Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) served as the Chief Medical Officer on the USS Enterprise-D inStar Trek: The Next Generation,but how did she earn the nickname of"the dancing doctor?“AsTNG’sdoctor, Crusher not only treated the various ailments of the Enterprise crew, but she also used her scientific knowledge to get the Enterprise out of several dire situations. Dr. Crusher lived aboard the Enterprise with her child prodigy son,Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton).
Dr. Crusher also had ahistory with Captain Jean-Luc Picard(Patrick Stewart), and although the two clearly had feelings for one another, they never truly explored their romance onscreen. Like Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis),Beverly did not get as much character development as her male counterpartsin thecast ofStar Trek: The Next Generation. Crusher was the doctor and a mother figure aboard the Enterprise, and only occasionally moved beyond those roles. Still, Beverly had some hobbies beyond her duties aboard the ship, one of which earned her the nickname of"the dancing doctor.”
Why Beverly Crusher Is Called “The Dancing Doctor” In Star Trek: TNG
Gates McFadden Got To Put Her Own Dancing Skills To Use
InStar Trek: The Next Generationseason 4, episode 11, “Data’s Day,“Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner)prepares for the wedding of Chief Miles O’Brien (Colm Meany) and Keiko (Rosalind Chao). Data acts as a go-between between Miles and Keiko, causing some confusion when he misunderstands the subtleties of human communication. To prepare for the ceremony itself,Data seeks out Dr. Crusher to teach him how to dance.He had read in Crusher’s service record that she had won first prize at a tap and jazz competition.
A well-known Hollywood choreographer, Gates McFadden choreographed her “Data’s Day” dance and did all her own dancing.
Beverly agrees to teach Data but requests that he not tell anyone, as she does not"want to be known as the dancing doctor. Again.“Data and Crusher then head to the holodeck, where the doctor teaches the android a tap dance routine.Unfortunately for Beverly, her reputation as a dancing doctor stuckand was evenreferenced by Lt. Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid)inStar Trek: Lower Decksseason 4, episode 9, “The Inner Fight.” When Boimler gets excited about the prospect of meeting Dr. Crusher, he mumbles about her in his sleep, saying,“Teach me how to tap dance, Beverly Crusher.”
Doctor Crusher’s Star Trek Achievements Go Far Beyond Dancing
Dr. Crusher Is One Of TNG’s Most Accomplished Characters
Dr. Crusher only danced in one episode ofStar Trek: The Next Generation,but she accomplished so much more throughout the show. Not only did Beverly save the lives of numerous Enterprise crew members when they were injured or sick, but she also saved the entire ship on numerous occasions.Beverly was not afraid to challenge Captain Picardwhen she felt he was sacrificing compassion in favor of Starfleet’s regulations. Her profound sense of empathy made her a great doctor, and she often acted as a sort of conscience for Picard.
Dr. Crusher Performed Star Trek’s Greatest Medical Miracle In Picard Season 3
Dr. Beverly Crusher deserves a lot more credit for saving thousands of Starfleet officers at the end of Star Trek: Picard season 3.
Dr. Crusher returned inStar Trek: Picardseason 3, having added some impressive new skills to her repertoire. She remained a skilled doctor and intelligent scientist, and had also learned her way around a ship’s weapons system.Beverly became a more fully realized character inPicard,as she came crashing back into Jean-Luc’s life with their adult son, Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), in tow. As a doctor, scientist, fighter, lover, dancer, and mother, Dr. Beverly Crusher remains one ofStar Trek: The Next Generation’smost accomplished and impressive characters.
