Was Pulaski really hated that much by the fans?

[Bad Atom]

I know many fans disliked Pulaski when she was first introduced on the show in season 2, but I always found it strange that aside from one offhand reference, she was never seen or mentioned again. She could have easily guest-starred in an episode down the line, or appeared in an alternate universe, etc. But that never happened. Was she really hated so much that the producers never wanted to bring her back?

 

[The Old Mixer]

She does have her following, who I'm sure will speak up soon. But I'm one of those who couldn't stand her originally. She became a bit more palatable with time, but was unforgivably written in only her second appearance, "Where Silence Has Lease".

As for not using her again, you have to keep in mind the realities of television production. It's quite likely that Diana Muldaur had no interest in reprising the role. If she'd been in the media complaining about how they wouldn't have her back, you might have something.

 

[DeeEss57]

I know many fans disliked Pulaski when she was first introduced on the show in season 2, but I always found it strange that aside from one offhand reference, she was never seen or mentioned again. She could have easily guest-starred in an episode down the line, or appeared in an alternate universe, etc. But that never happened. Was she really hated so much that the producers never wanted to bring her back?

I don't think there was an active campaign by the fans to get rid of her. But a certain member of the cast was campaigning to get Gates McFadden back. And, I read somewhere that Muldaur didn't really want to come back for another season. She, apparently, didn't have much fun during her one season. Although no one has admitted to it, there may have been tensions on the set and her leaving was by mutual agreement, I believe.

Personally, I didn't care for her that much. They were trying to do crotchety McCoy in a female body and it didn't really work for me.



DES
Save one life and you're a hero.
Save 230 million and you're a Starfleet officer.

 

[Rÿcher]

I think they could have done better that Pulaski. I didn't like her that much.

 

[LeadHead]

I never really disliked Pulaski that much, I just liked Crusher better. Her interactions with Data were good and bad, sometimes she was curious as a scientist and it was good for someone to postulate the science to Data, but other times like Elementary Dear Data she just seemed like she was wanting him to fail, which may have alienated Data fans.

I agree that she could have returned for some episode down the line, but it wasn't that big of a tragedy that she didn't. I think she would have been a good fit for the Doctor from "Ethics" showing a Doctor whom we know who has been seduced by the cutting edge of Medical technique and technology, and nearly kills someone she knows very well. It also would have provided a more credible opposite to Crusher in that episode, rather than this person we meet for the first and last time, someone who is know and credible. The opportunity was there, they just didn't take it.

 

[The Old Mixer]

Although no one has admitted to it, there may have been tensions on the set and her leaving was by mutual agreement, I believe.

That's right--she reportedly didn't get along with Patrick Stewart, did she?

And when the producers have to choose between the star of the show and the newbie supporting character--no contest.

 

[Trekker4747]

I hate Pulaski. She was very mean and rude to Data beyond the scope of any and all reason and she just didn't "jell" with the crew well. She didn't fit in with the cast. Glad she was around for only one season and the shortest season at that. Glad Gates came back.

I hope the "fan speculations" are true and that Pulaski fell down an elevator shaft at Starfleet Medical never to be seen or heard from again.

Good riddance.

"It does know how to do these things doesn't it?"

Fuck YOU, Pulaski.

McCoy picking on Spock was one thing, Spock was adult and inteligent enough to dish it back. Her picking on Data was like a really mean person picking on a retarded 3-limbed chimp.

It's just not fair.

 

[WalkinMan]

^^^
Her character in LA Law fell down the shaft...got the shaft...etc. Someone on here made an Avatar for Pulaski with it. What a shocking way to go!

I don't think there was an active campaign by the fans to get rid of her. But a certain member of the cast was campaigning to get Gates McFadden back.

I wonder who that was?

I liked Pulaski somewhat, as do I like Dr. Crusher. In the end Dr. Crusher worked better for the show, but I felt that her character could have benefited from the slight edge and history Dr. Pulaski had.

 

[Huntingdon]

I hate Pulaski. She was very mean and rude to Data beyond the scope of any and all reason

McCoy picking on Spock was one thing, Spock was adult and inteligent enough to dish it back. Her picking on Data was like a really mean person picking on a retarded 3-limbed chimp.

You need to rewatch it. The initial dismissive approach to Data was resolved early on and she becamequite a staunch supporter of him.

I had the impression that Muldaur was looking about reducing her time acting in any case, so is unlikely to have taken a guest appearance later in the show.

 

[Cali]

My first reaction to seeing Pulaski in season 2: get her off my screen!

