Ménage à Troi

TNG Season 3 Episode 24
Air Date: May 28th, 1990

Plot

Riker and Deanna take shore leave on Betazed, which gets crashed by Lwaxanna which gets crashed by the Ferengi Daimon Tog. Daimon Tog takes a romantic and business interest in Lwaxanna. Lwaxanna pretends to be interested in Tog to lead him astray while Riker plots he escape. But Tog's second in command realizes the ruse and convinces Tog to let him study the Betazed brain. He realizes that if he puts love above business he would lose his command.

The Enterprise learns about the kidnapping and pursues the Ferengi vessel and when they finally catch up, Riker and Troi get caught again. Lwaxanna Troi makes a deal with Tog that she will stay with him if he lets Riker and Deanna go. He agrees. But after returning Riker and Deanna, Picard uses poetry to convince Tog that he loves Lwaxanna and would do anything, including destroying both their ships if he can't get her back. Tog believes Picard and returns Lwaxanna.

Commentary

This episode has one of the few episodes where Deanna and Riker kiss. While the poetry Picard uses to convince Tog that he loves Lwaxanna was only a ruse in itself, it was a side of Picard we have yet to see.

In this episode, Wesley gives up a chance to take a test to get into Starfleet Academy to help in the search for Riker and Deanna. Because of this, Picard decides it is time to give Wesley a full commission with the rank of Ensign.

Quotes

"I am the daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed? Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx?" - Lwaxanna
"The Sacred Chalice of Rixx is an old clay pot with mold growing inside it." - Deanna
"Oh, well, perhaps one day, when you're older and wiser, you'll understand." - Lwaxanna

"My love, is a fever, longing still, For that which longer nurseth the disease. In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes, For they in thee a thousand errors see. But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise, Who, in despite of view, are pleased to dote. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. When I have pluck'd the rose, I cannot give it vital growth again. It needs must wither." - Picard

"I'm just thinking that, I'm saying goodbye to you, as you are today." - Picard
"But I thought you said I wasn't going to be able to go." - Wesley
"The Academy must make you wait, that's true; but, when I review your service to this ship, your crew mates, I cannot in all conscience make you wait for the Academy. You see, Wesley... in my eyes, you're an acting ensign in title only. I hereby grant you field promotion to full ensign with all the commensurate responsibilities and privileges of that rank. Congratulations." - Picard