I think what would make for an epic conflict is for Pulaski to have to work with an EMH with her prejudices, particularly since they would be doing the same job.
Pulaski and an EMH
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I think the character of Doctor Pulaski was terribly bad idea, but one unfortunately necessary for season two. The problem was only compounded in that the part was given to a terribly bad actress.
In context of a Trek story, if Starfleet fashioned an EMH after Pulaski, when it came online it would probably say something like "please state the nature of why you are wasting my time."
In context of a Trek story, if Starfleet fashioned an EMH after Pulaski, when it came online it would probably say something like "please state the nature of why you are wasting my time."
The problem with Pulaski was that she was too obviously a McCoy clone. Same gruff manner, same transporter phobia, same "prejudice" (I don't think it was real) against the logical science officer character. Having her pick on Data was the worst thing they had Pulaski do. Spock could rib McCoy back when they bantered, but Data was defenseless against Pulaski's jabs, which just made her look mean.
If she were up against the holodoc, especially Picardo's version, the banter could've been entertaining, because the holodoc wouldn't have been defenseless against her jabs.
If she were up against the holodoc, especially Picardo's version, the banter could've been entertaining, because the holodoc wouldn't have been defenseless against her jabs.
Although I am solidly in the Dr. Crusher camp, I didn't think Dr. Pulaski was terrible. I was sorry that she didn't return for any other appearances in later seasons.
An interaction between the EMH and Dr. Pulaski may have been interesting given the fact that she took a very different approach to intelligent technology. For example, she was a foil to the rest of the cast in regards to her relationship with Data, which did improve over the course of the series, but was always distant. I wonder if she would have interacted with the EMH the same way.
Or, she would have just turned him off to make her point.
An interaction between the EMH and Dr. Pulaski may have been interesting given the fact that she took a very different approach to intelligent technology. For example, she was a foil to the rest of the cast in regards to her relationship with Data, which did improve over the course of the series, but was always distant. I wonder if she would have interacted with the EMH the same way.
Or, she would have just turned him off to make her point.
I don't get the Pulaski hate. We get a character modeled on Dr. McCoy almost exactly, and suddenly the character is unpopular. So why no hate for McCoy? If you don't like Pulaski, you shouldn't like McCoy.(I happen to like them both)
As for the Data thing, that was only early-to-mid season 2 Pulaski, she liked him by the end of that season, just look at "peak performance."
As for the Data thing, that was only early-to-mid season 2 Pulaski, she liked him by the end of that season, just look at "peak performance."
I agree. Pulaski and an EMH would have made for some great scenes. With Picardo's EMH, even better.
I always liked Pulaski anyway. Many ppl fuss about how the crew is always so nice and everyone gets along and all that. Then a character like Pulaski comes along who's not all nicey-nice and then there's a problem with that, too. IDK.
I always liked Pulaski anyway. Many ppl fuss about how the crew is always so nice and everyone gets along and all that. Then a character like Pulaski comes along who's not all nicey-nice and then there's a problem with that, too. IDK.
That and McCoy came first and hung out on a full time basis with Kirk and Spock.
Yeah, Pulaski wasn't good mostly because she was obviously an attempt at a McCoy clone. The worst aspect of this was her treatment of Data. Now this does mirror McCoy and Spock's relationship but also it's very different. McCoy and Spock, for the most part, were still friends. Pulaski for the most part barely recognized Data as a "living" being.
And when McCoy would shoot jabs at Spock, Spock was aware enough, intelligent enough and privy enough to human behavior to know what McCoy was doing and was able to retort.
Data was like a special-needs child being picked on by the school bully. He didn't know he was being made fun of and Pulaski's treatment of him was because she didn't regard him as an equal or as a living being. (Though she did warm to him as the season wore on.)
Pulaski could have been fun, but probably would have required less restriction than the Season 2 writers issues had.
And when McCoy would shoot jabs at Spock, Spock was aware enough, intelligent enough and privy enough to human behavior to know what McCoy was doing and was able to retort.
Data was like a special-needs child being picked on by the school bully. He didn't know he was being made fun of and Pulaski's treatment of him was because she didn't regard him as an equal or as a living being. (Though she did warm to him as the season wore on.)
Pulaski could have been fun, but probably would have required less restriction than the Season 2 writers issues had.
