Stardate: 45122.3 Riker, Data, and Dr. Crusher are once again threatened by the Crystalline Entity while on a planet they were evaluating. Surviving the attack, and once back on Enterprise, they meet a visiting scientist who has been studying the Crystalline Entity.

It soon becomes apparent that the scientist is bent on the destruction of the Crystalline Entity at any cost, even while the Enterprise crew is determined to try to communicate with the structure.

Tensions spill over just before the wedding of Will's Aunt Janice when Will's mom meets Janice's intended -- and forbids Will to attend the interracial wedding.

Mac's old friends, the bounty-hunting Colton brothers try to find a young woman who's the only witness to a Chinatown murder, aided by their wise and patient mother, their impatient younger brother and their dog, Frog.

Mitch convinces Kaye to write a piece about the San Dimas Pier in her new paper The Venice Voice. The structure is condemned and foolish surfers lie to challenge each other to "shoot the pier". However, no one wants to pay for the pier's demolition. But Kaye is persuaded by her father Ellis Morgan to hold off on the story. Her father's law firm is representing the owners of the pier.

After learning about her mother's death, Murphy doesn't seem to be that upset, which makes the FYI gang think that she's hiding her true feelings. She claims it's because of a letter her mother left to her saying that she must not cry, and if it's allowed she'll make one last visit to Murphy at the end of the night.

Mr Bean purchases a new TV, only to experience a spot of reception trouble. He then takes a stroll in the park to try out his new camera, which is promptly stolen. This leads to an identity parade, where Bean does his best to discover the identity of the camera thief. Later, Bean's night on the town spells disaster for a stage magician. Lastly, Mr Bean shows of his dancing skills at Club Phut.