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Lwaxana Troi

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Lwaxana Troi was a Betazoid Federation ambassador , and the mother of Deanna Troi . She was one of the more wealthy and colorful Federation diplomats , having led a life of both flamboyance and tragedy.

Lwaxana had a larger-than-life and extremely flirtatious persona, which caused severe friction with and embarrassment to her daughter Deanna, of whom she tended to be extremely overprotective.

• 1 Early life
• 2 Ambassadorial duties
• 3.1 Marriage
• 3.2.1 Kestra Troi
• 3.2.2 Deanna Troi
• 3.2.3 Child with Jeyal
• 3.3.1 Timicin
• 3.3.2 Campio
• 3.4.1 Jean-Luc Picard
• 3.4.3 Alexander Rozhenko
• 4 Chronology
• 5.1 Appearances
• 5.2 Background information
• 5.3 Apocrypha
• 5.4 External links

Early life [ ]

Lwaxana's father was something of a traditionalist; he rarely spoke, saying it was for " offworlders and people who didn't know any better. " Both of Lwaxana's parents had died by 2372 , as had her sister. ( TNG : " Eye of the Beholder "; DS9 : " The Muse ")

Ambassadorial duties [ ]

Ambassador Troi aboard DS9

Lwaxana was a daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed , the holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx , and heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed . She had a tendency to remind people of this fact when she felt that she had been slighted or whenever she chose to establish her authority. ( TNG : " Haven "; DS9 : " The Forsaken ")

Lwaxana represented the Betazed government at the Pacifica Conference in 2365 . Shortly before arriving to the conference, she exposed two Antedian assassins who were planning to bomb the conference with ultritium explosives. ( TNG : " Manhunt ")

In 2366 , Deanna Troi fabricated a story involving Lwaxana visiting the USS Enterprise -D as part of an attempt to encourage Captain Jean-Luc Picard to take leave on Risa . ( TNG : " Captain's Holiday ")

Also in 2366, Lwaxana, along with Reittan Grax , was part of the delegation of the biennial Trade Agreements Conference on Betazed. Lwaxana irritated her daughter by communicating telepathically even though they were among non-telepaths, and later by gate-crashing her date with William T. Riker . She was kidnapped by Ferengi DaiMon Tog along with her daughter and Commander Riker. The trio was eventually rescued by Captain Jean-Luc Picard. ( TNG : " Ménage à Troi ")

Lwaxana was part of a delegation of four Federation ambassadors visiting Deep Space 9 in 2369 . Her fellow ambassadors included Lojal , Vadosia , and Taxco . ( DS9 : " The Forsaken ")

In 2371 , she visited Bajor and took a shuttle from there to visit Deep Space 9. Upon her arrival, she explained to Odo that " Officially I'm here as the Betazoid representative to the Gratitude Festival . But the truth is, I came to see you, you poor sweet tortured man. " ( DS9 : " Fascination ")

Personal relationships [ ]

Marriage [ ].

Ian Andrew Troi

Lwaxana was married a number of times. Her first husband was a close friend of fellow ambassador Reittan Grax . Lwaxana described him as " not much of a conversationalist, but what a lover. " ( TNG : " Ménage à Troi ")

A subsequent marriage to Lieutenant Ian Andrew Troi produced two children: Kestra in 2330 and Deanna in 2336 . According to Deanna, Ian worshiped Lwaxana. Ian died in 2343 , although the circumstances of his death were unknown. Deanna later recalled how she cried after his death. ( TNG : " Ménage à Troi ", " Half a Life ", " Dark Page ")

Her marriage to Jeyal , a Tavnian , produced a son, but she ended the marriage by marrying Odo due to her disagreement over the Tavnian custom of separation of the sexes in child-rearing. ( DS9 : " The Muse ")

Children [ ]

Kestra troi [ ].

Kestra was the oldest of Lwaxana's children. Tragically, Kestra drowned during a family picnic at Lake El'nar . The incident left Lwaxana so broken with sorrow, guilt, and regret that she decided to repress all memories of Kestra. She also deleted all diary entries pertaining to her. She destroyed everything that could possibly remind her of Kestra and also made her husband promise never to mention Kestra again. A picture of Kestra remained, however, secretly preserved by Mr. Homn . ( TNG : " Dark Page "; DS9 : " The Muse ")

Deanna Troi [ ]

With Deanna in 2364

With Deanna in 2370

Deanna was Lwaxana's second daughter. She was born a few months before Kestra's death. Deanna often felt that she was the parent while Lwaxana was the child.

Lwaxana often considered Deanna to be "all she had left," and thus was often protective of her, hoping she would find a husband to take care of her. ( TNG : " Haven ")

Child with Jeyal [ ]

In 2372 , Lwaxana was pregnant with her third child . This child was the product of her union with the Tavnian Jeyal. When their marriage was dissolved, Lwaxana returned to Betazed to raise the child. ( DS9 : " The Muse ")

Romance [ ]

In addition to her string of marriages, Lwaxana has also had numerous dalliances and flirtations with various others.

During a romance with a native from Rigel , the man named a star in Lwaxana's honor. ( TNG : " Half a Life ")

Timicin [ ]

Together with Timicin

In 2367 , Lwaxana fell in love with the Kaelon scientist Timicin while he was performing experiments on board the Enterprise -D. Unfortunately, he was to perform the " Resolution ," a ritual suicide which people of his race were expected to perform upon reaching the age of sixty. Although Lwaxana desperately attempted to convince Timicin not to go through with the ritual, Timicin ultimately decided it must be done, and Lwaxana eventually relented. She then opted to respectfully witness the ceremony along with Timicin's family. ( TNG : " Half a Life ")

In 2368 , Lwaxana exchanged personality profiles with Kostolain Minister Campio . Their profiles were very harmonious, but in real life, they couldn't have been more different. Campio was incredibly tied to protocol while Lwaxana was too free-spirited for him. Their marriage was canceled during the wedding when Lwaxana appeared to the ceremony in the traditional Betazoid way – without any clothes. ( TNG : " Cost Of Living ")

Lwaxana without her wig

Lwaxana embraces Odo

Lwaxana also had a romantic attraction to Constable Odo, the security chief of Deep Space 9. She first met Odo while visiting the station in 2369, along with several other Federation ambassadors. Odo returned a precious hair brooch for Lwaxana after it was stolen at Quark's , an act for which he caught her attention immediately. According to Lwaxana " All the men I've known... who've needed to be shaped and molded and manipulated. Finally, I've met a man who knows how to do it himself. " She tried to seduce him, unfortunately quite unsuccessfully. She didn't lose her interest, however, and further tried to attract his attention. A power failure caused the pair to get stuck in one of the station's turbolifts . During their time in the lift, they bonded and formed a special friendship: as he was the first person ever to see her without a wig , while Lwaxana used her skirt to contain Odo when he had to revert into his gelatinous "liquid state" to regenerate. ( DS9 : " The Forsaken ")

Lwaxana returned to the station in 2371 shortly before the Bajoran Gratitude Festival . Officially, she was there to take part in the festival, but in reality, she was there to visit Odo. Her continuous attempts of seduction once again proved unsuccessful. At the time, she was suffering from Zanthi fever , which caused her to project her amorous feelings for Odo to those around her. She was ultimately cured by Dr. Julian Bashir . While parting from Odo, she wished him good luck with Major Kira Nerys , whom she realized he was in love with. ( DS9 : " Fascination ")

Lwaxana marrying Odo

She returned seeking Odo's help the following year, after she had run away from her new husband, Jeyal. She took refuge on the station, and at once depressed Worf , Jadzia Dax , and Kira with the sad story of her marriage. Her mood brightened after spending some time with Odo, who – unlike their previous encounters – had by now grown more comfortable interacting with others, to the point he expressed genuine enjoyment while spending time with her. Jeyal soon arrived in search of her, with the intent of claiming his unborn child. Odo and Lwaxana were married in order to prevent this, as the child would be the ward of any man who was married to the woman, not only the biological one. They parted some time later and she apparently delivered the child on Betazed. ( DS9 : " The Muse ")

Friendships [ ]

Jean-luc picard [ ].

