5.21 The Perfect Mate

Rating: 3

The Enterprise participates in a peace conference between Krios and Valt Minor, providing escort for the Kriosian delegate and his fragile cargo. The ‘cargo’ is Kamala, a female metamorph who can sense and provide any man’s desire, and she has her eye on Captan Picard.

Comments

A highly effective episode. Famke Janssen is believable and alluring as the metamorph; Picard is fantastic as the man who hides his feelings.

This episode is somewhat similar to the TOS episode Elaan of Troyius, although in that episode Elaan was fiercely resistant to her arranged marriage.

Janssen’s career has blossomed; to date (2005) she is probably most famous for her role in the movie X-Men (2000).

That’s Max Grodenchick as one of the Ferengi. He would go on to play the Ferengi Nog on DS9.

Nits

Kamala can sense and provide any pleasure to a man…so does anyone think it might be a bad idea to let Riker escort her to her quarters? J

Not really a nit, just a criticism: Crusher’s two scenes are ineffective and have a conflict. In the first scene, she strongly advocates for the rights of Kamala to have her freedom and freedom of choice. In the second scene, she refers to Kamala as ‘the metamorph’, which sounds derogatory…and she doesn’t really seem to have any of the passion that she spouted in her first scene. Picard asks Crusher if he can confide in her as a friend; then he tells her that he cares for Kamala. Crusher’s reaction? She says, "I wish I could do something to help."

Memorable Moments

•    Kamala’s emergence from her ‘coccoon’ (and note that only on Star Trek would a woman emerge from a cocoon fully clothed, wearing a ‘coccoon dress’)

•    Picard and Kamala in her quarters

•    Kamala and Worf trading growls

Quotable Quotes

"Mr Worf, escort our Ferengi guests to quarters…not too close to mine."
- Riker

Riker: This has been very educational, but I make it a policy never to open another man’s gift.
Kamala: I know my place in history, Commander, but it’s going to be a long voyage.
Riker: It certainly is.
(Riker leaves Kamala’s quarters)
Riker: Riker to bridge, if you need me, I’ll be in holodeck four.

Kamala: When a metamorph finds you interesting, don’t take it lightly.
Picard: I’m not taking it lightly, I’m just trying to be as dull as possible.

Picard: Why are you doing this, Kamala?
Kamala: There can be only one reason…because some part of you wants me to.

Kamala: Do you find me unattractive?
Picard: I find you unavailable.