The Child

The birth of season two sees the birth of a baby. Counselor Troi is suddenly pregnant. Very suddenly. Within a day, she gives birth. A day later, the child is the equivalent of eight years old. Meanwhile, members of the crew are working feverishly to battle a plague. New sets! New uniforms! A new doctor! Lots going on when we put The Child in the Mission Log. I’ve always liked this Troi story. She really shines (almost as brightly as the pre-human-looking Ian). This story was originally one of several scripts that were written for the aborted Star Trek: Phase II TV series in the 70’s that instead was reworked and later became Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Here is an article. That is a great find, Will – and dig that Phase II test shot with the TOS-style uniform and (obvious) bald-wig on Persis! Something like that. The more comments we get, the more “votes” push those to the top. Yes, I had heard of this. The Decker/Persis; Riker/Troi ex gf phenomenon….wOw, funny when you think about “What If?” glad there was a delay between some of those ideas/outfits and TNG. An interesting premise, flawed by the contrivance of the plasma plagues, and the seeming lack of any alternatives presented (They say they cannot release the module or else they will risk the plague growing into a spore until it hits a planet or another ship. If only the ship had an arsenal of weapons capable to utterly vaporising anything…) I felt that Troi’s early reaction to what is a metaphorical rape, a physical violation, in which she is left impregnated (albeit without the horror and pain of the actual real-life event), was presented rather simplistically. I would have had her initially repulsed and horrified by what has happened, and to briefly consider an abortion. Perhaps stating this at the end of the “debate” scene,” for a climactic moment. We’d have a deeper dramatization of a real-world social issue. Then Troi would surprise us all by saying she now wanted to keep the baby. Perhaps with her intuitive skills sensing that the alien-child meant her no harm. This would have added a bit more drama to the first ten minutes — and especially contribute some nuance to Troi’s character. As it is, she immediately does the “Madonna” decision as Ken said. And to push the theme a bit, they could even have subtly, tastefully, hinted at the Immaculate Conception element; as also, the child “sacrifices” himself to save their lives. Guinan might allude to this, as she’s not a typical Starfleet character. I felt that Troi’s early reaction to what is a metaphorical rape, a physical violation, in which she is left impregnated (albeit without the horror and pain of the actual real-life event), was presented rather simplistically. I would have had her initially repulsed and horrified by what has happened, and to briefly consider an abortion. Perhaps stating this at the end of the “debate scene,” for a climactic moment. We’d have a deeper dramatization of a real-world social issue. Then Troi would surprise us all by saying she now wanted to keep the baby. Perhaps with her intuitive skills sensing that the alien-child meant her no harm. This would have added a bit more drama to the first ten minutes — and especially contribute some nuance to Troi’s character. As it is, she immediately does the “Madonna” decision as Ken said. And to push the theme a bit, they could even have subtly, tastefully, hinted at the Immaculate Conception element; the child “sacrifices” himself to save their lives. Guinan might briefly allude to this, as she’s not a typical Starfleet character. First, abortion is an option because that is primarily what they are discussing, rather matter-of-factly. Two, the directing and editing of this scene is amazing. The fact that Deana took the seat at the far end and then looks down. The filming techniques that show her emotional isolation. I think it was beautifully done. Three, the table of dudes discussing what to do about Deanna’s pregnancy, while sh