TWITrek Character Insight No. 43: Dr. Julian Bashir

This is the latest installment in a series of "Character Insight" articles regarding the rich history of characters in the Star Trek universe.  An audio version will appear on the This Week in Trek podcast, available for direct download here.
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Welcome back to Character Insight!  This week, our subject is Dr. Julian Bashir from DS9.
 


Dr. Bashir is the chief medical officer on the Deep Space Nine station. Although he is always engaged in medical research and keeping people healthy on the station, Bashir is also active in many tactical battles, especially during the Dominion War and the Cardassian takeover of the station.

Bashir was born with the first name Jules and he was a child who was a slow learner initially. However, his parents took him to alien doctors for genetic engineering treatments for two months at the age of seven, and this transformed Bashir into a star pupil with enhanced physical and mental capabilities compared to normal humans. When Bashir discovers this genetic engineering at the age of 15, he changes his name to Julian as a response to his parents thinking him defective as a youth.

Julian is great at sports as a result of this, but he turns down a professional tennis career to be a doctor in Starfleet. He does enjoy many games of darts and racquetball though, especially with his best friend Miles O'Brien.

One of the few things that Bashir adores from his childhood is his prized teddy bear Kukalaka, and he keeps the bear well into his adult life. His nearly computer-like mental abilities allow him to be fascinated with the android Data, as he sees many similarities between himself and the human-like android. Bashir writes many papers and wins awards for his research in cybernetics.

Bashir started as a blank slate, but the writers knew they wanted the doctor to be an imperfect character who grows into his role over time. As a result, Bashir was lambasted by many fans of the series until his character developed in the second and third seasons.

Our notable quote this week comes from the episode The Quickening:
Doctor Bashir: Some people don't like to be around the sick; it reminds them of their own mortality.
Ekoria: Doesn't bother you?
Doctor Bashir: Sometimes. I prefer to confront mortality, rather than hide from it. When you make someone well, it's like you're... chasing death off, making him wait for another day.
 
Actor: Alexander Siddig played Julian, and his acting career started with a gem called Sammy and Rosie Get Laid. Siddig has appeared in movies regularly since Star Trek, including Kingdom of Heaven and Clash of the Titans. He currently stars in the Da Vinci's Demons TV series.

Until next time, live long and prosper...

TWITrek Character Insight No. 42: Jean-Luc Picard

This is the latest installment in a series of "Character Insight" articles regarding the rich history of characters in the Star Trek universe.  An audio version will appear on the This Week in Trek podcast, available for direct download here.
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Welcome back to Character Insight!  This week, our subject is Jean-Luc Picard from TNG.
 


Picard is the commanding officer of several vessels, including the Stargazer and the Enterprise-D and Enterprise-E. The captain is celebrated as an archaeologist and diplomat who loves peaceful exploration whenever he can find time outside the many conflicts present for the Federation during his tenure.

Picard serves as a cool customer who is a direct contrast to the brash and bold leadership style of Captain Kirk in TOS. Although this initially made Picard look soft in comparison to his predecessor, he proves his determination and grit in later battles with species like the Borg. Picard ends up with more depth as a character in the end thanks to all his various traits and interests.

Picard grew up in France and tended vineyards with his family. Although Picard eschews having family of his own as he climbs the ranks of Starfleet, family clearly is very important to him. Picard was a star athlete growing up and at the Academy, and he keeps in great health by finding time for many holodeck activities like fencing and racquetball. He was not fond of annual checkups though, which annoys Dr. Crusher to no end.

Picard loves Earl Grey Tea, served hot. Ironically, the first time he orders his signature drink on the series, he receives a plant instead from the replicator. His character is known for the "Picard maneuver," which is straightening his uniform when standing up, as well as commonly using the phrases "Engage" and "Make it so."

Picard makes first contact with at least 27 species, including important counterparts such as the Ferengi, the Borg, and the Q Continuum. His passion for exploration and willingness to take risks stems from an incident in his early Starfleet career where he was stabbed in the heart by a Nausicaan and needed a heart transplant.

Our notable quote this week comes from the episode The Masterpiece Society:
"They've given away their humanity with this... genetic manipulation. Many of the qualities that they breed out, the... the uncertainty, self-discovery, the unknown - these are many of the qualities that make life worth living. Well, at least to me. ."
 
Actor: Patrick Stewart played Picard, and he is just as accomplished in theater as he is in the movie industry. In the last decade, Stewart can be frequently found in X-Men movies as Professor X and as a voice actor in Family Guy and American Dad.

Until next time, live long and prosper...