Was that one black chick a better helmsman than Wes?

I ranted in another thread a while back how making the Helmsman a central character is almost useless because it is hard to show how good they are at their job.

So in ther 4 seasons or so we had of Wesley helming the Enterprise I can't think of any incident that made him stand out as a good helmsman. He was mostly "Set course, Mr. Crusher, Warp 8."

And that's it.

Then comes "Relics" at one point in that episode the Enterprise is attempting to leave the Sphere, the doors are closing and are to narrow to fit the hulk of the ship. So that one black lady helmsman (not sure if she ever got a name) types on her panel (wihtout being directed to) and we see the ship roll 90* and make it out the doors!

That right there makes her look like a great pilot! So I think she's better than Wesley as pilot.

 

Having literally just watched the episode 30 minutes ago, I have to comment!

I'm not really sure if that makes her a great pilot - I mean, who *wouldn't* have done that if they had been in her situation? Wasn't she just doing her job?

 

But she did it rapidly and instinctively! I've never seen that from Wesley.

 

In the real world, it's the difference between having an extra who isn't being paid to speak and a regular castmember who's drawing a check to yak his head off.

Still, you're right, pretty neat manouvre.

 

Is it Ensign Gates that you are referring to? Or Ensign Sariel Rager? I believe it may be the former/

 

Yeah, but they could've shown SOME skill in Wes' piloting.

And, Ensign Gates that's her.

 

She may have been doing her job, but no one ever yells at her, "SHUT UP, (name)!!!"

 

So high self-esteem translates into piloting skill?

No wonder they've got a counselor on the bridge!

 

Fricken Wes! How something so vile came out of something so pure and beautiful as my Bev is beyond me.

Speaking of better helmsman....man that russian chick in season 4 was all kinds of awesome...

 

I was always fond of Ens. McKnight.

 

There were a whole bunch of Hottie McHotties around season 3 and 4. All of which could have run circles around stupid Wesley

 

Because we need another reminder about how great Wes was.

 

Touche'.

 

Ha!

 

Well, to be fair, Wes was really more of an engineer than a helmsman. When did LaForge do some spectacular piloting?

 

Good point.

 

It's strange how a character designed to appeal to geeky, young men is so disliked on a show that... well, appealed greatly to geeky, young men.

 

^The difference being that Wesley was an annoying little twat., whereas we trekkers are not.

 

Is the "black chick" in question the same one who won the Amazing Race?

 

Joyce someone? Yep, thats her.