Lwaxana in Picard's arms, after he saved her from Tog

Lwaxana first met Captain Jean-Luc Picard aboard the USS Enterprise -D in 2364 when she boarded the ship from planet Haven to meet her daughter, Deanna. Her attitude towards Picard was not the expected one as she initially treated him like a servant, embarrassing her daughter. Picard found Lwaxana's presence aboard his ship to be an annoyance, but Lwaxana did not seem to be bothered by it. She considered joining with Picard, but thought he was a little too old. As she departed, she commented that Picard's thoughts about her were very erotic. ( TNG : " Haven ")

She returned to the Enterprise in 2365 while she was in " the Phase ," a period in a Betazoid woman's life when her sexuality is in a heightened state. She decided to concentrate all her energy to a single man, Picard. Despite arranging a private romantic dinner, her advances for him failed. The captain hid from Lwaxana in a Dixon Hill holodeck program . ( TNG : " Manhunt ")

Picard was responsible for rescuing Lwaxana from DaiMon Tog after she was kidnapped by him. He managed this by convincing the Ferengi that he and Lwaxana had been lovers and that the Captain was insanely jealous; going so far as killing anyone who tried to take her away from him. In order to secure her release from Tog, the Captain played this role whereupon he recited Shakespeare while counting down from ten and threatening to destroy Tog's ship if she was not returned to him. Upon Lwaxana's return, she seemed eager to keep up the ruse, but Picard graciously returned her to Betazed – at warp 9. ( TNG : " Ménage à Troi ")

Lwaxana apparently "gave up the hope" for Picard, but the Enterprise still remained one of her favorite sites to visit. ( TNG : " Cost Of Living ", " Half a Life ")

According to Doctor Crusher , the arrival of Lwaxana made Picard shudder. ( TNG : " Remember Me ")

Ambassador Troi commonly referred to Worf as "Mr. Woof", to which he always politely corrected her with, " It is Worf, madam. " For a very brief time in 2365, when Lwaxana was going through "the Phase," she considered Worf as a mate, but decided Captain Picard made a better choice. In an alternate quantum reality , when Worf asked Deanna to become his son 's Soh-chIm , he did not consider that it would also make Ambassador Troi his stepmother; he ultimately decided to go through with it anyway. Worf once stated that Lwaxana was an "admirable woman." ( TNG : " Manhunt ", " Ethics ", " Parallels ", " Ménage à Troi ")

Alexander Rozhenko [ ]

Lwaxana befriended Alexander Rozhenko, Worf's son, while visiting in 2368 with the intention of marrying Minister Campio on board. Lwaxana taught Alexander how to have fun, angering both the boy's father and her husband-to-be. She called Alexander her "little warrior."

Additionally, young Alexander had something to teach Lwaxana, reminding his elder of the importance of being true to one's self. Lwaxana had resigned herself to compromising who she was in order to not be alone anymore, and she shared this resignation (without mentioning the specifics) with Alexander. He then asked, with characteristic childlike innocence, " why? " which got her to thinking about what she was doing... and why. It was that exchange that finally led to her appearance at the wedding ceremony in the true tradition of her homeworld. As she walked up to the altar wearing all her finest jewelry – and nothing else – Alexander looked up at her, beaming with pride (apparently he had figured out what the issue was). Lwaxana gave him a particularly meaningful, and appreciative, smile in return. ( TNG : " Cost Of Living ")

Attendants [ ]

Mr. Homn, Lwaxana Troi's second attendant.

Xelo was Lwaxana's attendant before Homn. She apparently had to fire him after his thoughts about her became too erotic. ( TNG : " Haven ")

Mr. Homn was Lwaxana's attendant for several years and he often accompanied her on her journeys. ( TNG : " Haven ")

Chronology [ ]

Troi on her way to the Enterprise -D.

Appendices [ ]

Appearances [ ].

• " Manhunt "
• " Ménage à Troi "
• " Half a Life "
• " Cost Of Living "
• " Dark Page "
• " The Forsaken "
• " Fascination "
• " The Muse "

Background information [ ]

Lwaxana Troi was played by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry , the wife of Gene Roddenberry . According to Barrett-Roddenberry, " Gene came home one day and said to me, 'Majel, I have a great part for you, and guess what – you don't have to act! " She recalled that her husband went on to describe the character to her as " the Auntie Mame of the Galaxy. " ( Star Trek: The Next Generation 365 , p. 033) She is also called this in the DS9 series bible. [1]

Lwaxana Troi's costumes were regarded as a highlight by Costume Designer Robert Blackman , who remarked, " All of Lwaxana Troi's clothing is fun because it's fairly outrageous. " ( Star Trek Monthly  issue 32 , p. 77)

Apocrypha [ ]

In the novel Q-in-Law , Lwaxana formed a romantic attachment to Q . At first, Q seemed to return the feelings, even to the point of sharing his power with her. In truth, Q was just using Lwaxana in an experiment designed to prove the worthlessness of the Human emotion love. Q was initially prevented from removing Lwaxana's power by another member of the Q Continuum , who allowed Lwaxana to use the power to teach Q a lesson about interfering in people's lives. At one point, it is revealed that Lwaxana is in the habit of telling Deanna “Life is a banquet! And most poor bastards are starving to death!” A paraphrase of Auntie Mame's signature line.

In the eBook The Insolence of Office , Lwaxana gives birth to her son and names him Barin, meaning "Little One" in the Tavnian language, on Betazed in late 2372 .

In the short story "The Ceremony of Innocence is Drowned" from the anthology book Tales of the Dominion War , Lwaxana was at her home on Betazed when the Dominion took the planet right out from under the nose of the Tenth Fleet in 2374 . Her elegant ancestral home was destroyed and Mr. Homn was killed protecting young Barin from the attack.

In the novel The Battle of Betazed , Lwaxana became a member of the Betazed underground movement to fight the Dominion's presence on Betazed. It was Lwaxana's idea to recruit the telepathic killer, Hent Tevron, to the cause of Betazoid freedom. Deanna had studied Tevron's case as a student, and had learned some of Tevron's telepathic secrets before he died. Using Tevron's knowledge, the most powerful Betazoid telepaths were able to empathically overload the Jem'Hadar 's minds. Many Betazoids died from the strain of the assault, but it was successful, and the world was liberated.

In a Star Trek Online in-universe blog, it is established that Lwaxana is still active in 2410 "despite her advancing years", and served as a councilor of sorts to the Federation President , Aennik Okeg, in deciding whether or not the Federation should give the Na'kuhl humanitarian help, after the loss of their homeworld. She also mediated the Lukari/Kentari terraforming crisis.

External links [ ]

• Lwaxana Troi at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• 1 Daniels (Crewman)
• 3 Calypso (episode)

Memory Beta, non-canon Star Trek Wiki

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• Ambassadors

Lwaxana Troi

• View history

Lwaxana was wife of Starfleet officer Ian Andrew Troi and mother of Starfleet officer Deanna Troi .

• 1.1 Early life
• 1.2 Ian Troi
• 1.4 Ambassador Troi
• 1.5 The Dominion War
• 1.6.1 First Splinter timeline
• 1.6.2 Other alternate realities
• 2.1.1 Appearances
• 2.2 External links

Biography [ ]

Early life [ ].

Lwaxana's father was something of a traditionalist; he rarely spoke, preferring telepathy, saying speech was for " offworlders and people who didn't know any better. " Both of Lwaxana's parents and sister had died by 2372 . ( TNG episode : " Eye of the Beholder "; DS9 episode : " The Muse ")

Ian Troi [ ]

Lwaxana married Starfleet officer, Lieutenant Ian Troi, Science officer of the USS Carthage , in the year 2328 . Their wedding was held in Byram Hall on Betazed. ( TNG novel : A Time for War, A Time for Peace ) The couple had their first child, Kestra , the next year.

In 2336, several months after the couple's second child Deanna was born, Kestra drowned in Lake El-Nar . Lwaxana blamed herself for Kestra's death and she blocked all memories involving Kestra for almost 35 years.

Ian Troi was killed in the line of duty in the year 2343 on the planet Raknal V , when a building damaged by Romulan sabotage collapsed on him. Ian was with family friend Lieutenant Elias Vaughn when he died. ( ST - The Lost Era novel : The Art of the Impossible )

After Ian's death, Deanna became the center of Lwaxana's existence as she prepared her daughter for a life as a Betazed noble.

