Did anyone else feel uncomfortable with Dr Pulaski?

[heavyneos]

I’ve recently been rewatching Star Trek the next generation and I’ve found it uncomfortable watching Dr Pulaski interact with Data, the only thing I can equate it to is hearing an old man talk about African Americans like it still the 60s.

it made me uncomfortable watching her talk to data in that manner so I would like to ask is dose anyone else feel the same way?

and what where they trying to do with her character?

 

[Melakon]

She was intended to be a bit abrasive, something like a female version of McCoy needling Spock. It didn't make me uncomfortable, but I never cared for the character.

 

[hux]

I always quite liked Pulaski and I thought it was interesting that they made her a little xenophobic. Yet further evidence that not everyone in the 24th century has entirely evolved or bettered themselves quite as much as everyone else has. It was nice to see but then it lead to nothing

 

[Kor]

The Pulaski/Data dynamic was a riff from McCoy/Spock, IMO.

Kor

 

[EnriqueH]

In rewatching TNG these last few months, I felt Pulaski was an interesting character to introduce to Star Trek because she introduced a realistic element that "we don't always completely hit it off with our co-workers."

Pulaski was a good doctor, and I believe she meant well, but she didn't blend with the cast as well, but I thought that added a layer of realism to the cast.

I was surprised to see the scene where Picard asks Troi what she thinks of Pulaski's integration to the crew. I didn't remember that scene at all, and thought it was a very relevant question. It's too bad that they didn't have an episode exploring that a little more.

I thought it was interesting didn't succeed in endearing herself to Picard. You could tell he never particularly cared for her.

I didn't think they succeeded with the Spock-McCoy rivalry between Pulaski and Data. In fact, I didn't even catch on to the fact that they were trying it, but I did realize they were trying to make her like McCoy.

 

[Mage]

The Pulaski/Data dynamic was a riff from McCoy/Spock, IMO.

Kor

This. If I want McCoy/Spock interaction, I'll watch TOS.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Actually, McCoy and Spock (while they did enjoy needling each other) were clearly still friends. Pulaski just insults Data all the time and is generally rude and unpleasant to him.

 

[RandyS]

The Pulaski/Data dynamic was a riff from McCoy/Spock, IMO.

Kor

This. If I want McCoy/Spock interaction, I'll watch TOS.

Same here. I didn't make me uncomfortable in the modern sense of the word, but it did annoy the hell out of me because we had seen it before, and when it was Bones and Spock, it was done better.

Plus, Pulaski replaced my beloved Beverly Crusher. 27 years on, and despite the fact that it was put right 26 years ago, I STILL can't forgive that!

 

[Ghrakh]

it made me uncomfortable watching her talk to data in that manner so I would like to ask is dose anyone else feel the same way?

No. After all, it didn't make Data feel uncomfortable. And to paraphrase Dr. Maddox in "The Measure Of A Man", if it were a box on wheels, there wouldn't be an issue.

Anyway, that initial apprehension passed and that was it.

 

[Dukhat]

it made me uncomfortable watching her talk to data in that manner so I would like to ask is dose anyone else feel the same way?

No. After all, it didn't make Data feel uncomfortable. And to paraphrase Dr. Maddox in "The Measure Of A Man", if it were a box on wheels, there wouldn't be an issue.

Anyway, that initial apprehension passed and that was it.

But it wasn't about Data's feelings. We all know that Data has no feelings so he shouldn't be offended by Pulaski's attitude toward him. But we the audience see the interaction and immediately side with Data against this new upstart bitch who thinks she knows better and treats one of our heroes with scorn and contempt just because she doesn't believe that he is worthy of being treated as a human being (or at least a fellow Starfleet officer) just because he is a machine. Being a Starfleet doctor, Pulaski should have known better that sentient machine life does exist, and her patronizing attitude makes no sense for a 24th century doctor.

 

[Dexter Remmick]

But it wasn't about Data's feelings. We all know that Data has no feelings so he shouldn't be offended by Pulaski's attitude toward him. But we the audience see the interaction and immediately side with Data against this new upstart bitch who thinks she knows better and treats one of our heroes with scorn and contempt just because she doesn't believe that he is worthy of being treated as a human being (or at least a fellow Starfleet officer) just because he is a machine. Being a Starfleet doctor, Pulaski should have known better that sentient machine life does exist, and her patronizing attitude makes no sense for a 24th century doctor.

