star trek deanna

'Star Trek: Picard' Season 3: How Deanna Troi's Betazoid Powers Have Evolved, According to Terry Matalas

Marina Sirtis' Deanna Troi returns in Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Episode 8, and she may be the key to the whole story.

Editors Note: This article contains spoilers for Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Episode 8, "Surrender."

This week's episode of Star Trek: Picard finally saw the full return of Deanna Troi ( Marina Sirtis ) at the height of her power. We caught up with Troi and her husband Will Riker ( Jonathan Frakes ) in a holding cell aboard the Shrike where they worked through some of the shared trauma of losing their son. In the back half of the episode, when Deanna and Will return to the Titan, Deanna is almost knocked off her feet as her Betazoid senses are overcome with an overwhelming darkness clinging to the young Jack Crusher ( Ed Speleers ) . In the big Ready Room reunion scene, she explains that the darkness isn't necessarily coming from Jack, but rather that it has a hold on him. Finally, the episode sees Deanna sit down with Jack for a counseling session. Jack's been avoiding opening that red door all season, and "Surrender" leaves us with bated breath as Deanna decides to go through it with him.

Recently, Collider's own Maggie Lovitt sat down with Picard Season 3 showrunner Terry Matalas to discuss this pivotal episode and break down all the behind-the-scenes details. During their conversation, Lovitt asked Matalas if Deanna's Betazoid powers—which grant her empathic abilities that extend beyond the ship—had grown stronger in the years since we'd last seen her use them back in Star Trek: Nemesis . Matalas said that they asked themselves that question while writing the season. While it could be argued that The Next Generation often downplayed her skills, Deanna is an accomplished empath, and the series did establish that she has the ability to communicate telepathically with other species that share the same abilities. In Nemesis , Deanna is able to see through the eyes of another telepath, using her skills to reveal their cloaked ship. In the last two episodes of Picard, it's been revealed that Jack can use telepathy in a similar manner, having used it to save Sidney La Forge ( Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut ) from the Changelings in Episode 7 , and in an attempt to take back the bridge this week.

At the end of Episode 8, Deanna joins Jack inside his mind—something we've only seen her do with her mother in the Next Gen episode "Dark Page," from Season 7—and she's able to open the door that has haunted his nightmares all season. Matalas explained that they'd known that Deanna would be the key to this mystery from the jump. He told Lovitt:

"We always knew at the beginning of the season that Deanna Troi was going to be the one who unlocks that door. She's going to be the one that puts it all together. We only had Marina for a limited amount of time. We knew that we would have her for, essentially, the last four episodes, and we developed the story to make that happen."

RELATED: 'Star Trek: Picard' Season 3: Jonathan Frakes on Directing Episode 3's Pivotal Picard/Beverly Scene

Deanna Troi Unlocks Star Trek: Picard Season 3's Biggest Mystery

In terms of how they crafted the final moments of this episode, Matalas knew that they wanted to be able to show this scene visually, rather than showing Deanna and Jack simply having a conversation. "We wanted to put her in the space of that unlocking," said Matalas. "So it feels like you want to do that visually and not strictly through talking through it. Although, she is sitting across from Jack, but she is visualizing much more than she does." After 20 years, and given Jack's own telepathic abilities, it makes sense that Deanna would be able to put herself in his mind so that she can see what he does.

New episodes of Star Trek: Picard are available on Thursdays on Paramount+. Don't miss Lovitt's full conversation with Matalas on Episode 8, and while we wait to see what's behind that red door, you can check out our recent interview with Speleers down below.

Why Deanna Troi Wore a Starfleet Uniform in TNG's Final Seasons

On Star Trek: The Next Generation, Counselor Deanna Troi started wearing a regulation Starfleet uniform in later seasons and it changed the character.

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Deanna troi's starfleet uniform, explained, how marina sirtis felt about deanna troi's new uniform, deanna troi almost wore a different starfleet uniform.

• On Star Trek: The Next Generation , Counselor Deanna Troi wore different uniforms than the rest of the USS Enterprise crew.
• In the pilot episode, Deanna Troi was seen the Starfleet skant, which actor Marina Sirits called "the cosmic cheerleader" outfit.
• However, near the end of Star Trek: TNG Deanna Troi starts to wear a Starfleet uniform and she has a good reason to do so

One of the most underappreciated characters on Star Trek: The Next Generation was the newest addition to the Enterprise's bridge crew. Recognizing the importance of mental health, a counselor was added to the cast of Starfleet officers. Yet, Deanna Troi rarely wore a Starfleet uniform until the final seasons of The Next Generation , and the reason is surprising. Interestingly, despite spawning three sequel series, no other Star Trek series of the era included a ship's counselor, making Troi unique.

