Commander Shelby

[Doctor Sevrin]

So, in the classic episode BOBW part 1 & 2, I have to admit (years ago, upon first viewing) I thought she was a bitch! She had goals, was ruthless, cunning, etc. Well, that was 20 years ago. Has much changed since with changes in gender equality & military rank? I find I appreciate Shelby more today than I did when she first appeared way back when. Now I find her approach to stepping up in command very logical and just typically correct.

 

[Kilana2]

I came to appreciate Shelby while reading Peter David's New Frontier novels. Shelby should have been a recurring character, just for the sake of showing different facets of her personality and a bit more of a background story.

 

[Sareesataka]

I'm thinking maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if she had replaced Riker as First Officer...maybe. Jean-Lucky Picard...Shelby to the right of him, Troi to the left...oh yeah.

 

[Mojochi]

I never disliked her, but admit that her appeal grows in hindsight. I think when you're too close to a regular, anyone stepping on their toes comes off negatively, but in this case, you eventually realize that some toes need to be stepped on. She was fully within acceptable norms to behave the way she was imho. Starfleet brought her there with the specific intent to replace Riker. That she behaved like she was his replacement is not out of line.

 

[UnknownSample]

I don't get her popularity. I've been appreciating lately how seldom actresses pull off commanding roles like that, so that part was good. They validated her fairly well. You get why she's that way and why it can be valid. But she really is an irritant.
-------------------------
All the talk going on about career advancement in BOBW makes me think they aren't taking the threat as seriously as they should...

 

[Timo]

Well, that much was a given anyway. So these cyborgs scoop up distant frontier colonies? Only Section 47 knows there's something into these rumors about them, and only Section 52 ever interviewed the El-Aurians. So naturally the over-the-counter Starfleet would think these petty, slow-moving nuisances a breeze.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[DeannaTroi]

I've seen both of those episode many times, and I do really enjoy Shelby. She isn't the most likable, sure. But I don't see a problem with her.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I always liked Shelby. She was a strong-willed, forthright and ambitious officer, with a spark to her.

But then again I've never thought of Admiral Nechayev as a bitch either.

 

[USS Excelsior]

What’s her first name

 

[USS Excelsior]

Admiral Bitchayev may have been bad, but the bitchiest of the bitchiest was that first officer of the Valiant, made worse by the fact that she shouldn’t be in that position in the first place

 

[MAGolding]

I always liked Shelby. She was a strong-willed, forthright and ambitious officer, with a spark to her.

But then again I've never thought of Admiral Nechayev as a bitch either.

I don't think of Admiral Nechayevas a bitch either, I think of her as war criminal who ordered a subordinate to commit genocide.

 

[NewHeavensNewEarth]

People are often intimidated by assertive women. One example is women's tennis, where women like Serena Williams face consequences for simple things that men get away with on a regular basis. If Shelby's character had been a man, he would've been applauded for thinking outside the box, being a go-getter, being creative, decisive, and having drive. Ultimately, she was correct in every controversial approach or decision she made. The show would've benefited greatly if she could've stuck around in some capacity, and this is a healthy reappraisal of her contributions here in the OP.

 

[GulBahana]

It would have been nice to see her character come back in other shows. She would have been interesting on Voyager.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

It would have been nice to see her character come back in other shows. She would have been interesting on Voyager.

I'd loved to have seen her as Voyager's Captain.

 

[Agony_Boothb]

I don't think of Admiral Nechayevas a bitch either, I think of her as war criminal who ordered a subordinate to commit genocide.

Nope. Nechayev is a pragmatist and at the time the only realistic way of dealing with the Borg was through Genocide. I don't care what anyone says, The Borg were a threat that warranted the use of the extreme measures that Nechayev ordered Picard to take should he encounter them again. Picard was wrong to spare Hugh.

On topic, I loved Shelby, its a shame we didn't get to see her again.

 

[Jedi Marso]

It would have been interesting to see Shelby as Picard's exec going forward. Will was settled, comfy, and mature. Picard could sit in the ready room reading Shakespeare or go on leave to Risa and Enterprise would get along just fine.

Shelby, on the other hand, would have forced him back into taking a firmer grip on the reins as captain for a couple of years. She was smart and capable, but also young, impulsive, and willing to take risks that Picard probably wouldn't have been comfortable with. He would definitely balk at going on leave and leaving her in command, at least at first. In time, she'd 'season' nicely like Riker and be ready for her first command.

It would have been an interesting dynamic on the show. Not that I wanted to lose Riker or anything- he was a great character.

I also have this vision of Shelby just grinning when Jellicoe took command of the ship. She'd be thinking: Finally! A captain who's going to turn me loose! Ultimately, I think Jellicoe would have nurtured her worst instincts, and ultimately turned her into a raging tyrant.

 

[HugeLobes]

It would have been interesting to see Shelby as Picard's exec going forward. Will was settled, comfy, and mature. Picard could sit in the ready room reading Shakespeare or go on leave to Risa and Enterprise would get along just fine.

That's largely what a first officer is for.

 

[DonIago]

I think Shelby was a good example of someone who generally had good ideas...and no end of ambition...but needed to moderate herself a bit better, and may have made a point of unnecessarily antagonizing Riker. But if she'd stuck around I think she would have been a fine addition to the crew or replacement for Riker.

A comment made up-thread does lead me to wonder what she knew and when she knew it with regards to Riker being offered a command, and how much that influenced her approach to him.

Anyway, we all know people who are smart and assertive but could perhaps use a bit more emotional intelligence.

 

[Tom]

In the original script for BOBW part 1, Shelby was also someone that would sleep around a lot as well. The part was removed from the final script.

 

[JesterFace]

Some have said they would have liked if Shelby was in other episodes later in the series.
While it might have been interesting, in some way it's good that she stayed as the "TBOBW officer" and it was her only appearance.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

What’s her first name

Officially, we don't know - IIRC, Shelby's first name was never given onscreen. In the novelverse, it's Elizabeth, named for the actress who played her (Elizabeth Dennehy).

People are often intimidated by assertive women.

Shelby's problem was NOT that she was assertive. It's that she was smug.

She openly gloated that she would one day have Riker's job. She was rubbing everyone's face in it. Like an interstellar nanny-nanny-boo-boo.