Lyla Dejesus
The relationship between Deanna Troi and Will Riker is a fan-favourite aspect of Star Trek. The couple's on-screen chemistry and off-screen friendship have contributed to their popularity. Deanna Troi, a half-Human, half-Betazoid Starfleet officer, and counsellor on the USS Enterprise-D and USS Enterprise-E, and Will Riker, a Starfleet Commander, were involved in a passionate affair before the events of the show. However, Riker's career aspirations took him away from Troi, and they broke up before serving together on the Enterprise. Their relationship is explored throughout the series, with their romance rekindling in the third TNG movie, Star Trek: Insurrection, and culminating in their wedding in Star Trek: Nemesis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of wedding | 2379 |
| Wedding location | Alaska |
| Best man | Captain Picard |
| Couple's first meeting location | Betazed |
| Couple's first meeting time | Years before Star Trek: The Next Generation |
| Couple's first meeting circumstances | Deanna Troi and Will Riker were lovers before Riker's career took him away from Troi |
| Couple's children | Ian Andrew Troi II, Thaddeus Troi-Riker, Kestra Troi-Riker |
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What You'll Learn
Deanna Troi and Will Riker's on-screen chemistry
The on-screen chemistry between Deanna Troi and Will Riker in Star Trek is often regarded as the franchise's best love story. Their romance spans multiple series and films, extending beyond the official Star Trek canon. The believability of their relationship is often attributed to the acting skills of Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis, who portray Riker and Troi, respectively. The two actors bring a sense of enjoyment and credibility to their characters' connection.
In the series, Riker and Troi first meet on Betazed, Troi's home world, and embark on a romantic relationship. However, their relationship is cut short when Riker's career in Starfleet takes him away from Troi. They are reunited on the USS Enterprise-D, where they serve as friends and colleagues for seven years. During this time, they navigate their feelings for each other while pursuing other romantic relationships.
The sexual tension between Riker and Troi is often hinted at throughout the series, creating a "`will they/won't they`" dynamic that captivates audiences. In the films Star Trek: Insurrection and Star Trek: Nemesis, their romance finally takes centre stage. In Nemesis, the two characters are married just before they depart for their new ship, the USS Titan, which Riker commands.
Despite their on-screen chemistry, the off-screen development of their relationship has been criticised. Actor Jonathan Frakes, who portrayed Riker, expressed his dissatisfaction with how the romance unfolded on the series. He felt that the decision to keep the characters apart romantically for most of the series was controversial, especially with the introduction of Troi's relationship with Worf in the final season.
Nevertheless, the portrayal of Riker and Troi's relationship as former lovers turned friends showcases their ability to respect each other and maintain a healthy platonic connection. Their story adds a layer of complexity and depth to the Star Trek universe, and their on-screen chemistry has left a lasting impression on fans.
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The couple's off-screen relationship
The relationship between Will Riker and Deanna Troi is one of the most popular storylines in Star Trek. Their romance spans multiple series and films, extending beyond the official Star Trek canon.
In the series, Riker and Troi meet on Betazed, Troi's homeworld, and begin a romantic relationship. However, Riker's Starfleet career aspirations take him away from Troi, and they break up before serving together on the Enterprise. Despite their break-up, Riker and Troi remain close friends throughout the series, and their romantic tension is often used to create sexual tension between the characters. The two characters confide in one another, vacation together, and spend a lot of casual time together as friends.
While the series hints at a potential rekindling of their romance, it is only implied that their relationship becomes something tangible after the series ends and within the films. In the film Insurrection, Riker and Troi finally rekindle their romance. In Nemesis, the two characters are married just before they both transfer to the USS Titan, which Riker commands.
In the series Picard, Riker and Troi are retired from Starfleet and raising their teenage daughter, Kestra, on the planet Nepenthe. Their son, Thaddeus, had died a few years earlier from Mendaxic neurosclerosis. Unfortunately, Riker and Troi's marriage goes into crisis, and the couple becomes estranged due to Riker's inability to cope with their son's death.
The believability and enjoyment of Riker and Troi's on-screen romance are often attributed to the chemistry between the actors, Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis. Frakes and Sirtis held onto a specific story for their characters and insisted on maintaining a close relationship between Riker and Troi throughout the series.
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Their wedding in Star Trek: Nemesis
The wedding of Will Riker and Deanna Troi in Star Trek: Nemesis was a highly anticipated moment for fans of the couple. Their on-again-off-again romance had spanned multiple series and films, and their wedding marked a significant turning point in their relationship.
