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The Price: Directed by Robert Scheerer. With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn. While the Enterprise hosts negotiations for control of a stable wormhole, Troi forms a personal relationship with an opposing negotiator, unaware of his true being.
- (3.4K)
- Action, Adventure, Drama
- Robert Scheerer
- 1989-11-11
- Overview
- Summary
- Memorable quotes
- Background information
- Links and references
The Enterprise hosts negotiations for possession of the only known stable wormhole.
Teaser
Counselor Troi enters her quarters after what appears to be an exhausting day. She begins to read three letters from her mother, ignoring a research inquiry originating in Canada from the Manitoba Journal of Interplanetary Psychology and plans on having a "real" chocolate sundae from her replicator (which unfortunately cannot create it without very clear description) when she is called by Captain Picard to attend a reception in Ten Forward for delegates negotiating for the rights to the Barzan wormhole, which is about to appear visibly. After attempting to beg off, she reluctantly heads to Ten Forward, muttering sarcastically to herself about not wanting to miss seeing a wormhole. Once arriving, Picard introduces her to Premier Bhavani of Barzan II and two of the negotiators: Mendoza of the Federation and Leyor of the Caldonians. Then the third negotiator, Devinoni Ral, a Human representing the Chrysalians, introduces himself. Troi seems immediately drawn to Ral, who has an attractive female companion on his arm. Those gathered then turn their attention out the forward windows, where the Barzan wormhole – the only stable wormhole known to exist – makes itself visible, as it does every 233 minutes. Troi then turns to Ral, who is looking at her with interest, as Bhavani tells the competitors that the wormhole is theirs – for the right price.
Act One
"Captain's log, Stardate 43385.6. We are orbiting Barzan II, which is entertaining bids for control of what appears to be a stable wormhole, which could provide a permanent shortcut to the distant Gamma Quadrant." Since the Barzans don't have the means to administer the wormhole's use, they are offering that right to interested spacefaring races and groups. Just as the negotiations start in the conference lounge, Commander Riker informs them that a Ferengi delegation wants to be included. Bhavani admits that she was not expecting the Ferengi, but does not wish to incur any ill will. Picard has Chief O'Brien beam the Ferengi party directly to the conference room. Their leader, DaiMon Goss, begins by protesting at not being invited, then demands chairs for himself and his two consuls, Dr. Arridor and Kol. Picard (keeping his temper with difficulty), informs the DaiMon that all the parties have agreed to limit their delegations to one representative, that the two Ferengi counsels are welcome to accommodations aboard the USS Enterprise-D, and Picard will vacate his own chair for Goss. Goss says they can handle the pleasantries later; taking a large bag from Kol, he opens it on the table to display a pile of gold, confidently predicting that he can outbid anyone else at the table. Back in her office, Troi is researching Ral. She discovers that he was born on Earth in 2325 in Brussels in the European Alliance but moved to Hurkos III when he was 19. Her door chime sounds, and Ral enters. He begins a flirtatious conversation with Troi, during which he informs her that his traveling companion is now "traveling." He then begins rather forwardly stroking Troi's hair, removing the hair clip she had in it. She protests slightly, but Ral silences her and then invites her to dinner at 8:00.
Act Two
In Picard's ready room, Picard, Riker, Data, and Mendoza are reviewing the data from the Barzans' unmanned probe sent into the wormhole, which indicates that the other end exits near the Denkiri Arm, in the Gamma Quadrant. Picard gives a low whistle: a distance that would take nearly a hundred years at warp 9 to traverse, covered in a matter of seconds through the wormhole. Riker has some reservations; a "stable" wormhole is an unknown beast in the galaxy, and Picard agrees that, for all the eagerness of the other parties, the Federation should hesitate before bidding its resources to acquire "the proverbial lemon," a term which Data attempts to gain some clarification. Picard tells him they will discuss it later. Mendoza notes that, for all of Goss' bluster, the Ferengi don't have the resources needed to whet the Barzans' interest. Riker agrees, guessing that Ral, the most relaxed competitor at the table, is the one to worry about. Mendoza agrees, shrewdly guessing that Riker is a poker enthusiast. La Forge and Data volunteer to man a shuttlepod to gather more meaningful information. Picard agrees, and says they may do so the next day, after taking more readings on the Barzan side of the wormhole. In the Ferengis' quarters, Dr. Arridor is helping Goss set up a "poison handshake" that will make whoever he grasps have a severe allergic reaction, albeit non-fatal, in order to remove the competition in the negotiations. They cackle at their ingenuity. At 8:00, Ral arrives at Troi's quarters. She invites him in for a drink, but he steals a kiss before she can order. She turns away, unsure of why she's so drawn to him and what she may do. She then orders champagne from the replicator; Ral appends