This episode echoed the plot of the original series story "Amok Time", in which Spock returned to Vulcan to meet his intended future wife, betrothed from childhood. As a newcomer to 'Next Generation' and watching this series for the first time, I find that a lot of the episodes so far had a counterpart to "Star Trek" the first time around. This time, it's Betazoid (like Spock, half human) Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) who finds herself in the unenviable position of having to fulfill a prearranged marriage made by her parents during her youth. The intended guy Wyatt Miller (Robert Knepper) wouldn't have been a bad catch, except for the fact that he'd been enchanted by the vision of a beautiful woman that he committed to artwork of his own. Considering each of their respective strong feelings, I found it somewhat troubling when they sealed their commitment with a kiss in the holodeck desert. And as an aside, I can't think of an instance now when Troi ever displayed feelings for Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) before, and vice versa. Coming out of left field like that I was somewhat perplexed.
Well, I don't think I give anything away when I state that the prearranged marriage never took place. In a side story, Wyatt Miller comes face to face with his dream girl, a Tarellian aboard a doomed space vessel with only eight other members aboard, the last of their race due to a violent war and biological contaminant that eradicated their population and left them homeless. Being a medical doctor, Miller beams himself up to the Tarellian ship to help treat the few aboard and be with the woman he'd been enchanted with his entire life. Needless to say, more than a few aboard the Enterprise were able to breathe a sigh of relief. For fans of the original series, it was a welcome return for Majel Barrett, who appeared as Deanna' Troi's mother Lwaxana, despite her ingratiating personality. I understand from other reviewers she'll be back in future episodes, but in the meantime, try saying her name three times fast.
Well, I don't think I give anything away when I state that the prearranged marriage never took place. In a side story, Wyatt Miller comes face to face with his dream girl, a Tarellian aboard a doomed space vessel with only eight other members aboard, the last of their race due to a violent war and biological contaminant that eradicated their population and left them homeless. Being a medical doctor, Miller beams himself up to the Tarellian ship to help treat the few aboard and be with the woman he'd been enchanted with his entire life. Needless to say, more than a few aboard the Enterprise were able to breathe a sigh of relief. For fans of the original series, it was a welcome return for Majel Barrett, who appeared as Deanna' Troi's mother Lwaxana, despite her ingratiating personality. I understand from other reviewers she'll be back in future episodes, but in the meantime, try saying her name three times fast.