Zeonprime
IreneDeanna Troi, Enterprise-D's dress-up doll
July 17th 2009 16:35
Did you know that the original conception for Star Trek: The Next Generation's Counsellor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) was that she was "exotic" and had three breasts? (Science fiction alumna D. C. Fontana ixnayed that RIDICULOUS idea.) But it seems that the powers behind TNG nonetheless had enough to make Troi the token sex object--a scantily, or snugly, clad exotic alien babe.
Costumes on TNG are often signifiers for characters' personalities. Guinan is mystical and wise, so she wears flowing robes and huge strange hats. Wesley (pre-ensign) wears rainbow-striped shirts and two-toned pants that don't zip up all the way--because apparently that's how teenagers dress in the 24th century. Worf wears a Klingon sash. Picard sometimes wears a special jacket. If clothes make the person, what do Troi's clothes say about her?
If you ever watched TNG, you'll know that Troi is different from the rest of the Enterprise-D's main crew--and not just because she is half-Betazoid. To even casual viewers, she stands out: while the other crew members wear red, mustard, or blue Starfleet uniforms, she is variously clad in brown, grey/lavender, maroon, and turquoise outfits that resemble catsuits more than military dress.
Indeed, Troi dons the Starfleet uniform only once before season 6. in the series pilot, she wears a standard uniform (albeit with a miniskirt bottom and go-go boots). In "Future Imperfect" (4x08), she wears a uniform, though that is part of Riker's subconscious-fuelled hologram. I guess even Riker didn't fancy the catsuits--now that is saying something!
After years of dressing in what Rick Berman thought was a "cross between a cheerleader and a waitress at Denny's"*, Troi gets into a standard uniform for good in "Chain of Command Pt. I" (6x10). Captain Edward Jellico, who relieves Picard of duty, orders Troi to dress more 'formally'. While Troi's wardrobe change is a long time coming, that moment is also uncomfortable and slightly humiliating.
This raises the question of why Picard allows Troi to wear non-standard uniforms at all. One gathers that it must be because of her role on the ship. In her case, her profession is more important than her rank. The only other main cast member to go by professional title instead of rank is Dr. Crusher, who also happens to be female and in a 'nurturing' clinical profession. I understand why Crusher goes by Doctor, but why does Troi have to go by Counsellor? (I know that in North America, at least, military counsellors go by rank, not title.)
So other than actually looking the part of a Starfleet officer, does anything change for Troi after she dons the uniform? Let's look at some of the more significant Troi episodes before and after the uniform:
Before the uniform
*Quote from Enterprise Zones, edited by Taylor Harrison et. al.
**I hate the unitard! She wears it again at the end of the series, when the crew is playing cards with Picard. Unitards are for circus performers and children in gym class, not professional women on Galaxy-class starships.
Costumes on TNG are often signifiers for characters' personalities. Guinan is mystical and wise, so she wears flowing robes and huge strange hats. Wesley (pre-ensign) wears rainbow-striped shirts and two-toned pants that don't zip up all the way--because apparently that's how teenagers dress in the 24th century. Worf wears a Klingon sash. Picard sometimes wears a special jacket. If clothes make the person, what do Troi's clothes say about her?
A few of Deanna Troi's many looks and outfits
If you ever watched TNG, you'll know that Troi is different from the rest of the Enterprise-D's main crew--and not just because she is half-Betazoid. To even casual viewers, she stands out: while the other crew members wear red, mustard, or blue Starfleet uniforms, she is variously clad in brown, grey/lavender, maroon, and turquoise outfits that resemble catsuits more than military dress.
Indeed, Troi dons the Starfleet uniform only once before season 6. in the series pilot, she wears a standard uniform (albeit with a miniskirt bottom and go-go boots). In "Future Imperfect" (4x08), she wears a uniform, though that is part of Riker's subconscious-fuelled hologram. I guess even Riker didn't fancy the catsuits--now that is saying something!
After years of dressing in what Rick Berman thought was a "cross between a cheerleader and a waitress at Denny's"*, Troi gets into a standard uniform for good in "Chain of Command Pt. I" (6x10). Captain Edward Jellico, who relieves Picard of duty, orders Troi to dress more 'formally'. While Troi's wardrobe change is a long time coming, that moment is also uncomfortable and slightly humiliating.
This raises the question of why Picard allows Troi to wear non-standard uniforms at all. One gathers that it must be because of her role on the ship. In her case, her profession is more important than her rank. The only other main cast member to go by professional title instead of rank is Dr. Crusher, who also happens to be female and in a 'nurturing' clinical profession. I understand why Crusher goes by Doctor, but why does Troi have to go by Counsellor? (I know that in North America, at least, military counsellors go by rank, not title.)
So other than actually looking the part of a Starfleet officer, does anything change for Troi after she dons the uniform? Let's look at some of the more significant Troi episodes before and after the uniform:
Before the uniform
- An alien being wishes to experience life as a human, so it 'impregnates' Troi ("The Child", 2x01). The alien child's growth is accelerated. Then he sacrifices himself to save the crew.
- Troi, as well as others, is mind-raped by a telepathic historian. Her ordeal is markedly different because it has sexual overtones ("Violations", 5x12).
- An empathic ambassador uses Troi as a kind of brain dump site for negative thoughts. Transferring his thoughts to her rapidly ages Troi and nearly kills her. She also prowls around the ship like an insane cougar who shares the same stylist as Cruella DeVille ("Man of the People", 6x03).
- Troi is kidnapped and made to act as a Romulan officer in the Tal Shiar. She is selected for the job because of her background in psychology as well as her empathic abilities ("Face of the Enemy", 6x14).
- Troi takes the bridge officer test and passes. She is promoted to full commander ("Thine Own Self", 7X16).
- Troi is seen taking the helm in two TNG movies, Generations and Nemesis.
- In a big step backward, Troi is mind-raped AGAIN in Nemesis. What is up with that?! Well, at least she got her revenge. Sort of.
*Quote from Enterprise Zones, edited by Taylor Harrison et. al.
**I hate the unitard! She wears it again at the end of the series, when the crew is playing cards with Picard. Unitards are for circus performers and children in gym class, not professional women on Galaxy-class starships.
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