The ‘Star Trek’ Doctors Ranked

TV & Film

Feb 7

The chief medical officers are central characters in just about every iteration of Star Trek. The two that don’t feature doctors in the main cast are Prodigy and Picard. Almost all of the doctors are great (I’ll talk about the exception below), but which one is the greatest? That’s what we’re going to find out now as I rank each of the Star Trek doctors.

9. Doctor Katherine Pulaski (Played By Diana Muldaur In The Next Generation)

The less said about Dr. Pulaski, the better. She was awful. Thankfully she was only on for one season. Her awfulness is partly because she replaced the great Dr. Crusher. However, she antagonized Data in a very un-Trek-like close-minded way.

Interestingly, actress Diana Muldaur had two different appearances in the original series.

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8. Doctor T’Ana (Played By Gillian Vigman In Lower Decks)

The only reason T’Ana is so far down this list is that she is such a minor character on Lower Decks. She is an enjoyable character. Plus, as a Caitan, she is one of only two non-human doctors in Star Trek. Gillian Vigman does a great job getting the irascibility across. Maybe she will play a larger role going forward.

7. Doctor Hugh Culber (Played By Wilson Cruz In Discovery)

I like Wilson Cruz in the role of Dr. Culber. He’s a good actor, particularly in his scenes with Anthony Rapp (Lt. Commander Paul Stamets). Cruz does exactly what the writers want him to do.

Unfortunately, the writing is Culber’s biggest flaw. He is too earnest. Too many of his scenes read like an after-school special. That is especially true when he acts as the ship’s counselor.

6. Doctor Phlox (Played By John Billingsley In Enterprise)

This is where the rankings get complicated. On another day, I might flip numbers 5 and 6.

That being said, even at number 6, Phlox is pretty great. He is a Denobulan, making him the other non-human doctor on Star Trek. It gives him an excellent outsider’s perspective and almost fills the role that Spock and Data played on their respective shows. The menagerie he keeps in the sick bay is always fun. And John Billingsley played the role to perfection.

5. Doctor M’Benga (Played By Babs Olusanmokun In Strange New Worlds)

I’m a little surprised Doctor M’Benga made the top five since Strange New Worlds only had one season.

However, the thing that pushes him ahead of Phlox is that he is a unique character in the Star Trek universe. Every Star Trek series has its Kirk-like character and its Spock-like character, etc. M’Benga is just different and it is refreshing.

4. Doctor Julian Bashir (Played By Alexander Siddig In Deep Space Nine)

It pains me to put Doctor Bashir this low on the list. I love Bashir. Perhaps I dock him for his genetic augmentation. He is also a little annoying at the beginning of DS9’s run, but he is supposed to be. His character is young and arrogant.

However, he has the most character growth throughout the course of the series. He is the only character in all of Star Trek that made me fantasize about spin-offs. A Section 31 spy thriller would have been great. Bashir and Garak in an Odd Couple-style comedy would have been brilliant. Bashir and O’Brien in a buddy comedy would have been my all-time favorite Star Trek. Alas, it is not meant to be.

3. Doctor Beverly Crusher (Played By Gates McFadden On The Next Generation)

I have to admit that I had a big ol’ crush on the good doctor when I was in middle and high school. I swear that didn’t affect this list, though.

Aside from being an excellent doctor, Crusher is an excellent all-around character. The warmth, familiarity, and eventual intimacy she brings to her scenes with Picard are a joy to watch. She is so good, I can forgive her for the single worst episode Star Trek has ever had.

2. The Doctor (Played By Robert Picardo On Voyager)

Don’t think of The Doctor as a no-name doctor. Think of him as THE Doctor. He may have been a hologram, but he is every bit as alive as any character in Voyager. He is also the most versatile character on the show. Whether someone needs a sparring partner, a sympathetic ear, a mentor, or a confidant, there he is. He can even run the whole ship in a pinch. It is clear that he is the MVP of Voyager.

1. Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy (Played By DeForest Kelley On Star Trek)

Is there any doubt? Doctor McCoy is the archetype and the template from which every other medical officer is drawn. Every doctor in Star Trek is compared to Bones. He is the perfect foil to Spock and the perfect friend to Kirk. McCoy can be stubborn, ornery, warm, caring, and cutting all at the same time. Dammit, Jim, he’s the GOAT.

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