Customer Reviews

Star Trek #50: Doctor's Orders (Star Trek (Numbered Hardcover))

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I liked it. I liked Dr. McCoy's characterisation and his crustiness, but what I REALLY liked was how the ship acted like a ship. They discussed department head meetings and worried about things like how dehydration effects bridge crew performance during space combat. The crew of the ship did a lot of real crew things, not just sit at the com console and looko busy. Chekov was proud as heck to be the briefing officer at a staff meeting. McCoy thought about writing paper on various subjects. Spock acted as a department head and directed his staff apropriately. This is the stuff about trek novels that I REALLY like, not going up against omnipotent space beings (although this novel has that too) or making dramatic speeches.

Ms. Duane always puts a lot of research into her books, be them the Spiderman trilogy she did or anything else. It was a delight to see the crew discuss and go over first contact procedures and act truly as a vessel of exploration.

My biggest delight was in the obligitory space fight against the Orion pirates. The space battle wasn't just 'fire torpedoes' and stuff like that. They worried about orbits and parabolas and perahelions. There was real thought put into tactics and strategy here.

Also, this book marks the second instance where trek ever used the third dimension (Star Trek II was the other). As they were involved in a fight, Kirk ordered to Sulu to go full impulse along the z axis (straight up).

And finally, the way Ms. Duane dealt with the Universal Translator was just great. it really made you believe in the technology of the ship and her crew, and was not just a simple plot device like in the shows.

Several years ago I spent the summer checking out Star Trek paperback novels. There were two that I went out and purchased so I could have my own copy and "Doctor's Orders" was one of them.

While orbiting yet another strange planet, Captain Kirk beams down to handle diplomatic negotiations and places Dr. McCoy in charge of the Enterprise. It seems Bones has been wearing himself down in Sick Bay and he wants to give the good Doctor a rest. Of course, no good deed goes unpunished. No sooner does McCoy take the center seat then Kirk disappears and the Klingons show up looking to pick a fight.

The situation is a bit contrived since I find it hard to believe that Starfleet regulations do not allow Spock to assume command, but who cares? The scenes where McCoy talks to the Klingons or goes toe to toe with Spock are well worth it. Duane's humor in these conversations is entirely grounded in the characters, which was always the strength of Star Trek. This is not a big epic like many of the Star Trek novels tend to be, but there are only so many times the gang can save the universe (I believe the number is 56). This is a delightful tale and well worth the reading.

This is an older Star Trek novel (I'm writing this in Jan 2005, about 15 years after it came out). But it's still a good one. It has a scenario that seems somewhat implausible, but is one of those things Trek fans kind of always wanted to see. In short, McCoy is forced to be captain of the Enterprise after Kirk goes "Oh yeah, well, if you think you can do it, go do it", but then disappears, forcing McCoy to be the Captain. Why Spock couldn't take over is mostly ignored, but still.. :)

Had some great McCoy lines, some intersting interaction with the Klingons, basically a good fun read. As one of the other reviews here said, it's not the most grandiose story - it's not a "Save the universe" type of thing, but is a good situational fun read.

I'm also biased somewhat, as I appear in the book. Some years ago I talked to Diane Duane online, and struck up a friendship. She had asked me about being in one of her books - this was it. I'm in there as one of Dr. McCoy's medial assistants. "Lt. Joe Siegler". I later get eaten by a tree. When Diane Duane asked me what I wanted my character to do, I said "die".

Diane Duane has once again managed to write an excellent novel. Having this book focus mainly on Dr. McCoy instead of Romulans or Klingons was a change for her, but it worked out none the less.

Diane really knows her characters, which is obvious in the way she wrote McCoy. The doctor is his same old grouchy self, but we learn that he can hold the fort if he has too. We also learn why he isn't a diplomat...

The chemistry between the entire crew is excellent, and allows us to see each person in a good light.

All in all, a great read.

Diane Duane's prior Star Trek novels have given us a level of insight into the main characters of the series that we were never really able to see during the run of the show. This novel is a chance for her to turn her talents specifically on Dr. McCoy, and allows us to really see his relationship with Kirk, Spock and the rest of the Enterprise crew from a totally different perspective.

From the first chapter to the last, Duane has captured vintage McCoy; we even have the added benefit of hearing it from the "inside" during those parts of the story when he must struggle to face an impossible situation. When he winds up in command, after complaining once too often to Kirk regarding how the ship is run, McCoy -- and the readers -- find out just how challenging it really is to sit in the "center seat."

