Q; How is it that Troi apparently reads the Ferengi Captain's mind here, when it is well known that Betazoids can't read Ferengi?
A; I don't see any problem there. Troi isn't a Betazoid, she's a half-Betazoid. It has been argued that as such, Troi's abilities are necessarily scaled down from a full Betazoid. I suspect that if one were to study a little about genetics, one would find that such would not necessarily be the case. The fact that she's essentially a mongrel or crossbreed may have served to strengthen her empathic abilities. I suspect also that empathic ability is not uniform throughout the Betazoid species: some may have a little, some may have a lot, some may be better at getting the vibes from, say, Romulans than they are from, say, Klingons. For example, in the third season we are introduced to an individual called Tam Elbrun, a Betazoid who Troi tells us is exceptional even for one of that species. She goes on to say that the Betazoid empathic/telepathic abilities develop in most cases during adolescence, but some people are born fully functioning. This would seem to support my theories in this regard. It is also perhaps not the easiest task to determine where empathy leaves off and outright telepathy commences. I feel we can be justified in allowing the writers a little latitude here.
Q; In the episode 'The Loss', Data clearly states that the Ferengi cannot be read by empaths. Why?
A; May I suggest a simple answer for this? Data, of course, only knows what he's told, and since the then current scientific thinking had it that the Ferengi were immune to empaths, that is what Data will repeat if asked. I am not sure whether up till now Data has been present when Troi has responded unequivocally to a Ferengi mind, but can only conclude that if he has been, then, er, he can't have been paying much attention. One might query why the assembly have not been leaping up and exclaiming in astonishment at Troi's ability, but you might assume that if she has displayed it then it was when there were bucket-loads of fast action going down. In the general hubbub, nobody noticed.
Isn't it a bit odd that when Geordi and Riker go down to Engineering there doesn't seem to be anyone in charge?
I can't help but notice that while Picard, Beverly and the others are painfully reviving from their near death experience one of the unfortunates who man the rear Bridge console is already up and working I mean, they work these guys HARD in Starfleet!