The crew tries to rescue members of a damaged Federation freighter from the female-dominated planet Angel I they escaped to 7 years ago, but they wish to remain — even though they are fugitives from the planet's government. Meanwhile, a viral outbreak runs rampant through the Enterprise.

Karen Montgomery (Mistress Beata)
Sam Hennings (Ramsey)
Patricia McPherson (Ariel)
Leonard John Crofoot (Trent)

• Troi notes that Betazed is also a matriarchal society.
  
• On Angel I, the men are smaller and weaker than the females.
  
• Picard notes that there is a build up of Romulan activity along the Neutral Zone, which the Enterprise leaves to investigate at the end of this episode.