How exactly do you figure that? I think Tasha's one story that does more than treat her like a glorified extra in that period was 'Code of Honor.' And the less said about that episode, the better. Meanwhile, in the first season, Worf got one focus episode, 'Heart of Glory.' I don't see how having Tasha there took away ANYTHING from Worf.
Tasha the calm warrior?
- Thread starter bradacus
- Start date
How exactly do you figure that? I think Tasha's one story that does more than treat her like a glorified extra in that period was 'Code of Honor.' And the less said about that episode, the better. Meanwhile, in the first season, Worf got one focus episode, 'Heart of Glory.' I don't see how having Tasha there took away ANYTHING from Worf.
People,
I think the reason the writers had difficulty defining Tasha is because she wasn't given a "caregiver" role like Dr. Crusher or Counselor Troi, but the role of an ass-kicker. Perhaps most of the male writers just didn't have a comfort zone in writing a strong, physical character like Tasha.
They should have tried to write her as gender-neutral as Ripley in Alien. In fact, in the original screenplay for Alien, none of the characters is given a gender or color -- those roles only took shape once cast.
I still think that if in the beginning, she was a command track officer who was a protege of Picard's, and if Worf had been security chief all along, that would've suited her better.
As Picard's protege, it would've shown the more gender-neutral future of TNG, where it doesn't matter the gender of your mentor. Of course, they kind of messed that up with Tasha coming on to Picard in Hide & Q.
In fact, I'm sure you've all noticed that since TNG, all the other security types in all the ST shows -- Worf, Odo, Eddington, Tuvok, and Reed -- have all been men. Having said that, the ST creators have had a number of ass-kicking women in the various series, most notably Kira Nerys and B'Elanna Torres.
Red Ranger
I think the reason the writers had difficulty defining Tasha is because she wasn't given a "caregiver" role like Dr. Crusher or Counselor Troi, but the role of an ass-kicker. Perhaps most of the male writers just didn't have a comfort zone in writing a strong, physical character like Tasha.
They should have tried to write her as gender-neutral as Ripley in Alien. In fact, in the original screenplay for Alien, none of the characters is given a gender or color -- those roles only took shape once cast.
I still think that if in the beginning, she was a command track officer who was a protege of Picard's, and if Worf had been security chief all along, that would've suited her better.
As Picard's protege, it would've shown the more gender-neutral future of TNG, where it doesn't matter the gender of your mentor. Of course, they kind of messed that up with Tasha coming on to Picard in Hide & Q.
In fact, I'm sure you've all noticed that since TNG, all the other security types in all the ST shows -- Worf, Odo, Eddington, Tuvok, and Reed -- have all been men. Having said that, the ST creators have had a number of ass-kicking women in the various series, most notably Kira Nerys and B'Elanna Torres.
Red Ranger
Well, they messed up plenty in that episode. But I don't see how gender-neutrality, in terms of equality in professional roles, requires people to be asexual and never show interest in one another. On the contrary -- in a society where equality of the sexes is taken entirely for granted, there'd be no reason to see sexuality as a threat to anyone's status or fair treatment. (Besides, even in an environment where everyone was of the same sex, there'd still be the occasional sexual interest being expressed.)
Christopher:
Given the problems in our current society with sexual harassment, having Picard approach Yar, rather than the other way around, might give the wrong impression. While you and I might understand it, others in the audience might have a problem with it.
Take for example, the character of Jack McCoy on Law & Order. He has slept with a number of his female assistant district attorneys, and I believe in one ep I recall only sketchily, his professional breach comes back to bite him on the ass. I took that to be a comment from the writers on the dangers of workplace romantic relationships, which are usually fraught with complications, having been involved in a few brief ones myself.
They did revisit the issue when Picard becomes romantically involved with one of his crew, Lieutenant Commander Nella Daren in Lessons. As I recall, Picard was so tortured over having to order her in harm's way they ended their relationship.
Red Ranger
The inspiration was actually Vasquez in Aliens. That's how come short, brunette Marina Sirtis was screen-tested for the role.
It is kind of funny that they would later cast Jenette Goldstein in Generations.
Correct. The character was going to be called "Macha" Hernandez. I posted a thread once about how interesting it would've been if they had cast Sirtis as the security chief, and Denise Crosby as the empathic counselor. -- RR
Similar threads
