This is a tough one to rate. On one hand, the midsection of the episode focused on the differences between men and women is tiresome, and the super direct metaphor of the episode is generally an approach we don’t like in science fiction. On the positive side, the ending has some real impact, and there’s genuinely touching scene with Riker and Troi… We’re gonna go with a 2 rating for now, but it’s right on the edge.
Riker is helping an androgynous species figure out something about space pockets. One of their shuttles went missing.Riker works with one of them named Soren, and they have a very early 90’s discussion about gender.alien pickup line: “Commander, tell me about your sexual organs.” Worf thinks women are weak and the aliens are weirdos. Real cool, Worf :/For the aliens, identifying with a gender is seen as primitive. Soren not only identifies as female, but is also attracted to Riker, which is seen as doubly primitive.They rescue the stranded shuttle. It was in null space, which is always the first place I look for things.When Riker and Soren are in public they act totally cool and normal and not in love. This is normal, see.But then when they’re in the plants they have a forbidden kiss!Soren gets caught and is taken before some kind of trial. She tells them that they’re the dummies, NOT HER!! (paraphrasing)Worf joins Riker in planning a rescue mission……But Soren is really creepy now, and says she’s been cured and also not that into Riker anymore.I like when Picard asks Riker if their business is finished with the aliens.
