The Enterprise agrees to host a Ceremony of Reconciliation between the Krios and Valt Minor Systems, who are finally ending their centuries of war. While transporting the Kriosian Ambassador and his cargo, an irreplacable and fragile gift for the Valtese Ambassador Alric, the Enterprise responds to a distress call from a Ferengi shuttle. After the Ferengi are caught trying to steal the gift, its containment field collapses and reveals a woman: Kamala — an empathic metamorph, a genetically perfect mate who imprints herself to Picard.

Famke Janssen (Kamala)
Tim O'Connor (Ambassador Briam of Krios)
Max Grodénchik (Par Lenor)
Mickey Cottrell (Chancellor Alric of Valt)
Michael Snyder (Qol)
David Paul Needles (Miner #1)
Roger Rignack (Miner #2)
April Grace (Transporter Chief Hubbell)
Charles Gunning (Miner #3)

• Krios was previously seen as a Klingon colony fighting for independence in the episode "The Mind's Eye". Briam and Kamala are definitely not Klingon. Like Alric, they actually have spots very similar to Dax on Deep Space Nine.
  
• Kamala's personality changes depending on the man she is around. Once she bonds with her mate, that personality will become permanent. Although she bonds with Picard, she says that she will still be able to please Alric.
  
• Max Grodénchik goes on to play Quark's brother Rom on Deep Space Nine.
  
• Famke Janseen later went on to star in James Bond: GoldenEye and the X-Men series.
  
• This is the first episode we see Jean-Luc and Beverly having their daily breakfast together. Beverly is offended by Kriosian "slave-trader" Briam who is delivering Kamala into a life of prostitution.