The Perfect Mate ( episode ) Picard serves as host for a peace treaty between two warring planets , but he may be unable to resist the reconciliation " gift " – a beautiful empathic metamorph who is to be presented by one leader as the other ' s wife . Summary . Teaser . The " Enterprise " is " en route " to mediate a peace treaty between the Valtese and the Kriosian s . While welcoming Ambassador Briam aboard , the " Enterprise " receives a distress call from a Ferengi shuttle about to suffer a collapse of the containment field and explode . The " Enterprise " arrives to their rescue and manages to beam aboard the two Ferengi before their shuttle explodes . Worf escorts them to quarters . They seem thankful to be there , but when Worf leaves , they remark to themselves that it " was too easy . " Act One . Picard resumes talking with Briam , and takes him to the holodeck , where the Temple of Akadar has been programmed for the peace talks . He is impressed and optimistic . Briam needs to consult the history a bit more before continuing with Geordi La Forge for preparations . As they leave , one of the Ferengi , Par Lenor forcefully introduces himself to Briam attempting to gain exclusive trading rights , but Picard and La Forge eventually pull him away . Meanwhile , sneaking around the ship curiously , the other Ferengi named Qol discovers a strange , glowing cocoon in one of the cargo bay s . He attempts to scan it while standing on a few stacked barrels , but slips when Worf , who asks him what he ' s doing , and a security team enter . He kicks a barrel into one of the suspension beams , making it overcompensate and slice open the cocoon . As the captain , Briam , and Riker enter , the cocoon slowly falls to the ground and melts before their eyes , revealing a beautiful woman , while Worf pulls Qol away . She approaches Picard , and gives herself to him , thinking he is Alrik . Act Two . Her name is Kamala , and she is an empathic metamorph , a woman genetically programmed to meet the desires of any man she is with . She has the ability to sense what a potential mate wants , what he needs , and what gives him the greatest pleasure and then to become that for him until she reaches the final stage of bonding , during which she must imprint upon herself the requirements of one man , to serve as his perfect partner in life . From birth she has been reared for this event and is thus being presented as a gift to Alrik , to seal the peace agreement between Krios and Valt Minor . By the symbolic act of wedding this perfect mate to the leader of Valt Minor – Chancellor Alrik – Ambassador Briam hopes to end the longstanding conflict that has been plaguing both their worlds for centuries . Riker escorts Kamala to quarters . She warns him about her elevated pheromone s . This is due to her being in " finiis ' ral " , the final stage of her sexual maturity , during which her body produces an unusually high number of pheromones which are very provocative to members of the opposite sex . Because this is the final stage of her sexual maturation , she must also bond with whoever she wishes to be the most like for the rest of her life in a very short time . Nevertheless , due to her empathic nature and elevated hormone levels , Kamala cannot resist briefly responding to Riker ' s inner desires and even attempting to seduce him . Fortunately , Riker shows himself to be disciplined enough to resist her advances ( insisting that he has a policy " not to open another man ' s gift " ) , though he is clearly severely tempted . While they are having breakfast in his cabin , Dr . Crusher objects to the " Enterprise " crew essentially facilitating the " sale " of Kamala , a sentient being , into " a life of virtual prostitution . " Picard rejoins that arranged marriage has been a diplomatic tool for centuries , including on Earth . Crusher does not relent , and Picard sarcastically suggests that they throw the Prime Directive to the winds , stop the marriage , and allow the two cultures ' war to continue . But Crusher has the last word , informing him that Briam has confined Kamala to her quarters like a prisoner . Picard is taken aback , and disturbed , to hear this . Picard pays her a visit . Although she turns the heads of many men , including that of Riker , she herself develops a very particular interest in Picard . During that visit , he already feels himself being affected by the things she does with men and asks her to stop doing whatever she is doing . However , Kamala states that this is her nature and that her wishes and her needs are fulfilled by what she gives to others . She tells Picard that he knows her better than he realizes , for she is independent , forceful , brilliant , and adventurous – exactly as he would have her be . A very uneasy Picard makes his way quickly