The U.S.S. Enterprise is chosen as the marriage site for a wedding that will unite two powerful rival families of the spacefaring merchant race, the Tizarin. But Captain Picard's happiness is soon cut short by the arrival of the Federation delegate from Betazed: Lwaxana Troi - the mother of ship's counsellor, Deanna Troi.
Despite Lwaxana's nagging presence, the festivities proceed smoothly until the arrival of the notorious and all powerful being, Q-who has come to examine and challenge the human concept of love. Suddenly, the celebration is in turmoil, the Tizarin families are on the brink of war, and Lwaxana is determined to teach Q a lesson in love that he will never forget....