The Dauphin is probably the best Wesley episode until the one with the accident at the academy in a few seasons. What I really mean by that is it is an only slightly above average episode. Seeing the advice Wesley gets from various members of the crew on how to court Salia is the best parts other than when Worf is flirting with the old lady shapeshifter. The complete lack of Pulaski is also a big plus for this episode.
The Enterprise has been assigned the job of transporting the future leader of Dalen IV from the isolated planet where she has been raised and trained for her duties. When the arrive they are only able to make voice contact with the Enterprise. Salia and her guardian Anya are beamed aboard and while on their way to their quarters encounter Wesley on an errand for Geordi. Salia recognized the component Wesley is carrying and they quickly fall for each other, but Anya isn't having any of it and insists they retire to quarters. Wesley goes to Worf for advice on trying to date Salia we get to hear about Klingon mating rituals for the first time which involve yelling, throwing things and love poetry. Not being satisfied with this advice Wesley goes to Riker next and instead gets to watch him flirt with Guinan for a while.
Meanwhile Anya is on a tour of the ship. They stop in sickbay and encounter a patient with a disease that could possibly make Salia sick so Anya transforms into some huge monster and his to be stopped from killing the patient. Meanwhile Wesley has gone by Salia's quarters and finding her alone takes her on a date through the ship. They go to the holodeck and end up in Ten Forward. The conversation doesn't go well and Salia storms off but Wesley follows at Guinan's advice. Just after they run into each other Picard shows up with Anya and Salia has to leave with her guardian.
Picard tells Wesley to leave Salia alone but she comes to his quarters. Anya shows up and there is a shapeshifter showdown but fortunately security shows up and calms things down. They arrive at Dalen IV and Anya says good bye to Salia (before she has actually transported down which makes no sense given her previous actions but whatever). Salia goes to Wesley but he is too busy sulking. Just before she beams down to her life of isolation Wesley arrives and there is a heartfelt good bye before she transforms into an energy cloud and beams to the surface. Riker gives Wes a knowing grin and we cut to credits.
Review: I know I hated this one as an 8 year old boy, but it has improved a bit with age. Having to watch Wesley pout isn't the best, but overall the episode works. The aliens are sufficiently alien which is an nice bonus as well.
6 out of 10
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