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The Loss (TNG S4 E10)

Published on: 16th April, 2024

The Loss (Star Trek: The Next Generation, S4 E10) was recommended by Leslie, She/her, who said: Deanna Troi is my favorite TNG character, because she's a senior bridge officer, counselor to the Captain/ship, has a special ability, loves chocolate, is gorgeous, and she's in an on again/off again relationship with First Officer Will Riker. She's a likeable, strong female character in a male-dominated universe (at least at that time in Star Trek). I like this episode because it gives us insight into Troi's job as counselor to the ship's personnel. It's a "day in the life" episode. I also like that we see Troi working with Data, who could be considered opposites in that Troi has all the feelings and Data has none. However, it always felt a bit unsatisfactory because the solution that Troi and Data work out turns out to be wrong. So that seems to be telling us that Troi without her empathic power is useless in saving the Enterprise, even if her skills as a therapist do help her patient.

The Loss first aired on December 31, 1990, written by story by Hilary J. Bader, teleplay by Hilary J. Bader & Allan J. Adler & Vanessa Greene, and directed by Chip Chalmers

The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)

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About the Podcast

The Joy of Trek
Every Star Trek story is somebody's favorite, and that might as well be us!
Two lifelong besties (and their trusty engineer) adventure through the vast constellations of Star Trek's decades on TV, especially the lesser-loved stories.

But instead of bitching about why they’re bad, we’re going to find the joy in each of them, because everybody loves the great episodes, but it takes dedication, insight, and hard-working fools to love the clunkers too.

And by Jove, we are those fools!

Positive, inclusive and optimistic (though not uncritical!) we try to find the brilliance even in the least-loved episodes of our favorite TV shows!