Even Though I Hate Captain Jellico, I’m Glad He Fixed An Annoying Star Trek: TNG Troi Problem

Captain Edward Jellico (Ronny Cox) is far from my favoriteStar Trek: The Next Generationcharacter, but at least he improved one thing about Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis). Captain Jellico took over command of the USS Enterprise-D in the season 6 TNG two-parter "Chain of Command," while Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) was leading a covert mission. Picard, Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn), and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) sought to destroy a Cardassian biological weapon only to learn that the whole mission had been a set-up.

Worf and Dr. Crusher managed to escape, but Captain Picard was captured by the Cardassians and taken to Gul Madred (David Warner). As Madred subjected Picard to various forms of torture, Captain Edward Jellico remained Captain of the Enterprise. Jellco's strict command style differed greatly from Picard, which caused conflict among the ship's crew. Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), in particular, butted heads with Jellico. Counselor Troi, however, faired better, as Jellico ordered her to don a Starfleet uniform, something she should have done much earlier.

Why I’m Glad Captain Jellico Made Troi Wear A Starfleet Uniform On Star Trek: TNG

Counselor Troi Should've Worn A Starfleet Uniform Far Sooner

From Star Trek: The Next Generation's premiere, Counselor Troi was set up to be one of the show's most interesting characters. Thanks to her Betazoid mother, Troi could sense the emotions of those around her, something that proved to be incredibly useful on the bridge of a starship. Troi also attended Starfleet Academy like every other Enterprise crew member, and earned a degree in psychology. Not only did Troi act as a counselor for all one thousand-plus crew members and civilians on the USS Enterprise-D, but she also aided Captain Picard on the bridge.

Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation

5 Times Deanna Troi Deserved Better On Star Trek: TNG

Counselor Deanna Troi was often saddled with questionable storylines on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the character deserved better.

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I understand why Troi might have wanted to wear civilian clothes during her counseling sessions as a way to make her patients more comfortable speaking to her. However, there was no reason for Troi not to wear a Starfleet uniform when she was stationed on the bridge. Throughout most of TNG, Troi held the rank of lieutenant commander, a higher rank than everyone on the Enterprise aside from Picard, Riker, and Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner). I may not like the way Jellico handled his command of the Enterprise, but I appreciate that he made Troi wear her uniform.

Why Didn’t Captain Picard Require Troi To Wear A Starfleet Uniform?

Troi Wore Civilian Clothes Throughout Most Of Her Time On TNG

Although Star Trek: The Next Generation never states exactly why Captain Picard never required Troi to wear a Starfleet uniform, there are numerous possibilities. I like to think Picard gave Counselor Troi the option to wear what she preferred, and she chose civilian attire to seem less like a superior officer to her patients. Captain Picard himself strove to uphold the values of Starfleet, but he was not above bending the rules when a situation called for it. Despite his tendency to keep himself distanced from his crew, Picard still fostered a family atmosphere.

In a 2001 interview with the BBC, Marina Sirtis said that she "was thrilled" when her character finally got to wear a Starfleet uniform and got more to do.

For example, Captain Picard allowed the young Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) to serve on the bridge of the Enterprise before he ever attended Starfleet Academy. Picard followed the rules but was also willing to adapt to specific situations, something Jellico could have been better at. It's also possible that ship's counselors are not required to wear Starfleet uniforms, as the USS Cerritos' Dr. Migleemo (Paul F. Tompkins) on Star Trek: Lower Decks wears civilian attire as well. Whatever the case, it took an overbearing captain like Jellico to finally get Star Trek: The Next Generation's Counselor Troi into a Starfleet uniform.