Why is Tasha Yar hated?

[Guy Gardener]

This is how I would explain their identical mannerisms and attitudes... Kyle Riker slept with both of them.

This is what turned me off Denise a little: "Bing Crosby's granddaughter deserves better! Crosby out!" (Or sentiments to that effect.)

This is what turned me Back on to her: "Trekkies."

 

[Mojochi]

I'm in agreement with the statement that there's actually very little hatred of the Tasha character, in and of itself. The writers were rather stymied with it, but Tasha wasn't the only situation of that happening. I never did care for the actress' performance, despite finding her incredibly sexy. I felt it was helpful that she left, but that's not hatred. For the record, there's only one TNG character I hate... Alexander

In order if least liked

Alexander
Lwaxanna
Wesley (Mostly S1 & S2)
Pulaski (Mostly because of the McCoy thing)
Keiko
Tasha
Troi
Barclay
Beverly
Riker

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I liked Yar. It was great seeing a female Security Chief as well as a character that didn't have same bright, happy childhood as everyone else onboard. If she was given better material then Yar could've blossomed into a strong and interesting character over seven years—I can just imagine her and Ro butting heads!

As for the Worf question, in S1 he was more of a jack-of-all-trades, not a security officer, having spent more time at conn and ops than on a security detail. So if Yar had stayed, he would've been the logical choice to take over from Geordi. He could cover for Data when he was off the ship or be drafted onto an away mission if a little extra muscle was needed. He’d still have gotten all his episodes, as they always focused on him being a Klingon rather than him being Security Chief. That would leave Wesley at the science console, which would’ve made more sense for him.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

I am wondering where the OP got the notion that there was any institutionalized hate for Tasha Yar as a character. I've been around this forum for over 10 years and never heard such an argument. As most responders have stated, there might be some angst over Crosby leaving the show but nothing regarding her character.

 

[{ Emilia }]

Enough with the rape gangs, I don't give a shit anymore, every minute with the rape gangs! Find Counselor Troi and some new subject matter to get hung up about. It was needlessly mentioned "all the time," and it just wasn't that interesting, to be honest. You've had a hard life, Tasha, I get it. But look around you, OK? Picard has a mechanical heart. Geordi is blind, except for use of his VISOR. Data was switched off and left out in the elements, when his entire colony was dessimated ... do I have to go on? Let the shit go and talk about something else, for a change. Like that hot sister of yours ...

It's called giving the character a meaningful background. Geordi's blindness and Data's struggle to become more human is mentioned a lot, too.
Interesting that you only have an issue with Tasha's past being mentioned a lot. You'd think growing up on that planet does have lasting effects on your character.

Hmm, I wonder what mine is, let's see:

My TNG unlikability index:

1. Deanna Troi
2. Pulaski
3. Lwaxana


I don't "unlike" Geordi, but I don't really like him either. I started to "unlike" him when he only wanted to date the hottest women on the ship even though he's fucking blind.

Keiko seems to be the stereotypical nagging wife, but she's not so bad.

I don't hate Wesley except in that one moment when he says "Adults!" and the entire episode "Evolution" where his "mistakes" amount to his "genius" creations getting out of hand.

Other than that I have no issues with him. I think he redeemed himself quite well in "The First Duty" where he actually does a real fuck up and tries to cover it up.

So you only hate female characters, I get it.

 

[BillJ]

I don't hate Tasha Yar (I thought she had some definite bright spots). But the whole Sela non-sense soured me on the character and the actress. If you decide to leave the series, fine. But don't then spend the rest of your career trying to get back in.

 

[2takesfrakes]

It's called giving the character a meaningful background. Geordi's blindness and Data's struggle to become more human is mentioned a lot, too.
Interesting that you only have an issue with Tasha's past being mentioned a lot. You'd think growing up on that planet does have lasting effects on your character.

It just seemed as if the writers were like, "we'll write her as coming from the most horrendous background possible, to make this beautiful blonde seem believable in the role of Security Woman." It seemed almost kind of insulting, in that sense.

Anytime it's brought up, it's with this whiney delivery, which was not a plus from me. And when we did get to see a flash of her on the planet of Rape Gangs, she does what? Hugs her cat and then tells it to run ... with a gang or rapists still well-away and the scene's over. Everything about this aspect of the character was just handled very poorly.

Tasha's past did not seem very well thought through and maybe in place for the wrong reasons, to begin with. But it could've had potential story-telling possibilities, that would've contrasted interestingly with the otherwise mollifying aspects of 24th Century Humanity's "evolved" sensibilities. It just wasn't in the cards ...

 

[TheSubCommander]

I was kind of neutral on Tasha, in the first run. Tasha's best episode was Yesterday's Enterprise, for me. I didn't dislike her, but could have taken or left her, too. But, when they killed her off, I missed her. The bright side for me was that Worf got more screen time. Would have been nice if Sela made a few more appearances.

