Exactly my point.GrahamKennedy wrote:But was she A science officer or THE science officer? Surely any officer who works in a science department would be considered as a "Starfleet Science Officer", but that doesn't make them the department head.
That's exactly what I mean - Darren's tenure on the E-D was short-lived; but while there, though not officially posted to the senior staff in a tangible way, was in a de facto matter closely consulted by the "senior staff" in matters involving her department. Such an unofficial, but obvious, arrangement involving Wildman would satisfy my contention in this case as well.Captain Seafort wrote:You mean like Neela Darren, who was head of stellar cartography, outranked Worf, and was not part of the senior staff.
I don't recall, but that's why I asked. I guess that question should be clarified to ask if she was ever considered the voice of the science department - operationally.Captain Seafort wrote:On occasion. Rarely, but she was occasionally consulted.
The effect is what's at stake here. The reasons behind the effect - even poor management skills - are immaterial.Captain Seafort wrote:The key problem was that Janeway was both a science branch officer herself and prone to micromanagement, so she tended to refer to herself (as usual) rather than Wildman.
I wasn't aware that senility set in so early in the UKoGBaNI.Captain Seafort wrote:Indeed, so why do you mention it?