Doctor By Doctor : Dr. Philip Boyce and Dr. Mark Piper in Star Trek...

Abstract

Doctors in science fiction are usually important protagonists or supporting actors. Numerous television series, including Stargate SG-1, Firefly, Stargate: Atlantis, Torchwood, Battlestar Galactica, and Babylon 5 have included doctors who play important roles (table 1), and the majority of these medics are depicted as human, complete with foibles and failings.

Several SF book series also deliberately concentrate on doctors, such as Leinster's famous Med Ship series, which feature "Med Ship Men," volunteer doctors similar to Medecins Sans Frontieres International who travel from world to world with no actual enforcement powers but are so respected that their medical advice is strictly adhered to. Other series include Viehl's Stardoc series which depicts the treatment of various different alien life-forms in Sector General trope.

Comic books have also depicted heroic doctors, such as Dr. Pieter Cross who dons the mantle of "Doctor Midnite", Dr. Thomas Elliot who is also "Hush" and Dr. Donald Blake, Thor's original alter ego. Moreover, doctors have been heroic protagonists in several novels, such as Mcintyre's "Dreamsnake" which depicts a female healer in a dystopian, post-nuclear apocalyptic world. SF seemingly fills all niches, and has also depicted Mills and Boon type medical space romances, with attractive nurses and handsome doctors. Doctors in Star Trek have been crucial to the series. This essay will provide an analysis of Drs. Boyce and Piper who each appeared in one Star Trek episode, from the viewpoint of a p racticing doctor. Since they each only appeared once, non-canon sources detailing their lives in the Star Trek universe have also been sought