Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 6, Episode 3
Original Air Date: October 5, 1992
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| via Memory Alpha |
The Enterprise escorts Ambassador Ves Alkar and his entourage to peace talks. Alkar takes a shine to Counselor Troi - don't they all? Unfortunately, the guy turns out to be rather monstrous, using his telepathic powers to dump his negative emotions into others so he can carry on his peacekeeping endeavors unimpeded. When his accompanying "mother" dies, he chooses Troi as his new vessel. The story is based on The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
Man, how many of these episodes involve Deanna Troi being violated in one way or another? I don't mean to imply that such stories aren't relevant because they certainly are. And given that the writers were not able to address rape directly, metaphors were the only way to go. But when Deanna as Victim and Deanna as Mislead Love Interest are the narrative defaults for the character, opportunities for her to grow beyond them are limited. Who is she when she's allowed simply to be herself, no men involved whatsoever?
The limited dimensions of the female characters are a frequent and warranted criticism of The Next Generation. In fact, both Deep Space Nine and Voyager developed as they did largely in response to such criticisms. Here in NextGen's penultimate season, both Troi and Crusher have grown considerably since season one. And Guinan may be the least confined character in the whole series. But there's still clearly work to do.
"Man of the People" was, admittedly, thrown together hastily when "Relics," the upcoming Scotty episode, had to be put on hold due to James Doohan's schedule.
Acting Notes
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| via Memory Alpha |
Charles "Chip" Lucia (Alkar) was born January 3, 1946 in the United States. Film credits include Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, The Last Chapter, Tank Girl and an episode of The District. "Man of the People" is his first of three Trek appearances as three different characters in three different series. Now retired from acting, he lives in Youngsville, Pennsylvania.
This is quite the episode showing Troi as victim but also as dangerous femme Fatale. I actually like this episode but, I must admit, I always laugh when Troi goes vack to normal andvher hair is beautifully coiffed behind her.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine this wasn't a fun episode for the actress and the costumes were certainly flattering. It would simply be nice if it didn't take the possession of a man to give her some range.
DeleteAnd yes, she has amazing hair.