Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Unnatural Selection (1989)

Diana Muldaur: Doctor Pulaski

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Quotes 

• [Dr. Pulaski has contracted the aging disease] 

  Doctor Pulaski : Well, I'll tell you one thing: if I live through this, I'll have a much better understanding of geriatrics.

• Doctor Pulaski : They died of natural causes.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Natural causes? What in nature could cause that?

  Doctor Pulaski : For the record, Captain, they died of old age.

• [Dr. Pulaski's genetic changes have been removed with a modified transporter] 

  Doctor Pulaski : Captain, if this hadn't worked, if...

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : If this hadn't worked, it would have been necessary to beam your energy into empty space.

  Doctor Pulaski : And spread my atoms across the galaxy!

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Yes. I'm sorry, it...

  Doctor Pulaski : No, no, don't... don't be sorry. Every time I get into the damn thing, I'm convinced that's what's going to happen.

• Doctor Pulaski : [voice-over]  Scientists believe no experiment is a failure, that even a mistake advances the evolution of understanding, but all achievement has a price. For one brief glimpse at the mysterious blueprint of human evolution, the men and women of the USS Lantree paid with their lives. Their sacrifice is thus noted in this scientist's log.

• [Data examines Dr. Pulaski's physical condition] 

  Lt. Commander Data : All systems are functioning within normal specifications, Doctor.

  Doctor Pulaski : The "manufacturer"'ll be pleased to hear it. I appreciate your help, but your bedside manner needs work.

• Lt. Commander Data : What is your condition, Doctor?

  Doctor Pulaski : Not exactly up to factory specs.

• Doctor Pulaski : Medical research is sometimes a risky business. It's all part of being human.

• Doctor Pulaski : The children will survive, but the rest of us are just about out of time.

• Doctor Pulaski : Chief Medical Officer's log - this will be my final report to the Enterprise: Just as changes in evolution are known to be caused by changes in the environment, we now know the process also works in reverse. An attempt to control human evolution has resulted in a new species. It's lethal to its predecessors. The children will be condemned to live out their lives in isolation. The quarantine of the Darwin Station must be maintained forever!

• [Dr. Pulaski complains to Troi about not getting along with Captain Picard] 

  Doctor Pulaski : He has such a consuming dedication to his ship, he doesn't seem to be able to step back to see the human side of the equation.

  [Troi smiles] 

  Doctor Pulaski : What's the matter?

  Counselor Deanna Troi : Kate, I don't think he'd be where he is if he couldn't see the human side of the equation. Perhaps the two of you aren't all that different.

• Doctor Pulaski : [Dr. Pulaski comes into Sickbay and activates the monitor on her desk]  Dr. Kingsley, this is Kate Pulaski.

  Dr. Sara Kingsley : Doctor, do you have a decision?

  Doctor Pulaski : I'm afraid it's bad news.

  Dr. Sara Kingsley : But how can that be?

  Doctor Pulaski : The risk to the ship and crew is too great. Until we absolutely know the cause of the disease the children...

  Dr. Sara Kingsley : [interrupting]  The children are harmless. Every test on them has been negative. I demand that you do something to save them. Please, Doctor, for God's sake we haven't got much time!

  Doctor Pulaski : Stand by. I'll get back to you.

  [Pulaski deactivates the monitor and leaves Sickbay more determined than ever before]