The real-world reason for Deanna Troi's penchant for civilian attire was not as high-minded as Star Trek is supposed to be. Given the full-body costumes, there was little in the way of showing skin among the cast. Skimpy outfits for series regulars and guest stars were very common for Star Trek: The Original Series . However, the late 1980s and 1990s were different times. The new costumes provided a way for producers to add some "sexy" to the bridge, and it came via the low-cut, skin-tight outfits actor Marina Sirtis was forced to wear. The in-universe rationale, however, makes sense. The USS Enterprise-D was a ship with a crew complement of more than a thousand people, as well as civilians and children. The Starfleet uniform is a symbol of authority, so Troi wore civilian clothes, without rank, to make people feel more comfortable . Yet, it's that symbol of authority that inspired her to later wear only Starfleet uniforms while on duty in The Next Generation Seasons 6 and 7.

Updated by Joshua M. Patton on March 3, 2024: This article has been updated to expand upon the characterization of Deanna Troi and comport to CBR's current formatting standards.

Why Star Trek: The Original Series Was Canceled and Brought Back

In the series pilot episode, Deanna Troi wears the "skant," a mini-skirt uniform worn by both men and women. "I was dressed as the cosmic cheerleader...[i]magine a potato with matchsticks sticking out of it," Sirtis says The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years: From The Next Generation to J. J. Abrams: The Complete, Uncensored, and Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman. After that episode, however, she sticks to civilian clothes, though the actor didn't find these outfits any more flattering. It wasn't until the two-part episode "Chain of Command" in Season 6, that she finally got her Starfleet uniform.

In the episode, Ronny Cox guest starred as the infamous Captain Jellico, given command of the Enterprise while Captain Picard went off on a secret mission. Jellico's brusque style contrasted in many ways with Picard's, causing serious friction with First Officer Will Riker . As Counselor Troi tries to explain to Jellico why the crew is resisting his many commands, he tells her to start wearing her uniform . He appreciated "formality on the bridge." After this episode, Troi is rarely seen out of uniform. While some might suggest it was Jellico's influence, Troi started this particular journey a season earlier. The Season 5 episode "Disaster" involved a massive power outage on the Enterprise. Troi is the senior officer on the bridge and has to take command. Despite problems with how the character was written, "Disaster" is a great episode for Troi. She's uncertain in her role, and the officers under her command challenge her decisions. A member of the empathic Betazoid species, Troi uses her emotions in command, going with the orders that "feel" right. During "Conundrum," a later Season 5 episode where everyone loses their memories, she's the only one who notices something is wrong.

A Season 7 episode of The Next Generation , "To Thine Ownself," potentially explains why Troi stayed in uniform. She mentions her brief time in command as both a frightening and exciting challenge. So, she decides to go up for promotion to full Commander. While she never mentions the Starfleet uniform, if Deanna Troi wanted to lead, she needed the authority a uniform provided . She still wore civilian clothes while off-duty, but once in uniform, the ship's counselor became a more involved member of the crew. This continued into the movies, where she donned the new grey and black uniform introduced in Star Trek: First Contact . However, in Star Trek: Picard Troi sticks to civilian clothing until she gets one of the leather Starfleet field jackets the rest of the crew wear.

Synthehol: Star Trek's Sci-Fi Take on Alcohol, Explained

The creation of Deanna Troi is one of the Star Trek: Phase II ideas in The Next Generation , recycled by Gene Roddenberry. The character of Ilia, a Deltan, was used in The Motion Picture , and Troi was her replacement. The Betazoid abilities were supposed to be more than mere empathy, specifically manifesting in an increased libido. The character was even supposed to have three breasts, though writer Dorothy "D.C." Fontana talked Roddenberry out of that. While it seems sexist now, it's equally possible it was a misguided attempt to challenge the moral conventions of the time about women and sex. Just as skants provided an updated version of The Original Series ' miniskirt but subverted expectations being worn by both men and women.

Still, as far as Sirtis was concerned, Deanna Troi's characterization improved once she donned a Starfleet uniform . "I was thrilled when I got my regulation Starfleet uniform," she told the BBC in 2001 , "consequently, I got all my brains back because when you have a cleavage, you can't have brains in Hollywood." Once she was in uniform, Troi would go on away missions, use phasers, and generally take part in more action-oriented scenes than she did before. Even still, Sirtis may be selling the early seasons of Troi a little short. While not always written strongly, her character has always been a vital part of the crew in the eyes of both fans and her castmates.

Whether in uniform or more revealing civilian clothes, Deanna Troi is a remarkable character. She is the most compassionate and caring character on the show, save perhaps for Whoopi Goldberg's Guinan. She carved out a place for herself among leaders, warriors, and scientists with her depth of concern for people. At its core, that is what Star Trek is supposed to be about. However, the change had an effect on Sirtis, and her performance as Troi only got stronger once she started looking like a true member of Starfleet .

