I can't find the words to describe how much I love this character. I've been looking forward to gushing on about her since I started this blog, waiting for my review of Haven to pay tribute to her character and Now I can't think of a thing to say.
Her character was perfect from its introduction. It never needed any tweaking whatsoever. Lwaxana Troi is a strong female character in my eyes. Independent without being a man-hater. In fact she's a lover of men in general. She's older and wiser, but not a slave to her age as far as looks and behavior. And in spite of being a nagging mother who is devoted to her only child, she's still her own person with her own passions and pursuits. Bold, yet not overdone. As I said in the Haven piece, she embodies the exotic nature of Betazed. No matter how outlandish the outfits, there was definitely an elegance to them that didn't make her seem like she was trying to look younger in the embarrassing fashion that older women often do.
She looked and acted like royalty. From her own oft repeated introductions, she could very nearly have been. Lwaxana Troi, Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed! You know, it's a shame they never developed Betazoid culture the way they did other races. According to Deanna Troi, the Sacred Chalice of Rixx was just an old clay pot. But wouldn't it have been an interesting twist if it had more meaning that that? Of course, she was formally a Federation Ambassador, so she had all the privileges assigned to that designation anyway, and she could very well parade around like royalty if she wanted as was, I assume, the Betazoid custom.
But they didn't just bring her in for comic relief only. They let her have her moments of growth and seriousness. She more than earned it. Without losing any of her edge the show used her to spotlight the concerns of seniors and mature relationships. And they gave Lwaxana a tragedy in her past that made her character three dimensional and even stronger.
And, of course there's this:
I don't think a person couldn't love this scene, even if they don't care for the Lwaxana character. And look at Deanna's dress in this clip. This is exactly what I was talking about. They tried so hard to give her an exotically beautiful look and end up with that dress that looks like it belongs on a Barbie doll while Lwaxana is pulling off the exotic beauty without even trying it would seem.
What started out as yet another childish joke about nakedness in the first season (regarding the bride and groom being naked at a traditional Betazoid wedding) was turned around and made into something believably mature and thoughtful and I don't think it could've been pulled off with any other character but Lwaxana.
Three cheers for this free spirit; this mature, strong woman; the spark that gave Star Trek a meaningful mother-daughter bond that hasn't been recreated on any other series.
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