As with her past novels, Duane has not forgotten about the other core characters. Each has his or her own moment in the sun; however, there is no question that this novel belongs more or less exclusively to Dr. McCoy.

This is another beautifully crafted Star Trek tale from an extremely talented author.

"Star Trek: Doctors Orders" is definately one the finest Star Trek Books. It was the first Star Trek book I ever read and it really turned me on to Series. As you know DeForest Kelley himself, very sadly passed on Friday. I then thought of this book and how it is a great way to rememeber and honor the man who told a good joke on Star Trek when it was needed the most. DeForest Kelley will always be rembered, and "Doctors Orders" is a wonderful tribute to him !

To me, the strength of Star Trek has always been the power of the characters. The personalities in the original series were all strong, even to the point of being overplayed. One of the advantages of the subsequent series of novels is that we get to see these characters expanded and learn more about their pasts as well as their personalities. In this novel, the grumpy, emotional Doctor McCoy is left in command by Captain Kirk in circumstances that seem very routine and as a consequence of Kirk wanting to turn the tables. However, it turns out that the circumstances are anything but safe and suddenly McCoy is required to command the Enterprise during an emergency. Kirk disappears under suspicious circumstances and the Enterprise is forced to fight a battle where it is extremely overmatched.
McCoy's coolness under fire and ability to make a Klingon captain into an ally are well described. McCoy is still emotional, yet he channels that emotion into the circumstances, turning it into an advantage in making his command decisions. This is one of the better of the Star Trek novels, in that while there is a bit of deviation in character, it was always understood that McCoy is an excellent officer and one who is very cool in difficult situations. In this case, he is able to show his capabilities, without having to be damped by those who outrank him.

"Doctor's Orders" is a pretty good Star Trek yarn set in the "Original Series" universe. The storyline is quite simple. The USS Enterprise is dispatched on a follow-up first contact and survey mission of a planet that has the unique characteristic of having not one but three sentient species. The Federation wants to see if these races would like to join the Federation, and Captain Kirk is essentially heading a diplomatic mission.

Well, Kirk puts McCoy in charge of the Enterprise (for reasons that I thought made no sense at all, but never mind) and for reasons I won't give away here, Captain Kirk becomes essentially incommunicado. The Klingons show up, and well, more would be telling.

The main weakness in this story in my opinion was its use of the much-overused time travel device, and the general implausibility as to the nature of the three alien races on the planet. Each reader may judge for him or her self, but I just didn't buy it.

The strength of this novel derives from some pretty well thought-out space battle action, and good characterization of the Klingons, particularly McCoy's interaction with them. The author's portrayal of Star Fleet bureaucracy was also hilarious, and true-to-life regarding any such organization. I enjoyed it.

Overall this one is well-written and good Star Trek entertainment.

The Enterprise has been assigned to survey a most interesting planet, one that has three sentient species, all of which are unusual by even Federation standards. While in the midst of gathering data McCoy has made a comment about Kirk having an 'easy job' and the Captain has seized the opportunity this remark has presented. By placing McCoy in temporary command Kirk will not only remind the doctor how demanding command can be and it will give Kirk enough free time to go down to the planet himself. At least that was the plan, a plan that of course quickly fell apart. Before Kirk is able to once again take over control of the Enterprise he will take a most surprising journey that will cause him to question his understanding of space and time. McCoy will find himself facing not the quiet routine few hours on the bridge that Kirk had envisioned, but missing crew members, irate Klingons, Orion pirates and Star Fleet command breathing down his neck.

As is typical with Duane's novels this one is character, rather than plot, driven. Here the focus is on McCoy and how he copes when he is the one in the 'hot seat'. Also as is expected from this author, DOCTOR'S ORDERS is quite well writen, the characters are handled well, in a believable manner. The new species are well thought out and intriguing, ones that the reader might hope to meet again in another Star Trek novel.

The only problem with this novel is the concept that there is no way for the Doctor to be removed from command in this situation. In spite of this, DOCTOR'S ORDERS is an excellent read, one that would be enjoyed by even a casual fan.

As I read more and more of the old Star Trek books, I have come to realize that anything written by Diane Duane is going to be a winner. This book is no exception. She is able to present the family aspect of the Enterprise crew much better than most. In this story, the command structure is much more apparent than in other stories, due largely in part by the plot device of leaving McCoy in command of the Enterprise. The Doctor handles it well and with good humor. As with Duane's other Star Trek books, linguistics plays a significant role in the story line. I really should read some of her non-commissioned work.