When Deanna became involved with Starfleet officer, Lieutenant William T. Riker in the year 2354 , Lwaxana objected strenuously, perhaps believing that Deanna was setting herself up for the same kind of pain she experienced when Ian died. In later years, Lwaxana would claim that she had always adored Riker.

Deanna ignored her mother and went to Riker anyway. In any event, the relationship was short-lived as Riker was not emotionally mature enough for the kind of relationship Deanna wanted. Soon after, Lwaxana gave Deanna her blessing when she decided to follow her father's career path and enter Starfleet Academy . ( TNG novel : Imzadi )

Ambassador Troi [ ]

Soon after Deanna left for the Academy, Lwaxana became an Ambassador for the government of Betazed. Her duties took her all over the Federation . Whenever possible, she would visit Deanna, who had become Head Counselor on the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) .

On one such visit in 2366 , Lwaxana formed a romantic attachment to the omnipotent being known as Q . At first, Q seemed to return the feelings, even to the point of sharing his power with her. In truth, Q was just using Lwaxana in an experiment designed to prove the worthlessness of the human emotion love. Q was initially prevented from removing Lwaxana's power by another member of the Q Continuum , who allowed Lwaxana to use the power to teach Q a lesson about interfering in people lives. He identified himself as a, " Q , too." When she mistakenly referred to him as "QTwo"-he accepts. ( TNG novel : Q-in-Law )

In 2369 Lwaxana formed a close friendship with the Changeling Odo while on starbase Deep Space 9 . When Lwaxana became pregnant by the Tavnian , Jeyal , in 2372 , she and Odo were married to prevent Jeyal from taking the child away from Lwaxana upon his birth, according to Tavnian tradition. ( DS9 episode : " The Muse ")

After a further unsuccessful attempt by the Tavnian government to seize custody of the child, Lwaxana gave birth to her first son Barin , Tavnian for "Little One", on Betazed in late 2372. ( TNG eBook : The Insolence of Office )

Marvel comic, Deep Space Nine #10, Lwaxana Troi and the Wedding of Doom .

In 2373 , Lwaxana, with Barin, returned to the station seeking a divorce from Odo so that she could marry a Bolian named Var Ulos . Lwaxana canceled the wedding after discovering that Ulos was using a telepathic suppressor to keep Lwaxana from realizing that he was only marrying her for her money . While on the station, Lwaxana confronted a creature that was stalking the station's women that lived off of female hormones. The creature overloaded on Lwaxana and was killed. ( DS9 comics : " Lwaxana Troi and the Wedding of Doom ", " Four Funerals and a Wedding ")

The Dominion War [ ]

Soon after, Lwaxana was in attendance at a conference of telepathic species on the world Alaya II when the conference was attacked by the Jem'Hadar . Lwaxana and the other attendees used their powers to aid the Starfleet security detail that had beamed down to Alaya to defend the conference. ( ST comic : " Reality's End ")

Alternate realities [ ]

First splinter timeline [ ].

In the First Splinter timeline , Lwaxana's elegant ancestral home was destroyed when the Dominion took Betazed. Her manservant, Mr. Homn , was killed protecting young Barin from the attack. ( ST - Tales of the Dominion War short story : " The Ceremony of Innocence is Drowned ")

Lwaxana then became a member of the Betazed underground movement to fight the Dominion's presence on Betazed. It was Lwaxana's idea to recruit the telepathic killer, Hent Tevron , to the cause of Betazoid freedom.

Deanna had studied Tevron's case as a student, and had learned some of Tevron's telepathic secrets before he died. Using Tevron's knowledge, the most powerful Betazoid telepaths were able to empathically overload the Jem'Hadar's minds. Many Betazoids died from the strain of the assault, but it was successful, and the world was liberated. ( TNG novel : The Battle of Betazed )

Lwaxana traveled to Earth in early 2376 , soon after the war ended, in order to seek additional relief efforts from the Federation Council for her war-torn world. She spent two days arguing with Minister al-Rashan and Cardassian representative Elim Garak , who was lobbying for more relief efforts to go to Cardassia . [ citation needed ]

Soon after, Lwaxana attended a post-war conference on the planet Khitomer , where the major powers of the Alpha Quadrant were to determine the post-war direction of the region. ( TNG - The Brave and the Bold, Book Two novella : The Final Artifact )

Lwaxana was thrilled when Deanna and Will Riker finally announced their engagement in the year 2379 . Despite the wishes of the couple for a small, intimate ceremony, Lwaxana began organizing a wedding that promised to be the social event of the season on Betazed. A compromise was struck, and Will and Deanna had two ceremonies -- a small intimate one on Earth, and Lwaxana's bash soon afterward on Betazed. ( TNG novel : A Time for War, A Time for Peace )

At the wedding, she continued to advocate for post-occupation rebuilding resources. ( TNG novel : Losing the Peace )

Other alternate realities [ ]

In an alternate timeline , Deanna Troi died in 2368 . Admiral Riker was summoned to Betazed in 2408 to see Lwaxana before she died. She was still living in the Troi home, and Mr. Homn was still her manservant. She died just after Riker arrived, her last words blaming him for Deanna's death. ( TNG novel : Imzadi )

In another alternate timeline in which the Cardassian Union did not withdraw from Bajor in 2369 , a heavily pregnant Lwaxana arrived on the USS Enterprise -E in 2372 and attempted to get out of her marriage to Jeyal. The following year, Captain Picard described it as "a rather unfortunate incident" which had marred the Enterprise -E's otherwise relatively sedate first year of operation. ( TNG - Myriad Universes novel : A Gutted World )

Appendices [ ]

Appearances and references [ ], appearances [ ], external links [ ].

• Lwaxana Troi article at Memory Alpha , the wiki for canon Star Trek .
• Lwaxana Troi article at the Star Trek Timelines Wiki .
• 1 Cetacean Probe
• 2 Eclipse class
• 3 Resurgence

Star Trek: Who Was Lwaxana Troi?

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Over the years, Star Trek has introduced a plethora of fantastic and highly diverse characters. From the ridged foreheads of the Klingons , all the way to the exceptionally humanoid Trill, each race had their own distinctive character or characters within the franchise. The Betazoids are potentially best-known as Deanna Troi’s people , the ship's councilor who is underused throughout The Next Generation. But there is also Lwaxana Troi, her mother, who has a far more complicated relationship with the show. Who exactly is she?

Lwaxana appeared in six episodes of TNG and three episodes of Deep Space 9. The writers seemed to enjoy bringing her into their narrative for one-off occasions. She was a massively wealthy Federation diplomat with a larger-than-life personality, using her telepathic Betazoid powers to help give her the upper hand in situations, as well as seduce and flirt with nearly everyone around her. Due to this side of her, she acted as a constant embarrassment for her second daughter Deanna.

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This relationship between mother and daughter was a complex and somewhat traumatic one. Lwaxana’s first child, Kestra, tragically drowned a few months after the birth of Diana, and the event left Lwaxana traumatized, broken with guilt and regret over the incident. (The name should sound familiar for any who watched Picard, as this was the name given to Diana and Riker’s daughter .) The ordeal made Lwaxana extremely overprotective of Deanna, loving her deeply but desperately clinging to her at all times. Deanna often felt that she was forced to grow up too fast, playing the role of parent to her mother, who often acted with the reckless abandon of a child.

Lwaxana's ambassador deities were something she was immensely proud of, showing off and reminding people constantly of her position. She was a daughter of the fifth house of Betazed , heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed and holder of the sacred chalice of Rixx. All these things that pointed to her being an incredibly influential and powerful woman. Her personal relationships were far more interesting, however, and the main aspect of her character that the writers obsessed over. She was married a fair few times (the specific number never fully stated).

Her most notable marriage was to Lieutenant Ian Andrew Troi, Kestra and Deanna’s human father, who tragically died 7 years after Deanna’s birth in canonically unknown circumstances. After this came a spree of relationships, notably Timicin a Kaelon scientist who died after a ritual suicide in the TNG episode “Half a Life.” There was also Kostolain Minister Campio, who was the complete opposite of Lwaxana. He was a frailty ridged and rule following minister where she was a wild and free spirit. Despite this, they got all the way to the marriage ceremony before he called the entire thing off after Lwaxana arrived at the ceremony in the Betazoid tradition: completely naked.

