History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS5E17TheOutcast

** For an episode with a GayAesop, the show doesn't even acknowledge anything other than heterosexual relationships in Federation society. This was likely due to content restrictions of its era. The fact that the episode uses gender identity as a metaphor for sexual orientation also causes it to trip all over the real-world subject of gender identity, which receives much more attention now than it did when the episode aired.

** The completion of Soren's psychotectic treatment is supposed to be a DownerEnding, but there was no indication of physical abuse, she wasn't speaking in a CreepyMonotone or sporting a [[TechnicallyASmile forced smile]] to indicate she had been lobotomized, and there was no indication that she was putting on an act out of fear that someone was watching. She seemed genuinely grateful to have been "cured". The moral of the story ended up being "Conversion therapy works. Don't bother to resist it."

But there's another crisis brewing. Riker's feelings for Soren have grown to the point that he feels compelled to tell Troi, being her former lover, to make sure it won't [[AmicableExes hurt their friendship]] if it becomes serious. The two of them shared a passionate kiss after the party together in private... or so they thought. When Riker returns to Soren's quarters, he finds Krite there instead.

* BrokenAesop: For an episode with a GayAesop, the show doesn't even acknowledge anything other than heterosexual relationships in Federation society. This was likely due to content restrictions of its era. The fact that the episode uses gender identity as a metaphor for sexual orientation also causes it to trip all over the real-world subject of gender identity, which receives much more attention now than it did when the episode aired.

* VerySpecialEpisode: This is the show's attempt at a GayAesop episode, though it ultimately does it through metaphor rather than overtly, following the tradition of such TOS episodes as "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield," which did it for racism.

* BizarreAlienReproduction: In spite of being genderless, the J'naii apparently have a long sexual ritual between a mated pair before which they both inseminate a "fibrous husk."

* VerySpecialEpisode: It was getting increasingly obvious and awkward how ''Star Trek,'' which had a history of progressive takes on social issues in both its storylines and its depictions, was skirting the issue of sexual orientation. This episode was the unsatisfying compromise to try to "deal with the issue."

* BrokenAesop: For an episode with a very strong pro-LGBT message, the show doesn't even acknowledge anything other than heterosexual relationships in Federation society. This was likely due to content restrictions of its era. The fact that the episode uses gender identity as a metaphor for sexual orientation also causes it to trip all over the real-world subject of gender identity, which receives much more attention now than it did when the episode aired.

* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: The stigma of Soren's people against those who identify as having a gender, and the "psychotectic therapy" they are forced to undergo to reintegrate into society, are all stand-ins for the persecution of homosexuals and "conversion therapy." In spite of revolving around gender identity, however, the show isn't actually attempting to address that issue or any other in the modern LGBT+ movement.

* CompressedVice: Worf is bizarrely prejudiced against genderless beings. Note however that Worf's prejudice [[PretendPrejudice apparently doesn't run so deep]] that it prevents him from [[NobleBigot offering to help Riker]] to save Soren from the psychotectic therapy. When you factor in Worf's comments regarding beards being a symbol of courage in "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS6E9TheQualityOfLife The Quality of Life]]" (and Crusher's astute observation that women cannot grow them, which has obvious implications) as well as the fact that women are barred from the High Council, we have on our hands a species with very rigid beliefs on gender. Worf is feeling uncomfortable not just because of prejudice, but because he has no idea how to act around them within the confines of Klingon culture.

* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: The stigma of Soren's people against those who identify as having a gender, and the "psychotectic therapy" they are forced to undergo to reintegrate into society, are the episode's awkward attempt at mirroring the stigma faced by people who identify as LGBTQ+ and criticisms of "conversion therapy" many of these people are forced to undergo.

* FantasticRacism: Fantastic gender identity persecution, in this case, as Soren is persecuted by her own peopel for identifying as female. The whole thing is really a metaphor for homophobia rather than gender identity.

* OutOfCharacterMoment: Worf breaks character slightly for a scene to bluntly state that women are "weaker and need help." Worf is certainly the most rigidly conservative member of the crew, and Klingon culture is certainly patriarchal, so he's the best fit for an episode needing someone to express a less favorable side to gender and sexual orientation, but it still comes across as jarring, particularly for a man who frequently expresses interest in strong, fierce women.