 

[Timewalker]

Tasha's past did not seem very well thought through and maybe in place for the wrong reasons, to begin with. But it could've had potential story-telling possibilities, that would've contrasted interestingly with the otherwise mollifying aspects of 24th Century Humanity's "evolved" sensibilities. It just wasn't in the cards ...

The basic idea wasn't any worse than all the female Bajoran characters and their struggles in their various rebel groups, the Maquis, the camps, as Cardassian "comfort women" and so forth. It was the writing that didn't do it justice.

As for the episode with Tasha's sister - please. She's supposedly living this harsh existence, yet has tailored clothing and perfectly-groomed hair?

I didn't like the actress, either - she was annoying as Bobby Ewing's girlfriend on Dallas, and annoying on TNG.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Tasha wasn't around long enough to form any strong opinions about her either way. She tended to have bad writing but when she wasn't in a horribly written scene the character was enjoyable.

 

[Mojochi]

As for the episode with Tasha's sister - please. She's supposedly living this harsh existence, yet has tailored clothing and perfectly-groomed hair?

I didn't like the actress, either - she was annoying as Bobby Ewing's girlfriend on Dallas, and annoying on TNG.

Yeah, but she's built like a brick starship

 

[2takesfrakes]

As for the episode with Tasha's sister - please. She's supposedly living this harsh existence, yet has tailored clothing and perfectly-groomed hair?

I didn't like the actress, either - she was annoying as Bobby Ewing's girlfriend on Dallas, and annoying on TNG.

No way! She's delish! I would lick Ishara Yar from head ... to toe.

 

[Melakon]

I never heard anything about Tasha Yar being hated until this thread title.

 

[trekshark]

I'll admit that my dislike for Pulaski has nothing to do with the actress.

I'm just in the camp that immediately realized she was supposed to be McCoy. They even had the gall to:

1. Make her look like the spitting image of McCoy, but female
2. Make her sort of grumpy but somewhat likeable like McCoy
3. Make her hate the "Spock" character, just because.

4. Hates using the transporter

as for Yar, I never disliked her

 

[Ro_Laren]

I never really thought of Tasha as annoying. Well, there was one scene when she annoyed me: when she cried when Q put her in the penalty box in Hide and Q.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I never really thought of Tasha as annoying. Well, there was one scene when she annoyed me: when she cried when Q put her in the penalty box in Hide and Q.

That and her "say no to drugs, kids" speech I could live without.

It is a shame that Denise Crosby didn't give the role a little more time, surely all actors on TV series know the first season will be hit-or-miss and needs time to find its feet.

I always can't help but wonder, what if Roddenberry hadn't switched Crosby and Sirtis, so we were given Macha Hernandez instead of Natasha Yar. Sirtis would've stuck around, whilst Crosby's Troi might've been the one written out--seeing as how the writers were having issues with what to do with her.

 

[GalaxyX]

I never really thought of Tasha as annoying. Well, there was one scene when she annoyed me: when she cried when Q put her in the penalty box in Hide and Q.

Wel I said it in the other thread, but I'll repeat it here:

Hmm, a woman that's already traumatized by practically her whole youth of feeling helpless, is forced to live a moment where she again feels helpless to stop something horrible to happen to her. Crying was perfectly fitting in my opinion, and Picard's consolation was the icing on the cake. The only thing I hated was Tasha's come on at the end (what were they thinking?)

Other than that, I thought it was a great scene that showed Tasha was human, and in no way, shape or form did it detract from the fact that she was a tough, strong woman.

 

[2takesfrakes]

Picard's consolation was the icing on the cake. The only thing I hated was Tasha's come on at the end (what were they thinking?)

Season One established - early on - that Picard had, in fact, a way with young(er) women - and, until Anij came along, years later, would never get with one old enough to be his wife (although, the female JAG officer who presided over Data's trial in Measure of a Man did seem keen on the idea of raping the Good Captain). Oh, how life imitates art, considering Sir Patrick Stewart's well-earned reputation for being a Sugar Daddy. So, yes ... in that light, Tasha's flirtation fell right in line with these already-established themes.

 

[Nightdiamond]

I always liked Tasha. I always thought she had some of the most the most interesting scenes like when she got drunk and bedded Data.

Ok, the drug speech scene was realllllllllly obvious but other than that she came off normal to me.

If anything, she stood out because of her character. She came off as a competent security officer who knew her job.

 

[JariM]

Not a fan but not a hater either....
IMO the only real problem with Tasha was that the writers didn't give the character any good plots. The potential was definetly there. I'd be willing to bet that if TNG was made today she would have been handled much better and maybe even grown to be a fan favorite.

As far as the hate goes I have to say that over the years her and Wesley are the only characters that I have seen* getting hatred on a level that I would call vitriolic. Not the typical "stupid womman/brat, that's not how [insert] is supposed to act hurr durr, durr, durr...." -nerdboy hate which can be pretty much dismissed for what it is..


*Usually on forums/publications that are not really Trek specific.