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The Perfect Mate (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Perfect Mate" is the 120th episode of the science fiction
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
and the 21st episode of the show's fifth season. The episode has an average rating of 3.8/5 on the official Star Trek
website (as of September 19, 2009).
starship
USS Enterprise
Captain Jean-Luc Picard
develops feelings for a woman destined from childhood for an arranged marriage
which hopefully might end a war between two planets.
, planet
s Krios and Valt Minor have agreed to a Ceremony
of Reconciliation to be held aboard the Enterprise
.
As the starship
heads to the rendezvous point, Kriosian Ambassador
Briam meets with Captain Jean-Luc Picard
. Picard inquires if Chief Engineer
Lieutenant Commander
Geordi La Forge
was able to provide the cargo
handling provisions. Briam replies that he was, and requests the storage hold be placed off limits due to the cargo’s “irreplaceable” nature.
A seeming accident brings aboard two Ferengi
.
La Forge and Picard escort Briam to the Holodeck
so he can examine La Forge's recreation of the Temple of Akadar, where the ceremony will take place. Briam is amazed at the recreation and says that there are details that need to be added.
Briam is confronted by one of the Ferengi. Picard has Chief of Security Worf
keep them under surveillance
and out of the way. Worf discovers the other Ferengi in the cargo bay and a woman held in stasis in Briam's shipment.
Picard demands an explanation. The woman introduces herself as Kamala, and she is a gift for the Valt representative, Chancellor
Alrick. Kamala immediately downplays Briam's attempts at overcomplicating the situation; stating that Captain Picard has no patience for such things. William Riker
asks Briam if he is transporting a sentient being as property. Picard further says that it is a core principle of the Federation Constitution that a person's individual freedoms are protected and that no person is the property of another. Kamala appreciates their coming to her rescue, but is acting of her own free will
. Kamala is the key to peace
, being an empathic metamorph - a mutation
with ability to perceive desires of men and adapt her persona
to be their perfect mate.
Kamala tells Riker that in her current state, she is at the cusp of adapting herself to a permanent mate, therefore her body is producing pheromone
s which affect the males near her.
When Picard shares breakfast with Beverly Crusher
, she tells him that Briam has ordered Kamala to remain in her quarters and is a virtual prisoner. Additionally, Beverly voices her disapproval over sealing a political union via an arranged marriage arguing that it's as good as selling her into prostitution. Picard responds that political marriages are and have been used in numerous cultures; including on Earth. He states that what other alternative is there; forcing Kamala to stay would mean the war would continue. In the end, Picard promises to look into it.
Picard goes to Kamala and offers her some freedom of movement. Kamala starts to respond as a metamorph to Picard. Kamala says that she is, as Picard would have her be; adventurous, brilliant and independent. Indeed, she proves to be an intellectual match for the Captain; having been educated in archaeology and literature; two of the Captain's passions. He asks her to stop doing "this you do with men”; she replies she cannot help who she is.
Picard won’t allow the metamorph to be confined. Briam protests that every man will fight over her. Picard replies “not every man”.
Picard assigns Data
to escort Kamala, knowing the android will be impervious to her wiles. Data accepts the assignment saying that he will be happy to act as her escort. Briam's concern's turn out to be valid when a fight ensues in Ten Forward because of Kamala.
Kamala comes to Picard; she agrees to stay in her quarters if he will visit her, but he responds this would be “inappropriate”. She is curious what lies beneath. Picard replies there is nothing beneath, that he is trying to “be as dull as possible”. Kamala tells Captain Picard that eventually the walls of Jericho fell and never to take lightly when a metamorph finds you interesting.
The Ferengi try to bribe Briam into releasing Kamala to them. As he starts to leave, the Ferengi restrain him. Briam is injured when he falls.
With Briam unable to participate in the ceremony, Kamala suggests Picard take over Briam’s role. Picard is hesitant but the two parties involved agree to let Picard fill in and empower him to make several favorable compromises.
Kamala and Picard prepare for the ceremony. She asks if he finds her unattractive; he replies he finds her “unavailable”. The two share a few personal details with each other while preparing for the ceremony with Picard venturing that Kamala's life must have been lonely with the expectations of everyone else being forced upon her. She answers that the opposite is true; that she has always had tutors and servants with her to prepare her for this moment in her life and this journey is the first time she has had time to herself and she finds it ironic that she should meet a man like Picard before an arranged mating. She likes the person she is when she is with Picard and that's what every metamorph wants at the end of the bonding process. But, that is not meant to be. Riker contacts Picard to announce the Valtese ship has arrived and Chancellor Alrik is ready to beam aboard.
Alrik has little use for the copy of the Temple or the ritual
s and Ceremony of Reconciliation, calling the Kriosians “sentimental people”. Alrik is more concerned about trade agreements and the exchange of technologies than Kamala.
