Dr. Boyce question

[Ronald Held]

Big demotion going from head of SFM, to a CMO on the Enterprise.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

You know, "head of Starfleet Medical" could mean anything from Starfleet's Surgeon General down to the Dean of the Starfleet Academy's Medical School. It's a rather vague job title. And of course, Kirk regularly had himself (as at least one ST novelist put it) "de-admiraled."

 

[fireproof78]

Big demotion going from head of SFM, to a CMO on the Enterprise.

Is it? Because, thus far, it doesn't seem to be treated as a huge deal by those officers who have gone there..

 

[Jayson1]

Boyce is being primed as a special guest star of the future. Maybe will even be in a few episodes. They could say he is retired but that is kind of predictable. Next season we find out Boyce was Section 31.

 

[Kor]

TOS referred to the Surgeon General's office at Starfleet Headquarters. I don't think the term was ever used again, so maybe it was an earlier iteration of what would later be known as Starfleet Medical. I can't remember if SNW or STDIsco in the 23rd century episodes ever referred to the medical department at Starfleet.

Kor

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Big demotion going from head of SFM, to a CMO on the Enterprise.

It's been done before.

 

[Tuskin38]

She didn't seem upset by it. Maybe she just didn't enjoy the job.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Next season we find out Boyce was Section 31.

 

[somebuddyX]

He grew up and changed his to Doctor Mance.

 

[Therin of Andor]

M'Benga is the CMO in SNW. And yet he's one of McCoy's subordinates in TOS. How (without any open spoilers, please) do they explain that?

They haven't, yet. But I assume M'Benga chooses to return to the ship as a Vulcan specialist after McCoy almost lost Sarek and Spock in "Journey to Babel".

 

[Jayson1]

They haven't, yet. But I assume M'Benga chooses to return to the ship as a Vulcan specialist after McCoy almost lost Sarek and Spock in "Journey to Babel".

That's some pretty good head canon that would make sense if they somehow put in a episode. If not I wouldn't mind seeing that explored in a book or comic. McCoy feeling insecure and shame but of course he can't let Spock know how bad he feels about not knowing as much about Vulcans as he should especially since he loves Spock like a brother.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

She didn't seem upset by it. Maybe she just didn't enjoy the job.

Like Kirk, she probably didn't like being a desk-jockey, and wanted to be out gallivanting around the galaxy (and actually practicing medicine).

 

[fireproof78]

She didn't seem upset by it. Maybe she just didn't enjoy the job.

Or it's a rotating billet.

 

[Ronald Held]

Or she wanted to work with Picard?

 

[Flight Control]

Hopefully Boyce ends up being CMO of some station or starbase they visit in Season 2

 

[Relayer1]

She didn't seem upset by it. Maybe she just didn't enjoy the job.

Or it's a rotating billet.

Exactly. Maybe the position is only for 12 months, or perhaps she was covering an absence.

 

[fireproof78]

Or she wanted to work with Picard?

Or Picard requested her.

 

[drt]

Since we never learn TOS M'Benga's first name and that he's much younger and of lesser rank than our good SNW doctor, my current headcanon is that he's SNW M'benga's son or nephew.

 

[Tuskin38]

Since we never learn TOS M'Benga's first name and that he's much younger and of lesser rank than our good SNW doctor, my current headcanon is that he's SNW M'benga's son or nephew.

Actual canon and creator intent contradicts your head canon.

Also actor age =/= character age.

 

[Kor]

I wonder if Dr. Crusher was made some kind of provisional Admiral while head of Starfleet Medical, then went back to her normal rank when she left. I know that's a stretch, though. But there are real-world staff officer positions that come with a flag rank without granting the officer authority over any ship or combat operations.

Kor