Star Trek's Patrick Stewart Recalls Lashing Out at Next Generation Co-Stars

While Marina Sirtis appreciated wearing what the cast calls "the spacesuit" more than civilian attire, she almost wore a uniform of a different color. When Star Trek: The Next Generation was still in the casting process, Sirtis auditioned for the role of security officer Tasha Yar. Meanwhile, model and actor Denise Crosby read for Troi. It was series creator Gene Roddenberry who made the call for the two actors to switch roles. According to The Fifty-Year Mission, an oral history of Star Trek , producers "selected [Denise Crosby and Marina Sirtis] for the opposite roles, and Gene said, 'I want Crosby to play Tasha and Marina to play Troi.'" Crosby was ultimately killed off near the end of the first season because, as Crosby reveals in the same book, she felt her character was being under-utilized, but she was forced to stand on the bridge for long hours on shooting days. Crosby would return for two episodes later in the run, however.

Troi's character went through many changes during the development process , but she was always meant to be the counselor. Some writers, like Brannon Braga, felt the character didn't make sense, especially given the "Roddenberry Box," a set of rules declaring Starfleet officers don't have petty disagreements, fights, or jealousy. Despite writing some of the best Star Trek episodes across the franchise, a counselor was very necessary. The ship is often in dangerous and traumatic situations, so it makes sense the crew and civilians aboard the vessel would need someone to talk to. Consulting producer David A. Goodman credited the show and character "for making therapy palatable for a whole new generation," in The Fifty-Year Mission . In fact, her seat on the bridge was meant to reinforce her importance as a member of the Bridge crew.

No matter what uniform she's wearing, a Starfleet spacesuit or the goofy grey and pink workout outfit, Deanna Troi is an iconic Star Trek hero. The decision to allow Troi to wear a proper uniform and take on more command responsibility was, arguably, long overdue by Season 6. Yet, even when the writers struggled to live up to Troi's potential, she was supposed to be as intelligent as Spock, after all, Sirtis was able to elevate the material through her performance.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Set almost 100 years after Captain Kirk's 5-year mission, a new generation of Starfleet officers sets off in the U.S.S. Enterprise-D on its own mission to go where no one has gone before.

Marina Sirtis

IMDbPro Starmeter Top 5,000 524

• Contact info
• 6 wins & 7 nominations

• Counselor Deanna Troi
• 1987–1994 • 176 eps

• Post-production

• Athena Atlas

• Deanna Troi

• Monica Atlas

• Karen (voice)

• Helen Andinos

• Cmdr. Deanna Troi (voice)

• Award Show Presenter

• H.A.V.E.N. (voice)

• Gail Finney

• Andrei's Mother

• Sandra Stanyon
• Mrs. Wheeler (voice) ...

• Marie Granger

• Cosma (voice)

• associate producer

• performer: "cha wo'rIv toHgaHnaH lo pIre'toq" (uncredited)

Personal details

• Official Site
• Marina Certis
• 5′ 3″ (1.60 m)
• March 29 , 1955
• London, England, UK
• Michael Lamper June 21, 1992 - December 8, 2019 (his death)
• Parents Despina Sirtis (Yianniri)
• Other works Hosted a segment of "Wild On the Vegas Strip" for E! News Network.
• 12 Interviews
• 3 Pictorials
• 8 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

• Trivia Fellow Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) cast members Brent Spiner and Michael Dorn were groomsmen at her wedding. Ann Turkel was maid of honor at her wedding.
• Quotes I was originally cast to be the brains of the Enterprise. Somehow, I became The Chick. There's a little ugly girl inside of me going "Yay! I'm a sex symbol!".
• Trademarks Counselor Deanna Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

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Star Trek: The Sexist Reason Deanna Troi Was Nearly Sidelined By Gene Roddenberry

"Star Trek" has always embodied a spirit of egalitarian progressivism, imagining a future of prosperity and equality for all humanity. But even so, it hasn't always managed to hold itself to those lofty ambitions.  Marina Sirtis , who played Counselor Deanna Troi on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," can attest to one such lapse that affected her personally.

According to Sirtis, she was nearly kicked off the series due to sexism from none other than the creator of "Star Trek," Gene Roddenberry , and only managed to remain on the cast because Denise Crosby, who played Security Chief Tasha Yar in early seasons of "The Next Generation," voluntarily left the show after Season 1. Sirtis appeared on a panel for Star Trek Las Vegas in 2018 alongside co-star Jonathan Frakes, where she revealed that Roddenberry had seen her character as superfluous due to gender.

"I was very insecure in the first season," Sirtis said (via Trek Movie ), "because they were always writing me out of episodes and I went from being the favorite—because when I was cast, I knew I was their favorite. [Gene Roddenberry] loved me. It was obvious I was their favorite—and it got to the point where if a producer saw me coming, they would turn around and walk away. So, I knew my job was on the line." In fact, it was only because another woman on the show's cast left voluntarily that Sirtis kept her job.