Lwaxana also had a deep fondness for the Deep Space 9 chief of security Odo . She took a liking for him right away, iconically saying:

"All the men I’ve known…who’ve needed to be shaped and molded and manipulated. Finally, I’ve met a man who knows how to do it himself."

Their relationship was rocky, with her repeated attempts to seduce him falling flat. She eventually wore him down, the two sharing a deeply emotional moment where she removed her wig, Odo being the first person to ever see her without it. While the two never were officially together, they did get married, which in itself is a complicated statement to make. She had gone on to marry another, Jeyal, with whom she had fallen pregnant. She had run away from him however, all the way to the DS9 space station, but he followed her and demanded to take custody of his unborn child. To prevent this, Lwaxana and Odo came up with a plan to marry each other, voiding her previous marriage and giving Odo legal guardianship of her child (a fairly problematic Betazoid rule).

Lwaxana was created by Roddenberry to be a sort of symbol for freed sexuality, a woman unburdened by all the social faux-pas. She was ‘allowed’ to be openly flirtatious and sometimes downright inappropriate with almost every man she came across. It’s no surprise then that there was something more complicated going on. Lwaxana was played by Majel Barrett-(wait for it) Roddenberry, none other than Gene Roddenberry’s wife. She remarked in an interview that her husband was incredibly keen on the idea of her playing the role, and that it would suit her perfectly. He told her that the best part of playing the character would be that she didn't need to act; rather, she just needed to be herself. He described Lwaxana as ‘the Auntie Mame of the galaxy,’ an outrageous and overtly eccentric character known well on Broadway. Apparently this was a complement; however, with Roddenberry, things are always somewhat complicated.

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• Movies & TV

How Star Trek's First Lady Majel Barrett Was Embodied By The Next Generation's Lwaxana Troi, According To Son Rod Roddenberry

Her son was kind enough to share the story.

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry earned her title as the “First Lady of Star Trek” in many ways, but the late wife of Gene Roddenberry definitely laid claim through her various acting roles in the franchise over the years. Whether she was the voice of the ship or other computers ( which paved the way for virtual assistants ), Nurse Chapel or Number One ( both of whom will appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ), Barrett gave her all for a role in a way that inspired others. With that said, there are few characters she embodied more than one who many know and love from The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine : Lwaxana Troi. 

Playing the Betazoid Federation ambassador and Deanna Troi’s mother Lwaxana was one of Majel Barrett’s greatest roles, so it’s no surprise it came up during a recent conversation with Rod Roddenberry about her legacy. I asked Roddenberry, the son of Majel and Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, which of Barrett’s roles she cherished most and got a little story about how well she embodied the role of Lwaxana.

You know it’s hard for me to say without her being here, but I could tell you that Lwaxana, she lit up. I remember the day I came home from school and she had – you know the Betazoids have these sort of black eyes and so she had those [on] in the kitchen and I walked in and looked at her, and I kind of did one of those double-takes and she kept looking at me and trying to show me her eyes. I was like ‘What the?’ and so she explained to me her character... I was still pretty young at the time so I didn’t really understand it but when I saw her on-screen I didn’t say ‘That’s Lwaxana Troi.' I said, ‘That’s my mom.’ So, they put a lot of her into that character.

There’s no denying that out of all the roles that Majel Barrett played for Star Trek , Lwaxana Troi is one of the most complex. It’s no surprise that a young Rod Roddenberry saw her as a living version of his own mother, even with all the makeup. 

Lwaxana Troi ultimately served as another example of a strong woman in Star Trek , which Rod Roddenberry described as similar to his mother. I asked Roddenberry if the similarities in the character made Lwaxana his favorite as well, and he confirmed. 

Yes, I do have to say that is my favorite. It really showed her. I mean, my mother was an incredibly strong woman. She was over the top, she spoke her mind. She didn’t let anyone or any man get in her way, in real life as well. That is something that I think she really cherished and loved, and I love seeing her do it.

It seems that Rod Roddenberry's love of the character is rooted in its authenticity to his mother, which makes it a great memorial to her life. Majel Barrett passed away in December of 2008 , but she’ll get another send-off in the upcoming space flight for Celestis later in 2022. Barrett’s ashes will travel to space alongside Gene Roddenberry’s ashes, and thanks to new technology, Rod Roddenberry was able to send his own genome into the stars alongside his parents. It’s certainly a great way to honor her legacy and a great gesture for one of science fiction’s most impactful families . 

Majel Barrett’s works in the Star Trek franchise are all available over on Paramount+ . Snag a Paramount+ subscription now to revisit Lwaxana Troi’s greatest episodes, and stick around for all the new Trek shows arriving in 2022 as well. 

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Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.

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Published Sep 29, 2022

A Tribute to Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Recurring Characters

Looking beyond the Bridge crew to some noteworthy additions who added to the series’ greatness!

StarTrek.com

This week, 35 years ago, Star Trek: The Next Generation made its way on television sets everywhere with its premiere episode, “Encounter at Farpoint.”

The third Star Trek television series followed Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise-D and their voyages across the Alpha Quadrant in the 24th Century. We previously focused on the senior officers on the Bridge, highlighting their most underrated episodes . During the summer Villain Showdown , we covered several treacherous encounters Picard and his crew had with the likes of Q, the Borg, and the Cardassians.

Now, we’re going to shine a spotlight on a couple recurring characters who add to what makes this series so special!

Lwaxana Troi

If there was ever a character who could stop Picard in his tracks, the distinction would belong to Lwaxana Troi — daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed. When she’s not trying to seduce to Picard, Deanna Troi ’s eccentric mother sought to enjoy the fruits of middle age. Her over-the-top behavior was balanced by her magnitude of compassion. After enduring the tragedies she had in her family life, it's no wonder she sought out misfits such as Worf's son Alexander and the brilliant Dr. Timicin bound to his home world's Resolution, and wanted to ease their loneliness.

To see the depths of Lwaxana's character, be sure to watch " Half a Life ," " Cost of Living ," and " Dark Page ."

Despite only appearing in eight episodes across the latter half of the series, Ensign Ro Laren made an impressionable impact on the crew and the show. The arrival of Ro gave audiences their first look at Bajor and the Bajorans as well as their plight during the Cardassians' occupation of Bajor.

While she was not initially welcomed by the crew of the Enterprise due to her defiant nature and court-martial, she would eventually be taken in by the senior officers. Not only that, she got Guinan's seal of approval and developed a father-like/mentor relationship with Picard. Her presence serves a greater purpose in ultimately demonstrating the limits of Picard's ideals, the Federation's approach, and sowing the seeds of his disillusionment.

Ro’s standout performances include episodes “ Ensign Ro ,” “ Rascals ,” and “ Preemptive Strike .”

Reginald Barclay

When the senior Bridge crew seemed too infallible, it was officers like Reginald Barclay and Miles O’Brien who proved Starfleet, let alone the flagship Enterprise-D , would not function as smoothly as it does without the likes of everymen such as themselves. Not everyone can be as charismatic as first officer Will Riker, nor should they be expected to be. Plus, nothing could be more relatable than escaping to the Holodeck to release your day-to-day work tensions. Besides, he won over the toughest critic aboard the starship — Spot.

Key Barclay episodes include “ Hollow Pursuits ” and “ The Nth Degree .”

Alexander Rozhenko

As a senior Starfleet officer and series regular, Worf is easily one of the best Klingons on the show. One of Worf’s recurring struggles was trying to embrace his dueling cultures as a Klingon warrior and an orphan raised by humans who would find a home within Starfleet. Like father, like son, this dichotomy would later extend to his estranged son Alexander Rozhenko .

Shortly after learning about his son, Worf was thrusted into the life of a single parent when Alexander’s mother K’Ehleyr was murdered by Duras as she investigated the Khitomer Massacre and Worf’s discommendation. Still duty bound to Starfleet, Alexander would live with Worf’s adoptive parents, Sergey and Helena Rozhenko, on Earth. However, every time he visited Worf, he would challenge Worf’s rigid beliefs of duty and honor. However, he used the Holodeck to great affect when he forced Worf to take some much-needed time off on an Old West-program, designed by Barclay, or receiving lessons from Lwaxana Troi on breaking rules.

Alexander’s standout episodes include “ Ethics ,” “ A Fistful of Datas ,” and “ Firstborn .”

