10 Star Trek Characters That Just VANISHED

Dr Katherine Pulaski was the chief medical officer aboard the Enterprise-D for a whole year, yet when the third season of The Next Generation aired, she was nowhere to be found. The previous year saw Dr Crusher exit, with her absence explained away as a promotion to Starfleet Medical. Pulaski received no such explanation when she vanished in year three, replaced by the returning Crusher again.

By now, it’s largely well-known that Diana Muldaur did not have as positive a time working on the Next Generation that she had experienced on the Original Series. She found the cast quite close-knit, which itself was not a negative, but she found it difficult to become part of the team. Add to this her ‘special guest star’ status throughout the season, rather than a starring credit, and Pulaski never quite felt as though she was one of the crew. Had she returned after this departure, like Crusher, this could easily have been remedied. 

Since that time, Pulaski has only been referred to by name once or twice, or by obscure reference. Indeed, only Professor James Moriarty ever enquired as to her whereabouts, which is a pretty raw deal when once considers it. She was the chief medical officer aboard the flagship of the Federation, and she was quietly ignored from that point on. She did not return for Picard’s third season reunions, nor was she brought in for the first season diagnosis of Picard. 

An urban myth abounded that she was working at the medical facility Tuvok was located in for one possible future, but that has since been debunked. As it stands, she is a doctor who worked hard for a year, only to be forgotten almost immediately by the crew she had to save on more than one occasion. Tough break, Doc.