the order "for two." Troi then admits that she's been constantly thinking of Ral, and steps forward and kisses him deeply. Troi breaks the kiss, stating that they'll be late for dinner. Ral then lifts her into his arms and states, "very late." Mendoza is staggering down the hallway, obviously a victim of Goss' handshake. He stumbles into sickbay, and collapses. Dr. Crusher and Martinez rush forward to help him. In Picard's ready room, the Ferengi are arguing with the captain and Riker about their plans to explore the wormhole. Picard offers to share their data, but Goss is skeptical, so Riker angrily suggests they send their own probe and Goss says he will, which apparently is what he planned to do. After the Ferengi storm out, Picard tells Riker to instruct Data and La Forge to stay out of the Ferengi's way on their shared probe mission. As Riker leaves, the doctor calls and asks for the captain to come to sickbay. Dr. Crusher tells Picard that Mendoza is having a histaminic reaction and won't be able to return to the negotiations for several days. Picard and Riker leave, where Picard tells Riker that he'll have to take over for Mendoza. Riker protests, but Picard points out that he, Picard, is the host and cannot step in without causing an awkward transition. However, Mendoza had already noted Riker's poker skills, and all he's doing is stepping into the game as the stakes are raised. Picard notes that that is when the game gets interesting before stepping into a turbolift to leave Riker with that thought.
"God forbid I should miss my first look at the wormhole…"
- Troi
"May I escort you, Ms. Troi?"
"Just tell me there's some chocolate here."
- Riker to Troi when she arrives in Ten Forward
"There it is, ladies and gentlemen. The first and only stable wormhole known to exist. It's yours… for the right price."
Production history
•Recommended as one of three unnamed story pitches in two-page memo from Michael Piller: 8 August 1989 •First draft story outline: 11 August 1989 •Two pages of research notes from David Krieger: 17 August 1989 •Seven-page beat sheet (still titled "A Price Far Above Rubies"): 23 August 1989 •Revised final draft: 25 September 1989 •Premiere airdate: 13 November 1989 •First UK airdate: 4 December 1991
Story and script
•A working title of this episode was "A Price Far Above Rubies". •The revised final draft script includes several scenes that were not in the final episode, including a short session Troi has with O'Brien that deals with his girlfriend Mitzi, Wesley telling the Counselor about troubles he had with his mother because she wouldn't let him stay overnight at a party on the holodeck, and more background about the Chrysalians.
Production
•For the scene where Crusher and Troi are shown practicing aerobics, the exercise room was a redress of a part of main engineering; the "pool table" was removed and two mirrors were erected – one to hide the master systems display, and the other at the opposite end of this part of the engineering set. •In the scene immediately after Crusher and Troi's exercise, according to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 109), Goss is referring to the size of his "sex organ" when he is making a revealing gesture to Ensign Bailey in Ten Forward. The script otherwise describes the scene as: "Goss is putting a few moves on a good-looking woman at the bar… she finally tires of him, walks out."
Starring
•Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard •Jonathan Frakes as Commander William Riker
Also starring
•LeVar Burton as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge •Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf •Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher •Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi •Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data •Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher
Guest stars
•Matt McCoy as Devinoni Ral •Elizabeth Hoffman as Bhavani •Castulo Guerra as Mendoza •Scott Thomson as Goss •Dan Shor as Arridor •Kevin Peter Hall as Leyor •Colm Meaney as Miles O'Brien (voice only)
Plot. The crew plays host to a group of visiting interplanetary dignitaries who are negotiating for the rights to a stable wormhole to the Delta Quadrant discovered by the Barzan people, which could provide a valuable and efficient "bypass" through known space.
Nov 13, 1989 · Ral asks Troi to keep his abilities a secret, but the pair separate without coming to terms. At the other side of the wormhole, Data and La Forge make an alarming discovery: they haven't emerged in the Gamma Quadrant, but rather the Delta Quadrant.
Review Text. The Enterprise hosts the negotiations for acquiring the custody rights of the only stable wormhole known to exist (prior to the discovery of the Bajoran wormhole in DS9, of course), discovered by the Barzan, whose representative (Elizabeth Hoffman) wants to sell it to whomever offers them the best benefits.
Feb 5, 2014 · The Price is the weakest episode of the show’s third season to this point, and confirmation that the writers really have no idea how to write for Deanna Troi. It’s still the best episode to focus on the ship’s half-Betazoid counsellor, but being better than Haven or The Child is hardly an accomplishment for the ages.
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"Star Trek: The Next Generation" The Price (TV Episode 1989) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
