“Manhunt” is episode nineteen of season two of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise in is orbit around Antede III awaiting the arrival of two delegates who are being taken to a conference on Pacifica where they may be given the opportunity to join the Federation. Captain Picard is in O’Brien’s transporter room, along with Worf, Wesley and Dr Pulaski. The captain tells Wesley he thought he would find it interesting as few humans have seen Antedeans in the flesh. Two beam in, along with a container. They aren’t saying much. Wesley asks if they are alright and is told that this is their preferred way to travel space. Pulaski is checking them over. Antedeans travel in a self-induced catatonic state to deal with the trauma of space flight. They won’t be revived until they arrive at the conference. The doctor asks O’Brien if they can be stored here for a few hours whilst she gets a place ready. The container holds food for them. Worf thinks the Antedeans are handsome.
On the bridge, Wesley is discussing the appearance of the Antedeans. Data says that that judging someone by their appearance is the last major human prejudice. Then Worf says they are being hailed by a small transport. Troi is horrified. The captain asks her what the problem is. Troi asks what ‘she’ is doing here. The transport is hailed by the pilot. Then Lwaxana Troi appears; she has been granted full ambassadorial status by Starfleet and is heading to the same conference. Troi is not ecstatic. Quite probably Picard isn’t either.
The captain heads back to the transporter room, this time with Riker and Troi. Picard comments that it’s pleasant to have Lwaxana as a guest on the Enterprise again; Riker smirks. Lwaxana doesn’t like the look of the Antedeans; the last time she saw something like that it was served on a plate. Mr Homm is about to pick up Lwaxana’s luggage but she tells him not to take the honour from the captain of carrying her belongings. The captain, likely remembering how heavy they were in “Haven”, says he won’t interfere this time with Mr Homm’s duties. Probably not what he’s really thinking. Riker offers to get them, and discovers just how heavy it is.
Lwaxana is escorted to her quarters and, as the captain is about to leave, tells him she will be serving a Betazoid dinner of greeting tonight. An ambassadorial function. When he leaves, Lwaxana starts discussing Picard with her daughter. Lwaxana thinks men are a commodity, especially human men, and was Troi’s father ever unhappy?
Riker is telling Data and Wesley about Lwaxana when the captain arrives on the bridge. He reminds them that she has been granted ambassadorial rank and, though eccentric, should be treated with appropriate respect. He checks in with the doctor on the Antedeans and then says he will head to his quarters. Picard reminds everyone that it will be dress uniform for dinner. He’s already gone before he discovers no-one else knows about this dinner.
The captain bumps into Dr Pulaski on the way to Lwaxana’s quarters; no, she isn’t attending dinner. In the quarters, he only encounters Mr Homm. Is he early? No; it’s a private dinner. Lwaxana enters; she knows what the captain’s thinking. No, she isn’t seeing any other men. That was likely not what he was thinking. When Mr Homm rings the gong when Lwaxana takes a bite, Picard wonders if there are any similar customs. And contacts Data to ask. Then invites him to join them for dessert. Data’s anecdotes are the stuff of legend on board the ship. Which doesn’t mean they are enjoyable, merely legendary.
Troi bumps into the doctor; it seems her mother is going through the Betazoid equivalent of menopause. They become fully sexual. Pulaski mentions she saw the captain heading for Lwaxana’s quarters. No, Troi shouldn’t warn him. It will be an excellent exercise for his reflexes and agility. For staying ahead of Lwaxana. Troi arrives at her mother’s quarters to find Data talking. Picard has to head to the bridge and says Data can remain and entertain Lwaxana. No, that’s quite alright.
Troi, accompanied by Riker, explains the situation to the captain in his ready room. She had warned Riker that it quadrupled the sex drive. Or more, according to Troi. She didn’t tell Riker that; she didn’t want to frighten him. Lwaxana is going for the only dignified option. Finding a new husband. The captain in an early favourite. Riker congratulates him; Picard looks horrified. Spurning Lwaxana’s advances would be taken personally, so the captain decides to hide in the holodeck in a Dixon Hill game. Lwaxana does have a plan B though.