out of her quarters and in an effort to protect both himself and Kamala from the effects that she has on men . He says he ' ll talk to Briam about her confinement . Act Three . Picard tells Briam he won ' t let Kamala be confined , despite his warnings of trouble , the same as Kamala mentioned earlier . He assigns Data as her chaperone . However , Kamala causes quite a stir around the ship , for wherever she goes she stirs feelings of affection , adoration , and even downright lust in the hearts of male crew members and visitors . When Kamala and Data arrive in Ten Forward sometime later , her effect is immediately apparent in the miners the " Enterprise " had picked up at Harod IV . Riker , who is having a drink with Worf , leaves to avoid what he knows is coming . Kamala and Data go up to the bar , at which point one of the miners begins harassing Kamala . Data tells a miner that his behavior is extremely rude . The other miners begin harassing Kamala , as well , though she takes it in stride and is comfortable with it . When Worf steps in , however , the miners stop . Data escorts Kamala out of the bar to take her to the ship ' s arboretum . Just before they leave , Kamala growls at Worf suggestively and Worf instinctively growls back , before composing himself . In Picard ' s ready room sometime later , Picard is informed of the incident in Ten Forward . Picard tells Kamala that he has confidence in his crew members ' self - control , but there are civilians aboard the " Enterprise " . Kamala then displays her knowledge on a variety of subjects , including Shakespeare ' s work and Picard ' s origins in France . Kamala tells Picard that some of her knowledge of Picard ' s origins came from help from Data . The more Picard surrounds himself with Kamala , the more he talks with her and the more he gets to know her , the more he feels himself drawn to her , while at the same time recognizing the impossibility of such a union . He even tries to convince Kamala that he is actually pretty dull , falling asleep with a book in his hand every night . However , Kamala does not give in , for she knows that some part of Picard wants her to continue pursuing him . Meanwhile , the Ferengi Par Lenor and Qol make their reasons for being on the " Enterprise " known ; they want to buy Kamala from Briam . They offer up to 20 , 000 Ludugial gold coins . Briam is understandably offended , and , after thanking the Ferengi for sharing the information , promises to tell Picard , but the impulsive Ferengi attack Briam and he falls , striking his head on a glass table and falling into a coma . Act Four . In sickbay sometime later , Crusher tells Picard and Kamala that if they ' re lucky , Briam should regain consciousness within a few days . Kamala , however , tells Picard that the peace negotiations can ' t wait that long because of her premature removal from stasis , so the responsibility falls with Picard who – while having diplomatic experience – is not quite familiar with all the ceremonial requirements of the treaty and requires the assistance of Kamala who knows about the rituals and ceremony of her people . After Kamala tells Picard about her childhood , she finds it rather ironic that on the eve of this ceremony , which she has spent her entire life preparing for , she should meet a man like him . Finally , Chancellor Alrik arrives on the " Enterprise " and quickly establishes himself as not particularly interested in either Kamala or a mate , only in trade agreements . However , he is willing to accept Kamala as it furthers his aforementioned ambitions . Picard himself is apprehensive as to what Kamala will become when she is joined with Alrik , but since she is unavailable , he doesn ' t entertain that thought much further . He confesses all of this to Dr . Crusher and thanks her for being a shoulder to cry on . However , the night before the ceremony , during a visit to Kamala ' s quarters , Picard ' s resistance fails . Act Five . During morning tea , Picard confides in Crusher that he can ' t help thinking about her being with a man who cares more about trade agreements . He says Crusher was right about her . Shortly before her wedding ceremony , Kamala confesses to Picard , who is in his dress uniform , that she will never truly love Alrik , for she has bonded with Picard . Who she is today , she will be forever . However , her empathic abilities will allow her to please Alrik and continue the facade in order to keep the peace . After having bonded with Picard , she also has learned the meaning of duty . " " I only hope he likes Shakespeare " " she adds with a smile . Picard then escorts her to Alrik . The wedding is a simple , yet elegant affair . Alrik meets Kamala in the holodeck reproduction of the Temple of Akadar , she repeats the ceremonial line which defines her