Betazoid
Encyclopedia
In the fictional Star Trek
universe, Betazoids are a sentient humanoid species from the planet
Betazed, a member of the United Federation of Planets
.
, the only difference being that the iris
of a Betazoid's eyes is somewhat larger than a human's, and completely black (although as yet it is unclear if it is or is not aniridia
). The Betazoid brain
contains the paracortex, which is a lobe devoted specifically to telepathy. Betazoids are empathic and telepathic (they can communicate telepathically with other Betazoids and some other aliens, and can sense the emotions of a wide variety of species). Betazoid/human hybrids (like Deanna Troi
), however, are just empaths, not telepaths (although still able to communicate telepathically with full Betazoids, and with those very close to them i.e. Deanna Troi and her imzadi (first true love), William Riker
).
While most Betazoids develop their telepathic powers at the onset of adolescence, and they gradually develop after that, a small number are born fully telepathic, although no one knows exactly why. Betazoids born with their telepathic abilities fully developed almost never lead normal lives - they are constantly bombarded with the thoughts of others around them, and drive themselves to distraction attempting to block out the never-ending telepathic "attack". Though also rare, Betazoids can be born without any telepathic ability, leading to sociopathic behavior. Lon Suder is a Betazoid without telepathic ability.
The REM frequency of sleeping Betazoids is different from that of most humanoid
s.
Because they can sense the emotions and sometimes thoughts of others, their culture has evolved to be totally honest and nonprivate; for example, their wedding ceremonies are performed in the nude. Betazoids feel uncomfortable around species whose minds they cannot read, including the Ferengi
(whose brain is different from most humanoids), Changelings, who don't have a distinct "brain" (i.e.- an organ constituting their mind and mental functions), and the Breen.
Betazoid society includes a complex hereditary nobility (which is not bound to any actual social privilege). For example, Betazoid ambassador Lwaxana Troi was formally titled Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix, and Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed. Members of the nobility are usually betrothed at a very early age.
The gestation
period for Betazoids is typically 10 months. At around age 40, Betazoid females enter a period of increased sexual desire called "the phase" http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/aliens/article/70556.html. A Betazoid woman's sex drive will typically quadruple in intensity during the phase.
At one time, it was fashionable for Betazoid women to wear elaborate wigs that encaged small animals. The practice, which was cruel to the animals, was stopped when one woman stood up against it.
The Betazoid word imzadi means "beloved", although in the (non-canon
, like all Star Trek books) novel "Imzadi
", by Peter David
, the meaning is expanded to mean "the first", as in the first to touch one's soul. This explains why Deanna Troi calls William Riker
imzadi when they meet in the episode "Encounter at Farpoint", even though they had not been lovers for years.
For most of TNG's run, Troi speaks with a distinctive accent. In the Season 1 cast interviews, it is revealed that the accent was "created" by Marina Sirtis
when she was asked to modify an Eastern European accent to make it a distinct Betazoid accent, and she combined it with a Hebrew accent. However, when Majel Barrett was cast to play Troi's mother Lwaxana Troi, since Majel had an American accent, the accent was attributed to come from Troi's father (a human) instead. However, over the years Troi's use of the accent has gradually diminished; also, when Ian Troi finally appeared onscreen (played by Amick Byram
in the episode "Dark Page"), he spoke with an American accent.
.
Then-Lieutenant William Riker
was stationed on Betazed, where he became romantically involved with psychology student Deanna Troi.
The biennial Trade Agreements Conference, an interstellar congress, was held on Betazed in 2366.
Lake Cataria on Betazed was one of Deanna Troi's favorite places. The Janaran Falls is a waterfall located on the planet.
In the final year of the Dominion War
, Betazed was conquered by the Dominion
. In the novel The Battle of Betazed, it is shown how the planet was ruled by the Jem'Hadar
and their Cardassian
allies for four months. It was eventually liberated by the Betazoids using telepathic emotional projection against the Jem'Hadar
.
