Cutler

File:CutlerValakis.jpg

Crewman Elizabeth Cutler

Crewman Elizabeth Cutler, an entomologist assigned to the sciences division aboard the Enterprise NX-01, was a crewmember aboard said vessel throughout the early 2150s.

Professional and Personal Life

Professional Life

In 2151, Crewman Cutler participated in her first away mission experience while serving in her capacity as an exobiologist; Subcommander T'Pol, the ship's Vulcan science officer, specifically requested her presence and participation to explore and evaluate the recently discovered class M planet later known as Archer IV (as the planet had a "diverse insect population"). Cutler explored by herself for the duration of the mission, and was prompt in returning to the shuttlepod at the end of the mission. Cutler remained on the planet at Subcommander T'Pol's behest for what was to be the remainder of the day and the upcoming night, to continue her studies. Crewman Cutler was exposed to and soon fell under the effects of airborne tropolisine, as were all personnel that remained on the planet. Fortunately, unlike fellow crewmates Ethan Novakovich and Commander Tucker, Cutler was not pronouncedly psychologically affected by the compound and did not endanger her own life before being successfully treated by Dr. Phlox. (ENT: "Strange New World")

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Crewman Cutler & Dr. Phlox

Later that year, in her expanding capacity as an in-training medic, Crewman Cutler accompanied Dr. Phlox to the surface of Valakis to assist in the attempted treatment of one of the planet's indigenous species: the Valakians. While planetside, Cutler and Phlox studied the physiological differences between the Valakians and the Menk (the Valakians' co-evolvants) to discover the key to why the Valakians were susceptible to and subsequently ravaged by an apparent virulegenic pathogen, when the Menk were not. While Crewman Cutler appeared to appreciate and relish the work she was performing on Valakis, she was troubled by what she perceived to be the exploitation of the lesser-evolved Menk by the Valakians. (ENT: "Dear Doctor")

Continuing to serve in the position of an interim medic, in February of 2152, Crewman Cutler assisted in the initiation of Dr. Phlox's yearly hibernation requirement while the crew partook of shore leave in orbit of Risa. She was to assume the role of Chief Medical Officer in Phlox's stead, and was entrusted this position as a result of her continued training as "a capable medic". The proceeding day however, while attempting to treat an injured Ensign Mayweather, her limited medical training was exhausted when it became evident that the Risan painkiller was inducing an anaphylactic reaction in the ensign that was beyond not only her experience, but that of the acting Captain, Subcommander T'Pol. Cutler and T'Pol were forced to wake Dr. Phlox from his hibernation to seek his counsel. After much coaxing, the doctor made his way to the sickbay to assist Cutler in treating the ever-worsening Ensign Mayweather, but Phlox was certainly not performing at his peak, having been interrupted mid-hibernation. After a few false starts and miscommunications, Cutler was able to both understand and apply the treatment that the patient required. (ENT: "Two Days and Two Nights")

In 2153, Crewman Cutler was apparently working in the exobiology lab when she suffered a broken arm due to a manifested spatial anomaly (which was the result of Enterprise's voyage through the Delphic Expanse). (ENT: "Rajiin")

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Cutler's rank insignia

She wore a rank insignia of a crewman (first class) on her uniform.

Personal Life

File:Elizabeth Cutler.jpg

Crewman Cutler

Elizabeth Cutler was extremely dedicated to her course of study, to the extent that she would study even in her off-duty hours while consuming meals with her crewmates. While Humanity as a whole tended to be xenophobic, Cutler exhibited more xenophilic tendencies, as evidenced by her interest in developing both congenial and personal relationships with the only aliens to serve aboard Enterprise with her: Subcommander T'Pol and Dr. Phlox.

In an effort to gain common interests with her Vulcan superior, Cutler sampled Vulcan cuisine (specifically plomeek soup) as well as other aspects of Vulcan culture. However, as Subcommander T'Pol was neither interested in having nor permitted to have anything other than a professional working relationship with the crewmen under her command, Cutler's friendly advances were politely rebuffed. (ENT: "Strange New World")

In mid-to-late 2151, while beginning her training under Dr. Phlox as an interim medic, she began to exhibit romantic interest in her alien tutor. She frequently accompanied the doctor to "movie night", inquired into his personal life, and frequently found excuses to be in close proximity to him. It was while on her mission to Valakis that Dr. Phlox confronted Cutler with the advances she had been making and made her fully aware that not only was he already married, but to several Denobulan women. While surprised by Dr. Phlox's admission to his culture's polygamist nature, she took this information well and surprised Phlox by her insistence that this cultural divide neither bothered her, nor did it dissuade her from pursuing her burgeoning friendship with the doctor. (ENT: "Dear Doctor")

Appearances/References

• ENT:
  • "Strange New World"
  • "Dear Doctor"
  • "Two Days and Two Nights"
  • "Rajiin" (referenced only)

Background

• Crewman Elizabeth Cutler was played by the late Kellie Waymire until her sudden death in November 2003. It is not known whether the character was to have appeared in later episodes as she had not appeared in any episodes of the series' second season, although Cutler was mentioned in an episode in Enterprise's third season. The creators, however, had at one point discussed acknowledging the actress' death during the 2003-2004 season.
• It has been speculated that the episode "The Forgotten", which centers on the death of a relatively minor crewman, may be a reference or tribute to Kellie Waymire.

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