Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) had the potential to be one of Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s most interesting characters, but she often got saddled with the worst storylines. Throughout all seven seasons of TNG, Troi served as the counselor on the USS Enterprise-D under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). In addition to her skills as a counselor, Troi could also sense the emotions of those around her, thanks to her Betazoid abilities inherited from her mother, Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett Roddenberry). Deanna’s empathic abilities proved useful on numerous occasions, but TNG didn’t always know how best to use them.

When Counselor Troi did get to be the center of an episode, the story often revolved around her love life or her sexuality. Troi didn’t even wear a Starfleet uniform until Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, and the show often placed value on her looks over her intelligence, skills, and abilities. Many of her TNG storylines were not only a disservice to Deanna Troi as a character, but also to Marina Sirtis as an actress. Some episodes, like TNG season 6, episode 14, “The Face of the Enemy,” proved that Sirtis could deliver when the material was good. But overall, Counselor Deanna Troi deserved better than these 5 storylines.

5

Counselor Troi Almost Gets Forced Into An Arranged Marriage In Star Trek: TNG’s “Haven”

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 1, Episode 11 – “Haven”

Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “Haven” introduces Deanna’s mother, Lwaxana Troi, who arrives on the USS Enterprise-D to prepare for her daughter’s arranged marriage. At a young age, Deanna had been promised to Wyatt Miller (Robert Knepper), and his parents have decided to enforce the match. As Deanna and Wyatt try to get to know one another, Deanna struggles with her lingering feelings for Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes).

Wyatt had been dreaming of another woman for much of his life, and upon seeing this woman on a plague ship encountered by the Enterprise, he transports over to spend his life with her. Deanna has very little say in any of the decisions made about her own life in “Haven” and she just kind of goes along with everything that happens. Although Lwaxana seems willing to support her daughter in whatever decision she makes, the elder Troi encourages Deanna to go through with the wedding.

4

An Alien Entity Forcibly Impregnates Counselor Troi In Star Trek: TNG’s “The Child”

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 2, Episode 1 – “The Child”

Star Trek: The Next Generation season 2 gets off to a rough start with the disappointing “The Child.” When an alien entity impregnates Counselor Troi, Deanna again gets very little say in what happens regarding her own body. When the USS Enterprise-D’s senior officers meet to discuss Deanna’s unexpected pregnancy, the men all speak about the situation as though Troi is not in the room. She finally declares that she is going to have the baby and puts an end to the men’s arguing.

The pregnancy proceeds rapidly and causes Troi no discomfort, and the eventual birth is also painless. Deanna then gets to know her child, only for the young boy to later reveal himself to be a “life force entity” who was curious about humanity. The entity leaves the Enterprise, as Troi mourns the loss of her child. Troi is put through this emotionally traumatic experience for no real reason, and the fact that she was impregnated against her will is completely glossed over.

3

Counselor Troi Falls For A Sleazy Negotiator In Star Trek: TNG’s “The Price”

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3, Episode 8 – “The Price”

When several delegates board the USS Enterprise-D to bid for the rights to a supposedly stable wormhole, Counselor Troi falls for one of the negotiators, Devinoni Ral (Matt McCoy). The two quickly fall into a passionate love affair, but Troi grows uncomfortable when she learns that Ral has been hiding his empathic abilities from the other delegates. There is something offputting about Ral from the beginning, making it seem out of character for Deanna to fall for him so quickly.

Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s “The Price” also contains a bizarre scene featuring Counselor Troi and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) exercising in skin-tight clothing and discussing their sex lives. Not only does the scene feel out of place for Star Trek, but it also reduces the two main female characters to objects of male desire. Troi reveals Ral’s secret in the end, but the episode never makes clear why she fell for him in the first place.

2

An Alien Visitor Assaults Counselor Troi’s Mind In Star Trek: TNG’s “Violations”

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 5, Episode 12 – “Violations”

When a delegation of telepathic Ullians arrives on the Enterprise, the crew members begin experiencing vivid and violent hallucinations. Counselor Troi is the first to experience this, as she recalls a memory of a romantic encounter with Commander Riker that quickly turns violent. In the “memory,” Riker begins to force himself on Troi before he morphs into one of the delegates named Jev (Ben Lemon). After the telepathic encounter, Troi falls into a coma. While investigating the incident, Riker and Dr. Crusher also experience frightening visions, but theirs do not include sexual assault.

Near the end of Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s “Violations,” Jev assaults Troi again, even throwing her across the room when she fights back, before security arrives to take him into custody. “Violations” is an uncomfortable episode with no real mystery, as Jev is obviously the villain from the start. Plus, the multiple assaults on Troi, in particular, feel gratuitous, especially considering everything else she has experienced throughout TNG.

1

Another Alien Takes Advantage Of Counselor Troi In Star Trek: TNG’s “Man of the People”

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6, Episode 3 – “Man of the People”

When the USS Enterprise-D transports Ambassador Ves Alkar (Chip Lucia) to peace talks, he strikes up a quick friendship with Counselor Troi. When Troi begins acting strangely and aging rapidly, Captain Picard and Dr. Crusher confront Alkar. Alkar reveals that he has the ability to channel his negative impulses and emotions into another person he views as a “receptacle,” which allows him to remain clear-headed in negotiations.

Alkar only uses women as his “receptacles,” taking advantage of them and viewing them as expendable, all while showing no remorse for his actions. Picard and Crusher eventually devise a way to save Troi, leaving Alkar to suffer and die alone from all of the emotions he channeled to others. Alkar is truly one of TNG’s most despicable guest characters, and the storyline again reduces Troi to an object of male desire. With several unfortunate storylines, Counselor Deanna Troi often deserved better on Star Trek: The Next Generation.