On rewatching season 2 on Virgin 1 this year, I've found that I don't dislike her as much as I did at first but I still felt that she didn't work with the rest of the characters as well as she might have done. I much preferred Crusher.

Of course - both doctors were generally pretty badly written so I guess it's hard to judge properly.

 

[Kegek]

She does have her following, who I'm sure will speak up soon.

Engarde!

I thought Pulaski was a great addition to TNG's cast and an improvement over Crusher. There just wasn't a lot to Crusher; she was Wesley's mother and Picard's potential love interest... and that was about it. Rounding out the character later was her interest in dancing and theatre; elements quite obviously drawn from the actress. I didn't dislike her, but I thought Pulaski - with her crusty, common-sense attitude that frequently but heads with the crew - was more interesting.

Pulaski has the misfortune of only appearing in what was one of TNG's weakest seasons, and for her early scene telling off Data (which instantly made her unpopular). That and the essentially true accusation that she was McCoy in a skirt. But she was well acted by Muldaur and well written, in my opinion. I think it's unfortunate she didn't remain on the show, far more so than, say, Tasha Yar.

It's quite likely that Diana Muldaur had no interest in reprising the role.

I believe Muldaur has stated that, after wearing heavy old age make-up in "Unnatural Selection", she never wanted to act in sci-fi again.

 

[Michael]

She does have her following, who I'm sure will speak up soon.

Engarde!

I thought Pulaski was a great addition to TNG's cast and an improvement over Crusher. There just wasn't a lot to Crusher; she was Wesley's mother and Picard's potential love interest... and that was about it. Rounding out the character later was her interest in dancing and theatre; elements quite obviously drawn from the actress. I didn't dislike her, but I thought Pulaski - with her crusty, common-sense attitude that frequently but heads with the crew - was more interesting.

Pulaski has the misfortune of only appearing in what was one of TNG's weakest seasons, and for her early scene telling off Data (which instantly made her unpopular). That and the essentially true accusation that she was McCoy in a skirt. But she was well acted by Muldaur and well written, in my opinion. I think it's unfortunate she didn't remain on the show, far more so than, say, Tasha Yar.

I think I have nothing more to add than that Pulaski was one of my favorite characters on TNG. I believe she was the most human of the whole crew.

It's quite likely that Diana Muldaur had no interest in reprising the role.

I believe Muldaur has stated that, after wearing heavy old age make-up in "Unnatural Selection", she never wanted to act in sci-fi again.

Yeah, that's what I heard, too. Come to think of it, I maybe just read it here, written by you!

 

[Kegek]

Yeah, that's what I heard, too. Come to think of it, I maybe just read it here, written by you!

I believe I've said it before. Let's see if I can source it!

Here we go, from Memory Alpha:

Actress Diana Muldaur felt so tired during the shooting of this episode and the use of extensive make-up that she promised this would be her last season and she would never act on science fiction again.

I'm pretty sure this is where I heard it. According to the article, this assertion is uncited... well, that's about how reliable I am, anyway.

 

[Cali]

I thought Pulaski was a great addition to TNG's cast and an improvement over Crusher. There just wasn't a lot to Crusher; she was Wesley's mother and Picard's potential love interest... and that was about it. Rounding out the character later was her interest in dancing and theatre; elements quite obviously drawn from the actress.

Even that was something, I think, that Gates McFadden had to fight for. The writers really did treat Crusher quite appallingly. In fact - I think the TNG writers in general treated the principal women on the show badly, and this is even more evident in the movies. It's why I like Voyager with its female Captain.

 

[M'Sharak]

I thought Pulaski was a great character, and one who could get away with telling the Captain exactly what she thought without pulling any punches. After the initial business with Data, she also showed up as a highly principled and moral character who still kept her mind open to new ideas and new experiences. She was really a whole lot of what was supposed to be the Federation and Starfleet ideal, wrapped up in one somewhat prickly and outspoken package.

WORF: I wished to thank you for protecting my --
PULASKI: Your secret is safe with me.
(continuing)
Worf, I'm honored. No one has ever made the Tea for me.
WORF: You know the ceremony?
PULASKI: I understand the externals. Not the mysteries. I'm
not a Klingon.
WORF: You must not drink the tea. It is deadly to humans.
PULASKI: And none too good for Klingons.
WORF: It is a test of bravery, of one's ability to look at
the face of mortality. It is also a reminder that death is
an experience best shared -- like the tea.
PULASKI: Worf, you're a romantic.
WORF: It is among the Klingons that love poetry achieves
its fullest flower.
PULASKI: Hold that thought.
(leaves, returning with hypospray)
PULASKI: Antidote. If we're going to share, let's share. Now,
quote me a little of that poetry.

