[vuedoc]

My recollection is that TNG was supposed to have been a true ensemble cast in the same vein as Hill Street Blues or more recently, ER where despite the onboard hierarchy, each crew member was supposed to receive somewhat equal focus. Anyone else remember this? If so, I think they came close.

[Elizadolots]

I think I remember that. One thing I know, from having heard her speak, is that Marina Sirtis originally auditioned for the role of Security Chief and she said that Denise Crosby auditioned for the role of Counselor. Now...I honestly don't have a problem seeing Crosby as Counselor....but microscopic little Sirtis as Security Chief?

[FanWriter45]

The ensamble cast idea is a television standard these days. It allows for multiple camera crews to shoot several episodes at the same time, thus increasing the schedule for each episode. It does get to be a logistical nightmare at times, but you could have had Geordi shooting one episode on the "planet set" while Dr. Crusher was doing an episode in sickbay, and the regular bridge crew was shooting a third on the bridge set... and so on. It's a win-win situation. It gives the actors more face time on screen, and allows the technical crew to make the individual shows better by being able to work at the lighting, sound and staging more than if they had to shoot the whole thing in five days.

[FanWriter45]

As Tom Lalli points out in his essay in "Best of Trek #15" : "Same Sexisim, Different Generation" Tasha was one of the few liberated women that Star Trek had. She was feminine, yet could kick butt. The writers simply didn't know how to handle her. She could have been as strong, and as appealing as Kara Thrace (Starbuck) on BSG, but the creative staff blew it.

[Captain Frank]

and as appealing as Kara Thrace (Starbuck) on BSG

What's so appealing about her?
Unless you like your women to be men.

What was the point to making Starbuck a female?
She walks like a man. Talks like a man. Drinks like a man.
dresses like a man. Has no grace, class, or taste.
Absolutely no feminine qualities
to her. For all intent and purposes, she is a man.

Wouldn't it have been more impressive to see a real woman in that
role? Like a Southern Belle? Someone with style, charm, and manners
that could outfly and outfight the gruff, tough manly men
would have had a better impact.
Just imagine a lady-like character having tea with the Admiral.
The battle klaxon sounds. She runs to her fighter, and gets more
kills in combat than the rest of the squadron. After it's over,
all the muscle-bound guys just shake their heads wondering
how she does it.
That would have been more fun. And a much more appealing
character.

[Elizadolots]

Why was Tasha "manly"? She had been raised on a harsh planet (per the series) so it's unlikely she would have developed Southern Manners...is a woman who wasn't raised in a cultured environment less of a woman?

She clearly had feminine instincts and needs. Why should she display them on duty?

You seem to be opposed to women being real people. You seem to have an ideal of them that is "pretty" and "warm"...

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but women are just people. Their farts stink, they sweat when they work hard and that smells...and, you should never assume that drinking from their shoes will be a pleasant experience.

I guess a real person isn't that appealing.

Sorry.

Tasha was, if nothing else, quite real.

[Commodore]

As much as I think Worf should have been chief of security from the get-go, I really did like Tasha Yar (maybe if I had been Gene Roddenberry, I would have made Tasha chief tactical officer in charge of the ship's weapons while Worf handles actual security).

[Captain Frank]

My whole post was about Starbuck.
She was brought up, and I responded to that.

Tasha had her feminine side, as evidenced by her
going to Troi's quarters in "The Naked Now" and admiring
her things.

[mmoore]

Originally Posted by Captain Frank

My whole post was about Starbuck.
She was brought up, and I responded to that.

Tasha had her feminine side, as evidenced by her
going to Troi's quarters in "The Naked Now" and admiring
her things.

I have to admit, I always admired Troi's things.

[Elizadolots]

oh, sorry...my bad....