Pulaski's treatment of Data.

[Mojochi]

It may not have been the intention, but it read like plain old bigotry. It didn't help that Picard didn't seem to like her much either. Whatever they were trying to do with the character didn't work, & the result was a presence that was mostly unpleasant within the crew dynamic. The only one who ever did seem to start liking her was Worf, the other outsider

 

[UnknownSample]

Over-reaction. I don't "like" Pulaski in those anti-Data moments, but it only happened early on, and she learned better. There wasn't very much of that. You know what they say about first impressions.... this formed fans' whole impression of her, and this was a good character otherwise, more vital and sharp and interesting than bland Beverly.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Pulaski said once that she almost married Kyle Riker - I bet Will's relieved she didn't, otherwise she'd be Will's stepmom.

 

[Six of Twelve]

In one episode on Voyager, Janeway dismisses the Doctor as having more in common with a replicator than a human being, so this attitude isn't altogether uncommon.

 

[UnknownSample]

In one episode on Voyager, Janeway dismisses the Doctor as having more in common with a replicator than a human being, so this attitude isn't altogether uncommon.

Example of an episode where they backtrack on an issue to make a point. Janeway did not have this attitude toward the Doctor, none of the characters did... then suddenly she does, for the purpose of dealing with a certain issue in the way the writer wanted to. That might be Voyager's best episode, but they had to bend the show to the point of breaking to make it.

I fail to see how there can be a total, complete simulation of a conscious being, without it being a conscious being. To originate and express new thoughts, one must have thoughts. I think therefore I am. I don't see how we biological machines have an automatic claim to "sentient" status, over non-biological ones.

 

[timtonruben359]

Having recently watched the entire second season of TNG on blu ray, I've actually come to somewhat appreciate the Pulaski/Data story line because it reflected what was basically a theme of season 2, is Data a machine or is he alive in some manner? At the start of the season Pulaski is almost totally dismissive of him, by the end of the season you can tell she has become fond of him.

It may not have been the intention, but it read like plain old bigotry. It didn't help that Picard didn't seem to like her much either. Whatever they were trying to do with the character didn't work, & the result was a presence that was mostly unpleasant within the crew dynamic. The only one who ever did seem to start liking her was Worf, the other outsider

I think that had more to do with the fact Patrick Stewart wasn't overly fond of Diana Muldaur (in fact most of the TNG cast didn't get on with her). Stewart was very angry over Gates McFadden's firing and found dealing with Muldaur awkward as he said in that Shatner documentary. Also Muldaur got a higher salary than everyone except Stewart and that burnt some bridges.

In one episode on Voyager, Janeway dismisses the Doctor as having more in common with a replicator than a human being, so this attitude isn't altogether uncommon.

Example of an episode where they backtrack on an issue to make a point. Janeway did not have this attitude toward the Doctor, none of the characters did... then suddenly she does, for the purpose of dealing with a certain issue in the way the writer wanted to. That might be Voyager's best episode, but they had to bend the show to the point of breaking to make it.

I fail to see how there can be a total, complete simulation of a conscious being, without it being a conscious being. To originate and express new thoughts, one must have thoughts. I think therefore I am. I don't see how we biological machines have an automatic claim to "sentient" status, over non-biological ones.

Yes Janeway's attitude towards the Doctor was just bad writing on the part of Voyager writers. They would often backtrack on issues if they felt they could get a story out of it.

 

[locutus101]

It's unprofessional, yes. Data is a decorated bridge officer and entitled to the respect attendant to that. If other officers are addressing him as a toaster, then we have a problem. Of course, this is an attempt by the writers to bed in Data as a being worthy of respect over a period of some episodes, so we are to witness him eventually defeating Pulaski's prejudices and ultimately winning her respect. I think that's the idea behind it. But it does come across as disrespectful and unprofessional.

That's the thing that I don't get about Starfleet, they decorate him for bravery (supposedly) and at the same time they continue treating him as if he were just a piece of equipment. Are these people insane?

You don't give medals to toasters, no matter how well they perform.

 

[JeffinOakland]

Diana Muldaur has talked about the Pulaski/Data dynamic. She was supposed to start cold toward Data because, as a Dr., she had no way to treat him and couldn't relate to him. Over time, she was supposed to warm up to him and develop a bond. Unfortunately, Muldaur left after only one season.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

You don't give medals to toasters, no matter how well they perform.

Not unless it's a "best new product of 2364" award.

 

[locutus101]

Not unless it's a "best new product of 2364" award.

So you see my point, don't you? Starfleet is insane.

 

[Anna Yolei]

I've heard somewhere that they were specifically trying to re-create the Spock/McCoy dynamic.

