Why Did Dr. Crusher Wear That Unflattering Blue Coat in Star Trek: The Next Generation?

One recurring debate among fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation concerns the unflattering blue coat worn by Dr. Beverly Crusher — the show's Chief Medical Officer. Often, the focus is on whether this coat was chosen to subtly hide the actress figure. This article aims to explore the coat's purpose and significance from a costume design and character perspective. It delves into the historical context, functional aspects, and importance of the coat in establishing a futuristic and professional look for Starfleet.

Historical Context and Costume Design

Star Trek: The Next Generation, like its predecessors, was heavily influenced by costume design. The costume design team, led by Richard James and later by others, worked diligently to create a futuristic and professional look for Starfleet officers. The goal was to convey a sense of authority and competence among the crew.

The introductory episode of the series, "Encounter at Farpoint," retained an older, more dated design largely due to budget constraints. However, in subsequent episodes, the character's wardrobe evolved and improved, reflecting the development of the character and the show's creative vision. The blue coat worn by Crusher served as both a functional and aesthetic element in the overall design.

Functional and Aesthetic Purposes

The functional side of the coat is often overlooked. The lab coat (1) served multiple practical purposes. It had pockets to hold medical instruments and devices, ensuring that Crusher always had them to hand. During her frequent duty cycles in sickbay, where she cared for injured and sick crew members, the coat provided a protective barrier that could become soiled. In a Starfleet environment, it made sense to wear a coat designated by Starfleet uniform code, which was most likely blue, as it matched the colors worn by medical and science officers.

The coat also addressed a practical issue faced by many pregnant actors filming television series. For example, when Gate Diaz, who played Fauna Osler in Voyager (Season 5, Episode 8, "Warhead"), was visibly pregnant, the lab coat (2) was used to hide the bump. Similarly, Bela Osland, the actress playing Bellina Bentemo in the same season of Voyager, also wore a lab coat to conceal her pregnancy.

Character Development and Wardrobe Evolution

The coat wasn't always as prominent. When it first appeared in the series, Crusher often walked around with her hands in her pockets or holding them awkwardly away from her hips, which likely helped conceal her baby bump. After giving birth, the coat remained in use, primarily for continuity reasons. Over time, the character's wardrobe diversified, introducing more varied and sometimes more flattering outfits that better suited Crusher’s complex character development.

Crusher's character is a photonics engineer before becoming the Chief Medical Officer. Therefore, she wore a more traditional lab coat, which may not have always been as form-fitting as other outfits in the series. This design choice reflects Crusher's dedication to her work and emphasizes her professionalism rather than her appearance.

Seriously, while the (3) coat may not have been the show's most visually appealing piece, it served a valuable purpose and contributed to the series' aesthetic consistency. The coat is a testament to the show's dedication to creating a visually coherent and realistic future setting.

Bottom Line: The blue coat was functional and practical. It provided a protective barrier and concealed guest pregnancies, ensuring that the character could continue to portray her role without interruptions. While aesthetics matter, it's imperative to recognize that not everything is about looks; functionality, safety, and character development are equally important considerations.

Conclusion

So, the next time you marvel (or complain) about Dr. Crusher's blue coat, remember its many purposes and the thought that went into its design. The coat served as both a practical tool and a functional statement, supporting the core values of the Star Trek franchise.

Footnotes

1 The lab coat was chosen for its practical and protective nature, ensuring that Crusher could serve her medical duties without interruption.
2 Similar to other actresses, the lab coat was used to help conceal pregnancy on set.
3 The focus on appearance is one aspect, but the coat had significant functional benefits.