Star Trek: 10 Times Music Saved The Day

5. Algolian Tinkling To Save The Day - Ménage À Troi

This third season episode of The Next Generation offers a clever use of background music to push the plot forward, though if it weren't for acting-ensign Wesley Crusher, Riker may have been stuck playing chess with an irritable Ferengi for the rest of his days.

Nibor, the Ferengi in question, has a bit of a tantrum after losing to Riker earlier in the episode, blaming the Algolian Ceremonial Chimes playing near - and loudly - beside their table. When Riker, Deanna, and Lwaxanna are kidnapped by DaiMon Tog, Nibor becomes the unwitting method by which they get a message back to the Enterprise.

Riker convinces him to play chess again, though this quickly ends up with Nibor out cold on the floor. It takes a few tries but Riker does get a message to the Enterprise - one that Crusher recognises as that same Algolian rhythm, thus revealing their missing crewmates' location. 

It is a fun little callback to earlier in the episode and leads into one of the most meme-d scenes in the franchise as Picard demonstrates his 'love' for Lwaxanna, to 'win' her back.