Roddenberry thought there were one too many women on The Next Generation

Marina Sirtis' suspicions that she might be on the chopping block after the first season playing Counselor Deanna Troi on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" were confirmed by none other than Majel Barrett, "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry's spouse who also played Deanna's mother, Lwaxana, on the show. According to Barrett, Roddenberry had been considering writing Sirtis off because he felt there were "one too many women," and would have gone through with it had Denise Crosby not quit her role as Tasha Yar.

Further, Barrett claimed that Roddenberry wasn't sure the Enterprise needed an onboard psychologist because he believed that people in the world of "Star Trek" would have moved beyond interpersonal conflict, making jobs like therapist, psychologist, or counselor unnecessary. Of course, there's plenty of interpersonal conflict on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," whether it's Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) facing off against higher-ranking officers or Klingon cultural differences coming between Worf (Michael Dorn) and his shipmates, making it unclear why Roddenberry would have allegedly held that perspective.

The character of Deanna Troi remained on "The Next Generation" for the duration of its seven seasons, and also appeared in the feature films focused on its cast. However, Sirtis was once again nearly fired from "Star Trek: Nemesis," as she also revealed to Jonathan Frakes at the Star Trek Las Vegas panel in 2018 that the production had threatened to replace her with Jeri Ryan, who played Seven of Nine elsewhere in the franchise. But Sirtis said she didn't back down. "I said, 'Well, Jeri Ryan won't do it for that money, that is for sure,'" she told Frakes.

Kestra Troi

• View history

Kestra Troi was a half - Betazoid , half- Human female , born in 2329 on the planet Betazed to Lwaxana and Ian Andrew Troi . Kestra was the older sister of Deanna Troi . Shortly after Deanna's birth in 2336 , Kestra was picnicking by Lake El'nar with her family and their dog . When Lwaxana and Ian looked away for a second to tend to Deanna, the dog ran off and Kestra went after him. Kestra fell into the water and drowned .

Her loving parents were naturally devastated, but the memory of Kestra's accidental death was so traumatic to Lwaxana that she buried it deep inside instead of dealing with it, as she ultimately blamed herself for the ever-so-brief lapse in attention. She even destroyed everything that was a reminder of Kestra, including the personal journal entries she'd made during the years of Kestra's life, but Mr. Homn secreted away a picture of her in case Lwaxana wanted to remember her in the future.

Years later in dream sequences, the adult Deanna, now a counselor , helped Lwaxana come to terms that it had simply been a tragic accident, and she was not to blame. Lwaxana was forgiven by Kestra, and in turn herself. Only then did Lwaxana find peace from the tragedy. ( TNG : " Dark Page ")

When Lwaxana became pregnant in 2372 , the thought of losing her child to the Tavnian culture made her depressed , stirring the pain of Kestra's death . She would later confide to Odo that the losses of her parents, sister, and husband did not compare to the loss of Kestra. ( DS9 : " The Muse ") After marrying William Riker , Deanna would name their daughter Kestra Troi-Riker , after her. ( PIC : " Nepenthe ")

External link [ ]

• Kestra Troi at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works

Best Romances In Star Trek

S pace is a romantic setting, filled with sweeping vistas of stars, galaxies, and exotic planets, so it's natural that a show that takes place in this environment would have some compelling love stories. Star Trek has been around for decades, and in that time several famous couples have appeared on both the small and big screen as part of the franchise's ongoing story.

RELATED: Star Trek: The Original Series - Open-Ended Episodes That Modern Trek Should Continue

Like many adventures in space, not all of these love stories end well, but every single one is helplessly romantic in its own unique way. Star Trek isn't just about exploration and discovery on a galactic level, it's also about mapping out the universe of the human heart.

James Kirk & Lenore Karidian (ToS)

James Kirk had a reputation for fleeting romances, but this is one of the few that stands out . In the episode "The Conscience Of The King" Kirk is pursuing a criminal who has hidden his identity and lives as a Shakespearean actor named Anton Karidian, and Lenore is his daughter.

Sparks fly between the Captain and Lenore, and the Captain is smitten, but the romance is doomed. Not only does Lenore resent Kirk for using her to get close to her father, the mass murder suspect, but it also turns out she's the real-life Lady Macbeth. Deeply romantic, but also tragic like the Bard would write.

Lieutenant Ilia & Captain Decker (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

Star Trek: The Motion Picture didn't get a lot of positive attention when it was released, but the movie has stood the test of time, partly because of the romance that anchors the plot. Ilia and Decker had a past, but the viewer never finds out the finer details except what they can discern from the couple's interactions.