Miles O'Brien

One of the more prolific recurring characters is Miles O'Brien , who would go on to be series regular on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . The sensible, working class man gave us a glimpse of the crew that comprised the Federation flagship — of someone who's damn good at his job but didn't need the glory of being a senior officer on the Bridge. Not only that, he was able to have what many couldn't — a family. His trauma from the Federation-Cardassian War, nor his possession by an antagonistic alien entity, didn't prevent him from a life-well lived; in fact, we get to see wake up each day full of pride and determination to be the best dad and husband he can be.

To further cement the everyman’s significance, Star Trek: Lower Decks has deemed O’Brien as “the most important man in Starfleet history.” Head on over to an interview with series creator and showrunner Mike McMahan to learn about this excellent Easter Egg.

Stand-out TNG episodes for O'Brien include " The Wounded ” and " Power Play ."

HONORABLE MENTION: James Moriarty

While villains got their due during the summer’s Villain Showdown, we’d be remiss not to mention Professor James Moriarty among our list of spectacular recurring characters on TNG.

The crew of the Enterprise highly enjoyed their time on the Holodeck, none more so than Captain Picard and Data. They would find a worthy foil in Moriarty. Beginning as a hologram character in one of Data's Sherlock Holmes program, Moriarty's character evolved into a sentient being following a power surge as La Forge commanded the computer to create an adversary with "the ability to defeat Data," as opposed to Sherlock Holmes. Aware that he's not real, but discovering the banality of the program limiting, Moriarty yearned for a life beyond the Holodeck and Data's program.

"You - or someone - asked your computer to program a nefarious fictional character from 19th Century London, and that is how I arrived. But I am no longer that creation. I am no longer that character; I have changed. I am alive. I am aware of my own consciousness," proclaimed the Sherlock Holmes' foe. Moriarty's two episodes, " Elementary, Dear Data " and " Ship in a Bottle ," are definite must-watch. Be sure to check out Daniel Davis' interview with StarTrek.com on the development of Moriarty.

Tell us your favorite recurring TNG characters on social!

Christine Dinh (she/her) is the managing editor for StarTrek.com. She’s traded the Multiverse for helming this Federation Starship.

Stay tuned to StarTrek.com for more details! And be sure to follow @StarTrek on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

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Star Trek: TNGs There Are Four Lights Meaning & Why Its Still Quoted 32 Years Later

• Captain Picard's defiance in TNG's "There are four lights" scene showcases his unwavering resolve against torture and manipulation.
• TNG's "Chain of Command" episodes bring out the complexities of leadership through the clashes between Picard and Captain Jellico.
• The emotional depth in Picard's confession post-rescue reveals vulnerability beneath his stoic facade.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) delivered several now-iconic quotes on Star Trek: The Next Generation , including "There are four lights!" , but what does this particular quote mean? While this quote makes little sense when taken out of context, it remains one of Jean-Luc Picard's most powerful moments, even 32 years after the TNG episode aired. As Captain of the USS Enterprise-D, Jean-Luc Picard was unflappable, remaining calm and level-headed while coming face to face with the unknown. Aside from the Borg, few enemies could rattle Picard, and he almost never let his fear show, especially in front of his crew.

In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, episodes 10 and 11, "Chain of Command," Cardassians kidnap Captain Picard when he is on a covert mission. What follows is one of Star Trek's most brutal and difficult-to-watch sequences, as Cardassian Gul Madred (David Warner) tortures Picard for information about the United Federation of Planets. With incredible performances from Patrick Stewart and David Warner , Madred employs a range of tactics, including torture and gaslighting, to break down Picard, but the Enterprise Captain refuses to yield. To asset his power, Madred blinds Picard with four bright lights, ordering him to say that there are five lights, and then causing Picard pain when he insists: "There are four lights!"

Patrick Stewart and screenwriter Frank Abatemarco both consulted with Amnesty International to ensure the torture scenes were realistic and accurate.

Captain Picards 10 Best Star Trek TNG Episodes, Ranked

Captain Jean-Luc Picard anchored every episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, but some episodes let him take more of a spotlight.

What Star Trek: TNGs There Are Four Lights Means & Why Its So Important For Picard

"tell me how many lights you see. how many how many lights this is your last chance.".

While on a covert mission to uncover and destroy a Cardassian biological weapon, Captain Picard, Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn), and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) inadvertently walk into a trap. After Picard's capture, Gul Madred works hard to break the Enterprise Captain's will, using various means of torture and brutal interrogation. Even while suffering intense pain, Picard refuses to say there are five lights when there are only four. As a final effort, Gul Madred tells Picard that the USS Enterprise-D has been destroyed in a battle with the Cardassians. Picard can either remain in captivity for the rest of his life or say there are five lights and live a comfortable life.

In the midst of the torture, Picard tells Madred: "In spite of all you've done to me, I find you a pitiable man."

Picard hesitates before guards enter and reveal that a ship is ready to take him back to the Enterprise. Before he leaves the room, Picard defiantly shouts "There are four lights!" Safely back on the USS Enterprise-D, in the final scene of the episode, Picard sits in his ready room with Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis). In a heartbreaking moment, Picard admits that, if his rescuers had not arrived when they did: "I would have told him anything. Anything at all. But more than that, I believed that I could see five lights." Picard has never been so broken, but he kept his composure just long enough that Madred and the Cardassians never saw him break.

Star Trek: TNGs Chain Of Command Also Introduced Captain Jellico

"forgive me for being blunt, but the enterprise is mine now.".

When Picard, Worf, and Dr. Crusher left on their undercover mission, Captain Edward Jellico (Ronny Cox) took over command of the USS Enterprise-D. Jellico then began negotiations with the Cardassians regarding the strategically important Federation planet Minos Korva. Jellico had experience dealing with the Cardassians, as he had previously helped establish an armistice between the Federation and the Cardassian Union. With his by-the-book command style and tendency to micro-manage, Jellico clashed with Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes).

Jellico has been mentioned several times since his appearance on TNG , and the character returned in Star Trek: Prodigy as an Admiral stationed at Starfleet Headquarters.

When the Cardassians inform the Enterprise that they have Picard, Jellico refuses to admit the Captain was on a Starfleet mission, which would have given him the rights of a prisoner of war. Riker protests strongly, questioning Jellico's orders, and the Captain relieves Number One of duty, assigning Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) as First Officer. Jellico later needs Riker's help to plant mines in the nebula where Cardassian ships are hiding. With the threat of the minefield, the Cardassians withdraw their fleet and release Picard. With its tense scenes and memorable characters, the "Chain of Command" two-parter remains one of Star Trek: The Next Generation and one of Captain Picard's best storylines.

Star Trek: The Next Generation is available to stream on Paramount+.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Cast Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden

Release Date September 28, 1987

Showrunner Jeri Taylor, Michael Piller, Rick Berman

Where To Watch Paramount+

Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard in "All Good Things..."

Writer Brannon Braga

Star trek: the next generation 's series finale at 30 (exclusive), "all good things..." co-writer brannon braga on how he and former writing partner ronald d. moore made tv history..

Thirty years ago today, Star Trek writers Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore found themselves shouldering the unique responsibility of simultaneously writing The Next Generation cast's first Trek movie while also scripting their last episode of television.

For others, the dual writing duties would likely feel (at best) overwhelming. But that wasn't the case for Braga.

"We didn't flinch," Braga tells the Television Academy in an exclusive interview celebrating the 30th anniversary of TNG 's series finale, "All Good Things...," which aired in syndication on May 23, 1994. "I can't speak for Ron, but I don't recall us ever saying, 'Should we be doing this?' We were deeply immersed in these characters. And I think there was something cool about doing a two-hour finale and the movie at the same time, because they were very different stories."

But both "All Good Things..." and what would go on to be the seventh Star Trek feature film, Generations , were similar in that they dealt with one of Trek 's most popular plot and thematic devices: time. Ironically, time was also foremost on the then–writing team's minds as they juggled both scripts — with roughly three weeks allotted to write the series finale. Moore and Braga were in the middle of rewriting a draft of Generations when they were tapped by the late TNG showrunner (and Braga's mentor) Michael Piller to script "All Good Things...." The riveting two-part episode features Captain Picard (Sir Patrick Stewart) moving back and forth across three different time periods — with the help of his omnipotent nemesis, Q (John de Lancie) — on a mission to save the galaxy from an anti-time anomaly. As Picard struggles to restore temporal order to the universe, he must interact with three different versions of his beloved Enterprise-D crew — past, present and future — in ways that remind the considerate and accomplished starship captain to better appreciate how vital the here and now is, even in the time travel–heavy world of Star Trek .