Picard tells Kamala he must prepare for the ceremony. Replying that she doesn’t want to be alone, she asks him to stay, causing Picard to ask if he has “not done everything possible to discourage this”.
Picard and Crusher meet. Picard confesses that, Kamala changes as each man comes, and he finds himself wish
ing that next man wouldn’t come. He’s uncomfortable knowing she’s bonding with a man who cares less about her than about trade
agreements. Beverly wishes she knew what to say, but Picard tells her he "just needed a shoulder”.
Picard arrives at Kamala’s quarters. To his shock she has bonded with him. When Picard asks if she will go through with the ceremony. She says that from Picard she has learned the meaning of duty
and must fulfill hers, noting that she still has empathic abilities and will still be please Alrik – but hopes Alrik likes William Shakespeare
.
Picard escorts Briam to the Transporter
room. Briam wonders aloud how Picard was able to resist her, but Picard avoids revealing his true feelings as he bids farewell to the ambassador.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
and the 21st episode of the show's fifth season. The episode has an average rating of 3.8/5 on the official Star Trek
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...
website (as of September 19, 2009).
Overview
In this episode, Federation StarfleetStarfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
starship
Starship
A starship or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel....
USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a Star Trek character portrayed by Patrick Stewart. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek Nemesis...
develops feelings for a woman destined from childhood for an arranged marriage
Arranged marriage
An arranged marriage is a practice in which someone other than the couple getting married makes the selection of the persons to be wed, meanwhile curtailing or avoiding the process of courtship. Such marriages had deep roots in royal and aristocratic families around the world...
which hopefully might end a war between two planets.
Plot
Attempting to bring to an end centuries of warWar
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
, 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,...
s Krios and Valt Minor have agreed to a Ceremony
Ceremony
A ceremony is an event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion. The word may be of Etruscan origin.-Ceremonial occasions:A ceremony may mark a rite of passage in a human life, marking the significance of, for example:* birth...
of Reconciliation to be held aboard the Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
.
As the starship
Starship
A starship or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel....
heads to the rendezvous point, Kriosian Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
Briam meets with Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a Star Trek character portrayed by Patrick Stewart. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek Nemesis...
. Picard inquires if Chief Engineer
Chief Engineer
In marine transportation, the chief engineer is a licensed mariner in charge of the engineering department on a merchant vessel. "Chief engineer" is the official title of someone qualified to oversee the entire engine department; the qualification is colloquially called a "chief's...
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Geordi La Forge
Geordi La Forge
Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge is a regular character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its feature films, played by LeVar Burton...
was able to provide the cargo
Cargo
Cargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
handling provisions. Briam replies that he was, and requests the storage hold be placed off limits due to the cargo’s “irreplaceable” nature.
A seeming accident brings aboard two 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,...
.
La Forge and Picard escort Briam to the Holodeck
Holodeck
A holodeck, in the fictional Star Trek universe, is a simulated reality facility located on starships and starbases. The first use of a "holodeck" by that name in the Star Trek universe was in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Encounter at Farpoint", although a conceptually...
so he can examine La Forge's recreation of the Temple of Akadar, where the ceremony will take place. Briam is amazed at the recreation and says that there are details that need to be added.
Briam is confronted by one of the Ferengi. Picard has Chief of Security Worf
Worf
Worf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...
keep them under surveillance
Surveillance
Surveillance is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people. It is sometimes done in a surreptitious manner...
and out of the way. Worf discovers the other Ferengi in the cargo bay and a woman held in stasis in Briam's shipment.
Picard demands an explanation. The woman introduces herself as Kamala, and she is a gift for the Valt representative, Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
Alrick. Kamala immediately downplays Briam's attempts at overcomplicating the situation; stating that Captain Picard has no patience for such things. 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...
asks Briam if he is transporting a sentient being as property. Picard further says that it is a core principle of the Federation Constitution that a person's individual freedoms are protected and that no person is the property of another. Kamala appreciates their coming to her rescue, but is acting of her own free will
Free will
"To make my own decisions whether I am successful or not due to uncontrollable forces" -Troy MorrisonA pragmatic definition of free willFree will is the ability of agents to make choices free from certain kinds of constraints. The existence of free will and its exact nature and definition have long...
. Kamala is the key to peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
, being an empathic metamorph - a mutation
Mutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
with ability to perceive desires of men and adapt her persona
Persona
A persona, in the word's everyday usage, is a social role or a character played by an actor. The word is derived from Latin, where it originally referred to a theatrical mask. The Latin word probably derived from the Etruscan word "phersu", with the same meaning, and that from the Greek πρόσωπον...
to be their perfect mate.
