STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
Season 5, Episode 21

The Perfect Mate

Series: The Next Generation - (1987-1994)
Season: 5
Episode #: 5.21
Production #: 40275-221
Original Airdate: 04/27/1992

Writer(s): René Echevarria, Gary Perconte, and Michael Piller
Director(s): Cliff Bole

Guest Stars
Famke Janssen as Kamala
Tim O'Connor as Ambassador Briam
Max Grodénchik as Par Lenor
Mickey Cottrell as Chancellor Alrik
Michael Snyder as Qol
David Paul Needles as Miner #1
Roger Rignack as Miner #2
Charles Gunning as Miner #3
April Grace as Transporter Officer Maggie Hubbell
Majel Barrett as the Voice of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D Computer

Uncredited Guest Stars
K.C. Amos as an Operations Division Officer
Rachen Assapiomonwait as Crewman Nelson
Joe Bauman as Crewman Garvey
Steven Bosnyak as an Operations Division Ensign
Michael Braveheart as Ltjg. Martinez
Cameron as Ensign Kellogg
Denise Deuschle as a Sciences Division Officer
Gunnel Eriksson as a Sciences Division Officer
Gregory as an Alien Miner
Grace Harrell as an Operations Division Officer
Kai as a Sciences Division Officer
Mark Lentry as a Sciences Division Lieutenant
Lynch as an Alien Miner
Debbie Marsh as a Command Division Ensign
Greg Poole as a Command Division Officer
Jackson Sleet as an Alien Miner
John Tampoya as an Operations Division Ensign
Théyard as a Sciences Division Officer
Christina Wegler Miles as a Command Division Ensign
Wilson as an Alien Miner

Stardate: 45761.3

Synopsis

The battle between the Krios and Valt Minor Systems is set to end aboard the neutral ground of the U.S.S. Enterprise in a Ceremony of Reconciliation. The Kriosian Ambassador Briam arrives first with a gift for the Valtese leader Alrik, a fragile and irreplaceable item he asks to have declared off-limits. While on course to meet Alrik, the Enterprise is summoned to aid a Ferengi shuttle and beams aboard its two passengers. Picard and the crew learn their arrival was no coincidence when one of the Ferengi is caught trying to steal the gift. After being bumped by the Ferengi, the cocoon-like structure that houses the gift dissolves, revealing an exotic and beautiful woman.

The woman, Kamala, explains that she is an empathic metamorph, a rare creature born with the ability to sense what her mate desires and become what he wants her to be. From birth, she has been raised to be a gift to Alrik, whom she will imprint herself to as a token of peace. However, since her seal was broken prematurely, she is in a vulnerable state, sending out powerful sexual signals to every man she comes in contact with. Briam requests that she be confined to her room until Alrik arrives, but this horrifies Beverly Crusher, who tells Picard that he is helping to transport Kamala into a life of virtual prostitution. She convinces him to talk to the woman and release her from her quarters.

[ Screencap Index ]

Picard has a difficult time resisting his attraction to Kamala, so he assigns Data, who will be immune to the woman's charms, to act as her escort. Data brings Kamala to the bar, where every man in sight is drawn to her. Kamala realizes she is creating havoc and volunteers to return to her quarters. Meanwhile, as Picard and Geordi help prepare for the upcoming ceremony, the Ferengis try to bribe Briam for Kamala. When he refuses to accept the bribe, he is knocked unconscious.

With Briam unable to perform his duty, Picard is asked to step in for him during the peace negotiations. Unfortunately, the captain knows little of the customs and rituals of the Kriosian people, and must turn to Kamala for help. As they work together, Picard finds it difficult to resist his attraction for her. Kamala confesses that she is also struggling, and finds it ironic to have met a man like Picard the day before she is to meet the man she must spend the rest of her life with.

Alrik arrives, and Picard is called upon to hand Kamala to her new mate in the Ceremony of Reconciliation. However, when he arrives in her room, she tells Picard that she is in love with him and has already imprinted herself to him. He asks her if she plans to go through with the ceremony anyway, and she tells him she must put her duty to her fellow man ahead of her own desires.

 | Cost Of Living (S5:E20) | ~ | Star Trek: The Next Generation Episode List | ~ | Imaginary Friend (S5:E22) |