Whereas Generations would garner mixed reviews from both audiences and critics upon its release in November 1994, "All Good Things..." quickly became a fan-favorite and is regarded by many as one of the most creatively successful series finales in TV history.

"It proved ultimately to be what the movie should have been," Braga explains. "The movie had a lot of cooks in the kitchen. There were many studio mandates. It was conceived to be a 'passing of the baton.' On 'All Good Things...,' [Paramount] largely left us alone. We were left to do what we do, and I think you can feel the benefit of that in the final product."

In honor of the 30th anniversary of "All Good Things...," Braga takes us behind the scenes of the writing process, shares which pivotal scene he and Moore watched being filmed and why a fourth timeline featuring the Borg was ultimately cut from the story.

Television Academy: Traditionally, the showrunner writes the series finale, but not in TNG 's case. Do you recall when you and Ron were assigned the finale, and maybe what Michael's thinking was at the time with that assignment?

Brannon Braga: I don't know the exact timeline. But I do know that we received the movie assignment sometime in the seventh season of Next Gen . Because I remember we were pretty much in the throes of our 26-episode season and how excited we were. And that's a much longer development process, a movie. It's slower and bigger and more complicated. And, in the meantime, you're racing along with the TV show. I also remember not being too worried about [writing both the movie and the finale] because the TV schedule was such that the movie was a marathon, and the TV show was a sprint. And you just had to get the TV episodes written. So in some ways, I don't think we lost a step.

As for why we were chosen, I think [ TNG executive producer] Jeri Taylor was probably already working on Star Trek: Voyager . And Michael, I believe, was also developing Voyager , but he still had a hand in Deep Space Nine .

When during TNG 's run was it discussed that the seventh season would be its last, at the height of its ratings popularity?

Those conversations were happening really early. And the reason I remember that is because Michael Piller asked me to go [write on] Deep Space Nine at the end of season six of Next Gen . Piller wanted me to come over, and he really thought I would fit well with the concept. And I really liked Deep Space Nine . I love its concept, and I was really enchanted with the idea of working on that kind of Star Trek . But because he gave me the option, I declined. And the reason I gave him was, "I want to see Next Gen through to the end." And that's because I knew, at that point, that season seven was going to be the last season. But I didn't know about "All Good Things..." at that point. I didn't know that I would be working on the final episode. I just knew that I had to see Next Gen through, emotionally.

You and Ron seem to have taken the news rather well, of writing the last episode of Next Gen while in the middle of writing that cast's first movie.

I remember feeling excited. We didn't flinch. I can't speak for Ron, but I don't recall us ever saying, 'Should we be doing this?' We were deeply immersed in these characters. Ron had been writing the show for five seasons. I'd been writing it for four. That's nine seasons, collectively. And we were just in the middle of it. And I think there was something cool about doing a two-hour finale and the movie at the same time, because they were very different stories. For the finale, we were going to tell a movie-sized story with significant developments in the characters.

It's funny that "All Good Things..." was the easiest of the two. We wrote that much more quickly, I think we had three weeks on that script. It felt easier, because the movie had [input from] William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, the studio and [ TNG producer] Rick Berman. The movie had a lot of cooks in the kitchen. A lot of mandates. It was conceived as a "passing of the baton." It had to have [Captain] Kirk, it had to have the Klingons. And Leonard Nimoy, at one point, crossed paths [with directing Generations ].

What was the notes process like on the finale, or did the studio pretty much leave you alone?

[Paramount] largely left us alone. The studio wasn't giving us notes. We were left to do what we do, and I think one can feel the benefit of that in the final product. Rick gave us notes, I'm sure, but not many. And it was his suggestion for Picard's last line, in the poker scene, the "sky's the limit" line.

Speaking of that last scene, where Picard joins the crew's traditional poker game for the first time, I know that also was the last scene shot for the show. Were you able to go to set for that?

That was the one time Ron and I went to the set. We didn't go to the set often, because there was usually no time when you're doing 26 episodes. You're either writing or in the writers' room. But we went down for certain scenes. We went down to meet Stephen Hawking, who was in another poker scene [the season six episode "Descent, Part I"]. But for the finale's poker scene, we just wanted to be there, because we knew it was the final scene. It was the last scene to be shot. It was a strange mixture of emotions, because there were tears. Some people were very moved, because this was the end of seven years. The show was enormously popular at the time. It was taken off air at the height of its popularity, which was a smart move in some ways.

But despite the bittersweetness of it all, they were reconfiguring the sets for the movie. The movie started shooting in a week. There was a compartmentalization going on. The show was the show, and the movies were the movies. They were just different. But it was a very emotional moment. And I think that almost always comes across on-screen. I think you sense the authenticity of what the actors are going through in that scene. To me, that scene boils down to the subtlety of Patrick's performance. And I would credit Marina Sirtis [who plays the Enterprise 's empathic counselor Deanna Troi] with her delivery of the "You were always welcome" line to Patrick. It was very moving. Marina's a great actress, very instinctive.

The anomaly Picard and the Enterprise crew must stop concerns anti-time, which is a very clever concept and plot twist. How did you and Ron come up with that?

I distinctly remember sitting in Ron's office and coming up with the phrase "anti-time." That came out when we were writing; I think I was typing and Ron was pacing, which was usually the case. We hadn't really figured out all the particulars or what we sometimes called "technobabble," but in this case, I think it was conceptual. The conceit was coming up with the anti-matter equivalent of time. And it was just one of those things where you suddenly had something to hang your hat on, like, "If it's like anti-matter with time, I think I know how we can explain what's happening and why it's dangerous, because you don't want time and anti-time to collide, much like you don't want matter and anti-matter to come together, either.

In an early version of the story, instead of using Dr. Beverly Crusher's (Gates McFadden) medical ship, the Pasteur , the crew in the future timeline were going to take the mothballed Enterprise from a museum—  

Yes, and that was cut from an early draft. We really wanted to do it, too, but we ended up on Beverly's medical ship instead. But that's not what it was supposed to be. It was supposed to be stealing the Enterprise out of a museum, which I think Terry [Matalas, Braga's former writer's assistant] ended up doing a version of on [the final season of] Picard . By the way, if you think about it for a second, it's much better, because you've got the three Enterprise s working together. That's perfection. With all due respect to Beverly's medical ship, it would have been more emotionally satisfying if it were the Enterprise .

There was a fourth timeline involving the Borg that stemmed from the events of TNG 's third season finale, "The Best of Both Worlds, Part I." Do you recall any scene specifics?

I may be misremembering, but it may have had to do with an assimilated Earth.

I believe it was a timeline where the Borg had won. But I know we added it because we thought we needed additional stakes, that the time anomaly might be too abstract. And we were eager to bring the Borg back, because we hadn't really dipped our toe into the Borg, full throttle, like we did with "Best of Both Worlds." I don't remember specific scenes, unfortunately. But I do remember it didn't last long. It wasn't working. Michael didn't want it. It became pretty clear, pretty quickly, that three was the right number. But that was something Ron and I carried into the development and script for Star Trek: First Contact [the 1996 sequel to Generations ].

I am surprised you didn't ask me about the "people getting younger" subplot that Michael Piller wanted to do.

Whoa, I didn't even know that was a thing, and I've watched this episode a ton. Can I ask you about that now?

I'm going to tell you about it. So there was a subplot that took place in the present-day storyline, where we were going to have all these ships that came and gathered around the anomaly, because it turns out that the anomaly had some anti-aging effect. It was de-aging people, and ships were gathering from all over to soak in the rays of the anomaly.

So that explains, in part, where a pregnant nurse on the Enterprise becomes "un-pregnant" and loses her baby. And why Geordi LaForge's [the blind engineer played by LeVar Burton] eyes start acting up.

Right. Those are little remnants of the storyline that got cut. And I think the reason it got cut out was it didn't have to do anything with anything. Ron and I were resistant to it, because we didn't think it really serviced the main plot of the episode, the emotional story for the characters. And, of course, Michael Piller would end up taking those ideas and using them in [the 1998 feature film] Star Trek: Insurrection .

How was it when you first watched the final episode? Do you remember where you were?

