Star Trek Teases the Return of One of Its Most Controversial Characters

Star Trek just teased the return of one of the franchise’s most controversial characters. Star Trek has had its share of characters who failed to click with audiences, for one reason or another. Doctor Katherine Pulaski is one such character. Although she only appeared for one season, Doctor Pulaski remains controversial among fans, but she is set to return in issue eight of Star Trek: Lower Decks.

IDW has shared its solicitations for books shipping in June, including Star Trek: Lower Decks #8, which will be written by Tim Sheridan and drawn by Robby Cook. The issue’s solicitation reads as follows:

In a moment of mother-daughter bonding, Captain Freeman continues the story of how she was once a nobody screw-up just like Mariner!

Where she last left off, Dr. Katherine Pulaski had taken the helm of the U.S.S. Illinois in its clash with a Romulan warbird — but, as feared, Pulaski's brilliant track record of crashing spacecraft isn't doing her any favors in the encounter. Freeman and Durango are called upon to save the day. If the crew is to survive, the two ensigns need to rise to the challenge of command, and fast.

In the previous issue, Beckett Mariner and her mother, Captain Carol Freeman, engaged in mother-daughter bonding. Captain Freeman tells Beckett about her previous postings, and this solicitation makes it clear she served with Doctor Pulaski.

Furthermore, on Robby Cook’s cover for Star Trek: Lower Decks #8, Doctor Pulaski can be seen, alongside a younger Carol Freeman, as well as the Tellarite Durango.

Doctor Pulaski, Star Trek's Most Controversial Doctor, Explained

Doctor Pulaski Was Not Popular With Star Trek Fans

Doctor Pulaski’s sole season of Star Trek: The Next Generation remains contentious among fans, even 30-plus years later. Played by actress Diana Muldaur, Doctor Pulaski was a replacement for Doctor Beverly Crusher. Gates McFadden, who played Crusher, left at the end of season one after a disagreement with Executive Producer Maurice Hurley. In the first episode of season two, titled “The Child,” Doctor Crusher left the Enterprise for a posting at Starfleet Medical. Doctor Pulaski arrived on board in the same episode, just in time for Counselor Troi to become pregnant with an alien lifeform.

Doctor Pulaski was not well liked by Star Trek fans. Many believed Doctor Pulaski was a rip-off of Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy, the Chief Medical Officer under Captain Kirk. Their personalities were similar: both were grizzled and world-weary, giving them the appearance of being abrasive and lacking in bedside manner. Doctor Pulaski's snippy relationship with Data was not popular either, as some viewed it as a poor copy of the Spock/Doctor McCoy dynamic. Due to poor writing, Pulaski came across more as a bully to Data.

Doctor Pulaski’s tour of duty aboard the Enterprise was a short one. After Maurice Hurley left at the end of season two, Gates McFadden returned as Doctor Crusher, and she would remain as the Chief Medical Officer for the rest of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s run. Doctor Pulaski was unceremoniously written off the show, with no explanation for what happened to her, and she has not been seen in another Star Trek television show or movie since. Doctor Pulaski has appeared in non-canonical Star Trek media, but her on-screen fate remains unknown.

Star Trek Failed Doctor Pulaski, and Never Gave Her a Shot at Redemption

Star Trek Tried Too Hard to Make Doctor Pulaski Like Doctor McCoy

The likelihood that Doctor Pulaski will ever return to the Star Trek franchise, at least on-screen, is very slim. Pulaski actress Diana Muldaur, now in her 80s, is seemingly retired, having not acted in many years. The character was never popular with fans, meaning the producers had no incentive to bring Doctor Pulaski back. Even Star Trek: Picard’s third season, which brought back many Next Generation alumni, such as Ensign Ro and even Doctor Moriarty, skipped checking in on Doctor Pulaski. It might seem as if Doctor Pulaski is a pariah in the Star Trek franchise.

Yet Doctor Pulaski had immense potential, but matters outside of Diana Muldaur’s control hampered her time on board the Enterprise. The writer and producers of The Next Generation’s second season failed Doctor Pulaski. They tried recreating the vibe Doctor McCoy brought to the franchise, right down to the distrust of transporters. Yet for whatever reason, be it bad writing or acting, the character failed to stick to the landing. The switch from Doctor Crusher to Pulaski was also a jarring one for many Star Trek fans, and her exit after season two ensured fans never got to know her any better.

Star Trek Is Giving Doctor Pulaski One More Chance

Doctor Pulaski Has Ties to Star Trek: Lower Decks

It might seem that the Star Trek franchise failed Doctor Pulaski, making her return in Lower Decks #8 a great chance to redeem the character. Giving Doctor Pulaski ties to Beckett Mariner’s mom, Carol, is a fantastic first step in this direction. Fans will also (hopefully) learn more about Pulaski’s background, and gain more insight into her personality. In the hands of better writers, Doctor Pulaski can finally take her place as one of the great Chief Medical Officers in the Star Trek universe.