Episode 156: "The Price" 

The crew plays host to a group of visiting dignitaries who are negotiating for the rights to a stable wormhole discovered by the Barzan, which could provide a valuable shortcut through the galaxy. Stressed out by her job as the ship's counselor, Troi reluctantly attends a reception for the representatives. There, she is immediately drawn to the Chrysalian delegate, Devinoni Ral. The two share an instant attraction which soon leads them into a passionate affair.
Meanwhile, negotiations for the wormhole grow increasingly tense. Determined to win the rights, the Ferengi secretly inoculate the Federation delegate, Mendoza, leaving him too ill to continue his task. In his place, Picard selects Riker to represent Federation interests.

Concerned that there is little concrete information about the coveted wormhole, Riker suggests that the U.S.S. Enterprise conduct an expedition into it before committing the Federation to a binding contract. Picard agrees and orders La Forge and Data to pilot a shuttlecraft into the hole. Not to be outdone by the Federation, the Ferengi send a craft of their own into the hole.

Before long, however, Geordi and Data determine that the wormhole is not as stable or as valuable as it looks. They inform the Ferengi shuttlecraft pilots of their discovery but the Ferengi ignore them. Back on the U.S.S. Enterprise, negotiations for the hole continue, as does the romance between Troi and Devinoni. Although she's fallen in love with Devinoni, Troi begins to have some reservations about him when she learns that he is part Betazoid and has been using his empathic powers to manipulate his competitors in the negotiations.

Masterfully maneuvering his position, Devinoni narrows the competition down to the Federation and the Chrysalians, whom he represents. Just when it appears that Riker will secure the wormhole rights, the Ferengi threaten to destroy the hole, insisting that an "informed source" has told them that the Federation has made a secret deal with the Barzan premier.

Devinoni takes advantage of the conflict and the Barzan leader's wishes for peace to win the rights to the hole. When Troi senses that Devinoni staged the entire incident to undermine the Federation, her sense of duty compels her to speak out. But before the Barzan premier has a chance to revoke the agreement with Devinoni, the Enterprise shuttle appears from the wormhole and announces that it is worthless. The dashing delegate then bids farewell to Troi and returns to face the Chrysalians.

Production: 156
Season: 3 Episode: 8
Original Air Date: 11.13.1989
Stardate: 43385.6
Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes as William Riker
Brent Spiner as Data
LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Worf
Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi
Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher
Colm Meaney as Miles O'Brien
Matt McCoy as Devinoni Ral
Castulo Guerra as Dr. Mendoza
Elizabeth Hoffman as Bhavani
Kevin Peter Hall as Leyor
Scott Thomson as Goss
Dan Shor as Dr. Arridor
Matt McCoy Trivia

James Stewart is a huge role model. They were also born on the same month and day.

Guest-starred as "Lloyd Braun", the gum-chewing former mental patient who befriends "Kramer", on "Seinfeld" (1990).

Matt has appeared in three Bigfoot/Abominable Snowman-themed movies: Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter (1994), Little Bigfoot (1997) and Abominable (2006).

 

Click this link to view the complete script in a TXT format

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION

"The Price"
(f.k.a. "A Price Far Above Rubies")
#40273-156

Written by
Hannah Louise Shearer

Directed by
Robert Scheerer

THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

Copyright 1989 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.

REVISED FINAL DRAFT

SEPTEMBER 25, 1989

STAR TREK: "The Price" - 9/25/89 - CAST

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The Price"

CAST

PICARD                                SETH MENDOZA
RIKER                                       DEVINONI RAL
DATA                                                                     
BEVERLY                                               Barzan
TROI                                 PREMIER BHAVANI
GEORDI                                                                
WORF                                                                 
WESLEY                                          Caldonian
COMPUTER VOICE                            LEYOR

Ferengi
DAIMON GOSS
DOCTOR ARRIDOR
Non-speaking
TWO MEDICAL ASSISTANTS

non-speaking
WAITERS ROJAY
FIVE OFF-DUTY CREWMEMBERS

KOL
TECHNICIAN

Click this link to view the complete script in a TXT format