I had seen early cuts of the episode, but the first time I saw it was at the premiere on the lot that Paramount did. And Michael wasn't generous with his compliments. So when he did compliment you, it really meant something. And I remember every one, because he was a real mentor to me. And I owe so much to him. And he complimented us at the after-party. He was happy. And it was his legacy, too.

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Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Ménage à troi (1990), majel barrett: lwaxana troi.

• Quotes (18)

Photos 

Quotes 

[Picard has rescued Lwaxana from DaiMon Tog] 

Lwaxana Troi : Thank you, Jean-Luc. You were most convincing. You certainly convinced me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : I am truly grateful, Mrs. Troi, that you risked your life to save my people. I'll have you home in a few hours.

Lwaxana Troi : Oh, no, no, no, no, that won't be necessary. I'd just love to hear more of your poetry.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : [disentangling himself from Lwaxana]  Uhh... Perhaps another time. Please.

[offers her his chair, then walks up to Wesley at the helm] 

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Mr. Crusher, set course for Betazed.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : [low voice]  Warp nine.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : [playing the role of Lwaxana's fanatic lover]  My love... is a fever, longing still, For that which longer nurseth the disease.

Lwaxana Troi : Tell me more.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes, For they in thee a thousand errors see; But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise, Who, in despite of view, are pleased to dote. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

Lwaxana Troi : Can you imagine that dreadful little creature talking to me like that? Doesn't he realize that I am the daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed? Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx?

Counselor Deanna Troi : The Sacred Chalice of Rixx is an old clay pot with mold growing inside it.

Lwaxana Troi : Oh, well, perhaps one day, when you're older and wiser, you'll understand.

Lwaxana Troi : I-I must admit, when you, uh, first approached me aboard the Enterprise, I was...

[clears her throat in disgust] 

Lwaxana Troi : ...intrigued.

DaiMon Tog : You mean revolted.

Lwaxana Troi : Perhaps a little.

Lwaxana Troi : [arguing with Deanna about getting married]  You had your chance with Commander Riker. Look how you ruined that.

Counselor Deanna Troi : I did not ruin anything! We've become very good friends.

Lwaxana Troi : Well, all the better; you certainly wouldn't wanna marry an enemy.

Lwaxana Troi : I have a new love, Jean-Luc. And you can't keep killing all my lovers. Now, that simply has to stop.

DaiMon Tog : [alarmed]  Killing?

Lwaxana Troi : Oh, he's insanely jealous.

Lwaxana Troi : Oh! I should have known. Even their transporters can't be trusted.

[after the Ferengi have beamed her and Deanna out of their clothes] 

Lwaxana Troi : Now, look, Demon Tog, or whatever you call yourself...

Lwaxana Troi : You've got to enjoy life, relax, like I do. Find yourself the right man. Think of your future. Hm - think of *my* future.

DaiMon Tog : Lwaxana Troi, I desire you.

Lwaxana Troi : What?

DaiMon Tog : You see, your Betazoid skills would be very useful to me, and I find you very attractive. I am willing to pay handsomely for you.

Lwaxana Troi : I don't believe this.

DaiMon Tog : You must be aware that every female has her price.

Lwaxana Troi : Let's get one thing straight, little man. I am not for sale. And if, by some chance, I were to become available, I would rather eat Orion wing-slugs than deal with a toad-faced TROLL like you! So go away and find yourself somebody else to become your property!

Lwaxana Troi : If Tog were a kitten, he'd be purring.

Counselor Deanna Troi : I'm sorry, and I didn't mean to get so upset with you at the reception.

Lwaxana Troi : Oh, no. Deanna, try to understand. You're all I have. My only concern is for your happiness.

Counselor Deanna Troi : I am happy. Why can't you believe that?

Lwaxana Troi : Oh, I wish I could, but how much happiness is there in always being there for someone else and never being there for yourself?

Lwaxana Troi : All right, in case I have to spell it out for you, I am talking about finding a husband, having a child. That's what made me happy. At least, until now.

Commander William T. Riker : DaiMon Tog, I thought the Krayton left orbit hours ago.

DaiMon Tog : It did. But when I tried to get the image of Lwaxana Troi out of mind, I could not succeed.

[gives Lwaxana flowers] 

Lwaxana Troi : [takes them and tosses them over her shoulder]  This is ludicrous. You mean, you came all the way back to Betazed for me?

Lwaxana Troi : Do you forgive me?

DaiMon Tog : Yes, but with your powers, we could be a formidable team.

[begins lowering her sleeve] 

Lwaxana Troi : [quickly grabs his hand feigning attraction]  My, you have great strength in your hands.

DaiMon Tog : And you like that?

Lwaxana Troi : [sighs]  I've always admired strong males.

DaiMon Tog : You are beautiful. It is impossible for me to resist you.

Lwaxana Troi : Then, uh...

[clears throat] 

Lwaxana Troi : ... don't.

[they awkwardly kiss; cuts to Deanna grimacing in disgust] 

Lwaxana Troi : My, my, what, uh, big ears you have

[starts rubbing his ears] 

Lwaxana Troi : . Has anyone ever told you how attractive they are?

[rolls eyes] 

DaiMon Tog : Some females think they are my best feature.

[she looks at him quizzically] 

DaiMon Tog : No one has ever given me oo-mox like this before.

Lwaxana Troi : Oo-mox?

DaiMon Tog : There's no translation, but the ear is one of our most erogenous zones.

[she becomes alarmed; he doesn't notice] 

Lwaxana Troi : [after she has been beamed from the Ferengi ship Krayton to the Enterprise and is sitting on Picard's knee]  You wonderfully jealous fool, you.

DaiMon Tog : Captain, I trust there will be no further action taken against us?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Such as my reporting this incident to your superiors who may question your competency as DaiMon? I will think about it. Screen off.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : I am truly grateful, Mrs. Troi, that you risked your life to save my people. I'll have you home within a few hours.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Perhaps another time.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : [Standing up]  Please. Mister Crusher, set course for Betazed.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Warp nine!

DaiMon Tog : Captain Picard, so good of you to meet us. We were on our way to Betazed to return our guests.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Of course you were, DaiMon. But you're still holding Lwaxana Troi.

Lwaxana Troi : When will you get it through your thick head that it's over between us, Jean-Luc?

Counselor Deanna Troi : [after having the transmission muted]  I think I know what she's doing. You have to fight to get her back, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : [Re-opening the transmission]  Er, er. It's not over between us, Lwaxana. You're mine and I will not let you go. I insist you return to my side immediately.

Lwaxana Troi : You mean, you still care?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : My love is a fever, longing still for that which longer nurseth the disease.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes, for they in thee a thousand errors see. But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise, who in despite of view are please'd to dote. Shall I compare the to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

DaiMon Tog : You didn't tell me that you and Captain Picard were...

Lwaxana Troi : You said you didn't want to hear about my other romances.

Lwaxana Troi : I have a new love, Jean-Luc. And you can't keep killing all my lovers. That simply has to stop.

DaiMon Tog : Killing?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Listen, Tog, I must possesses Lwaxana. And if that means destroying your ship in the process, so be it.

DaiMon Tog : Captain, I had no idea Lwaxana was...

Lwaxana Troi : Don't let him threaten you. You can defeat him.

Lwaxana Troi : [to Picard]  The only way you'll ever get me back is over Tog's dead body!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : That can be arranged. Mister Worf, arm phaser banks and photon torpedoes. If Lwaxana Troi is not in my arms in ten seconds, throw everything you've got at the Krayton.

DaiMon Tog : But you will destroy Lwaxana!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : When I have plucked the rose, I cannot give it vital growth again. It needs must wither. Nine, eight. 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Seven, six.

DaiMon Tog : No, wait.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Five, four.

DaiMon Tog : Beam her to their Bridge, now!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Two, one.

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Fire Walk With Boimler: Star Trek & Twin Peaks' Secret Connection

Star trek fleet command codes (june 2024), star trek confirms the most feared species in the galaxy & it'll blow your mind.

• Ray Wise portrayed Liko in TNG & Arturis in Voyager, showcasing his range in the Star Trek franchise.
• Wise's memorable role in Twin Peaks as Leland Palmer is just one example of his extensive acting career.
• Numerous actors from Twin Peaks, such as Carel Struycken and Michael J. Anderson, have also appeared in Star Trek episodes.

Twin Peaks actor Ray Wise portrayed two different characters in the Star Trek franchise. Wise's first Star Trek appearance came in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3, episode 4, "Who Watches the Watchers," in which he plays Liko, a member of a Vulcan-like species being observed by the United Federation of Planets. In Star Trek: Voyager season 4, episode 26, "Hope and Fear," Wise portrayed Arturis, a member of an unnamed species designated Species 116. Ray Wise is most known for his role in Twin Peaks and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me as Leland Palmer, the father of the ill-fated Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), whose murder becomes the central mystery of the series.

Prior to the genre-bending Twin Peaks , Wise appeared in episodes of Dallas, The A-Team, Knots Landing, and L.A. Law . Wise stayed busy after Twin Peaks ended, continuing to appear in various episodes of popular television shows, including Charmed, Dawson's Creek, The West Wing, 24, CSI, Law & Order: SVU, and Castle . Wise played Robin Sr. in six episodes of How I Met Your Mother , Ed Baxter in five episodes of Mad Men , and Marvin in 91 episodes of Fresh Off the Boat. Wise has also appeared in nearly 100 movies, including X-Men: First Class, Swamp Thing, Jeepers Creepers 2, God's Not Dead 2, and Chris Pine's Poolman.

Star Trek: Lower Decks just gave a subtle shout-out to David Lynch's cult classic, Twin Peaks. Does Boimler know who killed Laura Palmer?

Ray Wise Appeared In Star Trek: TNG & Voyager

In star trek: the next generation season 3, episode 4 - "who watches the watchers" & star trek: voyager season 4, episode 26, "hope and fear".

In Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Who Watches the Watchers," Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-D head to the planet Mintaka III to resupply the Federation outpost there. The Federation has been secretly monitoring the Mintakan people to see how their proto-Vulcan society progresses. When their holographic camouflage malfunctions, Ray Wise's Liko sees it and is injured when he tries to investigate. Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) then beams Liko to the Enterprise to treat his injuries. She attempts to erase his memories of the encounter, but the procedure is unsuccessful, leaving Liko with the belief that Captain Picard is a god.

In "Who Watches the Watchers," a scientist named Palmer goes missing, which results in multiple characters referencing his name as they search for him. Ray Wise's character on Twin Peaks is named Leland Palmer and "Who killed Laura Palmer?" became a tagline for the show.

Ray Wise's character in Star Trek: Voyager's "Hope and Fear," Arturis, visits the USS Voyager after helping Neelix (Ethan Phillips) acquire supplies. As his species can translate almost any language, Arturis helps decode an encrypted message that Voyager received from Starfleet. Former Borg drone Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) grows suspicious of Arturis and Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) later comes to share her suspicions. Arturis eventually reveals that his homeworld was recently assimilated by the Borg and he blames Voyager for interfering in the war between the Borg and Species 8472 . Thankfully, Commander Chakotay (Robert Beltran) and Voyager's crew are able to thwart Arturis's plan before he turns them over to the Borg.

Ray Wise Is One Of Many Twin Peaks Actors In Star Trek

Twin peaks returned with an 18-episode revival on showtime in 2017, with many of the main cast returning..

Ray Wise is certainly not the only actor from David Lynch's cult classic to pop up in Star Trek . Carel Struycken portrayed the imposing Giant on Twin Peaks , who sometimes appeared in the dreams of Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan). Struycken appeared in several episodes of Star Trek , as Mr. Homn, the mostly silent valet of Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett). Michael J. Anderson also played a mysterious figure who popped up in Cooper's dreams, a character known as The Man From Another Place. Anderson appeared in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Rumpelstiltskin.

Wendy Robie and Madchen Amick both had major roles in Twin Peaks , as Nadine Hurley and Shelly Johnson, respectively, but only played minor roles in Star Trek . Robie played a Cardassian scientist on DS9, while Amick appeared as an incarnation of a shapeshifter on TNG . In Twin Peaks, Richard Beymer played Benjamin Horne, and he appeared in three episodes of DS9 as Bajoran resistance leader Li Nalas. David Warner has three Star Trek roles, including Klingon Chancellor Gorkon in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and Cardassian Gul Madred in TNG's "Chain of Command" two-parter. In Twin Peaks , Warner plays the menacing Thomas Eckhardt. There are many more connections between Twin Peaks and Star Trek , and both series have come to have passionate and devoted fan bases.

Twin Peaks and every live-action Star Trek show are available to stream on Paramount+.

• The Inventory

Star Trek 's New Starfleet Academy Show Is Set In the Far Future to Give Its Heroes Hope

Starfleet academy will not take place in trek 's "contemporary" late-24th-century era, but discovery 's 32nd century–and for very good reason..

The series that started Star Trek ’s streaming era came to an end this week , but as ever with the franchise’s current moment , all eyes are already on what’s next. But Starfleet Academy , the next new Trek show , won’t actually be making that much of a temporal jump from Discovery , staying in the 32nd century setting that show established midway through its run.

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This makes sense for a lot of reasons— Star Trek already has a bunch of current and recently concluded series all operating in the familiar couple of decades established by TNG , DS9 , and Voyager , around the last couple of decades of the 24th century, and the early years of the 25th. Strange New Worlds is already playing in the franchise’s other popular era, the mid 23rd century, the time of the original Star Trek , so it makes sense now that Discovery is over that there’s going to be a new show that plays about in the time period it’s leaving behind. There’s also the fact that Discovery ’s ending leaves a ton of potential on the table for the 32nd century setting to be explored, as the de facto furthest frontier Star Trek has explored so far—so why not keep exploring it with new material?

But Star Trek architect Alex Kurtzman actually has a third, just as good reason—one personal but one also important to Star Trek ’s core ideals. “As the father of a 17-year-old boy, I see what my son is feeling as he looks at the world and to his future. I see the uncertainty; I see all the things we took for granted as given are not certainties for him,” Kurtzman recently told the L.A. Times , explaining why Academy will continue on where Discovery left off chronologically speaking. “I see him recognizing he’s inheriting an enormous mess to clean up and it’s going to be on his generation to figure out how to do that, and that’s a lot to ask of a kid. My thinking was, if we set Starfleet Academy in the halcyon days of the Federation where everything was fine, it’s not going to speak to what kids are going through right now. It’ll be a nice fantasy, but it’s not really going to be authentic.”

“What’ll be authentic is to set it in the timeline where this is the first class back after over 100 years, and they are coming into a world that is only beginning to recover from a cataclysm—which was the Burn, as established on Star Trek: Discovery , where the Federation was greatly diminished,” Kurtzman continued. “So they’re the first who’ll inherit, who’ll re-inherit, the task of exploration as a primary goal, because there just wasn’t room for that during the Burn—everybody was playing defense.”

And... yeah, that’s actually a really good idea! If Starfleet Academy was set during the period of Star Trek that is, currently, where the bulk of its material is set—that hey day of the late 24th century—there is paradoxically an idea that the wider universe is in an incredibly secure place in terms of where the Federation and Starfleet are at, and where their primary goals remain optimistically exploratory, and both that it’s on the precipice of absolute disaster. That time period is eventually rocked by the outbreak of the Dominion War , a war that ultimately not just sees Academy students pressed into conflict unlike anything seen in centuries, but also sees the Academy itself attacked and heavily damaged when Earth is assaulted by the Breen —the trauma of which we’ve already seen teased and played out in characters like Beckett Mariner on Lower Decks , who was a young student at the Academy in that time.

It’s a very familiar era to audiences, yes, but if you want to make a show about the a new generation of explorers being trained to go out and boldly go, it’s one fraught with trying to have navigate that either there is this horrifying event perpetually on the horizon, or that horrifying event has happened, and already fundamentally altered the lives and headspaces of these young characters. “The Burn” from Discovery that Kurtzman mentions as a backdrop to Academy —an explosive event that rendered the vast majority of warp travel all-but-impossible for over a century, radically altering the state of interstellar politics, trade, and communication—is a similarly world-changing event for its young characters to have faced, but it’s not necessarily as brutally cataclysmic as something like the Dominion War was. It’s a point of diminishment for Starfleet, but not its near-destruction, and using that as a jumping off point for Starfleet Academy gives its incoming class of future Star Trek heroes a rare chance to look to their futures with hope you wouldn’t otherwise get treading familiar temporal ground.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV , and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power .