Ship's Councelors

[Tachyon]

There is no doubt that a Star Ship would need a counselor/Psychologist/Psychiatrist on staff, especially on long term missions. In fact, McCoy often acted in this capacity for Kirk, though it wasn't his primary area of expertise. What is laughable and what dates TNG to the 80s is having the ship's counselor seated next to the CO and XO, as if she were of equal importance and was needed on the bridge at all times.

Actually Troi was not on the bridge all the time.

In addition, Troi was not only a counselor, but also emphatic. Perhaps that was more of a reason behind her being on the bridge more than some other everyday starship counselor.

 

[Tachyon]

I discovered that using logic to try to describe Voyager leaves me with a headache and pissed off feelings, so don't even try.

Maybe there is something wrong with your logical thought process.

 

[KimMH]

VOY's EMH remarked several times that he was programmed to treat mental health issues as well as medical. As his programming expanded and he became more personable it seems he would have made the perfect confidant - the first few seasons he couldn't even leave the sickbay - he wouldn't be out there blabbing your problems to everyone.

Kes would have made a very good counselor as she too was telepathic (a la Troi) though she started out so young she seems to be the one everyone felt comfortable going to by the time she left.

 

[kissthestar]

Troi in uniform, yes, yes. It's hard to resist a woman in uniform...

 

[Praetor]

I've always believed that Troi was on the bridge only because Picard wanted a counselor on the bridge, but the captains of other Galaxy-class ships may have that seat reserved for whoever they specifically wanted, including the second officer.

Otherwise, counselors probably aren't normally bridge officers, IMO.

That's my thinking, too. In-universe, he probably saw her as useful on the bridge for the same reasons GR and company thought she would be useful.

I would have been much happier if they had treated the Troi character differently from the start, however. A uniform, for starters, so we would take her more seriously. Or, make her a civilian. Just pick one and stick to it, dammit. And her interests, while related to the ship's psychological health, should also be equally geared towards helping the Captain understand the aliens they encounter.

Has anyone mentioned that Ezri was (initially at least) a counselor on DS9? I didn't see it mentioned. Anyway, she seemed to do more good in her one year than poor Deanna did most of the time.

Kes could have been a good counselor on VGR, but it might have seemed like Troi 2.0. Tuvok, being older and wiser, might have been a good one for logical advice - but for empathy I'd go with Neelix.

 

[KimMH]

I've always believed that Troi was on the bridge only because Picard wanted a counselor on the bridge, but the captains of other Galaxy-class ships may have that seat reserved for whoever they specifically wanted, including the second officer.

Otherwise, counselors probably aren't normally bridge officers, IMO.

That's my thinking, too. In-universe, he probably saw her as useful on the bridge for the same reasons GR and company thought she would be useful.

I would have been much happier if they had treated the Troi character differently from the start, however. A uniform, for starters, so we would take her more seriously. Or, make her a civilian. Just pick one and stick to it, dammit. And her interests, while related to the ship's psychological health, should also be equally geared towards helping the Captain understand the aliens they encounter.

Has anyone mentioned that Ezri was (initially at least) a counselor on DS9? I didn't see it mentioned. Anyway, she seemed to do more good in her one year than poor Deanna did most of the time.

Kes could have been a good counselor on VGR, but it might have seemed like Troi 2.0. Tuvok, being older and wiser, might have been a good one for logical advice - but for empathy I'd go with Neelix.

You sir, should get a prize. I do believe that's the first bit o' love I've seen directed toward Neelix. Never a favorite character of mine; I still don't think he deserves the - what is it - hate? He hardly seems controversial enough to deserve that. (Maybe occasional thinly veiled contempt . . .)

 

[BenRoethig]

What do you think of ships' councelors?

Vital for any military force. Between the dangers of exploration and combat mission, starfleet crewman are under a lot of stress.

 

[Praetor]

You sir, should get a prize. I do believe that's the first bit o' love I've seen directed toward Neelix. Never a favorite character of mine; I still don't think he deserves the - what is it - hate? He hardly seems controversial enough to deserve that. (Maybe occasional thinly veiled contempt . . .)

Thanks.

Neelix is not a favorite of mine per se, but I don't have quite the contempt for him that others do. (The Kes-Neelix relationship was rather disbelievable for me - it seemed creepy.) While I understand people being annoyed by a constantly cheerful character, he had enough depth when he wasn't being used solely for comic relief that I did enjoy him. I just would have had a more focused, more 'realistic' approach on his character. The idea of him being a 'morale officer' was a good one, IMO, and therefore counseling duties would seem to fall to him, and would also make better use of the character.

 

[JoeZhang]

It's been explained (or rationalized) that Troi's presence on the bridge had more to do with her skills in diplomacy and first-contact than it did with actual psychology. An empath would be of great advantage during a first-contact situation.

That never really explained to me why she'd simply be just sitting there during some routine time period when they "stumbled" across something. Actually none of the non-functional stations made much sense. The captain and the first officer just used to sit in those chairs for hours and hours? doing what?

Is there something out there Ensign?

No Captain, we are still several weeks away from our destination.

Is there something out there Ensign?

sigh....

 

[Gotham Central]

Personally I think that when they brought Jellico on board they should have done more than have him put Troi in a uniform. They should have given her another position.

In the Titan series, she is primarily the ship's diplomatic officer. That is essentially what she did on TNG. She advised Picard on diplomatic protocol and prepared/assisted him with negotiations. Even Jellico used her for diplomacy. She also served as the de facto morale officer.

 

[WillsBabe]

Is there something out there Ensign?

No Captain, we are still several weeks away from our destination.

Is there something out there Ensign?

sigh....

I've thought that, too. Also, in a couple of Treks they've had junior or less experiences officers commanding the bridge during the night shift. That makes me raise an eyebrow, too, since the ship is probably just as likely to encounter trouble at night as day.