All of Counselor Troi's Romantic Relationships in Star Trek: The Next Generation

Article Overview

Deanna Troi had multiple romantic partners throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation, but her best love story was with Commander Riker.

Troi's proficiency in emotions sensing not only made her a valuable ship's counselor but also assisted Captain Picard during his interactions with unfamiliar extraterrestrial races. Throughout all seven seasons of TNG, Troi and Riker's intermittent romantic relationship endured and persisted in the films until they eventually married, remaining significant characters in Star Trek: Picard.

Commander William Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, was always known as Imzadi to Counselor Deanna Troi, portrayed by Marina Sirtis. However, Troi had her fair share of other romantic relationships during her time on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Despite being an underrated character, Troi became the heart of the show throughout its seven seasons. As a half-Betazoid and half-human, she possessed the ability to sense the emotions of those around her. This not only assisted her in fulfilling her duties as the USS Enterprise-D's counselor but also aided Captain Jean-Luc Picard, played by Patrick Stewart, in his encounters with new alien species.

Although Troi's most significant love story unfolded with Commander Riker, their on-again-off-again romance spanned the entire duration of TNG and continued into the subsequent four films. Despite the show's refusal to permanently unite them, both Troi and Riker engaged in various romantic relationships. While Troi didn't always receive the most captivating storylines, her presence on the show was always appreciated. After a brief appearance in Star Trek: Picard season 1, Troi returned in a more substantial role in season 3, where she finally had the chance to save the day.

8. Robert Knepper as Wyatt Miller

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 1, Episode 11 ("Haven")

Deanna Troi experiences her first romantic encounter on TNG during the show's initial season, when Wyatt, a man whom Deanna was betrothed to as a child, reenters her life. Despite their attempts to make the arranged relationship work, both Deanna and Wyatt find it challenging to invest their emotions fully. Prior to meeting Deanna, Wyatt had been envisioning an unfamiliar woman, and when this mysterious lady appears on a neighboring spacecraft, Wyatt chooses to abandon his current life to be with her. Troi, on her part, gives him her approval, as she still holds affection for her former love, William Riker.

"Haven" also introduces Deanna's mother, Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett), who goes on to appear in several more episodes of TNG and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

7. Howie Seago as Riva

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 2, Episode 5 ("Loud as a Whisper")

When the Enterprise is graced with the presence of Riva, a celebrated ambassador and skilled negotiator, a tender and blossoming romance unfolds between him and Troi. Fascinated by Troi's telepathic abilities and captivated by her physical beauty, Riva, who is deaf, finds himself enchanted. Tragically, Riva's interpreters perish during the negotiations, leaving him in a predicament as he struggles to find alternative means of communication. With her unwavering support and guidance, Troi assists Riva in navigating his newfound challenges and devising an alternate way to continue the negotiations. While Riva's affection for Deanna is evident, her true sentiments toward him remain somewhat veiled, although she undeniably relishes their time spent together.

6. Matt McCoy as Devinoni Ral

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3, Episode 8 ("The Price")

When a stable wormhole is discovered, various parties, including the Federation, compete for the rights to manage it. Devinoni Ral, a negotiator from one of the opposing groups, captures Troi's interest. Their relationship quickly becomes serious, but Troi becomes uneasy upon learning that Ral, an empath, has been manipulating the emotions of the other bidders. Eventually, Troi exposes Ral's secret manipulation, bringing an end to their passionate romance. Ral's untrustworthy and unlikable nature makes Troi's loss of him insignificant as he departs the Enterprise.

Two Ferengi individuals compete to control the wormhole and decide to explore its destination. Unexpectedly, the wormhole closes, leaving the Ferengi stranded in the Delta Quadrant. The Star Trek: Voyager season 3 episode "False Profits" reveals their eventual outcome.

5. John Snyder as Aaron Conor

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 5, Episode 13 ("The Masterpiece Society")

Aaron Conor, the head of a genetically modified colony, maintains strict isolation to safeguard their supposedly flawless society. However, when their haven faces peril from a fragment of a stellar core, the Enterprise intervenes to protect the planet. As Troi collaborates with Conor to persuade the population to evacuate, an unexpected bond forms between them. The arrival of Troi and the Enterprise crew members ushers in transformation for the secluded civilization. While some residents choose to depart on the Enterprise, Conor remains behind to reconstruct his "faultless" society.

