds. Superb acting from Stewart and a great script.

The aftermath

[anthonylesley · 10/10 · 9 April 2020]

In this episode we see the aftermath of Picard becoming a borg in the last two episodes a well written and acted episode.

Astounding

[kevinosborne_99 · 10/10 · 18 December 2020]

In the quality of a weekly hour long TV show, addressing that most complex of human interaction, family. I expected something good but not this good. As I push 70 all that really seems to matter is family, the one that was, and those who are ongoing and even appearing. The depth of emotional commitment is not optional which is a reason life and an accurate play of life, as in this show, is so plaintive and compelling.

Why dub picards brother?

[jasonbuckley-02962 · 9/10 · 13 January 2022]

The write up on IMDB says that Picard's brother was dubbed. I wonder why?

I would love to know as he was an actor of distinction.

Apparently I have written too little according to IMDB so pad pad pad.

Very strong and reflective episode

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 4 July 2021]

Captain Picard returns home to the family vineyard and Lieutenant Worf receives a visit from his parents.

This is a great reflective and emotional episode with a number of memorable character moments.

The story is driven by the mental state of three characters as we see them helped through the aftermath of traumatic events. All plot threads are done in a fairly slow but touching way by some great interactions with family.

Picard's scenes are the strongest as we witness him in a different environment, a different frame of mind following the events of the past two episodes and also we see him away from the duties of command. His relationship with his brother is less straightforward than the other family situations depicted which is what makes it the most compelling. I love how Picard's life path is heavily contrasted with his brother, both of whom have richly fulfilled lives in very different ways.

Visually it works well, particularly the scenes in France which depicts exactly the place you imagine Picard to originate from.

Patrick Stewart is brilliant, playing very well off Jeremy Kemp and Samantha Eggar. Michael Dorn, Will Wheaton, Gates McFadden and Marina Sirtis all give strong performances.

For me it is an 8.5/10 but I round upwards.

Why did they feel the need to go French?

[jackie-613-971127 · 6/10 · 26 September 2019]

When not one of the actors nor the writers is a French speaker, why put up that pretense? It's annoying every time they try to say the name Jean-Luc because English speakers cannot pronounce the sound "u". Even the character Picard can't say his own name right! But it is particularly irritating in this episode because they don't even know the lyrics of "Auprès de ma blonde"! It does not end in "il fait bon, fait bon, fait bon". It ends in "il fait bon DORMIR"! So please, either stick to English - or hire bilingual actors: Canada is just next door!

One of my favorites

[swiitchpst · 9/10 · 7 March 2023]

** Spoilers, Spoilers! You've been warned! **

As the title states, this is one of my favorite TNG episodes, after a fast-paced two part episode with the Borg, clearly everyone needed a break, including our fearless leader, Jean-Luc! He didn't even put up a fight this time! I like these episodes with down-time and love it or hate it, this episode contains a lot of Jean-Luc's backstory.

I saw a comment; "what's with the French with British accents?". I know there's a lot of Trekkies who do not like the new Star Trek: Picard, but it is explained why they have British accents so give it a watch. (However, no mention of Robert in STP.. wth)

The best scene hands-down is seeing the very proper and uptight Picard rolling around in the mud, followed by a drunked French duet with his brother, then trying to explain to Robert's wife exactly how the living room ended up so dirty! "I fell down and then he fell down and then we both fell down..." after we took out a row of grapes lol. It's nice to see these sides of Picard that we don't offend get to see.

I know this comment is going to catch a lot of flak but I've never liked Worf, most of the time anyways. I've always felt he should just embrace being unique, a Klingon raised by humans, rather than embarrassed by it, he goes to great lengths to be an ordinary Klingon, yet not so much that he'd leave Starfleet. With that said, I liked this Worf-story! His parents are great and the story about his trip to the principal's office was hilarious! "Tell me he's an only child!" Nope! He is not! Guinan talking to his parents about his new found love of prune juice which will carry over to his DS9 days!

And Wesley had an important moment, meeting his dad face-to-face, sort of, for the first time that he'll really remember. I know everyone hates Wesley Crusher, I myself like him, but am very confused by this and later episodes. His father makes a comment about Wesley following in his footsteps and in that moment, Wesley glances down, looking at his own Starfleet uniform and he seems proud! And yet he later rebels, saying he was tired of living up to everyone's expectations of him, I don't understand the sudden change of heart.

The one thing I found annoying was Troi butting her nose into everyone's business. I get that she is the counselor but my gosh lady, everything she had to say was negative! Is that such a good idea going home? Maybe we should open old wounds for Wesley! She's always been one of my least favorite characters as well.

All in all though, great episode!

