Stardate 45614.6: Commander Riker is working with Soren, a J'naii pilot, in order to rescue a shuttle of the J'naii from a pocket of null space. The J'naii have evolved to a genderless race, and they see the concept of different sexes as primitive. Soren, however, belongs to a sexual minority. She feels like a woman. She tells Riker that that she is attracted to him, and asks him to remain silent about it, because on her planet she would have to undergo a psychotectic therapy once her "unnatural" predisposition were discovered. Yet, the J'naii authorities become aware of what is going on with Soren and Riker. They take Soren into custody and put her on trial. Riker attempts to protect Soren, claiming that he seduced her. But Soren states that she had those feelings for all her life and that she is tired of lying. She is condemned to an immediate psychotectic treatment. Despite Picard's warning, Riker and Worf try to free Soren, but the treatment has already taken effect and Soren denies her feelings for Riker.

• E16 Previous
• E18 Next