From: cstone@husc8.harvard.edu (christopher stone)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: Re: Female CO for the E  II
Date: 18 Dec 92 03:59:23 GMT
Organization: Harvard University Science Center

In article <1992Dec17.225700.499@fsl.noaa.gov> jkl@fsl.noaa.gov (Jennifer Longstaff) writes:
>christopher stone (cstone@husc8.harvard.edu) wrote:
>: As I interpret your argument, it would not be profitable for Paramount
>: to have a female captain, since 20th cen. TV viewers wouldn't accept
>: it.  I must disagree here.  First, television can *change* people's
>: opinions about the "macho image," much as TOS did in the 60's about
>: a lot of social issues and "Cagney and Lacey" did a few years ago
>: with regard to female detectives.  
>: Chris
>
>I agree that showing *competent* women in leadership roles in ST will
>work, and will change peoples' role model images.  However, tell me if
>I'm paranoid, but it seems to me that Paramount has done more to hurt
>people's impressions of women in leadership positions.  Just off the top 
>of my head, I recall two instances where women were shown in very 
>authoritative positions, and later in the show those women were shown to 
>be real ding-dongs.  I'm thinking of:
>    (1) Admiral Satie, in "the drumhead."  She was an *ADMIRAL*, highly
>respected, etc. etc.  But after a go-round with Picard she was "exposed
>for the paranoid dingbat she really was..."
>    (2) Dr. Kyla Marr, in the episode where the Crystalline Entity was
>destroyed.  She was originally a very intelligent women (other than
>her prejudice against Data), but as the show wore on she exhibited more
>and more signs of mental breakdown due to her guilt about losing her son.
>
>In both of the previous episodes, these women were also older (gray
>hair, probably in their 60's).  I hope we're not also trying to be
>ageist.
>
>And I can think of more examples where women were not shown in a real
>flattering light; how about "The Perfect Mate" where the woman's only
>reason for existence was to please men?!  Even in "The Game", Robin
>Leffler was originally smart and independent, but of course late in the
>show she had to succumb to the Game so that Wesley could save the ship
>by himself....
>
>I know there have also been plenty of men shown as idiots on the show, but
>I'm trying to remember when a woman was portrayed as *REALLY SMART* or
>competent or a good female role model.  Can anyone help me with this?

Well, I agree that not all the women on TNG have exemplified competence,
but then in real life women, like all people, have both good and bad
members amongst their ranks.  Some of the positive role models in TNG:
1) Kheyler sure wasn't afraid to put Worf in his place
2) Taurus, the Romulan captain from "Contagion"
3) Mirasta Yale, in "First Contact," was exceptionally talented and
the only oughtright progressive politician on the planet -- not to
mention a brilliant scientist.  (She's not perfect though -- she has
the wrong last name :) )
4) What about that woman from "The Masterpiece Society"
5) I'm not sure we can call Sela/Yar competent, but she certainly
is formidable.
6) Ensign Ro?
7) Shelby?
8) Captain Garrett
9) The lady who befriends Data in "The Ensigns of Command"
I don't think, to sum up, that there has been a lack of noteworthy
women guest stars in TNG; what I would say, though, is that they
have been just that: guest stars or semi-regulars.  Even Crusher and
Troi are not command branch personnel.  The Enterprise needs more 
women amongst its regular command, and IMHO opinion a woman captain
would be a good way to do this.  Perhaps it might make an interesting
episode should Patrick Stewart not return next season...Riker expects
to get the Enterprise, but another (female) captain does instead?