Customer Reviews

Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 117: The Outcast [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 traditional male-female roles are too black-and-white, this episode was ahead of its time, by having a gender-neutral race portrayed.

Finally, the issue of involuntary psychiatric committment for one's "lifestyle" is portrayed, when Soren is "treated" for being female and Riker tries to protect her from authorities. There are some on Earth today who still think transgenderism, homosexuality, etc. are mental illnesses.

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.

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 on adjustments on the inside of the shuttle when Soren drops a bombshell. She finds Riker attractive. Riker has felt there was something but had dismissed it. Soren shares that once in a while, a member of her species is born as a "throw-back" to when they once had gender - she is one of them, in this case, female.

Soren explains that in her culture, those with gender are perceived as less evolved and the concept of gender is even reviled. When one of them is "found out," they are forced to go through psycho-tectic "treatments" to remove all remnants of gender and to change their minds about their feelings

Riker falls for her - which reveals a new aspect to Riker's character. Everyone that Riker has had relationships with has been buxom and attractive. Soren is plain, flat-chested and has a chili-bowl haircut. Riker falls for her mind and her heart.

Soren, who has kept her secret hidden her entire life, makes an incredibly stupid error -she shares an intimate kiss with him on her own planet and is discovered by a suspicious J'naii who has been watching the two of them.

The story tries to get a little preachy during Soren's speech to the court that is deciding her fate, so it briefly loses its way as it tries to hard to push the point, as though the even most casual observer could not detect the underlying story.

In the end, however, this is a very memorable episode. We see Riker truly fall in love (not in lust) with someone who doesn't look like a jazz lounge singer or a cocktail bunny, and we see his heart get crushed and broken in two.

SPOILERS AHEAD:

In this episode, the "Enterprise" ends up at a planet where the inhabitants are androgynous. Commander Riker works with one of them, Soren, and they end up falling in love. Problem: these aliens are forbidden to express sexual desires inclined to only one gender (Soren tends towards female behavior), so she is "tried" and taken away for psychological reprogramming when their relationship is discovered.

The episode is famous, of course, for trying to take on the way gay people are treated in our culture, much as the original "Star Trek" took on issues such as the Vietnam War and racism. A big plus is that, up until the trial, the peformances are solid and the writing is very good. As someone else here said, Soren's self-defense speech is rather heavy handed, perhaps making the point a bit too obviously.

However, my biggest problem is with what happens after Soren is taken away. Forbidden from the planet, Riker decides to disregard his Starfleet training and orders so that he can sneak down to the planet and rescue his new love. He also manages to convince the usually by-the-book Klingon Lt. Worf to go along with his plan. This is TOTALLY out of character for both Riker and Worf. This really rings falsely against the way both characters had been developed throughout the course of the series. The writer, Jeri Taylor, really should have known better. She decided to make the Big Social Statement at the expense of Riker and Worf. As a result, Jonathan Frakes gives an unconvincing performance during the last quarter of the episode, totally ruining it for me. The ending, of course, is predictable.

It's good that a television show tries for something other than mindless entertainment. But it can't be done with plot contrivances which go against the grain of the show's premise or its characters, which is what happens here. Certainly not one of the worst moments for "TNG", but far from its best.

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.