existence , " " I am for you , Alrik of Valt , " " and they kiss . If Alrik is moved by Kamala ' s beauty , he does not show it . Picard , standing nearby , appears distraught . When Briam is recovered and preparing to leave the ship , he asks Picard ' s permission to ask a personal question . Briam knows full well why he was chosen to escort Kamala on this peace mission : as a very old man of over two hundred years , her pheromones don ' t affect him as much ; however , he ' d be lying if he said they didn ' t affect him at all . Briam is astonished that Picard worked with her for days , side by side , and cannot help but wonder how Picard could possibly resist her . Picard merely responds by wishing the ambassador a safe trip home . The ambassador seems to realize what happened between Kamala and Picard , but he quickly understands Picard ' s sacrifice and leaves . Picard stands in the transporter room long after the ambassador transports off , and the two ships depart , going their own , separate ways . Memorable quotes . " " Mr . Worf , assign the Ferengi to quarters . Not too close to mine . " " " " This has been very educational , but I make it a policy never to open another man ' s gift . " " " " I am for you , Alrik of Vault . " " " " Riker to bridge , if you need me I ' ll be on Holodeck 4 . " " " " Grrrrrrrrrr " " " " Kamala , you are one day away from an arranged mating . Why would you want me to visit you in your quarters ? " " " " I said a visit . I didn ' t ask you to make love to me . " " " " Nothing , nothing lies beneath . I ' m really quite dull . I fall asleep each night with an old book in my hands . " " " " When a metamorph finds you interesting , do not take it lightly . " " " " Oh , I ' m not taking it lightly , I ' m just trying . . . to be as dull as possible . " " " " Even the walls of Jericho fell , captain . " " " " Do you find me unattractive ? " " " " I find you unavailable . " " " " Now that I know that you are listening to my voice , I find that I can ' t think of anything to say . " " " " A starship captain must encounter all sorts of lifeforms . Am I one of the most unique you ' ve ever met ? Please say yes . " " " " Yes . " " " " What a nice thing to say . " " " " Haven ' t I done my best to discourage this ? " " " " Maybe that ' s the perfect way to attract a metamorph . " " " " Penny . . . " " " " What ? " " " " . . . for your thoughts . Penny for your thoughts . " " " " Do you have one ? " " " " I ' m sure the replicator will have one on file . " " " " Beverly , may I take off the uniform for a moment ? " " " " Captain ! " " " " Perhaps I just needed a shoulder . " " " " Well , it ' s there for you , Jean - Luc . It always has been . " " " " I will never truly love him . " " " " You ' ve not even met him . " " " " It no longer matters . I wish I could convey to you what it ' s like to be a metamorph ; to feel the inner strength of someone ; to realize that being with him is opening your mind and heart to endless new possibilities ; to hear yourself say " I like myself when I ' m with him " . " " " " Kamala . . " " " " For a metamorph , there ' s no greater pleasure , and no greater wish , than to bond with that kind of mate at the end of the " finis ' raal " as I have bonded with you . " " " " With me ? " " " " Who I am today , I will be forever . " " " " Would you ask me to stay ? And ask two armies to keep fighting ? Having bonded with you , I ' ve learned the meaning of duty . He ' ll never know . I ' m still empathic , I will be able to please him . " " I only hope he likes Shakespeare ! " " " " Mr . ambassador , have a safe trip home . " " Links and references . References . 2168 ; Aldorian ale ; ambassador ; arboretum ; archeology ; arms merchant ; arranged marriage ; art ; barbershop ; breakfast ; Ceremony of Reconciliation ; chancellor ; chaperone ; cocoon ; companel ; craniosacral display ; croissant ; dolphin ; Earl Grey tea ; emissary ; empath ; empathic metamorph ; Federation ; Federation Constitution ; Ferengi ; Ferengi shuttle ; Ferengi Trade Mission ; " Finiis ' ral " ; Garuth ; Harod IV ; history ; holograph ; Kamala ' s companions ; Kamala ' s mother ; Klingon ; Krios ; Krios 1 ; Krios Prime ; Kriosian ; Kriosian musical instrument ; Kriosian ship ; Lapeongical period ; Les Eyries ; Ludugial gold ; logic ; Milky Way Galaxy ; miner ; number one ; Paloris colony ; Par Lenor ' s shuttle ; penny ; pheromone ; piano ; ; Prime Directive ; prostitution ; puberty ; recital ; replicator ; servant ; sex ; sexual allure ; ; Shakespeare ' s sonnets ; slave trader ; Starbase 117 ; stasis ; Targhee moonbeast ; Temple of Akadar ; " torze - qua " ; turbolift ; tutor ; Valt ; Valt Minor ; Valt system ; Valtese ; Valtese horn ; Valtese ship ; Ventanan archaeology ; Ventanan thimble ; Ventanan woven art ; Vulcan ; walls of Jericho