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Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) may be very different Star Trek characters, but they have one surprising thing in common. Throughout three seasons of Star Trek: The Original Series and several feature films, James T. Kirk made a name for himself as the captain of the Starship Enterprise. Along with Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Kirk completes one of television’s most iconic trios, who all left an indelible mark on popular culture.
In 1987, Star Trek: The Next Generation launched a new golden era for the franchise, introducing the world to Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his Enterprise-D crew. Among these crew members is the half-human, half-Betazoid Deanna Troi, who can sense the emotions of those around her. As the ship’s counselor, Troi helps the crew members deal with all the bizarre situations they encounter, but she also acts as a personal advisor to Captain Picard. At first glance, Troi does not seem to have much in common with Captain Kirk, but they share the experience of being surgically altered to appear Romulan.
Captain Kirk Became A Romulan In Star Trek: The Original Series
Kirk Became A Romulan In TOS Season 3, Episode 2, “The Enterprise Incident”
“The Enterprise Incident” follows Kirk and Spock as they embark on a mission to steal a cloaking device from a Romulan ship. While Spock expertly seduces the Romulan Commander (Joanne Linville), Kirk fakes an injury while in the Romulan brig. This prompts the Romulans to bring Dr. McCoy over to their ship, and after an orchestrated confrontation where Spock uses the “Vulcan death grip” on Kirk, McCoy declares Kirk to be dead. McCoy brings Kirk back to the Enterprise in a state of suspended animation, finally revealing the whole plan to the viewer.
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“The Enterprise Incident” is a standout and wildly entertaining Star Trek episode where Captain Kirk and Spock behave unlike themselves.
Dr. McCoy then surgically alters Kirk to appear as a Romulan so that he can transport back to the Romulan ship and steal the cloaking device. As Spock continues to distract the Romulan Commander, he also feeds Kirk information about the location of the device. The Romulans eventually detect Spock’s communication signal, but Kirk has already returned to the Enterprise with the prize. Still looking like a Romulan, Kirk takes command of the Enterprise long enough to rescue Spock and escape from the Romulans.
Counselor Troi Became A Romulan In Star Trek: The Next Generation
Troi Became A Romulan In TNG Season 6, Episode 14, “Face Of The Enemy”
Counselor Troi’s transformation into a Romulan in Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s “Face of the Enemy” happens under very different circumstances, but still involves subterfuge. Troi does not get a say in her fate, as she suddenly wakes up aboard a Romulan Warbird to discover that she has been surgically altered to appear Romulan. The Romulan first officer, Subcommander N’Vek (Scott MacDonald), explains Troi’s situation, saying that she must pose as Major Rakal of the Tal Shiar as part of a plot to help a Romulan Vice Proconsul defect to the Federation.
According to Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, it was originally going to be Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) who was kidnapped, but the writers felt Troi’s empathic abilities would be more useful.
Troi does not have many options other than to go along with this plan, and she uses her empathic abilities to read the Romulans around her. When the Enterprise-D arrives, the Romulans eventually hail the Federation starship. Although Captain Picard and his crew members recognize Troi, they play along with her ploy, transporting the Vice Proconsul and Counselor Troi back to the Enterprise just in time. “Face of the Enemy” is a solid episode of Star Trek that finally allows Troi to shine while also giving her something in common with Captain Kirk.
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