The Doctor and his references to the Romulan War

[FederationHistorian]

It makes sense for Spock to refer to the Romulan War, who was briefing the crew on the history of the war upon the re-emergence of the Romulans.

It makes sense for Sisko as well, due to the threat the Dominion posed to the Federation and to draw a comparison to them to the last enemy that threatened Earth to that degree. And the presence of Romulans during DS9 meant their history and culture would be relevant, due to how it impact's relations with the Federation.

And it makes sense for the Romulans on TNG to refer to the Romulan War as well, since obviously its their history and had repercussions for the Romulan Star Empire that lasted centuries.

But why did the Doctor’s programming default to referencing Romulan commander Chulak as an equal to Napolean, as well as a Romulan captain’s tactical maneuver over Starfleet and Klingon tactics? Voyager never encountered any Romulans in the Delta Quadrant. He has a database than can refer to any individual of any species and any battle tactics and chose to refer to the Earth-Romulan War period. Was he programmed to be a 22nd century aficionado or are certain concepts and ideas highlighted to be more important to reference than others? Surely the Andorians and Tellarites had their own Napoleans in their history, and the Picard Maneuver would have worked just as well in “Workforce”.

 

[Kor]

It was the Clown in "The Thaw" who mentioned Chulak in the same line as Napoleon. He couldn't have gotten that from the EMH's memory because he couldn't 'read' the doctor. So it must have come from Harry or B'elanna's memory.

Also, neither Chulak's defeat nor the Battle of Vorkado were specifically stated to have happened in the Earth-Romulan Wars. Later ENT novels put them there, but those aren't "cannnon." Those incidents could have occurred at some other time. In the decades since "Balance of Terror," Starfleet intelligence probably dug up a lot more on Romulan history, society, etc.

As to why Romulan tactics and military figures come to mind at all for Starfleet officers and EMHs, perhaps it's a matter of "know thy enemy," with Starfleet drilling this stuff into everyone so that they are prepared for any possible future hostilities with the Romulans.

Kor