The difference is that Spock gave it out as bad as he got, as he could be pretty condescending himself towards the doctor, so their bickering was just fun to watch. Here you just feel bad for Data because he never actually does anything to make her dislike him so it just comes off as her picking on him.

That's exactly it. Like many TOS elements TNG attempted to incorporate it just felt so forced. Not, I think a ball buster type as Pulaski was supposed to be could've been a refreshing addition to TNG's roster of goody two shoes, but it was just so mean spirited.

 

[Hey Missy]

I'd have rather had Katherine "ball-buster" Pulaski on the show than the doormat that was Bev Crusher.

 

[Triskelion]

Data wouldn't have zinged her. He would have guilted her:

"You are right, Doctor Pulaski. I cannot feel. I can, however, file a complaint with Starfleet Command if you fail to substantiate your claim that lack of emotion makes me otherwise unable to perform my duties within the requirements of the Officer's Code. I would also question precisely which codicil you believe my lack of emotion violates. Perhaps you should read it again - as I have just done. On the other hand, would you like me to quote the codes against prejudicial harassment between officers for you, Doctor? Or would you prefer to wait, to hear them from Starfleet Command's duly-appointed Judge Advocate General? Doctor? Where are you going? Is our conversation terminated? Are you still coming to my violin recital? I see, you wish to spare me the discomfort of being unable to reciprocate since you do not express yourself through public performance. I remind you, discomfort is an emotion and so....oh the turbolift has shut itself."

 

[locutus101]

Pulaski's treatment of Data may have been questionable, even bitchy at times but I don't believe she's ever said anything that was actually actionable not to mention that for part of her stay on Enterprise, Starfleet even considered Data to be no more than a piece of equipment with no more rights than a toaster and he was saved from dismantlement by the skin of his teeth.

 

[Lance]

That's exactly it. Like many TOS elements TNG attempted to incorporate it just felt so forced. Not, I think a ball buster type as Pulaski was supposed to be could've been a refreshing addition to TNG's roster of goody two shoes, but it was just so mean spirited.

I tend to agree. I actually think the intention was good, but that it was simply the execution of the idea that was poor. For an example of how to do it properly look at Ensign Ro later; a drop-in character who looks at all the others from a kind of outsider's perspective and calls them out on their cliqueness.

Pulaski, on paper, was meant to be the match that adds sparks to TNG's all-too-perfect crew. In practice, it failed.

 

[φ of π]

Pulaski's treatment of Data may have been questionable, even bitchy at times but I don't believe she's ever said anything that was actually actionable not to mention that for part of her stay on Enterprise, Starfleet even considered Data to be no more than a piece of equipment with no more rights than a toaster and he was saved from dismantlement by the skin of his teeth.

Then why bother giving him a promotion?

What rank was the Enterprise's computer?

 

[locutus101]

Then why bother giving him a promotion?

What rank was the Enterprise's computer?

I never said it made sense. In fact, I think it's pretty stupid, but that was how things were. When Admiral whatever came on board and said that Data was to submit to be experimented on by the doctor Strangelove of cybernetics, he didn't expect any resistance from Data or anyone else for that matter. That was idiotic.

 

[Mojochi]

Having recently watched the entire second season of TNG on blu ray, I've actually come to somewhat appreciate the Pulaski/Data story line because it reflected what was basically a theme of season 2, is Data a machine or is he alive in some manner

I agree that it was a theme, even one that extended beyond season 2 & just the Pulaski dynamic, & that's what irked me.

Now perhaps a one off episode that gets Data in a fix with some bigotry, questioning his legal status might be passable (and even a very good episode) but to drag this theme on just bites against the grain of a universe wherein Data has spent 20 years in Starfleet, & risen spectacularly to a rank commensurate with being posted as the 2nd command officer on the UFP flagship. Any issue of rights, or personhood should've LONG since been squashed, probably before he would have even been allowed to serve as an officer at all, like in the Academy

To play it out like this makes it look like Picard was nuts for assigning him there at all, which doesn't scan, because we know otherwise. So, we're left to assume people like Pulaski, & Hobson, or Maddox & Haftel are small minded or outright bigoted people in high status among Starfleet

 

[Catarina]

In one episode on Voyager, Janeway dismisses the Doctor as having more in common with a replicator than a human being, so this attitude isn't altogether uncommon.

Indeed. she admitted to it and grew. And didn't Pulaski? she seemed more tolerant later.

 

[locutus101]

In one episode on Voyager, Janeway dismisses the Doctor as having more in common with a replicator than a human being, so this attitude isn't altogether uncommon.

Yes, and it was late in the series, season 5, which was surprising.