4. Chip Lucia as Ves Alkar

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6, Episode 3 ("Man of the People")

Deanna finds herself entangled in a troubling romance with Ambassador Ves Alkar, which proves to be her most problematic relationship. Little does she know, Alkar deceives her about his companion and manipulates her into participating in a ritual. This ritual establishes a connection between them, allowing Alkar to transfer all his negative emotions onto Troi. As a result, Troi's behavior becomes unpredictable, and she rapidly ages. Fortunately, Dr. Beverly Crusher, portrayed by Gates McFadden, manages to save Troi's life. Alkar meets his demise as he becomes overwhelmed by the flood of negative emotions he had channeled through others. Regrettably, the episode "Man of the People" lacks compassion towards Troi, depriving her of personal agency and control over her own emotions.

3. Jonathan Frakes as Thomas Riker

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6, Episode 24 ("Second Chances")

During their visit to the planet Nervala IV, the Enterprise crew comes across an unexpected encounter: an exact replica of Commander Riker. This duplicate, who now goes by the name Thomas, is the result of a transporter malfunction that occurred eight years earlier. For the past eight years, Thomas has led a solitary life on the planet, which has shaped his experiences differently from those of Will Riker. Interestingly, Thomas's presence invokes memories of the younger Riker that Troi had once fallen in love with, and he still harbors feelings for her. Although the two briefly rekindle their romance, their relationship takes a turn when Thomas departs for a mission on another starship, leading Troi to make the decision to remain on the Enterprise.

2. Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 7

In the seventh season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, specifically in episode 11 titled "Parallels," Lt. Worf finds himself journeying across various parallel universes. In one of these alternate realities, Worf and Deanna Troi are actually married and share the joy of raising their two young children. This unexpected encounter prompts Worf to ponder the idea of pursuing a romantic relationship with Deanna, something he had not previously contemplated. Following the events of "Parallels," Worf takes steps to actively pursue Troi in his own universe, eventually leading to the blossoming of a romantic connection between the two characters. Although this development was met with mixed reactions from fans, it was undeniably heartwarming to witness the happiness of these beloved characters, particularly witnessing the tender, motherly bond that formed between Troi and Worf's son, Alexander (played by Brian Bonsall).

1. Jonathan Frakes as William T. Riker

Star Trek: The Next Generation through Star Trek: Picard

Will Riker had always been destined to be Deanna's true love. Their relationship had begun even before the start of TNG, and throughout its seven seasons, they constantly danced around each other, affectionately calling each other "Imzadi." Despite dating other people during that time, Riker and Troi could never fully move on from each other. Initially, Riker's ambition to climb the ranks in Starfleet led him to prioritize his career over love. Eventually, he realized that he could have both. In Star Trek: Insurrection, Deanna and Will rekindled their on-and-off romance before finally getting married in Star Trek: Nemesis. Troi joined Riker when he became the Captain of the USS Titan.

Even years after the events of the Star Trek: The Next Generation movies, Riker and Troi remained together in Star Trek: Picard. Despite the tragic loss of their son, Thad, and some challenges in their marriage, their love for each other remained strong. When Riker faced near-death on a Borg Cube, his final thoughts were of Deanna. In a remarkable twist, these thoughts reached her, and she skillfully guided the USS Enterprise-D to his location in the nick of time. By the end of Picard season 3, Riker and Troi, who now have a daughter named Kestra, set off on a well-deserved vacation, ready to face whatever the future of Star Trek may bring, side by side.

Editor's P/S

Counselor Deanna Troi, an iconic character in Star Trek: The Next Generation, had several romantic relationships throughout the series. While her most notable and enduring love story was with Commander William Riker, Troi's other romantic encounters added depth and complexity to her character.

One of Troi's most intriguing romantic interests was Riva, a skilled diplomat and negotiator who was deaf. Their relationship was both tender and tragic, as Riva's interpreters perished during negotiations, leaving him struggling to communicate. Troi's unwavering support and guidance helped Riva navigate his new challenges, and their connection was palpable. Although Troi's true feelings for Riva remained somewhat ambiguous, their time together was undoubtedly special.