Male pattern baldness not cured in Star Trek universe?

[Mr. Scott]

Howdy!

Here is Patrick Stewart with hair. I think he looks good with hair. Anyone disagree? Did Stewart have make pattern baldness with him just shaving all the hair off his head? I will say that his baldness is a trademark, so probably he likes being bald and rich instead of hairy and a struggling actor.

Also, why did they make the Captain a Frenchman and had a Englishman portray the role, using an English accent?

 

[iguana_tonante]

Well, I suppose the in-universe rationale is that in the 24th century nobody would care about being bald or not. Maybe the cure is available, and somebody use it, but Picard have no problem with flaunting his shiny cranium. However, since pattern baldness is genetic, there is also the question about how common (and how legal) is genetic engineering in humans (given Khan's and his buddies' example).

Picard's character was designed as French from the start (as Jules Picard if I recall correctly). Stewart was chosen as the best actor for the role, and he got it regardless of his actual nationality. Again, if I recall correctly, they thought about making him speak with a French accent, but it was deemed silly on the long run and they just let Steward speak in his own accent. I think it's a good thing.

A common joke is that actually between now and the 24th century Britain conquered (or at least culturally colonized) France, so French people will actually speak British English and drink Earl Grey tea.

 

[Tomalak]

^ That's got to be a wig. He was bald at 19.

I remember a story about his audition for Star Trek, at which he originally wore a toupée due to Roddenberry's concerns about having a bald captain. Thankfully they all agreed he looked absurd, and would do much better just being himself.

The obvious Trek explanation is that it doesn't matter. It's a natural part of the ageing process for many, not a disease that needs to be cured any more than grey hair or wrinkles. Admiral McCoy was clearly down with both.

 

[S'kai]

In the 24th century, bald is considered sexy. Ask Robert Picardo.

 

[Cyke101]

Well, I suppose the in-universe rationale is that in the 24th century nobody would care about being bald or not.

I think that's the answer that Patrick Stewart once gave in an interview, too. It seems silly to master interstellar travel yet worry about hair loss, really.

 

[miraclefan]

In the 24th century, bald is considered sexy. Ask Robert Picardo.

Pfft! 24th century please, Captain Robau made bald sexy in the 23rd century! long before Picard.

 

[Tomalak]

Yet Captain Kirk needed a wig, platform boots and a girdle. What a retrograde!

 

[Trekker4747]

Well, Picard clearly cared that he didn't have hair as he strokes his bald head upon stepping off the transporter after being up-aged in "Rascals."

But, yeah, I suppose the answer is mostly that people in the 24c don't care if they are bald or not because certain a "cure" would've been found or vastly superior hair replacement techniques. If they can regenerate skin, muscle and bone to heal injuries with the wave of a hand they could certainly rejuvenate hair follicles.

 

[Meredith]

In the 24th century, bald is considered sexy. Ask Robert Picardo.

That and Picard couldn't live up the vanity at the annual captain's conference if he had his hair restored.

Plus bald picard make him seem older, maybe that is how he got command of the Enterprise after losing the stargazer.

Random Admiral: Mhhh, this picard fellow looks old enough to captain the flagship.....


And the rest as they say will be history.

 

[Praetor]

In the Trekverse, humanity seems to have developed a general aversion to all but absolutely necessary genetic engineering. I'd blame Khan. I'd also say that's not necessarily a bad thing. Who gets to decide what a parent should be allowed to change in their child for example? (I'm looking at you, Richard Bashir.)

Anywho, baldness, if a simpler cure is available, is definitely not an issue for Picard. Maybe for other 24th century men, but not Picard.

I'd also imagine Picard was educated in Britain, hence the accent. Poor Robert had to stay behind and tend the grapes to 'pay' for his tuition.

 

[Too Much Fun]

Well, Picard clearly cared that he didn't have hair as he strokes his bald head upon stepping off the transporter after being up-aged in "Rascals."

Or maybe it was a reference to "The Seven Samurai". As soon as I saw the title of this thread, I thought of a conversation in X2 and how funny it would be if just slightly altered for it.

Professor X: William, you wanted me to cure your son. But baldness is not a disease.
Willaim Stryker: YOU'RE LYING!

 

[Lynx]

You know, this is exactly one of my first thoughts when I started to watch TNG many years ago. Just like, "Oh, he's bald. But they tried to come up with something which would prevent people from losing their hair already in the 20th century. Don't tell me that they haven't solved that problem in the 24th century."

But eager to explain every contradiction in the Star Trek universe, I did actually settle for the solution that "some people might prefer to be bald".

Anyway, I would find it hard to imagine Picard with hair. His "hairdo" is actually a trademark for the character.

 

[JustKate]

And let's face it - Picard doesn't need hair to look good, IMO.

 

[Praetor]

Picard. Jean-Luc Picard.

 

[kissthestar]

Picard has a funny little point on top of his head.

 

[neogothboy74]

If I lived in Next Gen times, I'd do something so my hair didn't grow at all. Sometimes it's relaxing shaving it, but often times it's just a pain. And I rather love being Bald Jason.

I can't imagine Picard with hair. That picture gives me the ick.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

And let's face it - Picard doesn't need hair to look good, IMO.

Agreed!

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie