Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) might not have formally gotten collectively on Star Trek: The Subsequent Era, however these episodes proved they have been all the time meant to be. When TNG started, Commander Will Riker had simply grow to be First Officer of the newly-launched USS Enterprise-D beneath the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). Troi held the place of ship’s counselor, whereas additionally serving as an advisor for Captain Picard.
Troi and Riker have been impressed by Lieutenant Ilia (Persis Khambatta) and Captain Will Decker (Stephen Collins), who have been initially going to be characters in Star Trek: Section II. After this challenge fell via, Ilia and Decker appeared in Star Trek: The Movement Image, however TNG used their characters’ authentic story as a template for Troi and Riker. As a half-Betazoid, Deanna might sense the feelings of these round her, however she had a particular reference to Will. Riker was a Starfleet officer via and thru, and he selected to deal with his profession fairly than proceed his romance with Troi.
Though Riker and Troi remained platonic throughout their seven years on Star Trek: The Subsequent Era, the flame between the 2 “Imzadi” wasn’t extinguished, as these episodes attest.
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“Encounter At Farpoint”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2
In its collection premiere, Star Trek: The Subsequent Era made it clear that Riker and Troi have a historical past, and their first assembly aboard the USS Enterprise-D is stuffed with rigidity. Troi even speaks to Riker telepathically, asking him if he remembers what she taught him. Whereas this suggests that Will might additionally communicate to Deanna telepathically, he appears to have misplaced the talent over time. This means isn’t referenced once more.
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Troi additionally refers to Riker as her Imzadi, a Betazoid phrase which means “beloved” that may be platonic or romantic. Riker and Troi refer to 1 one other as Imzadi all through TNG, even when they don’t seem to be concerned romantically. Of their first assembly onscreen, Troi and Riker can not maintain their eyes off of each other, making it clear that there are nonetheless unresolved emotions between the pair.
6
“The Bare Now”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 1, Episode 3
When the crew members aboard the Enterprise are contaminated by a unusual virus in “The Bare Now,” they start behaving as if they’re intoxicated. Counselor Troi quickly turns into overwhelmed by the surging feelings of everybody on the ship. Trying to find an outlet for her emotions, Deanna seeks out Commander Riker in engineering and states her need to be alone with him. Riker clearly wishes Deanna as nicely, however he is aware of that she is just not behaving like herself.
Riker places apart his personal need to handle his Imzadi.
Realizing that the virus has contaminated Troi, Riker picks her up and carries her to sickbay. It is an extremely candy scene that exhibits how a lot Riker really cares for Deanna. He respects her far an excessive amount of to make the most of her intoxicated state, and he is extra nervous about her well being than the rest. This scene makes Riker much more enticing, as he places apart his personal need to handle his Imzadi.
5
“Haven”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 1, Episode 11
In “Haven,” Deanna’s mom, Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett), comes aboard the Enterprise with the information that it is time for Deanna’s beforehand organized marriage to happen. Deanna was promised to marry a human named Wyatt Miller (Robert Knepper) when she was younger, and his dad and mom determined to implement the match. As Deanna and Wyatt attempt to get to know each other, Riker struggles to just accept the state of affairs.
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Riker clearly doesn’t need Deanna to marry Wyatt and depart the Enterprise, however he’ll respect no matter she chooses to do. When Troi finds Riker brooding on the holodeck, she reminds him that Imzadi can even consult with platonic love, however he struggles with that idea, too. Finally, Riker merely needs Deanna to be completely happy, and if which means marrying Wyatt, he will not stand in her manner. And if that is not real love, then I do not know what’s.
4
“The Value”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 3, Episode 8
In Star Trek: The Subsequent Era‘s “The Value,” a negotiator named Devinoni Ral (Matt McCoy) comes aboard the Enterprise to assist the Ferengi negotiate for management of a supposedly secure wormhole. Quickly after Ral arrives on the Enterprise, he falls right into a passionate romance with Deanna Troi. Commander Riker steps in to barter on behalf of the Federation, and as he discusses the state of affairs with Ral, Ral remarks that each males love Troi.
Each Troi and Riker had quite a few different romances all through TNG, however they typically consulted each other when issues acquired severe with another person. Riker even blessed Troi’s questionable romance with Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn).
Ral then factors out that Riker misplaced Troi and now Ral goes to “take her.” Riker will get the final phrase by saying: “In the event you can convey happiness into Deanna’s life, nothing would please me extra. […] Deanna is simply the girl to convey some which means to your sorry existence.” Ultimately, it is obvious Ral and Troi will not be an excellent match, and it would not assist that Ral comes throughout as sleazy, particularly compared to Riker.
3
“Ménage à Troi”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 3, Episode 24
When Lwaxana Troi comes aboard the Enterprise in “Ménage à Troi,” she insists on meddling in her daughter’s life. Troi and Riker attempt to get away for some time by taking shore depart on Betazed, planning a romantic picnic and even sharing a kiss. This implies they could have been concerned all through their time on TNG even after they weren’t formally a pair. Quickly after, Lwaxana interrupts Troi and Riker’s date, the three of them are kidnapped by Ferengi.
Riker and Troi’s date scene illustrates the apparent love and chemistry that also exists between the pair.
Riker manages to ship a sign to the Enterprise, as he fights to save lots of Lwaxana. After the Enterprise rescues Troi and Riker, Captain Picard hilariously pretends to be head over heels in love with Lwaxana to safe her secure return. In some ways, Riker and Troi act like a pair all through the episode, and their date scene illustrates the apparent love and chemistry that also exists between the pair.
2
“Man of the Folks”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 6, Episode 3
When the Enterprise rescues Lumerian ambassador Ramid Ves Alkar (Chip Lucia) from a Federation transport ship, he chooses Deanna Troi as a “receptacle” into whom he can channel all of his unfavorable feelings. This causes Deanna to behave surprisingly, main her to attempt to seduce a number of members of the Enterprise crew, together with Commander Riker. As in “The Bare Now,” Riker instantly is aware of that one thing is mistaken with Deanna, and his solely concern is for her security.
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Alkar exhibits no regret for his actions, leaving Captain Picard and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) to discover a strategy to save Deanna. They’re ultimately profitable with an answer that additionally leads to Alkar’s loss of life. Riker exhibits real concern for Deanna all through the episode, and at one level says that he is “nearer to Deanna than [he’s] ever been to anybody.” Deanna typically deserved higher on TNG, however her relationship with Riker was one in every of her strongest storylines.
1
“Second Probabilities”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 6, Episode 24
When the Enterprise revisits Nervala IV, a planet Riker had visited as a lieutenant, they discover an actual duplicate of Riker created after a transporter accident. As this Riker has been surviving alone on the planet for the final eight years, he’s not the identical man as Commander Riker. The lieutenant chooses to go by the identify Thomas, and he clearly nonetheless has emotions for Deanna. Deanna involves see it as a second likelihood for her and Riker, main them to rekindle their romance.
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era’s Troi and Riker have been all the time meant to be collectively.
Deanna has a dialog with Will during which he urges her to watch out, as he would not wish to see her get harm once more. The occasions of “Second Probabilities” show that Riker and Troi would seemingly nonetheless be collectively if Riker hadn’t chosen to prioritize his profession. Finally, Deanna can not shake her connection to Commander Riker, however her straightforward romance with Thomas proves that Star Trek: The Subsequent Era’s Troi and Riker have been all the time meant to be collectively.
9/10
- Launch Date
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1987 – 1993
- Community
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Syndication
- Showrunner
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Gene Roddenberry