Kamala tells Riker that in her current state, she is at the cusp of adapting herself to a permanent mate, therefore her body is producing pheromone
Pheromone
A pheromone is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting outside the body of the secreting individual to impact the behavior of the receiving individual...
s which affect the males near her.
When Picard shares breakfast with Beverly Crusher
Beverly Crusher
Commander Beverly Crusher, M.D. , played by actress Gates McFadden, is a fictional character on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent spinoff films...
, she tells him that Briam has ordered Kamala to remain in her quarters and is a virtual prisoner. Additionally, Beverly voices her disapproval over sealing a political union via an arranged marriage arguing that it's as good as selling her into prostitution. Picard responds that political marriages are and have been used in numerous cultures; including on Earth. He states that what other alternative is there; forcing Kamala to stay would mean the war would continue. In the end, Picard promises to look into it.
Picard goes to Kamala and offers her some freedom of movement. Kamala starts to respond as a metamorph to Picard. Kamala says that she is, as Picard would have her be; adventurous, brilliant and independent. Indeed, she proves to be an intellectual match for the Captain; having been educated in archaeology and literature; two of the Captain's passions. He asks her to stop doing "this you do with men”; she replies she cannot help who she is.
Picard won’t allow the metamorph to be confined. Briam protests that every man will fight over her. Picard replies “not every man”.
Picard assigns Data
Data (Star Trek)
Lieutenant Commander Data is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe portrayed by actor Brent Spiner. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek...
to escort Kamala, knowing the android will be impervious to her wiles. Data accepts the assignment saying that he will be happy to act as her escort. Briam's concern's turn out to be valid when a fight ensues in Ten Forward because of Kamala.
Kamala comes to Picard; she agrees to stay in her quarters if he will visit her, but he responds this would be “inappropriate”. She is curious what lies beneath. Picard replies there is nothing beneath, that he is trying to “be as dull as possible”. Kamala tells Captain Picard that eventually the walls of Jericho fell and never to take lightly when a metamorph finds you interesting.
The Ferengi try to bribe Briam into releasing Kamala to them. As he starts to leave, the Ferengi restrain him. Briam is injured when he falls.
With Briam unable to participate in the ceremony, Kamala suggests Picard take over Briam’s role. Picard is hesitant but the two parties involved agree to let Picard fill in and empower him to make several favorable compromises.
Kamala and Picard prepare for the ceremony. She asks if he finds her unattractive; he replies he finds her “unavailable”. The two share a few personal details with each other while preparing for the ceremony with Picard venturing that Kamala's life must have been lonely with the expectations of everyone else being forced upon her. She answers that the opposite is true; that she has always had tutors and servants with her to prepare her for this moment in her life and this journey is the first time she has had time to herself and she finds it ironic that she should meet a man like Picard before an arranged mating. She likes the person she is when she is with Picard and that's what every metamorph wants at the end of the bonding process. But, that is not meant to be. Riker contacts Picard to announce the Valtese ship has arrived and Chancellor Alrik is ready to beam aboard.
Alrik has little use for the copy of the Temple or the ritual
Ritual
A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. It may be prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. The term usually excludes actions which are arbitrarily chosen by the performers....
s and Ceremony of Reconciliation, calling the Kriosians “sentimental people”. Alrik is more concerned about trade agreements and the exchange of technologies than Kamala.
Picard tells Kamala he must prepare for the ceremony. Replying that she doesn’t want to be alone, she asks him to stay, causing Picard to ask if he has “not done everything possible to discourage this”.
Picard and Crusher meet. Picard confesses that, Kamala changes as each man comes, and he finds himself wish
Wish
A wish is a hope or desire for something. Fictionally, wishes can be used as plot devices. In folklore, opportunities for "making a wish" or for wishes to "come true" or "be granted" are themes that are sometimes used.-In literature:...
ing that next man wouldn’t come. He’s uncomfortable knowing she’s bonding with a man who cares less about her than about trade
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
agreements. Beverly wishes she knew what to say, but Picard tells her he "just needed a shoulder”.
Picard arrives at Kamala’s quarters. To his shock she has bonded with him. When Picard asks if she will go through with the ceremony. She says that from Picard she has learned the meaning of duty
Duty
Duty is a term that conveys a sense of moral commitment to someone or something. The moral commitment is the sort that results in action and it is not a matter of passive feeling or mere recognition...
and must fulfill hers, noting that she still has empathic abilities and will still be please Alrik – but hopes Alrik likes William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
.
Picard escorts Briam to the Transporter
Transporter (Star Trek)
A transporter is a fictional teleportation machine used in the Star Trek universe. Transporters convert a person or object into an energy pattern , then "beam" it to a target, where it is reconverted into matter...
room. Briam wonders aloud how Picard was able to resist her, but Picard avoids revealing his true feelings as he bids farewell to the ambassador.