Key Takeaways:
– Marina Sirtis criticized the portrayal of her Star Trek character, Deanna Troi.
– Star Trek fans largely agree with Sirtis’s concerns over her character’s sexualization.
– Sirtis detailed her relief when her costume was changed in the show’s seventh season.
– The original plan for Deanna Troi included a bizarre physical attribute, which was fortunately rejected by the series writer, D.C. Fontana.
British-American actress Marina Sirtis is known for her iconic role as Deanna Troi in the esteemed science fiction series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, the portrayal of her character has come under severe criticism from both Sirtis and a large section of Star Trek fans. The core of the discontent lies in the overly sexualized depiction of Deanna Troi.
Sirtis Critiques Sexualized Role
Sirtis’s character, Deanna Troi, was a potent figure in the Star Trek ensemble, part of an otherwise diverse crew on the USS Enterprise-D. But the actress’s predominant concern was with the overt sexualization of her role, caused largely by her provocative costumes. Sirtis expressed these issues during a DragonCon appearance in 2010, delineating how Hollywood, unfortunately, views heavily made-up female characters as lacking intelligence.
She stated “I got a cleavage, and all my gray matter departed. Troi was supposed to be the brains of the Enterprise. So, when the cleavage came, all that left, and I became decorative, like a potted palm on the bridge.” Sirtis further highlighted that her character’s intelligence and relevance only returned with a considerably less revealing costume in the show’s final season.
A Bizarre Idea from Roddenberry and Fan Displeasure
While Sirtis’s concerns predominantly revolve around her character’s sexualization, fans especially take issue with how the series creator, Gene Roddenberry, initially envisioned Deanna Troi. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, series writer D.C. Fontana disclosed that Roddenberry planned for Troi, a half-human, half-Betazoid, to have more than two breasts. Thankfully, Fontana firmly stood her ground against the proposal, saving the Star Trek franchise from this borderline absurd depiction of a woman.
Despite the nixed idea, Roddenberry’s initial approach indicates a problematic attitude towards female characters in the series. Much to fans’ disappointment, Troi remained in mostly romantic subplots throughout the show. Star Trek followers have voiced their intense disapproval of such a waste of potential for Troi’s character, blaming Roddenberry for her poor characterization.
For a series celebrated for its progressive attitudes, the portrayal of Deanna Troi as a less intelligent, highly sexualized crew member was a notable misstep. Fan reaction and Sirtis’s own comments underscore the significant audience sensitivity towards stereotypical gender portrayals, even in a television landscape from decades ago.
Star Trek: The Next Generation is currently streaming on Paramount+. However, Marina Sirtis’s criticisms and fan base reactions serve as a reminder to future series creators about the historic importance of well-rounded, respectfully portrayed characters in the realm of fantasy and science fiction.
