Fortunately, the one thing the writers didn't do with Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) was have them in an up and down romantic relationship throughout the series the way they did with Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis). It always bugged me when Riker and Troi had feelings for each other in one episode, and then had Riker go all gaga over some alien space babe in a subsequent story. The lack of continuity was very frustrating. With this story, it takes some sort of brainstem implant placed on Picard and Crusher that allows them to communicate almost telepathically. It begins right after they've been captured and imprisoned on the planet Kesprytt III straight from a hijacked transporter beam. Their feelings for each other gradually emerge over the course of the story until Crusher finally asks - "Why didn't you ever tell me you were in love with me"?
The planet itself has irreconcilable factions in a virtual cold war with each other, complicating the Kes desire to join the Federation, while the Prytt want no part of any alliances including that with the Kes. Quite honestly, the suspicion and paranoia that both factions held for each other drove Commander Riker to violate the Prime Directive when you come right down to it. He had the Prytt Minister of Security (Lenore Kasdorf) beamed aboard the Enterprise and forced her to deal with Kes Ambassador Mauric (Robin Gammell) to hammer out an understanding and rescue the Captain and Dr. Crusher from the planet.
Once settled back on the Enterprise, the Captain makes an initial attempt at something more meaningful between Dr. Crusher and himself, but she warily dissuades him from a step both might find hard to reconcile if they were to take things further. Perhaps a disappointment to many fans, though a tactful way to keep options open for the future direction of this series and others to follow.
The planet itself has irreconcilable factions in a virtual cold war with each other, complicating the Kes desire to join the Federation, while the Prytt want no part of any alliances including that with the Kes. Quite honestly, the suspicion and paranoia that both factions held for each other drove Commander Riker to violate the Prime Directive when you come right down to it. He had the Prytt Minister of Security (Lenore Kasdorf) beamed aboard the Enterprise and forced her to deal with Kes Ambassador Mauric (Robin Gammell) to hammer out an understanding and rescue the Captain and Dr. Crusher from the planet.
Once settled back on the Enterprise, the Captain makes an initial attempt at something more meaningful between Dr. Crusher and himself, but she warily dissuades him from a step both might find hard to reconcile if they were to take things further. Perhaps a disappointment to many fans, though a tactful way to keep options open for the future direction of this series and others to follow.