Beverly Crusher or Pulaski?
- Thread starter Jaespol
- Start date
I quite liked the Data/Pulaski chemistry.
So was I. While the past twenty years have (somewhat) mellowed my hatred for Pulaski, I'm still glad we got Crusher back.
I never cared for Crusher. I'm not a viewer (and probably in the minority here) that enjoys hinting at relationships (eg: Lost Jack & Kate) and hated it with Crusher and Picard.
Pulaski may not have been the best choice in the world, but I also think that has something to do with the actress not liking being on the show. If they had chosen a different actress, not a safe choice so to speak, the Pulaski character could have been much more effective.
Pulaski may not have been the best choice in the world, but I also think that has something to do with the actress not liking being on the show. If they had chosen a different actress, not a safe choice so to speak, the Pulaski character could have been much more effective.
Personally, I liked Crusher better
We spent more time with Crusher, so she was a more developed character.
My overall impression of Crusher was she actually acted like a starfleet officer and department head. She used her authority for more than the typical "I outrank the captain in medical situations". The episode where Worf breaks his back comes to mind. She organized a major medical relief mission, drafting civilian and medical cross trained personal and converted the shuttlebays into medical wards. When she found out what Dr. Russell did, she relieved her of relieved her of medical duty on HER ship. She hosted scientists to hear a Ferengi shield theory, investigated the associated deaths, and even piolted a shuttle into a star. She held her own with a phaser on away missions and later she took command of the Enterprise and protected the ship from the borg.
We didn't get the chance to see Pulaski very long, but she left the impression that she was just a doctor that attended meetings and away missions. She proved to be an acomplished surgeon by saving Picard when his cardiac replacement went bad. But she seemed clueless about starfleet rules, standards, basic equipment etc. I could never see Pulaski piolting a shuttle, let alone run the ship for 5 minutes. The only time I recall Pulaski acting like a CMO was when she sent Dr. Selar on a mission so she could remain behind for a bigger disaster. No matter how "old" or set in her ways Pulaski was meant to be, she grew up in a time were warp drive, transporters, replicators, star ships, tricorders etc were everyday things... how she could be so uncomfortable with technology.
We spent more time with Crusher, so she was a more developed character.
My overall impression of Crusher was she actually acted like a starfleet officer and department head. She used her authority for more than the typical "I outrank the captain in medical situations". The episode where Worf breaks his back comes to mind. She organized a major medical relief mission, drafting civilian and medical cross trained personal and converted the shuttlebays into medical wards. When she found out what Dr. Russell did, she relieved her of relieved her of medical duty on HER ship. She hosted scientists to hear a Ferengi shield theory, investigated the associated deaths, and even piolted a shuttle into a star. She held her own with a phaser on away missions and later she took command of the Enterprise and protected the ship from the borg.
We didn't get the chance to see Pulaski very long, but she left the impression that she was just a doctor that attended meetings and away missions. She proved to be an acomplished surgeon by saving Picard when his cardiac replacement went bad. But she seemed clueless about starfleet rules, standards, basic equipment etc. I could never see Pulaski piolting a shuttle, let alone run the ship for 5 minutes. The only time I recall Pulaski acting like a CMO was when she sent Dr. Selar on a mission so she could remain behind for a bigger disaster. No matter how "old" or set in her ways Pulaski was meant to be, she grew up in a time were warp drive, transporters, replicators, star ships, tricorders etc were everyday things... how she could be so uncomfortable with technology.
Would there? Does it need to be staffed liked the bridge? Maybe there's just always a doctor on call? Maybe a nurse can be in charge and they page whoever's on call.
This is a writing choice. (Like Deanna and Worf or Will and Deanna). There are several episodes that don't mention it at all. Did you dislike Crusher in those too?
No. A Navy independent duty Corpsman can performan must duties, all the way up to minor surgery and prescribing medication. The only reason a doctor would need to call is if there was a major trauma or illness
Of course we should discuss TNG characters in the TNG forum. And to suggest otherwise is indeed "madness."
But that is not what was either stated or suggested.
We have placed before us a poll that presents a speculative, even AU concept - which was never realised in TNG.
I don't question the validity of the poll, just its placing in this particular thread.
Why? Several reasons, the main one being that whatever momentary thrill one gets from casting a vote it changes nothing, and can never change anything as far as the TNG series is concerned, so like, why bother to post it on the TNG forum, i.e. it's in the wrong place; and
A lesser reason is because it's getting very, very, old - as in we've discussed either this or variations on the same theme for what seems like eons. Can there possibly be a new angle out there that would make this a compelling topic?
Hope that makes my position clearer to you.
I did like Pulaski in Season 2 but Crusher was my favourite character in TNG so I was glad to see her back. It's just a shame that the writers neglected her to some extent. As Abercrombie has pointed out there was a lot more potential to the character than just having her hang around in Sickbay. Sometimes that came through - she quite often had a very independent viewpoint in briefing meetings compared to the other characters for example - but this was reasonably rare.
And? I don't see how this is a reason why this shouldn't be posted here. Why can't we speculate about every possible aspect of The Next Generation here? That's one of the great things of being a fan, actually. Half of this forum wouldn't exist if we weren't allowed to talk about what-if scenarios. So your point is rather moot, really. The Trek Lit forum is about the aspects of the Star Trek books, the Fan Fiction forum is about fan-created stories. Neither is the place for something that's essentially the question Who do you like better – Crusher or Pulaski?
I hate to break it to you, but nothing – no poll and nothing that can be said in any thread in this forum – can change anything about the series. I don't get why you seem to think this should be the criterion for a topic in this forum (because it obviously isn't).