That's a class act.

 

[Kegek]

Even that was something, I think, that Gates McFadden had to fight for. The writers really did treat Crusher quite appallingly.

They didn't have a lot to work with. I definitely feel these were beneficial additions to the character, for the record - we got some great scenes out of them in episodes like "Data's Day" and "Frame of Mind" (though those focused more on Data and Riker respectively, but I disgress).

In fact - I think the TNG writers in general treated the principal women on the show badly, and this is even more evident in the movies.

To be fair to them, both Troi and Crusher had their problems conceptually. I think they got a good handle on Troi from around the fourth season on, when her role as a counselor - rather than miss state-the-obvious - was increasingly emphasized. The show gravitated towards characters like Picard, Data and Worf because, well - they were both more popular and more interesting, not because they were men. I think making Wesley a girl - the original idea - was a real lost opportunity.

In this light, Ensign Ro's role was pretty obvious, especially as she was a character created by the S3-onwards TNG writers rather than handed down to them. She was a female character who, like Pulaski, could ruffle the feathers of the rest of the cast, and she had an interesting background to work with. She was cleaned up to be to straight as a whistle in a couple of episodes but, hey, that's Star Trek.

It's why I like Voyager with its female Captain.

Liked Voyager too, but I wasn't a big fan of Janeway. Torres, though.

 

[The Old Mixer]

The initial dismissive approach to Data was resolved early on and she becamequite a staunch supporter of him.

I was never sold on that being deliberate character growth rather than inconsistent writing.

Engarde!

Yeah, you are the main one I was thinking of!

WORF: It is among the Klingons that love poetry achieves
its fullest flower.
PULASKI: Hold that thought.
(leaves, returning with hypospray)
PULASKI: Antidote. If we're going to share, let's share. Now,
quote me a little of that poetry.

That's a class act.

That scene always came off as a bit creepy to me, but YMOV. (I wonder if there's a Worf/Pulaski following out there...?)

 

[Therin of Andor]

I believe Muldaur has stated that, after wearing heavy old age make-up in "Unnatural Selection", she never wanted to act in sci-fi again.

She was coming back for Season Three, but she requested a leave of absence for the first three episodes (which had already been written), so she could reprise her role as Chris Coughlin in "The Return of McCloud" reunion telemovie.

The TNG producers were annoyed they'd be without Pulaski, but Diana Muldaur had no longterm contract - unlike all the other regulars - and so they toyed with the idea of casting another fill-in doctor (including Suzie Plakson as Dr Selar, IIRC, but she was now recognised as K'Ehleyr), then ended up going back to Gates McFadden, and added a few lines about her return to the first script that aired, with Bev chatting to Guinan about Wesley's independence in her absence. (IIRC, "The Ensigns of Command", a heavy Data episode, ended up going to stage before "Evolution" to cover the doctor swap debacle.)

 

[Trekker4747]

I was never sold on that being deliberate character growth rather than inconsistent writing.

Kind of my thoughts. If it was "growth" it doesn't make up for how rude and dismissive she of him at first. When she first encountered him she treated Data like an OBJECT and even got all snooty and dismissive when Data asked her to simply pronounce his NAME right she then goes on to continue to call him an "it" and speak about him like he's not in the room.

Enocuraging and congratulating him on playing crazzy finger-wiggling game hardly makes up for all her asshatry.

 

[DGCatAniSiri]

I was never sold on that being deliberate character growth rather than inconsistent writing.

Kind of my thoughts. If it was "growth" it doesn't make up for how rude and dismissive she of him at first. When she first encountered him she treated Data like an OBJECT and even got all snooty and dismissive when Data asked her to simply pronounce his NAME right she then goes on to continue to call him an "it" and speak about him like he's not in the room.

Enocuraging and congratulating him on playing crazzy finger-wiggling game hardly makes up for all her asshatry.

When you get down to it, she doesn't treat him any worse than Starfleet did in 'Measure of a Man.' Prior to that episode, Starfleet essentially - despite his attaining the rank of Lt. Commander - considered him a piece of property. Remember how Maddox was ordering Data to allow him to disassemble him, and that, as Starfleet property, Data COULDN'T resign?

In the early episodes, Pulaski treated him like that because she didn't know him. But over the course of the season, she did come to see him as more than just a bunch of circuits in a humanoid form.