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[TNG at 30] “The Price” of Being Counselor Troi

[TNG at 30] "The Price" of Being Counselor Troi

You’d think sitting next to one of Starfleet’s top dogs on a flagship, Galaxy Class vessel would count for more, but Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi is sort of the Rodney Dangerfield of our Enterprise D’s crew. Captain Picard’s empath, ranking Bridge Officer and the starship’s psychological counselor, yet in many ways, she’s like iconic comedian Rodney Dangerfield – she simply doesn’t get any respect.

Fans can be split, even downright conflicted over Troi and her proper role in Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s universe. In one way, the presence of a sensitive women with empathic powers ably assisting Picard’s diverse crew of star trekking professionals is welcome, yet many Trekkers complain over her limitations. Despite great physical beauty, they don’t look at Troi as being ‘sexy’ – in a narrative, flashy way.

Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi and Jonathan Frakes as William Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation

Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi and Jonathan Frakes as William Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation | Photo: CBS Home Entertainment

Troi’s powers are hard to dramatize. She isn’t a super smart, super strong resourceful android. She’s no eternally alert, growling Klingon warrior, nor a techie, geek guru with unique visor vision. Troi gives and gets the feels. It seems her fabled Betazoid blessing can also act as a millstone of a curse.

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She gets feelings. She gets impressions. She senses. Vague much? It’s as if she can’t make up her mind. In fairness, though, sometimes she can absolutely nail motivation or even explicit intentions, but mostly Troi acts as feeling sponge – a kind of doughy biscuit soaking up the emotional gravy and saucy ambience of those about her.

But it’s not only the vagueness Troi brings to proceedings. It’s also the intimacy her abilities bring to the table. For many, the act of a psychic such as the half Betazoid tapping into their feelings feels like intrusion or even an invasion. Don’t worry. It’s perfectly okay. Payback can be a Betazoid bitch. When Deanna Troi encounters a suave negotiator named Devinoni Ral, the empathic tables are neatly, though stealthily turned.

Devinoni Ral

Matt McCoy as Devinoni Ral on Star Trek: The Next Generation| Photo: CBS Home Entertainment

Enter your male, mirror image, Deanna.

“The Price” numbers as one of my favorite Next Gen tales. Deftly juggling diplomacy, adventure, humor and romance in equally pleasing amounts, it breaks the predictable mold. Too often a diplomatic mission plods along way too talky or even truly boring. Refreshingly, “The Price” offers negotiations coupled with intriguing scientific analysis and exploration – acting as backdrop to Troi’s romantic fling – making its focus mature and fully engaging.

Airing in TNG’s third season, written by Hannah Louise Shearer, the tale introduces the concept of a stable wormhole – well before the one we’d become so accustomed to and call the Bajoran Wormhole in Deep Space Nine. Alas, in the end, the cosmic space shortcut proves decidedly unstable, which seems fitting, after the passionate romantic affair Troi embarks on with Ral proves to be equally as fleeting and fragile.

Red Alert! Security Protocols In Effect! Where’s your empathic ability when you most need it, Counselor? Care to schedule your own therapy session? Maybe Devinoni Ral’s simply to blame.

Actor Matt McCoy plays Ral as debonair deal maker, who’s always in control. He’s an operator; a man who’s cut a multitude of big deals across the galaxy and whose confidence is never in doubt. It’s a credit to McCoy’s performance that despite the revelation of his deception in not telling Troi of their shared Betazed heritage, we can never truly hate his character – maybe simply accept disappointment at his slick relationship machinations involving our favorite therapist. Occupational perk or hazard? Douchey jerk or driven superstar?

Sirtis with Patrick Stewart on TNG

Sirtis with Patrick Stewart on TNG | Photo: CBS Home Entertainment

In the end, we’re left with Ral’s own words to gain perspective. An episode quote sums up the complexity of the two’s romantic entanglement.

Ral to Troi: “I’m grateful for what you did, in a way. It’s made me take a hard look at who I am. I don’t like what I see. I once asked you to run away with me, and now I’m asking again. I need you. You could help me change, you could be my conscience!”

She replies, “I already have a job as counselor.”

Deanna Troi’s a pro. She knows this is one ‘bad boy’ who’ll probably be forever in constant need of a mentally helping hand. The counselor will stick to her current job, than take one as Ral’s future long suffering girlfriend, or worse yet, his tortured bride.

For Marina Sirtis, this meaty entry gives her a chance to shine in so many aspects. Here’s Troi struggling in an open, even vulnerable capacity. This is romantic Troi and it isn’t always a safe place. She turns in such a well rounded, organic performance. It’s also a triumph for gender equality. We’re usually treated to Trek’s male characters like Kirk, Spock or Riker and Picard conducting a romantic liaison within confines of a complicated mission. One of our female principals gets a crack at balancing a sexual escapade with the demands of a Starfleet career. Sirtis excels in the bold turn.

Evidently the price of being Counselor Troi can be a highly emotional one, but ultimately it proves a satisfying experience. For anyone doubting how dynamic or interesting she can be, take a look at The Price again or try it for the first time. You’ll find much to like here in one of the most memorable Troi centered stories. Rodney Dangerfield as a Betazoid? I’m sensing no respect! No respect! Hey, I can see it working.

More from Will Stape’s series on TrekNews.net celebrating the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation:

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Written By

Will is an Emmy Award nominated screenwriter, book author and content producer. He's written for magazines, the web and for several highly respected TV shows, most notably for the Star Trek franchise. Will penned episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, and he was one of the few freelancers to work on episodes for both landmark Hollywood series, born of visionary Gene Roddenberry. He's pitched to Star Trek: Voyager, Deep Space Nine & for USA Network's show, Stephen King's The Dead Zone. His articles & celebrity interviews appear in national magazines, websites, newspapers and he's written extensively for publications such as: Yahoo! News, McCall's Quilter's Home, American Chronicle, Bayonne Style, OMG, Shine, Hudson Reporter, The Last Reel & Sci-Fi Pulse. His new book, Star Trek Sex: Analyzing The Most Sexually Charged Episodes Of The Original Series, is published by Bearmanor Media. You can follow Will on Twitter @willstape and @LaughTrek.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Vger64

    June 11, 2017 at 9:14 am

    I don’t know about anyone else but I have been in love with Marina Sirtis for 30 years….

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