posted
I've noticed that on many occausions, the word sir has been used, even through the Commanding Officer was female. I just observed this on a recent episode of Voyager. Also, on TNG, when Dr. Crusher took the bridge, the officers called her Sir many times. Does anyone know why they do this.
------------------ "You left spacedock without a tractor beam?"
posted
I guess it's kindof a generic term, like when in TWOK they called Saavik "Mister Saavik".
------------------ "Lately I've noticed that everyone seems to trust me. It's really quite unnerving. I'm still trying to get used to it." - Garak, "Empok Nor"
posted
In Caretaker, Janeway said it was part of Starfleet jargon to use sir when addressing a superior officer, and she didn't like it. Ma'am was okay during 'crunch time' but she preferred to just be called captain. I can see why Janeway, as a woman, would not like to be addressed as a man. I can remember at least two times (Workforce Pt. II and one other episode) where she tells Paris to engage, and he says "Yes sir." I'm surprised she hasn't corrected him yet.
------------------ "Contact in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... more or less." -Tal Celes "Good Shepard" http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/7647/
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"Ensign/Lieutenant!1 Stop plotting that maximum-warp course away from the Borg this instant, and look at me! Now, what have I told you before about calling me 'sir?' Call me 'Ma'am' or 'Captain' or *zzzzzztt!*2 aggggleaggleagglethird of twelve. Resistance is futile. You must comply."
1Depending on when in the series you're watching. 2Sound of nanoprobes being injected, OK?
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As a point of continuity, I am disappointed that Janeway's choice to be referred to as 'Captain' was not maintained throughout the series. It could be excused as another example of the disorder of Voyager over the years. But once contact with Starfleet had been re-established, getting back in touch with Janeway's command style was appropriate.
IP: Logged
posted
Mark: Good point on the uniforms. Starfleet can now download teraquads of data to Voyager (enough for a complete holomatrix of Barclay). How difficult would it be to download the patterns and color swatches for the new uniforms?
Great Ghu, I hate the Voyager ones... Everyone looks like my mechanic.
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I like the Voyager uniforms, but anyways, they probaly can send Voyager the patterns, but something tells me they're more concerended with getting home, then keeping up with the new uniforms. Replicating all those uniforms would just be a waste of rations.
------------------ "You left spacedock without a tractor beam?"
posted
Waste of energy definitely, but I think it's also been a choice they've made. I guess I always thought that Janeway just decided to keep the uni's because it was like their "family thing" or something.
"This is the uniform I started out with and this is the one I'm going to finish with."
In reality, the paowers that be probably don't want to risk confusing people who never saw DS9 or the movies.
------------------ "You don't tug on Superman's cape. You don't spit into the wind. You don't pull the mask off the ole' Lone Ranger And you don't mess around with Jim." Aban's Illustration www.alanfore.com
posted
Er, I don't think that they've gone back on her preference not to be called "sir" at all. I'd say it's just in Paris' character to push things, to see how far he can get. He's calling her "sir" partly in sarcasm, and also because he knows that she hasn't got time to correct him. He'd do it just enough to wind her up a bit, but not enough that she'd tell him off for it.
And surely it's suppossed to show equality anyway? One term for both males and females. While "Mr. Saavik" did sound a bit weird, I've never thought that calling female officers "sir" was strange. Janeway's probably an old fashioned feminist who hates all men and wears dungarees. That's what being stuck with Chakotay for 7 years will do to you.
------------------ "And Mojo was hurt and I would have kissed his little boo boo but then I realized he was a BAD monkey so I KICKED HIM IN HIS FACE!" -Bubbles
posted
Well, in the British forces, you'd certainly get bawled at for calling a female officer "Sir" rather than "Ma'am" or her rank. Still, I suppose Starfleet isn't as strict as modern militaries in that regard.
But a male officer sure as hell wouldn't appreciate being called "Ma'am"!
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