RELATED: Star Trek: Every Live-Action Series on Paramount Plus, Ranked

It seems that Ilia and Decker never really got the chance they deserved, and that's what makes their story so deeply romantic and tragic at the same time. The ending of this movie is never really explained, as the concept of humans and machines becoming one was a new concept, but decades later shows like Evangelion and Ghost In The Shell would ask the same questions.

Spock & Droxine (ToS)

For those that prefer a more intellectual and verbose romance, there was the intense flirtation between Spock and Droxine in "The Cloud Minders." This was one of the classic episodes that took on a civil rights dilemma, with the highborn folks like Droxine living above in luxury and the Troglytes digging in the mines below.

Spock narrates part of the story, explaining the social tensions between the two groups along with professing his affection for Droxine, and his Vulcan Stoicism can't hide his attraction to her. Droxine is equally smitten, and the two of them have an intense Victorian-style romance.

Hugh Culber & Paul Stamets (Discovery)

Ask anyone what made Discovery great, and they might mention the characters of Hugh and Paul , who were awesome in their own right but also the show's power couple when they were together. Hugh Culber was cast in the role of the ship's doctor, and his quiet wisdom also made him the friend and confidante of the whole crew.

RELATED: Star Trek: LGBTQ+ Canon Relationships

Hugh's gentleness was a foil to the fiery personality of his partner Paul Stamets, the engineer who discovered the secret of spore drive travel. In what could be one of the most romantic stories in all of Star Trek history, Paul traverses the veritable universe of mycelium to resurrect Hugh after he is killed by one of his patients.

Deanna Troi & William Riker (TNG)

Ilia and Decker worked so well on screen that they inspired another couple for a future series, Deanna Troi and William Riker. Their love transcended the adventures of the Enterprise, and plenty of times the story of The Next Generation was also the story of their romance.

Troi and Riker are one of the few couples that were able to get married, have a family, and grow old together, which is one of the most romantic things that can happen to anyone. The last TNG movie starts with their wedding and they reappear in the second season of Star Trek: Picard .

Christopher Pike & Vina (ToS)

It's a romance that blossomed not from one but two tragedies; the loss of a scientific expedition of which Vina was the only disfigured survivor and the gamma-ray accident years later that would scar Pike and make him an invalid. Pike had to leave Vina on Talos IV because she was too frail to leave, but years later when he returned in a wheelchair, she was waiting for him.

RELATED: Star Trek: Best Pilots, Ranked

There's something to be said for a couple that has been through a lot together, and it's heartwarming to think that Pike kept Vina in his heart all those years. Pike later returned to Talos IV to live the rest of his days with Vina.

Leonard McCoy And Natira of Yonada (ToS)

One of the secrets of Star Trek that only hardcore fans know is that McCoy was the real ladies' man the whole time, his charm outshining any of his shipmates, including Kirk. In the episode "For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky" McCoy learns he has a terminal illness, and despite the tragic discovery, forms a bond with a woman named Yonada, who is also facing a ticking clock.

McCoy not only sincerely loves Yonada, but also is willing to risk his life to save her and her people. Yonada, on the other hand, loves McCoy enough to believe him when he tries to tell her that her world is actually a ship hurtling towards a planet on a crash course. Their mutual love saves both their lives, and it's a dropped thread that should have been picked up another time.

MORE: Star Trek: Recurring Franchise Plot Devices That Started With The Original Series

Screen Rant

Star trek's section 31 are becoming a literal god-level villain - theory explained.

As IDW's flagship Star Trek book heads into its third year, the villainous Section 31 may become a god-level threat to the franchise.

• In Star Trek #19, the sinister Section 31 enters the franchise-spanning god war.
• Section 31's agenda with Ensign Sato and the crew of the Theseus remains a mystery for now.
• Section 31 having access to the Pleroma could spell bad news for the galaxy.

Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek #19!

The secretive Section 31 are set to become god-level villains in the Star Trek universe. Working from the shadows, Section 31 works to keep the Federation safe–no matter the cost. Controversial among Star Trek fans, Section 31 has nonetheless become a fascinating part of the lore. Now, in Star Trek #19, the agency approaches one of Sisko’s crew with an offer that may doom the universe.

Star Trek #19 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Megan Levens. Throughout Star Trek’s previous storyline, Ensign Sato became more and more disillusioned with Starfleet and the Federation. At the end of issue 19, she is approached in her quarters by a man identifying himself as “Martin” and using a person named Sloan’s override. Martin appeals to Sato’s growing dissatisfaction, telling her that “mistakes have been made” and certain Starfleet officials “lack leadership.”

Martin then offers Ensign Sato a job with Section 31.

Section 31 Is The Darkest Aspect of Star Trek Lore

Section 31 has a long history of violence and terror.