Betazed's Mirror Universe counterpart appears only once, in Rudy Josephs' short story "The Sacred Chalice" (part of the trade paperback collection, "Shards and Shadows"). The mirror Betazed lies in ruins, its native population having been wiped out decades earlier by the Terran Empire (which greatly feared telepaths of any species). The few surviving Betazoids attempt to pass themselves off as Earth humans, since most species are unaware of the similarity in appearance between Betazoids and Humans. Mirror counterparts of the Troi family also appear in this story: Ian is a rebel starship commander, Lwaxana runs a brothel in the midst of ruined Betazed, and Deanna (who had been working for her mother) eventually leaves to join the Rebellion as well.
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
universe, Betazoids are a sentient humanoid species from the planet
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
Betazed, a member of the United Federation of Planets
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
.
Overview
Externally, Betazoids are nearly indistinguishable from humansHuman (Star Trek)
In the Star Trek science fiction universe, Humans/Terrans are one of the races undertaking interstellar travel. Human beings were instrumental in the founding of the United Federation of Planets...
, the only difference being that the iris
Iris (anatomy)
The iris is a thin, circular structure in the eye, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupils and thus the amount of light reaching the retina. "Eye color" is the color of the iris, which can be green, blue, or brown. In some cases it can be hazel , grey, violet, or even pink...
of a Betazoid's eyes is somewhat larger than a human's, and completely black (although as yet it is unclear if it is or is not aniridia
Aniridia
Aniridia is the absence of the iris. Aniridia usually involves both eyes. It can be congenital or caused by a penetrant injury. Isolated aniridia is a congenital disorder which is not limited to a defect in iris development, but is a panocular condition with macular and optic nerve hypoplasia,...
). The Betazoid brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
contains the paracortex, which is a lobe devoted specifically to telepathy. Betazoids are empathic and telepathic (they can communicate telepathically with other Betazoids and some other aliens, and can sense the emotions of a wide variety of species). Betazoid/human hybrids (like Deanna Troi
Deanna Troi
Commander Deanna Troi is a main character in the science-fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and related TV series and films, portrayed by actress Marina Sirtis. Troi is half-human, half-Betazoid and has the psionic ability to sense emotions. She serves as the ship's counselor...
), however, are just empaths, not telepaths (although still able to communicate telepathically with full Betazoids, and with those very close to them i.e. Deanna Troi and her imzadi (first true love), William Riker
William Riker
William Thomas Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe primarily appearing as a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
).
While most Betazoids develop their telepathic powers at the onset of adolescence, and they gradually develop after that, a small number are born fully telepathic, although no one knows exactly why. Betazoids born with their telepathic abilities fully developed almost never lead normal lives - they are constantly bombarded with the thoughts of others around them, and drive themselves to distraction attempting to block out the never-ending telepathic "attack". Though also rare, Betazoids can be born without any telepathic ability, leading to sociopathic behavior. Lon Suder is a Betazoid without telepathic ability.
The REM frequency of sleeping Betazoids is different from that of most humanoid
Humanoid
A humanoid is something that has an appearance resembling a human being. The term first appeared in 1912 to refer to fossils which were morphologically similar to, but not identical with, those of the human skeleton. Although this usage was common in the sciences for much of the 20th century, it...
s.
Because they can sense the emotions and sometimes thoughts of others, their culture has evolved to be totally honest and nonprivate; for example, their wedding ceremonies are performed in the nude. Betazoids feel uncomfortable around species whose minds they cannot read, including the Ferengi
Ferengi
The Ferengi are a fictitious extraterrestrial race from the Star Trek universe. They first appeared in "The Last Outpost", the fifth episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, during which they made first contact with the United Federation of Planets in 2364 on the planet Delphi Ardu,...
(whose brain is different from most humanoids), Changelings, who don't have a distinct "brain" (i.e.- an organ constituting their mind and mental functions), and the Breen.
Betazoid society includes a complex hereditary nobility (which is not bound to any actual social privilege). For example, Betazoid ambassador Lwaxana Troi was formally titled Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix, and Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed. Members of the nobility are usually betrothed at a very early age.
The gestation
Gestation
Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal. Mammals during pregnancy can have one or more gestations at the same time ....
period for Betazoids is typically 10 months. At around age 40, Betazoid females enter a period of increased sexual desire called "the phase" http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/aliens/article/70556.html. A Betazoid woman's sex drive will typically quadruple in intensity during the phase.