Family reunion

[tomsly-40015 · 7/10 · 9 June 2023]

The Enterprise undergoes repairs and upgrades and the crew has time to meet their parents or relax on shore leave. Worf is not very pleased to see his adoptive parents coming on board the Enterprise. Especially his father who once served on a starship himself wants to see everything. I think we all know this feeling, when parents are so proud of their children that it becomes overbearing. But even Worf accepts the fact at the end, that family is family and that his parents wants to be a part of his life.

On the other hand we see Picard reunite with his brother and his family in France while visiting the family vineyard. Not sure why Picard has to dress like a homeless person. It looks like he put on some rags. And Picard surely loves to wear breast free clothing when not in his uniform.

A Senior Trekker writes.....................

[celineduchain · 5/10 · 20 January 2022]

Season 4 contains the 80th episode of The Next Generation, at which point it surpassed the output of the Original Series. A number of extended themes played out during this season delving into both the political backdrop and the personal lives of the crew. These continuing storylines proved extremely popular, however they did not detract from the use of Science Fiction to tell interesting stories. Senior Trekker continues to score every episode with a 5.

This is an extremely well-crafted episode which very nearly didn't get made. Apparently, the whole idea of following up the trauma of Best of Both Worlds with a human story about Captain Picard's delicate route to recovery was very unpopular with many executives, including Gene Roddenberry himself. There are differing accounts of what went on behind the scenes but we can be extremely thankful that the more humane voices prevailed.

The progression of the Star Trek franchise to a medium which allowed for character development and viewer identification with the regular cast is probably one of the main reasons for its outstanding success. If we look back to the Original Series without our "Rose Tinted Spectacles" for once, we can see that three larger-than-life actors impressed their characters upon viewers with little continuity or back story while the remainder of the Bridge Crew were chronically underused. On the other hand, no one could have known that the allowing The Next Generation to develop more character-led content wouldn't have resulted in a "Soap Opera in Outer Space". Something that no-one wanted at the time and which is proving extremely divisive in the 2020s.

So what does Family have to offer?

Three excellent British actors supporting Patrick Stewart for some intense and powerfully written scenes at his home vineyard. Various Locations in California successfully stood in for the La Barre region of France but no explanation is given as to why everyone speaks with such a pronounced English Accent. Nor can I find out why such an accomplished stage and screen actor as Jeremy Kemp needed to have his voice dubbed. Picard's nephew, Rene, played by David Birkin also made an indelible impression and returned to TNG on further occasions. This young man is a member of a well-known acting dynasty who has since been seen more in theatrical productions; a plethora of posh parts with double-barrelled names probably helping to put him off of screen work. Oscar nominee Samantha Eggar added such warmth and humanity to the part of Marie that, despite a small part in what was only one of the interlinked stories of this episode, we still remember her with great fondness.

Not quite the same can be said for Theodore Bikel and Georgia Brown playing Worf's adopted parents Sergey and Helena Rozhenkho. Their comic stereotypes were rather embarrassing at the time and now they might even be interpreted as offensive, which is a shame because the intention was clearly to depict a genuine, loving family background. Of course, Worf's hometown of Minsk has by now been a part of the country of Belarus (and NOT of Russia) for thirty years but who knows which maps may be re-drawn between now and the 24th Century?

The Wesley story suffers badly from being assigned third place, it could have done with a great deal more attention than simply having Dr Crusher and Captain Picard appear in flashbacks with different hairlines. Wesley's father's first recording was made just after Wesley was born but he didn't die until the boy was seven. What happened to the rest?

"All I need now is a little time to myself."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 13 January 2024]

With the Enterprise docked and receiving repairs at McKinley Station following the events of 'The Best of Both Worlds', members of the officer crew have time for much needed rest and recuperation. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) returns to his family home in the small village of Labarre, France, while Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) awaits the arrival of his adoptive human parents aboard ship. Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) finds a holographic message she had almost forgotten about, left by her husband for their son Wesley when he was just ten weeks old.

The Captain finds that his estranged older brother Robert (Jeremy Kemp) is still somewhat antagonistic toward him for leaving the family vineyard to go off to fulfill his dream of exploring in space. At a certain point they come to blows, and almost as quickly dissolve in fits of laughter over how foolish they have been toward each other. For Picard though, there was a darker moment when he admonished himself for an inability to resist the influence of The Borg when he was taken captive aboard their ship and transformed into Locutus (See 'Best of Both Worlds, Part 1 and 2'). After an inner struggle, Picard determined that he was not willing to remain behind on Earth to head up the Atlantis Project, a complex undertaking to raise the ocean floor proposed by a longtime friend.

Though initially embarrassed by his parents, Worf managed to successfully reconnect with them over the course of their stay, while Wesley encountered the holographic image of his father with some trepidation. He needn't have worried, as the heartfelt message left by Jack Crusher (Doug Wert) helped him understand what a good father he might have been had he survived into Wesley's adulthood. Of all the scenarios, the one with Wesley was perhaps the most emotional as it spoke to a father's love for a son he never got to really know.