History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS6E17Lessons

* SpotOfTea: Picard tries a herbal tea suggested by Nella, but isn't impressed. Beverley likes it however, so Picard tells her he [[BlatantLies found it in the replicator files]].

* BittersweetEnding: Nella thankfully doesn't get StuffedInTheFridge, but her relationship with Picard doesn't survive the episode.

When sharing a friendly moment in the turbo lift, however, Picard's demeanor snaps back to professional when another crewman enters. He consults Troi about his qualms over dating a subordinate. Troi tells him that everyone knows that he and Darren are dating, and that ignoring his feelings could have just as bad an effect on him as any potential repercussions from dating her. Picard comes clean to Nella, apologizing for his curtness earlier and assuring her that he's not taking their relationship lightly. He reveals his history on Ressik, showing how important it is when he shares his music with a person. The pair gets down to as much romance as broadcast television in the 1990s will allow.

After getting rebuffed by Riker over a personnel request, Nella shows up at Picard's quarters and encourages him to play a duet with her, him on his [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS5E25TheInnerLight Ressikan flute]]. Although initially bashful, Picard opens up, and they have a marvelous time embellishing on "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS5E5Disaster Frere Jacque]]." Later, Nella takes Picard up to a particular intersection in the jeffries tubes that has perfect acoustics. They play the Ressikan folk melody that Picard learned during his time in Ressik, which causes some confusion in Engineering.

When sharing a friendly moment in the turbo lift, however, Picard's demeanor snaps back to professional when another crewman enters. He consults Troi about his qualms over dating a subordinate. Troi tells him everyone knows that he and Darren are dating and that ignoring his feelings could have just as bad an effect on him as any potential repercussions from dating her. Picard comes clean to Nella, apologizing for his curtness earlier and assuring her that he's not taking their relationship lightly. He reveals his history on Ressik, showing how important it is when he shares his music with a person. The pair gets down to as much romance as broadcast television in the 1990s will allow.

* BeneathTheMask: This episode explores how Picard, the Captain of the ship deals with personal relationships.

** The first time Picard and Nella play together, she suggests "Frere Jacques," the same song Picard sung with the children in Season 5's [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS5E5Disaster Disaster]] -- another episode in which Picard's less rigid side is explored.
* TheChainsOfCommanding: Picard has to order Starfleet personnel, including Nella, to maintain their position in the face of the firestorm, knowing it could mean their deaths. Picard decides to break off the relationship rather than face that decision again.
* ContinuityNod: Picard suggests that Riker join him for some fencing, a hobby he's pursued in several other episodes.

* EverybodyKnewAlready: When Picard decides to discuss his relationship with Counselor Troi, she already knows he's seeing Nella.

* GreenEyedMonster: When Darren is complaining of the sore arm she got playing duets with Picard, Crusher gives a stony reaction but maintains her professionalism.

* CallBack: Picard relates the events of "The Inner Light" to Nella to explain why his music is so important to him.

* StautsQuoIsGod: Picard's relationship doesn't survive the episode.