Pretty much on point with my feelings toward the Dr. Add to that she was appointed to the flagship of the Federation whose primary mission at the time was to seek out new life etc.
Did she really not sense the other members of the crew counted Data as a valued colleague and friend? If it wasn't such a nice change to have someone who could actually act, I would have truly despised Pulaski.

 

[RoJoHen]

I think the Pulaski/Data dynamic could have been an interesting one if she had remained a member of the cast. Her perspective on his "quest for humanity" could have made for some decent storytelling.

But yeah, what little we saw of her didn't give her the chance for much character growth. I actually think she could have been a fun recurring character throughout the series, maybe a role swap with Crusher as head of Starfleet Medical in Season 3.

 

[EnriqueH]

Yeah, I saw no reason why Pulaski couldn't return as a guest star much the same as Wesley did after "Final Mission", but maybe Muldaur's departure was bitter, or maybe she was too busy filming other stuff.

Pulaski definitely introduced an interesting element and who knows what cool inner-crew drama could've evolved from her participation.

But when push comes to shove, there's no doubt that bringing Beverly back was the best move.

 

[Iamnotspock]

The Pulaski/Data dynamic was a riff from McCoy/Spock, IMO.

Except that that was largely good-natured and Spock could give as good as he got.

I actually think she could have been a fun recurring character throughout the series, maybe a role swap with Crusher as head of Starfleet Medical in Season 3.

I like to think that is what happened. It makes more sense than her falling down a turbolift shaft.

 

[Bille de clown]

Except that that was largely good-natured and Spock could give as good as he got.

PLUS ****ING ONE

It's one thing to take jabs at someone who can defend themself, it's quite another to be actually nasty to what amount to the autistic kid in school because they're autistic and that cannot pass. I know, I've been there. I was the autistic kid in school IRL.

 

[bbailey861]

She was brought in with the intent to be TNG's McCoy. She had too much abrasiveness and not enough charm. It didn't work for me at all.

 

[urbandefault]

Little known fact: Worf complained that Pulaski's feet were always cold and she took up too much of the bed.

I think Muldaur was jinxed from the start. Most of the cast didn't like her, for whatever reason, and since the show was still finding its legs she just didn't get very good stories to work with. She never really stood a chance.

 

[EnriqueH]

Little known fact: Worf complained that Pulaski's feet were always cold and she took up too much of the bed.

I think Muldaur was jinxed from the start. Most of the cast didn't like her, for whatever reason, and since the show was still finding its legs she just didn't get very good stories to work with. She never really stood a chance.

Are there any credible anecdotes that explain why she didn't get along with the cast? I've heard this generality before, but I'd like some specifics if anyone can provide them.

 

[Ghrakh]

it made me uncomfortable watching her talk to data in that manner so I would like to ask is dose anyone else feel the same way?

No. After all, it didn't make Data feel uncomfortable. And to paraphrase Dr. Maddox in "The Measure Of A Man", if it were a box on wheels, there wouldn't be an issue.

Anyway, that initial apprehension passed and that was it.

But it wasn't about Data's feelings. We all know that Data has no feelings so he shouldn't be offended by Pulaski's attitude toward him. But we the audience see the interaction and immediately side with Data against this new upstart bitch who thinks she knows better and treats one of our heroes with scorn and contempt just because she doesn't believe that he is worthy of being treated as a human being (or at least a fellow Starfleet officer) just because he is a machine. Being a Starfleet doctor, Pulaski should have known better that sentient machine life does exist, and her patronizing attitude makes no sense for a 24th century doctor.

I saw Pulaski be initially apprehensive about Data, then apologize to him in the very same scene. This has turned into "Pulaski shits on Data 24/7/365". I can almost picture the torches being carried.

If it were a box on wheels, we wouldn't be having this debate.

 

[Dukhat]

This has turned into "Pulaski shits on Data 24/7/365".

Er, I never said that.

If it were a box on wheels, we wouldn't be having this debate.

But it's plainly obvious that Data is nothing of the sort.