Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) had several romances throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation, but one episode almost paired Beverly with a Romulan defector. With her profound sense of empathy and compassion, Dr. Crusher made an excellent Chief Medical Officer on the USS Enterprise-D. Beverly lived and worked on the Enterprise-D for six out of TNG’s seven seasons, but her character was one of the least developed of the show’s main cast. Although TNG teased romantic feelings between Beverly Crusher and Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), the two never officially became a couple on the show.

​​​In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3, screenwriter Ronald D. Moore joined the show’s writing staff, thanks largely to one particular episode. Moore would go on to have a long history with Star Trek, working on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine after TNG, and writing the first two TNG feature films. After penning TNG season 3, episode 5, “The Bonding,” Moore was given the opportunity to write another episode, which became TNG season 3, episode 10, “The Defector.” Although other writers contributed to the script, Moore’s work on “The Defector” earned him a position on the TNG writing staff.

Star Trek: TNG’s “The Defector” Almost Had Dr. Crusher Romance A Romulan Defector

Jarok has a wife and daughter he left on Romulus.

As Star Trek: The Next Generation produced over twenty episodes per season, the writing process was often quick and sometimes involved several writers working on one script. This was the case for “The Defector,” which originally featured an interesting subplot for Dr. Beverly Crusher. When the USS Enterprise-D receives a distress call from a supposed Romulan defector, they suspect it could be a ploy to lure the Federation Starship into a trap. Although it’s unknown who originated the idea, according to Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, “The Defector” once had a romance subplot between Dr. Crusher and the Romulan defector, Admiral Jarok (James Sloyan).

While Dr. Crusher’s plotline is absent from Star Trek: The Next Generation’s aired episode, it’s easy to see how the story could have gone in that direction. When Admiral Jarok first boards the Enterprise, he has been injured while fleeing from the Romulans. Captain Picard is understandably skeptical of the Romulan’s claim and most of the crew members treat Jarok with obvious suspicion. Dr. Crusher, however, is never anything but kind to Jarok, treating him just as she would any other patient. Still, there is no hint of attraction from either party, and that’s probably for the best, as Jarok’s story is more powerful knowing that he was trying to prevent a war to give his daughter a better life.

Dr. Crusher Had Strange Star Trek Romances

From amnesiac patients to Trills to glowing green ghosts.

Despite the hints that Dr. Beverly Crusher had feelings for Captain Picard, she was involved in several other romances throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation. In TNG season 3, episode 25, “Transfigurations,” Dr. Crusher treats an amnesiac patient referred to as John Doe (Mark LaMura). As Beverly treats John Doe’s physical injuries, she becomes fascinated by his own rapid healing abilities and his ability to heal others. Unfortunately for Beverly, when John regains his memories, he turns into a powerful energy being, thus putting an end to a continuing love story. Dr. Crusher embarks on another romance with Trill Ambassador Odan (Franc Luz) in TNG season 4, episode 23, “The Host.”

Beverly and Odan’s relationship seems to be going well until Odan is killed and his symbiote is transferred to a new host. This proves to be too much change for Beverly, and she breaks off the relationship. Dr. Crusher’s strangest romance happens in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7, episode 14, “Sub Rosa,” when she falls for her grandmother’s ghost lover, Ronin (Duncan Regehr). This particular episode has become somewhat infamous for its odd love story and Beverly’s uncharacteristic behavior. Even Gates McFadden found it bizarre. Dr. Beverly Crusher didn’t always get the best storylines on Star Trek: The Next Generation and an additional romance with a Romulan may just have been one odd romance too many.