Data tries to understand a romance with a crewmate.
Data begins a romantic relationship with Lieutenant Jenna D'Sora, a coworker who has recently ended a relationship. Data studies the human habits of courtship with his usual diligence, writing a program to guide him. Their relationship is strange, tender and awkward, and Data struggles to be a good partner.
Meanwhile, the Enterprise is investigating a dark matter nebula that is causing strange effects in the ship. The two plots run side by side, and the romance is the heart of the hour. The episode is a gentle, comic and ultimately sad look at what it means to love, and at Data's attempts to understand something that cannot be programmed.