“Ménage à Troi” is episode twenty-four of season three of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise is in orbit around Betazed for a biennial trade agreement conference. For the first time, there are Ferengi present and Captain Picard has reluctantly consented to having them on the Enterprise for the closing reception.
In Ten Forward, Riker is beating one Ferengi at 3D chess. Captain Picard and Data are talking to the host, Reittan; Picard had his doubts about the Ferengi. They’ve made a profit and behaved themselves, though Betazoids are uncomfortable around people like the Ferengi whose minds they can’t read (that’s a change). Lwaxana Troi has been invited too; Reittan is an old friend of the family. The captain is sure Troi appreciates having some time with her mother. That doesn’t seem entirely accurate. Lwaxana wants Troi to find a man. Then Riker comes over.
Two Ferengi are talking. One, Dr Farek (played by Ethan Phillips, who would play Neelix in Voyager), states he finds someone as repulsive as the others. That someone is Lwaxana. The second, DaiMon Tog, finds her attractive and says her telepathic powers would be useful. Tog goes over to see Lwaxana. She says she was just going to have a drink with the captain. The captain says he was just about to show Reittan… some turbolift door mechanisms. Tog comes up again. He desires Lwaxana and is willing to pay handsomely. Every female has her price. Lwaxana does not take that statement well.
Later, Troi speaks to Worf on the way to her mother’s quarters. Worf thinks Lwaxana handled the situation quite skilfully. An admirable woman. Lwaxana can’t believe that Troi is happy on the Enterprise. Finding a husband and having a child made Lwaxana happy. Well, until now. There was Riker, but Troi ruined that. The conversation devolves and Troi takes offence to continually being called ‘little one.’ She wants to be treated like an adult, Troi demands as she storms out of the room like an upset teenager.
Wesley, Data and Geordi are updating the captain and Commander Riker on some upgrades. Wesley should be leaving for Starfleet Academy as well. After they leave, the captain asks Riker if he agrees this is a routine mapping mission. Yes, he does. Troi had the good sense to ask for shore leave; the captain is suggesting it to Riker.
Troi and Riker are enjoying some time together on Betazed. Until Lwaxana shows up with Mr Homn and a picnic. Riker asks if Lwaxana is still looking for a husband. No; she’s now more concerned about other people. As in Deanna. Subtle, Lwaxana is not. Then DaiMon Tog beams down with flowers. Lwaxana says he had better beam back. He agrees, taking Lwaxana, Troi and Riker with him.
Riker is the first to wake up in what looks like the brig. They’re out of range of the Enterprise. Two Ferengi are playing 3D chess outside. One notifies Tog they’ve woken up. Deanna and Lwaxana are beamed out. Their clothes are not.
Dr Farek says females do not deserve the honour of clothing. Lwaxana thinks he is leering – Betazoids have less of a nudity taboo than humans – by Tog says the expression is revulsion. Tog has a business proposition; use her telepathic abilities for his benefit. Why would Lwaxana agree? To keep her daughter alive and healthy. Lwaxana telepathically speaks to Troi; she thinks she can handle Tog. She asks Tog if they can discuss this. Just the two of them. Troi is beamed back and Farek leaves.
Troi fills in Commander Riker; she hopes her mother knows what she’s doing. Riker says they need to make the most of the time she has bought them. He speaks to the Ferengi playing 3D chess; one of them is the one he beat. He gives him advice on the game, then after the player loses, says he was being generous in Ten Forward. He could have beaten him faster. Lwaxana, meanwhile, tells Tog that when he first approached her, she was intrigued. Tog says she means revolted. Perhaps a little. She shares the sensation of a kiss with Troi. Evidently not pleasant. At least two of the Ferengi act like utter idiots and Captain Picard really hams things up.
On the Enterprise, Wesley hadn’t thought that after he graduated he might not return to the Enterprise. Data tells him most graduates aren’t assigned to Galaxy-class starships. Captain Picard would doubtless request Wesley. If he’s still in command of the Enterprise. Wesley hadn’t thought of that either.