At one time, it was fashionable for Betazoid women to wear elaborate wigs that encaged small animals. The practice, which was cruel to the animals, was stopped when one woman stood up against it.
The Betazoid word imzadi means "beloved", although in the (non-canon
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
, like all Star Trek books) novel "Imzadi
Imzadi
Imzadi is a non-canon Star Trek novel by Peter David, primarily exploring William Riker's assignment to Betazed and his early relationship with Deanna Troi....
", by Peter David
Peter David
Peter Allen David , often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, movies and video games...
, the meaning is expanded to mean "the first", as in the first to touch one's soul. This explains why Deanna Troi calls William Riker
William Riker
William Thomas Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe primarily appearing as a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
imzadi when they meet in the episode "Encounter at Farpoint", even though they had not been lovers for years.
For most of TNG's run, Troi speaks with a distinctive accent. In the Season 1 cast interviews, it is revealed that the accent was "created" by Marina Sirtis
Marina Sirtis
Marina Sirtis is a British-American actress of Greek descent. She played the role of the human/Betazoid Commander Deanna Troi, ship's counselor, on the television and film series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Life:...
when she was asked to modify an Eastern European accent to make it a distinct Betazoid accent, and she combined it with a Hebrew accent. However, when Majel Barrett was cast to play Troi's mother Lwaxana Troi, since Majel had an American accent, the accent was attributed to come from Troi's father (a human) instead. However, over the years Troi's use of the accent has gradually diminished; also, when Ian Troi finally appeared onscreen (played by Amick Byram
Amick Byram
Amick Byram is an American tenor, a recording artist and two-time Grammy nomineeHe is a native of McLennan County, Texas....
in the episode "Dark Page"), he spoke with an American accent.
Betazed
Betazed is a member of the United Federation of PlanetsUnited Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
.
Then-Lieutenant William Riker
William Riker
William Thomas Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe primarily appearing as a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
was stationed on Betazed, where he became romantically involved with psychology student Deanna Troi.
The biennial Trade Agreements Conference, an interstellar congress, was held on Betazed in 2366.
Lake Cataria on Betazed was one of Deanna Troi's favorite places. The Janaran Falls is a waterfall located on the planet.
In the final year of the Dominion War
Dominion War
The Dominion War is an extended plot concept developed in a number of story arcs of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, an American science-fiction television series produced by Paramount Pictures...
, Betazed was conquered by the Dominion
Dominion (Star Trek)
In the Star Trek universe, the Dominion is a ruthless and militaristic Gamma Quadrant state consisting of many different races. The Dominion wages war on the United Federation of Planets and its allies in the late 24th century, acting as an antagonist in the TV show Star Trek: Deep Space...
. In the novel The Battle of Betazed, it is shown how the planet was ruled by the Jem'Hadar
Jem'Hadar
In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Jem'Hadar are the shock troops of the powerful Dominion located in the Gamma Quadrant. Genetically engineered for strength and resolve, they are also short-lived and believe that "victory is life." They are bred to perceive the Founders, enigmatic...
and their Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
allies for four months. It was eventually liberated by the Betazoids using telepathic emotional projection against the Jem'Hadar
Jem'Hadar
In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Jem'Hadar are the shock troops of the powerful Dominion located in the Gamma Quadrant. Genetically engineered for strength and resolve, they are also short-lived and believe that "victory is life." They are bred to perceive the Founders, enigmatic...
.
Betazed's Mirror Universe counterpart appears only once, in Rudy Josephs' short story "The Sacred Chalice" (part of the trade paperback collection, "Shards and Shadows"). The mirror Betazed lies in ruins, its native population having been wiped out decades earlier by the Terran Empire (which greatly feared telepaths of any species). The few surviving Betazoids attempt to pass themselves off as Earth humans, since most species are unaware of the similarity in appearance between Betazoids and Humans. Mirror counterparts of the Troi family also appear in this story: Ian is a rebel starship commander, Lwaxana runs a brothel in the midst of ruined Betazed, and Deanna (who had been working for her mother) eventually leaves to join the Rebellion as well.