Star Trek depicts a utopian society that has moved beyond money and the need to acquire wealth. This idea is embodied in the United Federation of Planets. An organization such as Section 31, that works in the shadows and routinely uses torture and murder to further their ends, would seem at odds with Gene Roddenbery’s optimistic view of humanity. Indeed, Section 31 has proven to be a point of contention among fans. Some portions of Star Trek fandom oppose it because it violates the show’s core principals, while others have hailed it as giving the franchise nuance.

Star Trek's Original Ban on Female Starship Captains Is Even Weirder Than It Seems

Section 31 first appeared in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s sixth season, in the episode “Inquisition.” Created by Deep Space Nine’s creative team to explore the darker sides of Federation life, Section 31 works to keep the Federation a paradise. However, their means are extreme. Section 31 has been responsible for assassinations and staging coups. They have allegedly infiltrated nearly every other agency in the Federation, giving them eyes and ears everywhere. The closest real-world analogy to Section 31 is the Central Intelligence Agency. Section 31 also finds echoes in the Romulan Tal’Shiar and the Cardassian Obsidian Order.

A handful of Star Trek episodes, including the Original Series episode "The Enterprise Incident" and The Next Generation's "The Pegasus" have been retconned to have involved Section 31.

No Star Trek show or movie has explored the history of Section 31, but it is (chronologically) one of the oldest agencies in the franchise. They derive their authority from Article 14, Section 31 of Starfleet’s charter, hence the name. This part of the Starfleet Charter allows the organization to take extreme measures in times of great crisis. Section 31 has been active at least as early as the 22nd century. Malcolm Reed, the Tactical Officer under Captain Jonathan Archer, was affiliated with Section 31 earlier in his career.

By the 23rd century, Section 31 had grown, and seemed to be working even further undercover. The agency had a presence on board the USS Discovery, which was using the then-new “spore drive,” that tapped into a universal mycelial network. Discovery’s affiliation with the agency only grew as crew member Ash Tyler was recruited, as was Empress Phillipa Georgiou, from the Mirror Universe. Finally, the AI Section 31 relied on, tried to seize control of the agents, and use them to unleash chaos on the galaxy. Discovery was instrumental in stopping Section 31, but was sent to the future.

Star Trek: Earth’s First Deep Space Colonists Evolved Into a New Species

In the 24th century, Section 31 was instrumental during the Dominion War. As the war dragged on, and casualties began to pile up, Section 31 bioengineered a virus that could kill Changelings. During this time, the agency approaches Doctor Julian Bashir, seeking to recruit him. Much like Ensign Sato in Star Trek #19, Section 31, represented by Luther Sloan, approaches Doctor Bashir in his quarters. However, unlike Sato, Section 31 did not find a receptive audience in Doctor Bashir. Bashir also finds a cure for the virus Section 31 designed, which helped end the Dominion War.

Although Section 31’s plans to use their virus were thwarted, the agency still took an interest in Changelings. Season three of Star Trek: Picard revealed that Section 31 experimented on Changelings, even after the war’s conclusion. These rogue Changelings broke free of Section 31, and in an act of blowback, killed thousands of Federation citizens. They also allied themselves with the Borg Queen, who also sought revenge against the Federation. Section 31 is even still active in the 32nd century, as seen in subsequent seasons of Star Trek: Discovery.

Section 31 has also appeared in the Kelvin Universe films, including 2013's Star Trek: Into Darkness

Despite the moral ambiguity of Section 31, it has proven irresistible to generations of Star Trek writers and directors. The agency has been a part of nearly every Star Trek show since its introduction on Deep Space Nine , even Lower Decks . The gray areas Section 31 works in provide even more depth and substance to the Star Trek universe. Deep Space Nine regularly explored the darker sides of Starfleet and life in the Federation, and Section 31 was perhaps its most scathing interrogation of these ideals. Section 31 showed that even a utopia can have a dark side.

Section 31 Adds Darkness--And Depth, to the Star Trek Franchise

Section 31 can change the course of the god war.

And now Section 31 is seemingly joining the franchise’s god war–but in what capacity remains to be seen. Previous issues of Star Trek have seeded Section 31. Harry Kim had seemingly allied himself with them. Kim worked closely with Ensign Sato during the Tzenkethi crisis, which may have led to her recruitment. In a recent interview with ScreenRant , Star Trek writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly commented on Section 31’s involvement, cryptically teasing that the answer may lie in the distant past, as opposed to more recent events. They did not elaborate on this further.

Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly are no strangers to the Star Trek comics universe, having masterminded Year Five , also from IDW.

In the same interview, Lanzing and Kelly discussed Sloan’s presence, or lack thereof. Martin, the agent sent to bring Ensign Sato into the fold, invokes Sloan’s name in his override code. Lanzing and Kelly pointed out Martin is not Sloan in disguise. However, Martin’s use of Sloan’s code is another hint, they revealed. Elaborating on the point, Lanzing stated that some Section 31 agents may feel Sloan did not go far enough in his plans. This would echo Martin’s comment about Starfleet officials “lacking leadership.” The murderous and duplicitous Sloan has become a rallying point for Section 31.

