Star Trek: Voyager narrowly avoided repeating the disappointing mistake that Star Trek: The Next Generation made with Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis). Star Trek: The Next Generation made a bold statement supporting mental health by giving Deanna Troi an important spot on the bridge of the USS Enterprise-d next to Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). With half-Betazoid empathic abilities and skill as a Starfleet therapist, Counselor Troi was poised to be an insightful, compassionate professional. Yet Troi's form-fitting civilian attire set Deanna apart from the rest of the Enterprise senior staff as a sexualized character saddled with weak storylines.

Disappointingly, Counselor Deanna Troi's characterization on Star Trek: The Next Generation seemed to be summed up as "sexy lady" instead of Troi being treated as a whole person. With few exceptions, like Tng season 4's "The Loss", episodes that were ostensibly about Troi tended to focus on the roles Deanna played...