Imagine being a teenager, thrust into the spotlight of a massive sci-fi franchise, only to be told your body isn't good enough. That's precisely what happened to Wil Wheaton on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the experience left a lasting mark. Let's delve into the story of those infamous Starfleet uniforms and the 'trauma' they inflicted on one of the show's young stars.
For many, the first two seasons of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" are remembered for their… unique… Starfleet uniforms. While the colors were consistent with Star Trek tradition (gold for command, blue for sciences, and red for operations), the design was… less than stellar. Think of them as glorified, one-piece jumpsuits with a zipper running down the front. These weren't exactly known for their comfort or flattering fit. I even remember hearing Jonathan Frakes (Commander Riker) himself grumbling about them at a convention back in the 90s! He mentioned how they forced everyone to stand rigidly straight, and any extra weight gained was immediately obvious.
But here's where it gets controversial... While everyone seemed to dislike the original uniforms, the introduction of the new uniforms in the third season was a welcome change for both the cast and the audience. The updated design featured a two-piece jacket and pants combination, complete with a stylish new collar. These were far more comfortable and visually appealing, ditching the somewhat dated, "old-time sci-fi" aesthetic of the original jumpsuits. They allowed for more freedom of movement and a more relaxed posture, a huge relief for the actors.
However, one cast member's experience with the early uniforms was particularly difficult: Wil Wheaton, who played the boy genius Wesley Crusher. Wheaton openly admitted that his costume left him feeling deeply traumatized. He was only 15 when he landed the role, and while his character initially wore comfortable civilian attire, the second season saw Wesley promoted to acting ensign. This meant he had to don a grey Starfleet uniform… one of the original jumpsuits. And this is the part most people miss... Wheaton had an additional, deeply personal burden to bear.
Wheaton, naturally slim, was required to wear a “muscle suit” underneath his uniform. This padding was designed to give him a broader chest and more defined shoulders. Wheaton detailed his experience with this fake muscle suit on his website, WilWheaton.net. He described it as a source of immense humiliation.
Imagine, as a self-conscious teenager, having to wear padding to appear “manlier” on screen. It's no wonder Wheaton felt so deeply affected. On his website, Wheaton recounted a particularly painful experience: his first meeting with William Shatner. Shatner, according to Wheaton, was incredibly rude. The encounter was so unpleasant that Gene Roddenberry himself intervened, requesting Shatner to write Wheaton an apology. The pressure was amplified because Wheaton was still in his Wesley Crusher costume during this awkward introduction. This took place in 1988, during the concurrent filming of "Next Generation"'s second season and Shatner's directorial effort, "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," on the same studio lot. Wheaton was just 16 years old.
Wheaton loathed the costume, avoiding wearing it whenever possible. He described how he would unzip the top half, tie the sleeves around his waist, and wear a zipped-up fleece jacket to conceal the muscle suit. He believed he was the most traumatized by the muscle suit, even though other actors also wore them. "Having to wear all that thick padding did little to improve my fragile teenage self-esteem," he wrote. It felt like the costume department was openly declaring his natural physique inadequate. At least he wasn't alone in his padded prison.
Thankfully, the third season brought a change. Wesley transitioned to a two-piece Cadet uniform, and his role was reduced as the character left the Enterprise to attend Starfleet Academy. Wheaton never had to endure the uncomfortable and embarrassing muscle suit again.
This story raises a vital question: How much responsibility do television productions have to protect the self-esteem of their young actors? Was the muscle suit a necessary evil for the sake of the character, or an unnecessary blow to a vulnerable teenager's confidence? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