The movie begins with the entire crew celebrating the wedding of Riker and Troi. The couple's wedding party took place in Alaska and included Captain Picard as the best man, Dr Crusher as a bridesmaid, and Data, La Forge, Worf, and Wesley Crusher as groomsmen. Guinan was also present at the wedding. The couple also planned a traditional Betazoid wedding on Betazed, but this ceremony was delayed when the Enterprise was diverted to Romulus.
After their wedding, Riker and Troi transferred to the USS Titan, where Riker was promoted to captain and Troi became the ship's counselor. The couple had two children, Thaddeus and Kestra, and settled on the planet Nepenthe. Unfortunately, their son Thaddeus passed away at a young age due to Mendaxic neurosclerosis.
The relationship between Riker and Troi is often cited as one of the best love stories in Star Trek due to its realistic and relatable nature. Their romance faced challenges and complexities, but their wedding in Nemesis solidified the bond between them and set the stage for their life together.
Despite the happy occasion of their wedding, the movie Nemesis ends on a somber note, with Riker and Troi reeling from the events of the mission, including the death of their crewmate Data. However, their marriage seems to have endured, and in Star Trek: Picard, we see them happily married and living on Nepenthe with their daughter Kestra.
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Riker's transfer to the USS Titan
In 2379, William T. Riker was promoted to Captain and became the commanding officer of the USS Titan (NCC-80102). He transferred from the USS Enterprise-E, along with his new wife, Deanna Troi, who served as the vessel's counsellor and chief diplomatic officer.
Riker had served as the executive officer under Captain Jean-Luc Picard on the Enterprise-D and Enterprise-E for 15 years. During this time, he turned down numerous promotions and command opportunities, hoping to one day take over as Captain of the Enterprise. However, after 15 years, Riker finally accepted a promotion to Captain, and he and Troi were assigned to the USS Titan.
The USS Titan was designed by Sean Tourangeau, who entered his concept into a design the Starship Titan contest hosted by Simon & Schuster. Tourangeau's design was featured on book covers but was never seen on screen in any Star Trek film or television series, so it is not considered canon. The ship is described as a Luna-class or Prometheus-class starship and is said to have the most biologically varied and culturally diverse crew in Starfleet history, with less than 15% of the crew being human.
The Titan's first mission was to investigate the possibility of peaceful relations with the Romulan Star Empire following the coup d'état of Shinzon of Remus. The ship later investigated a case of terrorists attempting to use Varuvian ore to blow up Starbase 58. By 2380, the Titan was considered a distinguished posting, and in 2381, Riker and Troi welcomed their first child, Thaddeus Troi-Riker, aboard the ship.
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Deanna Troi and Will Riker's children
Deanna Troi and Will Riker have three children: Ian Andrew Troi II, Thaddeus Troi-Riker, and Kestra Troi-Riker. Deanna and Will's first child, Thaddeus, was born during their tenure on the USS Titan. Tragically, Thaddeus died of Mendaxic neurosclerosis, a condition he contracted shortly after the family relocated to the planet Nepenthe. This created a chasm in the relationship between Deanna and Will, with Deanna, a Betazoid with empathic abilities, unable to handle Will's emotional shutdown. Will eventually found solace in Starfleet, returning just in time to rescue Picard in the Season 1 finale of Star Trek: Picard.
Thaddeus Troi-Riker was named after a former shipmate, with his middle name paying homage to a Klingon history expert. Deanna and Will's other son, Ian Andrew Troi II, was named after Deanna's father, Ian Andrew Troi. Deanna Troi was born on March 29, 2336, near Lake El'nar on Betazed, to Betazoid Ambassador Lwaxana Troi and Human Starfleet officer Ian Andrew Troi. Deanna had an older sister, Kestra Troi, who died in childhood. As Betazoid custom requires, Deanna was genetically bonded with a Human male named Wyatt Miller at a young age.
Deanna and Will's daughter, Kestra Troi-Riker, was introduced in the first season of Picard. In one episode, Kestra is seen speaking in the language her brother made up and solo-LARPing in the world her brother created for them. Deanna and Will's children carry on the memories of their parents' adventures, with their names honouring those who were close to them.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Riker and Deanna Troi got married in 2379, shortly before their transfer to the USS Titan.
Yes, their wedding party in Alaska included Captain Picard as the best man.
Yes, they had three children: Ian Andrew Troi II, Thaddeus Troi-Riker, and Kestra Troi-Riker.
Will Riker and Deanna Troi's wedding was special because their on-screen chemistry and off-screen friendship added a layer of depth and realism to their on-screen relationship. Their wedding also served as a form of closure for their characters' long and complicated romantic history.
