Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Beverly Crusher

For season three of Star Trek: Picard, Beverly Crusher was back, and she was bloody badass from beginning to end. From the pump-action phaser rifle to the volleys of photon torpedoes, via the DNA and nebula gravity-well detective work, practical (and caring) parenting, and general doctoring, this was a fully-rounded Crusher at her very best. Well, that said, it was all probably a tap dance in the park for someone with her abilities.

Gates McFadden has spoken openly about the fact that she didn't want to return to Star Trek unless the role was different. Fortunately (for all of us), the way of doing things on Picard was diametrically opposed to the Next Gen season one approach. As McFadden told TrekMovie.com, showrunner Terry Matalas called her well in advance of filming to explain his story idea and ask for her input. The pair then communicated for several months because, as McFadden noted, "I just wanted to make sure that it was really going to be a story in which Crusher was really used".

The effects of Picard's third season are still being measured. For Doctor Crusher, what began with a move back to Earth and to London to protect her son, as well as joining the Mariposas (the medical group started in the past by Rios and Teresa Ramirez), ended in battle with rogue changelings and the Borg Queen, their defeat, and a joyful return to Starfleet. Even the smallest of actions in life can make a legacy, so, for the character that finally got to change the most, let's hope that butterfly continues to flap its wings!