Rating: - A beautiful beautiful episode
I cannot praise this episode enough. It's simply a common sense episode. Almost every Star Trek episode is much more than science fiction, but comments on social injustice. This episode is truly exemplerary in this respect -- mixing science fiction and social injustice just perfectly. I'm so glad so many people could watch this and possibly understand the plight of at least 1% of the human population on this planet. Anyone who believes in rights and acceptance for minorities, should watch and I will assume, love this episode.
Rating: - Riker evolves
The Enterprise works with the J'naii, a genderless humanoid species, to help them locate a missing J'naii shuttle. The shuttle is stuck in what was previously a theoretical hypothesis, "null space."
Commander Riker ends up working closely with Soren (Melinda Culea), a skilled J'naii pilot. Soren is very curious about species with gender, and asks Riker and others about the differences between their genders.
Geordi has to retrofit the exterior of one of the Enterprise's shuttles so that it will not lose power in null space while on their rescue mission. Riker and Soren work ... Read More
Rating: - Bigotry Lost
This episode not only contained metaphoric references that I am still pondering, but it did much to assist me in my quest to understand relationships other than heterosexual. It has compelled me to be more open-minded and sensitive to all levels of love, regardless of gender. Intensely powerful, moving, and insightful wisdom I have gleaned from "The Outcast." It's a mover and shaker, a real "sleeper" of a movie.
Rating: - Explores transgender issues well
Although some people think that this episode was about homosexuality and are offended by it, while others think think it's too subtle or euphemistic, I think it explores transgender issues -- the gender identity of an individual (Soren) -- instead of their preferred partner's sex or gender.
Male to Female transsexuality is probably the closest analogy to what took place in this episode, in which Soren, a person from a gender-neutral planet, discovers that she is female.
And considering how many today are beginning to think that gender is a cultural concept and that ... Read More
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