Monday, April 29, 2013

Y is for Tasha Yar

I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because...

...of Tasha Yar.

I really hated the turn of events in Skin of Evil. That's the Star Trek: TNG episode in which we lost Lt. Tasha Yar. Denise Crosby's character was by far my favorite, more than Picard, more than Data, more than Worf.

It took STTNG a good year before most of the characters really started settling into their roles. That settling was important because only then could the characters grow and evolve. I would have loved to see where her character could have gone.

There was something satisfying about seeing a female in the role of Chief Security Officer. She was competent. She was diligent. And she cut a much nicer figure than Worf.

It was good to see her resurface (in character) in Yesterday's Enterprise and All Good Things. I'd loved to have seen her in the movies too.

Lt. Tasha Yar is one reason why I love science fiction and fantasy.

29 comments:

  1. I don't know this character, but I agree, it's always brutal when a fave gets killed off, especially early on in a series' run!

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  2. So sad but you have to have twists to make a series great.

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    1. I've learned that a degree of excitement is added when the heroes aren't immortal.

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  3. I loved Tasha too, especially as she was not what you'd expect for a security officer. She was sweet and kind and, while she could kick butt with the best of them, she didn't really flaunt it. I liked that, it made me think there would be depths to her (which there turned out to be with her past).

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    1. I appreciate levels of depth in all characters. Hers was full of possibilities.

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  4. I didn't love her character during the initial run, but Data's attachment to her made me feel connected to her. And the episodes you mentioned did make me wish for what could have been. But I loved the introduction of her daughter. Good sci fi, good drama.

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    1. They really handled that well--especially after Yar died.

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  5. Yeah, she was my favourite character too. I was upset when they killed her off.

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  6. I have to disagree with you. I really didn't like Tasha. I liked the idea of her. But, I couldn't like her. It was quite probably because the actress couldn't act and not the character in and of herself, still, I was glad to see her go.

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    1. I will admit that I've not seen her many other places. Trek still seems to be her greatest claim to fame.

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  7. She did experience a senseless death. I have to admit, I did prefer Worf as Chief Security Officer though.

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    1. I think Worf started coming into his own when his (adoptive) parents came to visit. And even more so when they let him have some hair length.

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  8. I only vaguely remember her I'm afraid. I always like Worf too.

    JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

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    1. Well, she was in less than 10% of the episodes so that's not surprising. And there are only a handful of the first season's episodes that I watch frequently.

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  9. I always thought that episode was a bit out of sync, but actors and careers shift. I too enjoyed the few times she returned to TNG.

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  10. She was a terrific character. Very complex.

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  11. I'm with Alex, Worf was my fav security officer. But I am sorry you lost a character you loved. Hate it when that happens!

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    1. I really liked Worf even more when he started on DS9. Dorn knew that character well.

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  12. Yeah, I loved Yar too. One of my favorite characters from those early episodes.

    I agree about what you were saying about getting established into their characters. Skin of Evil was the episode where I felt Stewart was established solidly as Picard. To me that is the Picard we would later see in the next 6 seasons.

    Great post!

    --
    Tim Brannan
    The Other Side and The Witch
    Red Sonja: She-Devil with a Sword
    The Freedom of Nonbelief

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    1. I found it interesting that it took them so long to decide where they wanted to take the characters. But when they finally settled in--they did so rather nicely.

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  13. I often thought Kara Thrace could'a been Tasha's younger sister.

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    1. THANK YOU! I was afraid I was the only person who thought that.

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  14. This one is new to me. I think I never saw that Star Trek.

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    1. Must have been during the Great Dwarf Revolt of the late 80s. ;-)

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    2. That's right!! Hahaha. You're so very well informed. :)

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