I don't think a hatred of machines was necessarily a drawback in the character. I mean, Kirk hated machines, too. Shooting Data's positronic brains out would have been the humane thing to do, and quite possibly a necessary step in saving mankind from ultimately becoming Borgified. A character that recognizes this early on could be considered a visionary rather than a reactionary!
As far as the "worthless McCoy clone" argument goes, I always liked the rapport she was developing with Worf, another supposedly "unlikeable" character. Fans just loved it when Worf came out of the closet and started murdering people left and right - a refreshing character trait combined with a surprising yearning for sexual conservatism. Pulaski was developing into a similarly weird combination of attributes, and steering TNG away from the mind-numbing dullness that descended from S4 onwards.
And the writers really knew what they were doing in the actual introducing of Pulaski. It's sheer guts and professional cool to march right into the ship's bar, get an angry visit from the CO, and not even need a cool retort to establish absolute superiority and right-of-way in the situation...
Timo Saloniemi
As far as the "worthless McCoy clone" argument goes, I always liked the rapport she was developing with Worf, another supposedly "unlikeable" character. Fans just loved it when Worf came out of the closet and started murdering people left and right - a refreshing character trait combined with a surprising yearning for sexual conservatism. Pulaski was developing into a similarly weird combination of attributes, and steering TNG away from the mind-numbing dullness that descended from S4 onwards.
And the writers really knew what they were doing in the actual introducing of Pulaski. It's sheer guts and professional cool to march right into the ship's bar, get an angry visit from the CO, and not even need a cool retort to establish absolute superiority and right-of-way in the situation...
Timo Saloniemi
I could not possibly agree with this more than I do right now. Too bad they couldn't/didn't bring Pulaski back for an appearance or two on DSN. That character would have been a perfect fit on that series. Mayhaps she shows from Starfleet Medical HQ to inspect Dr. Bashir's set-up or somesuch.
Bottom line: great character that was misused on TNG.
You've been reading my Christmas fanfic notes again, haven't you? Nothing against Brent, but I could never stand Data all that much.
As for Pulaski: Loved the character, wished we'd seen more of her.
I was never a huge fan of Pulaski, but I did like the way her character was used in Elementary, Dear Data. That was the one time her criticism of Data actually made some kind of sense, as she (quite logically) poked holes in his attempts at solving a real mystery.
In fact overall, I'd have to say she was a perfectly fine character-- the problem was she just wasn't a great fit for the show. Beverly just had a warmth to her that felt like a much better fit with the other characters.
In fact overall, I'd have to say she was a perfectly fine character-- the problem was she just wasn't a great fit for the show. Beverly just had a warmth to her that felt like a much better fit with the other characters.
I think Pulaski could have worked better had they played her off Picard instead of Data; with her being the cynical--slightly old fashioned--counter-point to his 24th century optimism and belief that humanity had evolved past petty things. Basically the bucket of cold water forcing him to prove and back up his beliefs.
Good point. TNG really could have used a character with that sort of viewpoint.
There was Q, but he couldn't be on every week.
2 reasons, as I see it. First, as others have stated, it's a different character dynamic on TNG than on TOS, & even a different mood in how the episodes were presented. There was a certain casualness on TOS that allowed for Bones' cantankerousness to be rather affable, unlike TNG, where such an attitude seemed almost archaic or even conflictual
Second, it was somewhat of a knock-off of an earlier character, the cranky, uncompromising doctor, and though it was not the only close knock-off, it was the one that tended to stick out the most. At least the emotionless scientist of Data had some new angles to work that were disparate from Spock, & the hunky Riker Casanova was down played in comparison to how it got viewed in reference to Kirk. With Pulaski, it was just too overt, & most importantly, didn't jive with the other character flow going on
Besides, Worf was all the cranky guy comedy the show needed, in the end
Problem with E,MDD is that if Data really couldn't solve "a real mystery" he'd have a hard time working in Starfleet since 90% solving mysteries.
Heh, good point. Although in the episode Pulaski doesn't actually question Data's deductive reasoning skills. Her point was just that he lacked the ability for true "original thought," and the ability to understand the "darker souls that drive us," as she puts it.
And indeed, I imagine Data probably would have trouble teasing the truth out of a suspect in the subtle way, say, Det. Goren did on Criminal Intent. Especially considering how bad he was at reading people.
Once Data ran out of actual clues to look at, he'd probably be stuck.
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