Which Doctor Did You Like Better...Dr. Crusher or Dr. Pulaski?
- Thread starter CmndrSela318
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In universe, she got to know him and realized that he wasn't just a "machine". Data surprised a lot of people: Riker early on didn't realize he had earned his rank, Bashir on DS9 found his realism and people skills fascinating.
Out of universe, it's presumed that Muldaur and the scriptwriters were instructed to tone it down a bit, the way Andy Robinson was told to tone down his "I think you're super yummy" vibe for Bashir.
Less weird as the show went on and Wes got older.
Pulaski sure disappeared suddenly... one does wonder what happened to her.
Died of old age when the Unnatural Selection Immortality Transporter Trick wore off?
Poisoned by Worf's tea (guess the antidote didn't work)?
Fatal brain injury from trying to reproduce the "erotic flashbacks" from Shades of Gray on herself?
Died of old age when the Unnatural Selection Immortality Transporter Trick wore off?
Poisoned by Worf's tea (guess the antidote didn't work)?
Fatal brain injury from trying to reproduce the "erotic flashbacks" from Shades of Gray on herself?
They would have had to alter the opponent role to fit Pulaski (for one, no experimenting on dying people), but she would have made a good opponent to Dr.Crusher in that episode. Considering her interactions with Worf Pulaski would have worked in that story.
Because Pulaski is unable to drool over anybody. The candle ghost might as well romance a replicator.
Don't you know she went back to the Dungeon Dimensions and ascended the Gorgon Throne to claim her birthright as Queen of the Space Harpies
For an actual in-universe explanation, it was probably as simple as Pulaski moving on to a different assignment, maybe they wanted her for some research in memory erasure and alteration, or Dr.Crusher simply wanted to come back to the Enterprise, so Picard made room for her by requesting that Pulaski should be reassigned to a different ship. Picard seems like he isn't above nepotism where the Crushers are concerned.
Frankly - this is a really unfair question to ask. Pulaski only had a single year, 1988... the year of the Writers Guild Strike. The season as a whole suffered from poor writing, strained budgets, and the departure of two of the original 8 cast members. Factor on top of that, Crusher had six additional seasons after returning to enjoy a much more fulfilling character development and meaningful arcs.
I think a more appropriate question would've been - would you have preferred Crusher or Pulaski after the end of Season 2... where each character would have had the same number of episodes to participate in.
I think a more appropriate question would've been - would you have preferred Crusher or Pulaski after the end of Season 2... where each character would have had the same number of episodes to participate in.
Well sure, if you wanted a serious answer...
Crushlaski
Pulasher
What if Selar was added to the mix?
Selashski
Selushski
Pulushar
Crulaskar
I just wish they had come up with a better name than Crusher.
To me, Beverly was most outstanding in "Remember me" and "The Host" - she was maybe a little too hard on Dr. Toby Russell in "Ethics" after she saved Worf from being a cripple (or suicide).
Pulaski could never have taught Data how to tap dance -
To me, Beverly was most outstanding in "Remember me" and "The Host" - she was maybe a little too hard on Dr. Toby Russell in "Ethics" after she saved Worf from being a cripple (or suicide).
Pulaski could never have taught Data how to tap dance -
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She didn't hammer Dr. Russell for saving Worf. She hammered her for using living patients as Guinea pigs for her experiments instead of focusing on saving their lives.
Remember that Beverly is a physician, and a firm believer in Primum non nocere, or "first do no harm". Or, as she says, "don't make the patient any worse". She will have little use for a doctor who doesn't adhere to that code.
Would you rather have a doctor who's coy with his diagnoses?
Yes, Russell did deserve a stern reprimand --for using an experimental drug on the first patient - but in Worf's case, if it weren't for her procedure, he would have never had the same life.
It was a complex episode, with Alexander seemingly having an effect on his father's recovery as well.
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Well said.... and I 100% agree, Picardo's stage presence was a key in making the Doctor into a character that grew on me throughout the series...
He wouldn't have had any life. He would have almost certainly died by his own hand.
Russell wasn't just using patients as guinea pigs. She was also misrepresenting her research & procedures to a patient in order to manipulate their choice to undergo it or not, & opportunizing on the vulnerable & desperate. She isn't just a bad doc. She's kind of a shitty person too.
I think that aspect of Russell wouldn't fit Pulaski were it to have been her to reappear in the episode instead, but I DO think with some tweaking, a suitable rewrite could've come up with some more believable differences between Bev's & Kate's doctoring practices, that would've made for an interesting squaring off of docs, & would've been an episode I'd have truly thirsted for, because ultimately, I think Kate might be the more ambitious doctor... whereas Bev is the more compassionate caregiver, & in some ways, both of those attributes could represent a detriment to how they work, or put them at opposing viewpoints on a particular issue... vis-a-vis good drama
I think that aspect of Russell wouldn't fit Pulaski were it to have been her to reappear in the episode instead, but I DO think with some tweaking, a suitable rewrite could've come up with some more believable differences between Bev's & Kate's doctoring practices, that would've made for an interesting squaring off of docs, & would've been an episode I'd have truly thirsted for, because ultimately, I think Kate might be the more ambitious doctor... whereas Bev is the more compassionate caregiver, & in some ways, both of those attributes could represent a detriment to how they work, or put them at opposing viewpoints on a particular issue... vis-a-vis good drama
It would have elevated the episode, because it would have been less "good vs evil"
Yup. As is, it ends up being just another Starfleet officer gone wrong episode imho, & there have been plenty of those in all varieties. This one isn't even all that impressive in that regard.
Pulaski was good as "Chief Medical Officer." I had no problem with her acting. But I don't think she added to the rapport among the crew. Her character was strong willed, independent, and didn't lend well to "bringing everyone together", which Crusher sorta did. Crusher was routinely involved in emotional and personal dialogue in a way that added to character development. Especially with her friend Picard, but others, too. I think Crusher brought balance to crew interactions. And Pulaski would have done the opposite. Despite being a decent actress, her character was introduced in such a strict way that I really think they made the right choice in having Crusher come back instead.
Doctor Crusher all the way.
Isn't just the character, is the actor who plays it. I admire Diana Muldau's work very much but in this role I think Gates McFadden is the star.
Isn't just the character, is the actor who plays it. I admire Diana Muldau's work very much but in this role I think Gates McFadden is the star.
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