Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

The Perfect Mate (1992)

Famke Janssen: Kamala

Photos 

Quotes 

• Kamala : When a metamorph finds you interesting, do not take it lightly.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Oh, I'm not taking it lightly. I'm just trying... to be as dull as possible.

• Kamala : What is it about me you fear?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Kamala...

  Kamala : Do you find me unattractive?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : I find you unavailable.

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : [after Kamala's "confession"]  You can't go through with the ceremony.

  Kamala : Would you ask me to stay, and ask two armies to keep fighting? Having bonded with you, I've learned the meaning of duty. He'll never know. I'm still empathic. I will be able to please him... I only hope he likes Shakespeare.

• Kamala : My body is producing an unusually elevated level of what you would call pheromones. The effect can be quite provocative; perhaps you sense it.

  Commander William T. Riker : [uneasily]  Aah... Unfortunately I'm not an empath.

  Kamala : Oh, I think you're more empathic than you admit. At least when it comes to women.

  Commander William T. Riker : I think you have me at a disadvantage.

• Kamala : Please don't leave. Talk to me. I love the sound of your voice. I'll turn out the lights and just listen. I don't want to be alone.

  [after some hesitation, Picard agrees with a nod] 

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : The lights stay on.

• Kamala : I wish I could convey to you what it's like to be a metamorph. To feel the inner strength of someone. To realize that being with him is opening your mind and heart to endless new possibilities. To hear yourself say, "I like myself when I'm with him."

• Kamala : I am for you, Alrik of Valt.

• Commander William T. Riker : This has been very educational, but I make it a policy never to open another man's gift.

  Kamala : I know my role in history, Commander, but it's gonna be a long voyage.

• Kamala : My empathic powers can only sense a man of deep passion and conviction... So controlled, so disciplined. I'm simply curious to know what lies beneath.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Nothing. Nothing lies beneath! I'm... I'm really... quite dull. I fall asleep each night with an old book in my hands.

• Kamala : Even the walls of Jericho fell, Captain.

• Kamala : Are all captains' lives so... solitary or just yours?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Don't.

  Kamala : What?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Don't do this, this... this you do with men.

  Kamala : I'm afraid my premature emergence from stasis has left me a little... vulnerable to the desires I sense from men. Nevertheless, this is who I am, Captain. You might as well ask a Vulcan to forgo logic, or a Klingon to be non-violent. I cannot change, and I don't want to, until the time has come for me to bond with my permanent mate. Why does it bother you?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Frankly, it's difficult for me, for many of us, to easily accept that a sentient being can live only to be what someone else wants them to be.

  Kamala : But that's what gives a metamorph pleasure.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : But what about your wishes, your needs?

  Kamala : They are fulfilled by what I give to others.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : But what about when... there are no others? When you're alone?

  Kamala : I'm... incomplete.

• Kamala : I'm honored to be chosen to serve my people as an emissary of peace, but I find it ironic, on the eve of this ceremony, which I've spent my entire life preparing for, that I should meet a man like you.

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Why're you doing this, Kamala?

  Kamala : There can be only one reason: 'cause some part of you wants me to.

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : I don't want to use you as other men do.

  Kamala : But you're not other men. You could never use me.

• Miner #1 : Excuse me, but I'm absolutely certain that we met once at Paloris Colony.

  Kamala : I've never been to Paloris Colony.

  Miner #1 : Neither have I!

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Under the circumstances, I thought that it would help if I... if I learned more about you.

  Kamala : But you know me better than you realize. I am independent, forceful, brilliant, and adventurous. Exactly as you would have me be, Captain.

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : I should go. And you have an appointment tomorrow morning early.

  Kamala : Light years away.

• Kamala : You once asked me what I'm like when I'm alone. I've never been. There was always somebody there to educate me in literature, history, art, sex... but I've been alone on this journey, and I've found myself thinking about all the curious questions you asked. You wanted to know who I am, and as I continue to ask myself, the only answer that comes to me is: "I am for you, Alrik of Valt," because that's the truth.

• Kamala : [Data is escorting Kamala out of Ten Forward. She suddenly stops and sensually glares at Worf; purr-growls]  rrrrr-rrrrr.

  [Worf stops and looks at her. Kamala grins seductively as she leaves with Data] 

  Lt. Worf : [growls with sensual pleasure]  Grrr... .

  [Worf suddenly realizes what he's doing and regains his composure] 

• Kamala : A starship captain must encounter all sorts of life forms. Am I one of the most unique you've ever met? Please say yes.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Yes.

  Kamala : What a nice thing to say.

• Kamala : I will volunteer to stay in my quarters under one condition - that you will visit me.

  [Picard sighs] 

  Kamala : There it is again.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : What?

  Kamala : The wall you put between us.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Kamala, you are one day away from an arranged mating. Why would you want me to visit you in your quarters?

  Kamala : I said a visit. I didn't ask you to make love to me.