One of the best TNG episodes ever done and it ought to be required viewing for young audiences and those who deal with at risk youth. Sad that the ones who need the lessons from this story will never see it.
The Enterprise is helping out a race that has developed into androgyny over time on a rescue mission. But in working with Melinda Culea she says that in their culture there are those who start showing specific gender traits. For them it can be a hard life and the planet culture says that conversion therapy back to androgyny is the law.
The prime directive places a burden on Jonathan Frakes who has reciprocated some romantic feelings that Culea has tossed in his direction. It's an internal cultural matter. It weighs heavy on Riker's soul.
With every country in the world now dealing with sexual orientation and gender identity and expression issues this episode is a great example of looking at the issue through the other end of Alice's looking glass. Don't miss this one.
The Enterprise is helping out a race that has developed into androgyny over time on a rescue mission. But in working with Melinda Culea she says that in their culture there are those who start showing specific gender traits. For them it can be a hard life and the planet culture says that conversion therapy back to androgyny is the law.
The prime directive places a burden on Jonathan Frakes who has reciprocated some romantic feelings that Culea has tossed in his direction. It's an internal cultural matter. It weighs heavy on Riker's soul.
With every country in the world now dealing with sexual orientation and gender identity and expression issues this episode is a great example of looking at the issue through the other end of Alice's looking glass. Don't miss this one.