The Price

I'm shocked about the negative comments this one gets. It's one of my favorites.

Here, there are negotiations over the ownership of the first stable wormhole known to exist, and Troi begins a tumultuous relationship with a handsome opposing negotiator. This allows some development of Troi's character and also shows how her relationship with Riker has evolved since the first season.

In ways, this episode foreshadows Deep Space Nine. Not only is there a stable wormhole, but the Ferengi here are more comical than evil (granted, they are still evil, not at all purely comical as in DS9). There are other comical parts here too, like Troi's argument with the ship's computer in the opening scene.

The worst thing: The ridiculous workout outfits that Troi and Dr. Crusher wear.

Enterprise hosts an event to negotiate access rights to a wormhole leading to the Gamma Quadrant.

This is a mostly good episode with some poorly written romantic scenes but more than a few redeeming qualities.

The plot is interesting from a sci-fi and nerdy perspective with regards to the implications of the wormhole, particularly if you are interested in the premise of shows like Deep Space Nine and Voyager. It also works as moral take on an empath's ability to read emotions.

Unfortunately central to the plot is a fairly weak romance involving Deanna Troi and a guest character. These type of one-episode-wonders never work for me because I can never take them seriously. Romances on screen only get my interest if the love develops out of something meaningful the characters go through together or if they have spectacularly good chemistry. This is not one of those stories and, like most Star Trek romances, she's in love because she just is.

The best aspect of it is how it turns out for Troi in relation to the wormhole plot which gives her some strong character building moments and a good contribution to something important in the episode.

Riker has some decent scenes. One in particular where he is somewhat taunted by someone and then responds with a fantastically written and delivered piece of dialogue. It is probably the highlight of the episode and nearly made me say "well done" to a fictional character.

The visuals are okay with some great makeup and costuming for the alien effects of the Ferengi and others. One sequence of dialogue is very abruptly and noticeably cut mid discussion. The less said about Troi and Dr Crusher's aerobics session whilst they discuss men the better.

Performances are solid with good work from the main cast, particularly Marina Sirtis and briefly Jonathan Frakes. Matt McCoy looks the part of a classic slime-bag with his baby face, dark hair and blue eyes and to be fair he acts it well.

Some interesting and entertaining elements here (wormhole, Ferengi), but the episode is marred by the predominance of soap opera elements in which Troi becomes even more annoying than her usual Captain Obvious role.

On the plus side, there's not much Wesley and no Whoopi, so the episode gets double what it would otherwise deserve.

If you like soap operas... well, it's not even good soap opera, so I still can't really recommend it.

Will Riker's prowess at poker has stood him in good stead. But Jonathan Frakes is up against it when during negotiations over a possible stable wormhole where he has to pinch hit for the regular Federation rep, he's up against Matt McCoy.

McCoy is a telepath a fact he keeps secret from all even Marina Sirtis. This makes him one good negotiator with a big advantage. The planet Barzan of which Elizabeth Hoffman rules is not as technologically advanced so someone has to purchase the rights from them. McCoy is working for one group.

The Ferengi are in the hunt as well. Three of the schemingest, scurviest of the species you ever saw.

What happens in the end. In the case of the Fergengi pure delight for the viewer.

Another nice episode of this season. Don't understand the criticism.

The plot is all about Deanna's romance with the guest character. She immediately falls in love with him as he can hide emotions and turns out to be a mystery for her. Soon it will be explained though.

This reveal much of Deanna's personality and ethics, also her improved relationship with Riker. The guest turn out to be just a manipulative and egocentric predator with no values at all, who is rejected by Deanna as she understand his true colors.

Anyway, this episode also introduces ideas later explored in Star Trek universe (Deep Space Nine) and has an interesting aproach on wormholes.

The only negative stuff is the ridiculous gym outfits and the annoying ferengi attitude towards the whole conflict.