I really enjoyed how well the captain and Beverly's relationship is handled in this episode. Most shows would have used this to transition the characters in a full blown relationship which then went on a rollercoaster ride until the show was cancelled without ever resolving anything. This episode also has a really strong B story about Riker having to deal with the half of the world that is open and the half that is desperate to stay closed. Both sides are so paranoid it is amazing they haven't wiped the entire planet out yet.
We begin with Picand and Dr. Crusher having their mornign tea together and Beverly is telling a story while Jean Luc stares into space not listening. She confronts him about it and he admits he is pondering how they will deal with a divided world applying for entrance into the Federation. One half, the Kes have requested to join, but the rest of their planet, the Prytt, are so xenophobic they won't agree to relations with the Kes let alone people from another planet. Worf calls to let them know the Kes are ready to receive them, but after beaming down Worf gets a call from the Kes asking when to expect the captain and doctor... They wake up in a prison cell with some sort of implants on their neck. Three Prytt guard open the cell and scan them at gun point. They also tell them that once the implants adapt the Prytt will be able to read their minds to find out their secret plans to ally with Kes.
Back on the ship Data has figured out what happened and they contact the Kes to try and figure out what to do. The Kes ambassador tells them a hostage rescue team is ready to go but Riker insists on meeting to discuss a diplomatic solution so the Kes ambassador beams aboard. Back in the cell another guard comes in with a covered plate they assume is food, but it is actually Beverly's tricorder with instructions for how to escape. They flee through a series of caves including some fire caves and start noticing the other one saying things that aren't being said. On the ship Worf has figured out a way to force communications with the Prytt but they refuse to talk to Riker about anything. The Kes ambassador has filled his quarters with scanning devices to make sure he isn't being spied on and tells Riker his people have helped the captain and doctor escape.
Beverly and Picard and now fully reading each others thoughts with the implants and have learned they can't even move apart from each other. The spend a night together and Beverly learns how much Picard loved her when she was still married to his best friend and how guilty he still feels about the whole thing. On the Enterprise the Kes ambassador has started freaking out and claiming the Enterprise is conspiring withe the Prytt to make a secret alliance. Riker has to trick the Prytt prime minister into being beamed aboard and confronts both of them. Just then Picard manages to get out of Prytt territory but Beverly is trapped on the other side with Prytt guards. Fortunately both leaders agree to let the two of them return to the Enterprise. Both Picard and Crusher miss each others thoughts and they have a romantic dinner together that ends in a kiss.
Review: I actually really liked this episode, but my write up is a little short because I am really tired. Go watch this one yourself it you want to see a cool Picard/Crusher psychic romance episode.
7 out of 10
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