Stardate 42477.2 Leaders of warring factions in the Ramatis Star System have asked for the Federation to send a mediator to help resolve their differences. The Enterprise has been ordered by Star Fleet to act as courtesy transportation for the arbiter, a man named Riva who was instrumental in brokering treaties between the Klingon Empire and the Federation.

Riva, who is a mute, is assisted in his arbitrations by three people who speak his thoughts and feelings. When the three are killed in an ambush, Riva tells the crew that he can not continue the arbitration with them. Capt. Picard must convince Riva to find another way to proceed, if a peace is to be brokered.

While on assignment for the Phoenix Foundation to test field agents to make sure they are still in shape, MacGyver finds out he now has another agent to test: Pete. Things take a turn for the worse when MacGyver and Pete head into the wilderness where they stumble upon a wrecked plane and pictures of two dangerous drug smugglers who shot it down.

ALF is convinced gangsters are chasing the Tanners' houseguest.

Murphy is perplexed and angry when everyone on the staff is invited to the inaugural ball of President-elect Bush. Was it something she reported? Miles debates about asking a taller woman to the ball.