LogFAQs > #932781611

55. Tasha Yar
Im sorry, Captain. Im leaving the show now to pursue a film acting career. Ill be in such hits as Deep Impact and Mafia Docks.

Has anyone ever made a worse career move than Denise Crosby? I guess she couldnt have known how TNG would explode after she left, but damn, she must regret that decision every day.

I like the idea of tough girl from a crazy planet who was rescued by the Federation and is now completely loyal to it as a starting point for a character. Too bad thats where her character ends. I guess she has more backstory than Geordi, though, so who am I to laugh?

Denise Crosby has stated that she abandoned the show because her character didnt get enough little interactions with others. Thats fine, I guess. Its probably true. As far as the calculus of characters in TNG goes, shes definitely the odd man out. Even Wesley fits as someone who can interact with Picard and Crusher easily. Yars only friend on the show is Worf, and Worf in season 1 is I AM A WARRIOR, I ADVISE WE FIRE ALL PHASERS. Well get to Worf later, but I can understand being frustrated with that.

Anyway, Yar is famous for two things: proving that Data is fully functional (Data later uses that as evidence for why hes a living being in a trial to avoid being disassembled, so ****ing a robot is technically Yars greatest legacy) and having the stupidest death ever. I wonder what Crusher wrote on her death certificate. Killed by an angry oil slick. I understand that they were going for surprise, like Space is dangerous, anything can happen even killing actresses who hate the show, but goddamn, that death was so lame they had to bring Yar back multiple times in time travel episodes.

To me, though, Yar is memorable for two completely different moments. The first is when Wesley asks why people do drugs if they know theyll get addicted and itll ruin their lives. That was compelling television in 1987. The second is when Yar gives us a snippet of her backstory, and it involves Crosby trying to say the words rape gangs while looking traumatized.

God, I cant believe Im still talking about the main character with the fewest episodes, but so be it. We havent even gotten to the episode with the African tribal rapist polygamy planet. Cloak of Honor has the dubious title of Most Racist Star Trek Episode Ever, and it will never be defeated. How can you defeat a planet of black tribal guys with spears whose king kidnaps the first blonde he sees and tries to forcibly marry her? Thats Yars main episode. That and the one where she dies are the only episodes where shes the focus character.

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Not changing this sig until I decide to change this sig.
Started: July 6, 2005