The Perfect Mate

"The Perfect Mate"
Star Trek: The Next Generation episode
The make up designed for Famke Janssen as Kamala (pictured left) was later used on Terry Farrell in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Episode no.	Season 5 Episode 21
Directed by	Cliff Bole
Story by	René Echevarria Gary Percante
Teleplay by	Gary Percante Michael Piller
Featured music	Jay Chattaway
Production code	221
Original air date	April 27, 1992 (1992-04-27)
Guest appearances
Famke Janssen – Kamala Tim O'Connor – Briam Max Grodénchik – Par Lenor Mickey Cottrell – Alrik Michael Snyder – Qol David Paul Needles – Miner #1 Roger Rignack – Miner #2 Charles Gunning – Miner #3 April Grace – Transporter Officer Majel Barrett – Computer Voice[1]
Episode chronology
← Previous "Cost of Living" Next → "Imaginary Friend"
Star Trek: The Next Generation season 5
List of episodes

"The Perfect Mate" is the 21st episode of the fifth season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 121st overall. The episode was credited to Gary Percante and Michael Piller from a story by Percante and René Echevarria. Percante was a pseudonym of Reuben Leder, which was used by the writer in protest against re-writes. Four endings were written, with two filmed. "The Perfect Mate" was directed by Cliff Bole.

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) develops feelings for Kamala (Famke Janssen), a woman destined from childhood for an arranged marriage which hopefully might end a war between two planets. Picard steps in to help in the peace ceremony and later gives Kamala away at her wedding.

The episode was the second acting job for former model Janssen, and she would subsequently turn down the offer to join the main cast in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Her makeup seen in "The Perfect Mate" would end up being used on Jadzia Dax in that series. Also appearing was Max Grodénchik, who would go on to play Rom in Deep Space Nine. "The Perfect Mate" received Nielsen ratings of 10.8 percent, and received a mixed reception from reviewers. On the one hand some criticism was directed at the presentation of Kamala and the Ferengi, but praise for Stewart and Janssen's acting performance.