Kahless’ recent crusade against the gods of the Star Trek universe no doubt caught Section 31’s attention. The god war Kahless instigated threatens far more than the Federation, but the entire fabric of reality as well. The god war is the exact type of situation Section 31 was designed to combat. Section 31 has access to technology the average Starfleet officer does not, which can give them an edge in a fight with Kahless or his god-killer. Furthermore, the god war also fundamentally altered Lore. Now on a quest for godhood, Lore must be stopped as well.

Are Section 31's Intentions Truly Honorable? Or Are They Merely Looking Out for Themselves?

With kahless' god-killer technology, section 31 could be unstoppable.

Section 31 may also have less than noble intentions by recruiting Ensign Sato. Sato, and the rest of the Theseus’ crew, are headed to the Pleroma, the newly revealed “realm of the gods.” The Theseus’ excursion to the Pleroma represents a new frontier in knowledge for the Federation, but it could also be a huge threat as well, one Section 31 will want to be well primed on. Kahless and his god-killer have proven that the franchise’s god like beings can be killed, a technology Section 31 might want their hands on too.

How Marvel's Avengers Inspired Star Trek's New Comic Era

Star Trek #19 advances a horrifying notion: Section 31 having control of the Pleroma. If Section 31 gets their hands on Kahless’ technology, they can use it to extort and threaten the beings in the Pleroma. Bringing these beings under their thumb, Section 31 could become a truly existential threat to the Star Trek universe. With god-like powers at their disposal, Section 31 could implement and maintain one of the most oppressive surveillance systems ever known. Dissension will become a thing of the past, as Section 31 imposes their will on the rest of the Star Trek universe.

Star Trek #19 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!

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Published Apr 22, 2024

The 10 Plagues of Star Trek: The Original Series

As Passover brought 10 plagues to test Pharaoh, so too did The Original Series test the crew of the Enterprise!

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Considering Gene Roddenberry stated that there would be no religion in the future when he conceived of Star Trek , a lot of Judaism sure did manage to creep it's way in!

From Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner bonding on the set of The Original Series over their shared Jewish background, and Nimoy being inspired by his Orthodox upbringing when creating Vulcan culture , to later series with Jewish actors and parallels such as Worf's diasporic experience, and Marina Sirtis drawing on inspiration from an Israeli friend as she created Deanna Troi. It makes sense, then, to spend some time during Passover reflecting on the many aspects of Jewish influence seen on Star Trek .

So, of course, I’ve decided to give you the 10 Plagues of Passover as episodes from The Original Series . Let’s get into it.

1. Rivers of Blood, " Amok Time "

"Amok Time"

When Aaron turned the Nile into a river of blood, it shook the Pharaoh to his core, much like how the blood fever of Pon Farr shook up Spock's usual calm and logic. Hormonal imbalances are no joke, and this quickly descended from throwing soup and nearly ended with Captain Kirk's death on Vulcan!

Much as I hate to parallel the Pharaoh, the villain of the Passover story, with Spock, a hero and a pacifist, they are both powerful men brought low (and emotional) by blood.

2. Frogs, " And the Children Shall Lead "

"All the Children Shall Lead"

There is a debate in Judaism over whether the second plague was a swarm of frogs, or one giant frog that covered the land of Egypt. But if we go with the more traditional interpretation of a swarm, then the Star Trek equivalent swarm would be the children from "And The Children Shall Lead" who take over the Enterprise .

Not only are they a hive mind (very swarm-like behavior) controlled by an evil embodiment called Gorgon, but they also bring the majority of the bridge crew under their sway. Whichever frog interpretation you go with, Kirk was as deeply unhappy with this plague-parallel as the Egyptians were with their own froggy problem — and he was pretty hostile to the kids too!

3. Lice, " Operation — Annihilate! "

"Operation — Annihilate!"

Whilst it may not be as scary or strange as the other plagues, the plague of lice always makes me wince and want to scratch my scalp in sympathy.

The episode "Operation — Annihilate!" also makes me wince, as a meeting with behavior-altering parasites is not how I imagine Kirk wanted his family reunion to go. But while lice do alter behavior, making people far more irritable, I wonder if they could cause the collapse of civilizations as this Star Trek parasite did before the crew of the Enterprise stopped it?

4. Flies or Deadly Animals, "Wink of an Eye"

"Wink of an Eye"

Here we find ourselves with another heavily debated plague. Some scholars believe it was the buzzing of flies that punished the Egyptians, while others believe it was a hoard of deadly animals destroying everything in their path. Luckily, "Wink of an Eye" covers both!