Actually there can be, yes. It's right below your post. It's the perspective of new members. In my experience those perspectives can be worth discussing a similar topic again after a reasonable time.
Oh, and if you don't find this a compelling topic, why bother reading it then – let alone posting in the thread?
Thanks Creepy,
Let a hundred flowers bloom and all that - I do get it.
But one must note that your own avatar shows that at the very least you are most definitely NOT a TNG fan. And if I was to follow your own meagre thought process the same shallow way that you have attempted to follow mine, then the sad fact is that is YOU who should not be posting here.
It is a view only compounded by your insipid "if you don't find this a compelling topic, why bother reading it then – let alone posting in the thread."
Have you noticed that there is in fact a DS9 thread available?
It should float your particular boat. So why don't you go there?
Is that insulting? Yes it is, and you would be well within your rights to be insulted by it; as I am by your taudry post.
Unfortunately, whenever one puts up a view that is contrary to the nonsensical zeitgist of the moment, one is thrown to the wolves.
It IS silly, isn't it?
What the fuck? Instead of addressing all the things I said in response to your original inquiry regarding the right of this thread to exist, you choose to cling to the one question I ask out of honest curiosity.
It's true, I do follow my own 'meagre thought processes': When I'm not interested in a topic (or don't find it 'compelling') I mostly don't read the thread and – more importantly – don't post in it. That's the way I am. And that's why I asked you about it. I did not assume or insult you. I merely asked. Maybe you should have read my post more carefully – there's actually a question mark at the end of my question. This should have made it pretty clear to you that I don't know the answer to it and don't assume anything. But if you choose to be insulted there's nothing I can do about it, I guess.
Oh, but you on the other hand assume a lot of things about me. I am actually a big fan of The Next Generation. In fact I'm a big fan of all the Star Trek series. (Notice the hint in my goddamn user name; it's not DS9-related at all.
) But then again, my avatar and user title (which, by the way, doesn't give you the permission to use as an insult; next time address me by my user name, thank you) shouldn't be your concern. Please try to focus on the things I actually say.
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Pulaski annoyed me at first. As a dyed-in-the-wool McCoy fan she was too like him for my taste. But I grew to like her more and more and by "Unnatural Selection" (an ep I suspect I like more than most do) I was pretty much converted. Muldaur sold the role to me; I like both her TOS appearances and IMHO she's an underrated actress.
Thing is, I like Crusher, too. McFadden isn't the greatest actress and too often Crusher wasn't given a lot to do, but I still like the character. So I suppose it didn't really bother me whichever way they went.
Thing is, I like Crusher, too. McFadden isn't the greatest actress and too often Crusher wasn't given a lot to do, but I still like the character. So I suppose it didn't really bother me whichever way they went.
I know Pulaski started as a McCoy ripoff but she was better anyway. Bev just seemed so bland.
What the fuck? Instead of addressing all the things I said in response to your original inquiry regarding the right of this thread to exist, you choose to cling to the one question I ask out of honest curiosity.
It's true, I do follow my own 'meagre thought processes': When I'm not interested in a topic (or don't find it 'compelling') I mostly don't read the thread and – more importantly – don't post in it. That's the way I am. And that's why I asked you about it. I did not assume or insult you. I merely asked. Maybe you should have read my post more carefully – there's actually a question mark at the end of my question. This should have made it pretty clear to you that I don't know the answer to it and don't assume anything. But if you choose to be insulted there's nothing I can do about it, I guess.
Oh, but you on the other hand assume a lot of things about me. I am actually a big fan of The Next Generation. In fact I'm a big fan of all the Star Trek series. (Notice the hint in my goddamn user name; it's not DS9-related at all.
NCC-1701, concentrating as I was on your avatar I did make an error in incorrectly addressing you. I assure you that it was inadvertant and was not intended to insult you.
As to my other points, they are sufficient and I stand by them - as I'm entitled to, and as you are quite entitled to disagree with. I don't think there's anything to be served by going over old ground.
I liked Pulaski but Crusher had to come back because of her history with Picard. I think it was more interesting.
I vote for Beverly all the way!
I remember when I first watched TNG in the beginning of the 90:s, that I was a bit annoyed when Crusher didn't show up in the second season. Since I had no Interenet then, I couldn't understand why she obviously had been dumped and I never really liked Pulaski.
Naive as I was at that time, I thought that Crusher would be returning later on in the series and that time I was right.
Later on I did find out about the politics behind all that but since Crusher was back on the Enterprise then, I simply didn't bother. It had all turned out well as I thought.
As for Pulaski, I have somewhat reevalued my opinions about her after watching season 2 in recent years. She wasn't that bad.
But I'm still happy that Crusher did return. A very good character.
I remember when I first watched TNG in the beginning of the 90:s, that I was a bit annoyed when Crusher didn't show up in the second season. Since I had no Interenet then, I couldn't understand why she obviously had been dumped and I never really liked Pulaski.
Naive as I was at that time, I thought that Crusher would be returning later on in the series and that time I was right.
Later on I did find out about the politics behind all that but since Crusher was back on the Enterprise then, I simply didn't bother. It had all turned out well as I thought.
As for Pulaski, I have somewhat reevalued my opinions about her after watching season 2 in recent years. She wasn't that bad.
But I'm still happy that Crusher did return. A very good character.
Jaespol
Captain
No offense but you seem a little crazy, can we please stick on topic rather than talking rubbish like suggesting this should be put in the fan fiction forum ?
and questioning if someone with a DS9 avatar can be a fan of TNG...thank you...And I liked Beverly, I found her very pleasant to look at as well - very good figure, I just noticed recently her dancers' legs! They're ginormous!
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