From: thogek@cco.caltech.edu (Thomas G. Kiefer)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: Re: Sexism and the Dorm-Rec review of "Fist Full of Datas" (spoilers)
Date: 17 Nov 1992 22:50:10 GMT
Organization: Nope, just me.
NNTP-Posting-Host: yvonne.caltech.edu

"Fistfull of Datas" stuff below...


In article <BxtF20.921@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> sager@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Brian) writes:
>     I see some our refering to Crusher as a 'bitch' is causing
>some people to become offended.  If you are one of those, you missed
>our point.   We said that Crusher was being a bitch because of the way
>she was acting.  First, she implied that it'd be worth Picard's time
>to be in her play.  She has the captain by the balls, knows it, and
>uses it in this episode.  She also developed a serious attitude
>during play rehearsal and with Geordi when he couldn't find the play.
>Her being female and in a position of power has NOTHING to do with
>our opinions of her.  She's chief medical officer, and we at Dorm-Rec
>don't have a problem with that.  The term 'BITCH' refered to the way
>she was acting at the time, not her character as a whole.

I'm not offended, I just think you're clueless.


About the Picard and her play: Beverly had all her main roles cast;
she just needed somebody to play the butler, and thought it would be
neat to get Picard out into her acting activities.  She was trying to
encourage him, probably knowing he'd resist the idea, but maybe he'd
try it since it was only a small part...

Had him "by the balls"?  I think I missed this.  Care to explain?


At rehearsal: Of course she was serious; she was in charge, directing
her play, wanted to see it perform well, and serious about what she
was doing.  Just like she's serious when doing her job in Sick Bay, or
like Picard is on the bridge (even though both of those are more vital
functions, this is something she had and wanted to do...).

I hope you're not reflecting an attitude that views any serious female
as bitchy...


With Geordi: she was seriously concerned that her play was lost in the
mess of the computer somewhere where she couldn't find it, or possibly
wiped out altogether.  (Does anyone know: did she *write* this play?
That would explain some of her concern.)  Geordi might be able to tell
her if/where it is, but she has no clue, and that has her very concerned
and apprehensive -- just like I'd imagine I'd be, or like many of her
serious patients in Sick Bay probably are toward her...


In other words, I saw nothing bitchy about Beverly Crusher's behavior
in any of the mentioned scenes.  I actually thought her well portrayed.
Maybe if you could be a little more specific about what you found
"bitchy"...


>     One comment about Troi and the leather pants, then I'll drop it...
>We'll stop insulting her figure when she stops wearing 'revealing'
>outfits.

And the net'll stop insulting your posts when you stop posting
(apparently) 'revealing' attitudes.  :)


>      We're pissed that Troi saved Worf's ass, not because she's a female,
>but because we hate Troi.  Ro (or even Yar if she was around) could save
>Worf without a peep form us, but Troi...give me a break.  That's like
>Alexander saving the big E by firing photon torpedoes at Romulan War
>Birds.  My point is that Troi's character is not that of someone who
>should be 'packing heat'.

The character of Deana Troi is not one who would be packing heat, but
that of Durango the Mysterious Stranger is, and that's who she was
trying to be, so of course she would be carrying a gun (and probably
wrote Durango's skill with it into the holodeck program so she'd be
able to shoot straight).


>     We at Dorm-Rec are not complete sexist bastards.  We are looking
>foreward to posting our opinions about the rest of the episodes.

Most of us look forward to reading any fellow ST:TNG viewers' opinions
and reactions.  But when some posts appear with (apparently) obvious
sexist (or racist, or almost any -ist) statements or bases of judgement,
some of us get disgusted and/or upset.  If sexism was not your point,
feel free to correct the impression the Dorm-Rec posts so far have
given.  We're listening.
-- 
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====> Thomas Kiefer <===> thogek@cco.caltech.edu <====
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Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current