A Ferengi vessel and the Enterprise are caught in an energy-draining force field. Meanwhile, the away teams of the Enterprise and Ferengi starship must pass an important inquisition by a mysterious life form known as Portal, before they are allowed to continue their journeys through space.

Armin Shimerman (DaiMon Letek)
Jake Dengel (Mordoc)
Tracey Walter (Kayron)
Darryl Henriques (The Portal)
Mike Gomez (DaiMon Tarr)

• This the first appearance of the Ferengi, who were previously mentioned in "Encounter at Farpoint". The Enterprise is ordered to intercept the Ferengi vessel to retake a T-9 power converter they stole from Federation colony Gamma Tauri IV.
  
• The Ferengi were supposed to be the Federation's new alien threat, but were a disapointment as a major adversary. This is the only time we see the Ferengi use the laser whips. (We see later on DS9, that Quark's "Marauder Mo" action figure includes a laser whip.)
  
• Armin Shimerman will go on to play Quark on Deep Space Nine.