Star Trek: 10 Riker Romances That Were A TOTAL Security Risk
8. The Near Miss
The Perfect Mate introduces Kamala, an empathic metamorph capable of becoming the ideal partner. The less said about pursuing a storyline of a woman being given as a 'gift', the better. Her apparent willingness doesn't make the premise any less uncomfortable.
Kamala is played by the magnificent Famke Janssen. And we have to say, respectfully, that her star quality shines through in her performance as the perfect mate.
In an unusual twist, it's actually Picard who finds himself in the grip of temptation. Although his slippery slope into romance is a far more subtle, drawn-out affair than any of Riker's.
And it's not just him. During a trip to Ten Forward, her empathic nature and pheromones have Worf growling and a bar full of civilians jostling for attention. But we have to say, the depiction of a rowdy, leering crowd surrounding a woman has not aged well, not even for the point they're trying to make. Honestly, be warned, this episode is a very mixed bag.
To be fair, The Perfect Mate is one of those rare instances where Riker actually manages to say no thank you. Even after she first awakens, Kamala and Riker are making eyes at each other. And it is, admittedly, an excellent bait and switch for when Picard is the one who becomes entangled with the metamorph.
But it falls to Riker to see Kamala to her room. The flirtation sparks en route, and continues into the atmospherically lit quarters. He's not so keen to get away that he doesn't enjoy a kiss. In fact, he even indulges in a second. And you can see how much he wants to stay...how close he comes to throwing caution to the wind and causing a major diplomatic incident.
And yet, he finally finds his self-restraint and walks away. Have a gold star, Riker.
Although his notorious line as he leaves, telling the bridge that he'll be in Holodeck 4...yeah.