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So, I was thinking that most episodes, we see all of the TNG cast every episode, but surely there are some episodes where some characters aren't seen. So, my question is which of the main characters from TNG had the most episodes where they were not seen in the episode?

By main, I'm referring to:

  • Picard
  • Riker
  • LaForge
  • Data
  • Troi
  • Worf
  • Crusher
  • Pulaski

Now, some restrictions:

  • Dr Pulaski only counts in the confines of Season 2 i.e. if she was absent in 12 episodes from season 2 and the next character in this ranking was absent for 11 episodes in the entire series, then she would count. In short, her absence in all seasons but for season 2 doesn't count
  • Similarly, Dr Crusher's absence from Season 2 doesn't count
  • Tasha Yar's absence following her death doesn't count.
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  • Interesting, IMDB suggests that Crusher might be the only one, but that's probably because of Season 2! Aug 25, 2015 at 0:30
  • I'm pretty sure this is a duplicate Aug 25, 2015 at 0:48
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    I had thought a while back to ask the opposite of this question (which character features in the most episodes), but never got around to it. Feel free to use it if you wish.
    – Xantec
    Aug 25, 2015 at 21:06
  • @Xantec thanks; appreciate the offer, but I'm perfectly happy for you to ask it; it was your question after all! Aug 26, 2015 at 0:02
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    @lunchmeat317 considering she spends most episodes as a side character than one of the main characters consistently I've excluded her from the scope of this question Aug 26, 2015 at 2:27

1 Answer 1

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It's either Deanna Troi or Geordi La Forge, depending on exactly what you count as an absence.

Counselor Troi

There are ten episodes where Marina Sirtis doesn't appear in any capacity:

  1. "Hide and Q"
  2. "Datalore"
  3. "11001001"
  4. "Heart of Glory"
  5. "A Matter of Honor"
  6. "Identity Crisis"
  7. "The Perfect Mate"
  8. "The Inner Light"
  9. "Birthright, Part 1"
  10. "Rightful Heir"

Geordi La Forge

Geordi's absences range from six to eleven, depending on how you count.

There are six episodes where LeVar Burton doesn't appear in any capacity:

  1. "A Matter of Honor"
  2. "Manhunt"
  3. "Captain's Holiday"
  4. "First Contact"
  5. "Rightful Heir"
  6. "Attached"

There are two additional episodes where Geordi appears only as a hallucination or hologram:

  1. "Frame of Mind"
  2. "Thine Own Self"

There are two more episodes where LeVar Burton doesn't appear on-camera, but his voice is heard:

  1. "The Wounded"
  2. "Tapestry"

And there's one episode where stock footage of Burton is used:

  1. "Suddenly Human"

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