Warning: contains spoilers Star Trek #27!
Star Trek shares Doctor Crusher's heartbreaking Starfleet secret that no one saw coming. Doctor Crusher is one of the best medical officers in Starfleet and even headed the Starfleet Medical Division. However, these achievements come with a tragic backstory: she lost her husband in an accident, leaving her a single mother. While Crusher has overcome this loss, it still haunts her, and she makes a stunning confession in Star Trek #27.
Star Trek #27 was written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Mike Feehan and Tess Fowler. How the Theseus' struggles to hold itself together after Lore's destruction of the multiverse, Doctor Crusher and Captain Sisko argue about their pasts. Crusher compares her late husband, Jack, to Sisko's late wife, Jennifer. Crusher then confesses that after Jack's death, she had a hard time trusting Starfleet, saying "they took everything from me." Instead, Dr. Crusher learned to trust her friends. Crusher then relates his dilemma to Sisko's ongoing tempestuous relationship with the Bajoran Prophets.
The Tragedy of Doctor Crusher Star Trek Arc, explained
Doctor Crusher lost a lot while serving in Starfleet
For six of Star Trek: The Next Generation seven seasons, Doctor Crusher protected the physical well-being of Enterprise team. After passages through Enterprise as well as Starfleet Medical, Doctor Crusher signed on board the USS Theseusunder the command of Captain Sisko. During her service, Sisko promoted her to Theseus' first officer, a big career change. She was briefly reunited with her son Wesley in the Pleroma, the “Kingdom of the Gods”. Tragically, Lore destroyed the Pleroma, which created a ripple effect across space and time, destroying all of creation.
Given Doctor Crusher's extensive service history, it seems safe to assume that she is loyal to Starfleet, which makes her confession to Captain Sisko in Star Trek #27 a bit shocking.
Given Doctor Crusher's extensive service history, it seems safe to assume that she is loyal to Starfleet, which makes her confession to Captain Sisko in Star Trek #27 a bit shocking. Her husband, Jack, also a Starfleet officer, died while serving with Picard in the stargazer. It was a freak accident and nothing could have saved him. Doctor Crusher could have left Starfleet right then and there, but he chose to stay. Starfleet personnel accept that risk and death are part of the job, and Doctor Crusher has seemingly embodied this philosophy as he continues to carry out the organization's mission.
Losing Wesley affected Doctor Crusher more than fans thought
It's not hard to understand why Doctor Crusher doesn't trust Starfleet
In the years since Jack's death, Dr. Crusher has suffered even more losses, namely her son Wesley.. Following in his parents' footsteps, Wesley enrolled at Starfleet Academy. Initially excellent in his studies, Wesley became disillusioned with his lifestyle. Salvation for Wesley came in the form of the Travelers, a mysterious organization that safeguarded reality. Sensing something special in Wesley, the Travelers recruited him. He accepted the offer, but was forced to leave his friends and mother behind. When she met Wesley, she hadn't seen him in several years.
When the loss of her son is combined with the death of her husband, it becomes clearer why she doesn't trust Starfleet. Jack gave his life, literally and figuratively, to Starfleet. While what happened was an accident, it might be hard not to blame Starfleet for it. Star Trek suggested Doctor Crusher's years between her husband's death and coming to Enterprise, meaning fans didn't see the immediate anguish she felt following his death. Wesley departed her life at the end of The Next Generation run, thus leaving your feelings in the air.
Doctor Crusher is a survivor
Pain over the death of her disillusioned husband Doctor Crusher
However, IDW Star Trek the comics have made it clear that Doctor Crusher felt pain after Wesley's departure, made worse by the Travelers' rules, which state that they cannot visit family and friends. It's another loss that Doctor Crusher has suffered, but she continues to serve in Starfleet. His confession to Sisko in Star Trek #27 gives insight into how she survived the loss of her husband and son. It's heartbreaking to hear Dr. Crusher say she doesn't trust Starfleet, but her arc shows that she's right to say that.
Star Trek #27 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!