The Untold Evolution of Star Trek: Voyager's EMH - Unveiling the Mystery Behind 'The Doctor'

Summary

The character known as the Doctor in Star Trek: Voyager initially embarked on a quest to discover a suitable name, experimenting with various options. However, as the series progressed, this pursuit gradually diminished in significance.

The Doctor contemplated various names such as Schweitzer, Shmullus, Van Gogh, Mozart, Kenneth, and Joe, each connected to significant moments or individuals in his life. However, despite being commonly referred to as "Doc" or "Voyager's Doctor," he never settled on a specific name for himself. As the show advanced, the character's lack of a name became less important and seemed to be of less concern.

Star Trek: Voyager's Doctor, portrayed by Robert Picardo, experimented with various names throughout the show's duration. However, it proved to be the wisest decision for him to stick with simply being addressed as "Doctor." As a sentient hologram, the Doctor embodied the role of the individual new to humanity, much like many other Star Trek characters before him. The entirety of his character development revolved around his pursuit of becoming more human. This journey primarily involved the Doctor uncovering interesting aspects and developing a more rounded personality. However, there was one aspect of his humanity that remained unfulfilled - the absence of a proper name.

The Doctor expressed his desire to choose a name early on in Voyager's timeline, specifically in season 1, episode 7 titled "Eye of the Needle." Initially, he made this request to Kes (played by Jennifer Lien) after she advocated for him to be treated with greater respect among the crew. Subsequently, the Doctor's quest for a name became a recurring subplot throughout multiple episodes in Voyager's first three seasons, albeit diminishing in prominence as the show progressed. In total, the Doctor possessed nine names, either selected by himself or assigned to him, during the course of the series.

8 Schweitzer (Heroes And Demons)

Schweitzer was the Doctor's first choice of name when he embarked on his inaugural mission in the holodeck during Voyager season 1, episode 11 "Heroes and Demons." In this particular episode, a lifeform composed of energy began abducting crew members from the holodeck after Voyager unintentionally captured one of its species while collecting samples from a nebula. To investigate the situation, the Doctor ventured into the holodeck, which was running a program based on the epic poem Beowulf. He opted for the name Schweitzer for this mission, inspired by the renowned German physician. Although the Doctor ultimately decided to retire the name at the conclusion of the episode, it held significant meaning for him due to the experiences encountered.

7 Shmullus (Lifesigns, Resolutions)

The Doctor's next encounter with considering a new name occurred in Voyager season 2, episode 19, titled "Lifesigns." In this episode, Voyager extended a helping hand to a Vidiian physician named Danara Pel (portrayed by Susan Diol). The Doctor took it upon himself to transfer her brain patterns into a holographic body, all the while striving to find a remedy for her deteriorating condition caused by the Phage. As time passed on Voyager, a deep bond formed between the Doctor and Danara, leading to a blossoming love affair. However, ultimately, she made the heart-wrenching decision to depart from the ship and return to her own people.

Shmullus was the moniker bestowed upon the Doctor by Danara, who discovered his lack of a given name. Danara made a fleeting return in "Resolutions," the 25th episode of season 2, to aid the crew in finding a remedy for a rare ailment afflicting Captain Janeway and Chakotay. In her brief reappearance, Danara affectionately referred to the Doctor as Shmullus once again. However, he refrained from continuing the use of this appellation after her departure, presumably due to the painful reminder it evoked of losing her.

6 Van Gogh And Mozart (Before And After)

In Voyager season 3, episode 21, titled "Before and After," Kes (Jennifer Lien) embarked on a journey through various stages of her life via time travel. Eventually, the crew successfully helped her realign with the present timeline. However, at the beginning of the episode, Kes found herself in an alternate future where significant differences prevailed. One such difference was the Doctor's final decision to adopt a name. During the episode, the Doctor contemplated the possibility of naming himself Mozart before eventually settling on Van Gogh. Interestingly, in the subsequent future depicted in Voyager, the Doctor neither chose nor deliberated over the name Van Gogh.

5 Kenneth (Real Life)

Kenneth, a name adopted by the Doctor in Voyager season 3, episode 22, "Real Life," served as the title assigned to him by his holographic family. In an attempt to create a more realistic experience, the Doctor programmed his family on the holodeck to be flawlessly perfect initially. However, he later introduced a random element into the program to capture a genuine real-life encounter. Subsequently, due to the deep emotional impact caused by the tragic demise of his daughter, Belle (Lindsey Haun), the Doctor discarded the name Kenneth, as it reminded him of the painful ending of the program.

4 Joe (Endgame)

In the Voyager series finale, "Endgame," the Doctor made a significant decision in an alternate future. He chose the name Joe and was married to Lana (played by Amy Lindsay) during that timeline. This future was altered when Admiral Janeway traveled back in time to help Voyager return home more quickly. Her actions successfully led to Voyager's safe arrival in the Alpha Quadrant, resulting in the erasure of the Doctor's alternative future. As a result, it is unlikely that the Doctor ever met Lana or took on the name Joe after their return.

3 Doc Or Doc Zimmerman

Throughout the run of Voyager, the Doctor did not have an official name, but his fellow crew members began calling him "Doc" as the series progressed. Initially, most of the crew referred to him as "Doctor," but as he developed a distinct personality and formed bonds with the crew, "Doc" became an affectionate nickname that was adopted by many. By the end of the series, it essentially served as the Doctor's name since he had not chosen another one specifically.

Another name occasionally used for the Doctor was "Doc Zimmerman," referencing the creator of the EMH program, Lewis Zimmerman. Robert Picardo, who portrayed the Doctor, also played Zimmerman in a few episodes of the show. In season 6, episode 24, titled "Life Line," Zimmerman and the Doctor had a face-to-face encounter. The name Zimmerman or Doc Zimmerman was also used as a temporary name in some of Voyager's early shooting scripts.

2 Voyager's Doctor/EMH

Of course, the Doctor was often referred to as "the Doctor," "Voyager's Doctor," or "Voyager's EMH." The latter two names became more common in later seasons when Voyager established contact with Starfleet. Certain episodes of the show focused on individuals in the Alpha Quadrant who were working towards bringing the ship home. When discussing the crew, characters like Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) or Reginald Barclay (Dwight Schultz) would specifically mention the Doctor as "Voyager's Doctor" or "Voyager's EMH" due to the lack of a more specific name.

1 Why The Doctor Never Chose A Name In Star Trek: Voyager

The reason behind the Doctor's decision to not select a name on Voyager remains elusive. While the show never explicitly provided an explanation, hints from the context allow us to deduce the Doctor's rationale. Upon exploring why the Doctor abandoned his previously chosen names, it becomes apparent that he discarded them due to their association with painful memories. These memories include his lost connection with Danara Pel and the heartbreaking conclusion of his family holodeck program in "Real Life."

Over time, the significance of the Doctor lacking a name diminished in Star Trek: Voyager's storylines. The crew's use of "Doc" or "Doctor" for him started to appear more natural. Ultimately, the Doctor grew content with his namelessness and displayed a reduced inclination to select one. While there is a possibility that the Star Trek franchise may depict the Doctor choosing a suitable name in the future, particularly in season 2 of Star Trek: Prodigy if the show finds a new platform, it is evident that it is no longer a primary concern for the character.