“Man of the People” is episode three of season six of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise is heading to aid a transport ship that’s been attacked by the Rekags. Hostilities between the Rekags and the Seronians on their planet have intensified, threatening a Federation trade route. Two cruisers are flanking the transport, the Dorian, as the Enterprise arrives, but they quickly leave. The transport only has audio communications; the Dorian’s captain says they have no injuries but he would like to transport two passengers over. They’re conveying a mediator, Ambassador Ves Alkar, to help with the dispute and he thinks this is why they were attacked.
Troi is sent to greet the passengers, Alkar and Sev Maylor, his elderly mother. He wants to speak to the captain; she tells Troi that Alkar isn’t attracted to Troi and she offers him nothing. Alkar says his mother isn’t well and wants her taken to quarters. Sev Maylor threatens Troi not to pursue Alkar.
In the captain’s ready room, Alkar is speaking to Captain Picard and an admiral. Alkar thinks his position would be compromised if he arrived on the Enterprise and would prefer another transport. However, the captain thinks this would put the transport at risk and the admiral says he has to think of the safety of Alkar and the transport’s crew. He’ll be taken on the Enterprise and, once there, can conduct himself as he sees fit.
Troi and Alkar are doing some exercises led by Worf. Afterwards, they chat; Alkar would find being an empath useful, as his people, the Lumerians, are only empathic with each other. Troi senses Alkar is unusual; he embodies the qualities he hopes to draw out in others. Back at Alkar’s quarters, his mother launches another verbal assault on Troi.
Riker arrives at Troi’s office to do some crew evaluation reports. She’s not in the mood; Alkar’s mother frightens her. Her feelings are malevolent, evil. They start on the reports, but Worf contacts Riker and asks him to report to Alkar’s quarters.
Dr Crusher is working on a collapsed Sev Maylor, but it’s too late; she’s dead. Troi asks Alkar if there’s anything she can do. Yes; the funeral meditation. As an empath, she’s the only person on the ship who can do it with him. Troi agrees. During the ceremony, each is holding a stone. Alkar’s is glowing and, when he touches it to Troi’s, the glow transfers and her eyes jolt open.
Dr Crusher contacts the captain; she’s concerned about Sev Maylor as she can’t determine a cause of death, only abnormally high levels of neurotransmitter residue. She’d like to perform an autopsy, but Alkar refused her permission. The captain asks if the death poses a threat to the Enterprise. Well… no. In that case, they have to comply with Alkar’s wishes.
Troi is doing exercise when she heads to see Alkar and starts off flirty before outright asking him if he finds her attractive. Yes, but he’s not interested in her in that way. Troi storms off and, in a turbolift, starts being flirty with one of the crew. Riker arrives at Troi’s quarters to find her not wearing much and the crewman leaving. Troi asks Riker if he’s bothered. No. Troi tells him that’s good, because it’s none of his business. Riker wanted to continue the crew evaluation, but Troi’s behaviour is odd and he says to give him a call when she’s ready to work.
Troi is not doing her job very compassionately and, moreover, she looks to be aging rapidly. The doctor is still looking into Sev Maylor’s death. There is clearly something odd going on, as Troi’s behaviour and physical condition both deteriorate. It’s likely not an accident the transport was called the Dorian, for the whole thing bears more than a slight resemblance to The Portrait of Dorian Grey.