- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It is our mission to seek out life in all forms. We're privileged to have been present at the emergence of a new species.
- Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: That's her.
- Lieutenant Worf: Which one?
- Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: The one on the right. Don't stare!
- Lieutenant Worf: Why not?
- Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Because she'll see!
- Lieutenant Worf: Good. You must let her see the fire in your eyes.
- Lieutenant Worf: Words come later. It is the scent that first speaks of love.
- Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Thanks, Worf. That helps a lot!
- John Doe: [to Picard] Captain, my species is on the verge of a wondrous evolutionary change, a transmutation beyond our physical being. I am the first of my kind to approach this metamorphosis. They tried to convince us it was a sickness we would never survive, that the pain and energy pulses would kill us. They claimed we were dangerous, so they destroyed anyone who exhibited the signs of the transfiguration.
- Commander Sunad: We were protecting our society.
- John Doe: By murdering us? You saw the mutations as a threat to your authority. You were terrified of something you couldn't understand. Some suspected that what was happening to them was not evil. Four of us decided to flee Zalkon, and let the metamorphosis take its course. You hunted us down, killed the others. But I survived - with the help of a kind... and generous people.
- Lieutenant Worf: [to Data] I've been tutoring him. He learns very quickly.
- [after La Forge has made a smooth pass at Christy]
- Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: John - I really want to thank you.
- John Doe: For what?
- Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I don't know how, or even why, but down on the planet, you gave me something, a... a new confidence.
- John Doe: I doubt I can take credit for that. Perhaps I only helped you find something you already had.
- Lieutenant Worf: I have much to teach you about women!
- [after La Forge has made a fool of himself when approached by Christy]
- [last lines]
- John Doe: Beverly, you gave me life, and more. I do not have the words for my gratitude... nor my sorrow, at leaving you.
- [while trying to walk, John collapses and is caught by Picard]
- John Doe: I envy your reflexes, Captain.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I envy your strength of will.
- John Doe: I am on some kind of a journey. Whatever brought me here, whatever is happening to my body, is all part of that journey. And I must complete it - before any other consideration.
- [first lines]
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [voiceover] Captain's log, stardate 43957.2. We are charting an unexplored star system within the Zeta Gelis cluster. This routine assignment has made for a refreshingly quiet time aboard the Enterprise.