It begins when a landing party on Scalos and Kirk hears a mysterious buzzing noise like a swarm of insects before one of their party goes missing. Kirk continues to hear this insect buzzing on the Enterprise . However, it turns out to be a group of people living at hyper-accelerated speed, causing mischief all over the ship as they try to put the Enterprise into a deep freeze. Moreover, when they try to hyper-accelerate the humans, they end up causing them to age and decay rapidly. Deadly creatures destroying everything in their path indeed!

5. Pestilence, " The Trouble with Tribbles "

"The Trouble with Tribbles"

The fifth plague was a pestilence that killed all the Egyptians livestock, and what better episode to compare this with than "The Trouble with Tribbles."

The tribbles not only eat all of the grain supplies, they also end up dying en masse because the grain has been poisoned by saboteurs. This makes them not only the pestilence, but also the dead livestock in the Passover parallels! It's said the Egyptians grieved when they looked upon the dead animals they worshipped like gods, and whilst I doubt the tribbles were worshipped, I'm sure the Klingon vessel they were eventually beamed onto did indeed grieve having this fluffy plague.

6. Boils, " Miri "

"Miri"

When painful boils appear on the people of Egypt, it was meant to have caused horror and agony. Well, the episode "Miri" caused so much horror, it was banned by the BBC in the 1970s and 1980s!

In this episode, the landing party, except for Spock, begin developing purple lesions on their bodies and are told by the children of the planet they will die horribly in a week. Even Spock can't return to the Enterprise , because they don’t know whether or not he'll infect the rest of the crew. The boils end up being painful physically and emotionally, as the crew seek to save themselves and the children who have trapped them.

7. Hail, " Mirror, Mirror "

"Mirror, Mirror"

The seventh plague was a hail-storm of unprecedented strength that damaged every living thing in its path — much like the wrath of the Mirrorverse that Kirk and company discover in the episode "Mirror, Mirror"!

When negotiating with the Halkan's for dilithium, the council says there is no guarantee the Federation will always be peaceful. A violent and unpredictable ion-storm proves they may have a point when it causes the transporter malfunction that takes our Enterprise crew to a parallel universe of unprecedented violence!

8. Locusts, " The Conscience of the King "

"The Conscience of the King"

On Moses' eighth attempt to sway the Pharaoh, a devastating plague of locusts is summoned. The bugs devour everything green that has escaped the hail and previous plagues. This brings to mind one of Kirk's most famous pieces of backstory — the Tarsus IV massacre.

In "The Conscience of the King," we discover that as a teenager, Kirk lived in the Tarsus IV colony when a food crisis allowed Governor Kodos to take control and order the deaths of half the population. While it might not have been locusts that destroyed the grain on Tarsus IV, this event certainly caused untold devastation.

9. Darkness, " The Tholian Web "

"The Tholian Web"

Space, the final frontier. In the context of Star Trek , it's hard to think of darkness as a plague when it is the mission and adventure of our voyagers to explore it. But darkness in the Passover story was terrifying, as for several days all of Egypt was enveloped in a thick and impenetrable veil of darkness which extinguished all lights kindled. Remind you of "The Tholian Web"?

On a rescue mission for their sister ship, the U.S.S. Defiant , the Enterprise enters a sector of unknown space and finds the Defiant adrift, its crew dead, and slowly phasing out of existence, before vanishing entirely and taking Kirk with it. This episode focuses on the more terrifying aspects of space and the unknown, and how the hardest thing to do can be just having to wait for the darkness to pass.

10. Death of the First Born, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

First-born children don't have the best track record for surviving in Star Trek ; we've already covered Sam Kirk's death in "Operation — Annihilate!" and Kodos' daughter Lenore Karidian meets a grim fate in "The Conscience of the King."

Moving on to the movies, we see Spock's older brother, Sybok, die in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier . But for this plague I had to go with Captain Kirk's own son David Marcus, who is killed by Klingons in The Search for Spock . As the Pharoah's own infant son's death broke his resolve to finally allow the Israelites to be free, David's death so soon after they met causes Kirk to become embittered and colors his own attitude towards Klingons as a species.

Yes, the plagues make up a significant part of the Passover story, the main theme of the holiday is triumph over adversity and freedom —a fundamental tenet of Star Trek . For all of the dangers and threats the Enterprise crew face, from physical to emotional, they always overcome them together. And much like the Israelites finally leaving Egypt to wander the desert in search of the Holy Land, it tells us that perseverance is key and the journey and exploration it entails can be as important as the final destination.

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This article was originally published on March 29, 2021.

Emily Zinkin (she/her) is a writer based in London, UK, who also runs Moishe House Clapham. She once cosplayed as Captain Kirk but realised she was the mirror version when she met another one. You can find her on Twitter at @EmilyZinkin

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