A "metamorph," who is someone groomed from childhood to serve a purpose, arrives on the Enterprise. She is to mate with a representative of a planet that is trying to avoid war. She is a gift. Two Ferengi nincompoops trying to kidnap her. knocking over her stasis chamber, forcing her to involve herself with the crew before she is really ready. She has the incredible ability to bond with men by being whatever they want her to be. It's very sexy and a bit dangerous. Riker is immediately taken in (surprise, surprise) but manages to keep his distance. Even Worf growls when she growls at him. Picard, doing everything he can to avoid interaction with her, becomes her soul-mate. He has such character and purpose that he is able to overcome his baser instincts and resist her. Still, they have encounters where he tries to let her know that as a sentient being, she should have rights. She tells him that this is her reason for existence. The scenes between the two of them are wonderful, tension abounding. Sadly, the guy she is to hook up with is a self-centered bureaucrat with no sentimentality or joyfulness. The Ferengi, in their efforts to do business with the escort/negotiator, almost kill him, and Picard must carry on the encounter with the two forces. I found this a very thoughtful episode with sad implications.