Star Trek: TNG - "The Outcast" - 'I Am Tired of Lies' Scene

Scene from Star Trek: TNG episode "The Outcast" (Season 5, Episode 17).
Obvious allusions to the debate over homosexuality or being transgender in our own world.

[@rescot00]

When Riker attempted to rescue her, Worf went with him. Worf the best example of a "bro".

[@MrNayGames]

Like a nazi Chewbacca

[@connorpayne7324]

Yes

[@kiaraquinn9130]

Worf, and his character growth throughout the series, is highly underrated and overshadowed by the discussions about Data and Riker and Picard and Q

[@62202ify]

Worf and Riker Smashed those Goons, sadly it was too little too late. That Judge looked like a Vampire that hasn't had blood. A soulsucked Goul.

[@kevinmahoney5923]

I would very much like to watch the entire series because of comments like this, and of course also because of the prescience of the writers in the subject matter of 'The Outcast'. Thank you, Rescot, for observing this little subtlety of solidarity between friends. If we have in our lifetime that single person whom we could call upon to 'help move the body' without question, judgement, we have a friendship that equals or even exceeds any variance of love - a sublime experience in our shared humanity.

[@Mechaghostman2]

The social commentary in Star Trek never ceases to amaze me. You don't get that kind of stuff very often in television, rather cable or network. Truly, an exemplary television show. Everything about it is just brilliant. The way it reflects on social issues or cultural, speaks on the fractured physics of humanity and gives its own (possibly borrowed) philosophy, and the science for the most part being plausible... so much so that the MRI, cell phone, and automatic opening doors were influenced by Star Trek, amongst other things.

[@sanjayraju988]

Old Star Trek anyways.

[@hillarysudeikis2264]

Genders are real and cannot be changed, the very fact that male and female are the only two genders that can procreate for the past 6000 years of creation is proof enough, there's no figuring out anything otherwise we would have been extinct. Every single female has biological differences to their male counterparts and they both have their own unique desires and cognitive functioning, thing's like a mother's intuition and women's instinct are solid. Follow Lord Jesus, sin leads to hell, obey the word of God.

[@wiltchamperlain]

Everyone complaining about the ending miss the point. it isn't a fairy tale ending for a reason. it's tragic to highlight the unfairness of it. To persuade the intended audience of the time to rethink their homophobic views and see the relationship crushed by an unaccepting society.

[@xr7t7]

❤

[@transgirltalks1140]

i hated the ending but it's a well written one and sadly accurate. I got the point, doesn't mean I have to like it though

[@averagebodybuilder]

Social engineering towards disgust

[@Ragitsu]

@@averagebodybuilder Hm?

[@Ragitsu]

@u wot m8 Why are you even here? Don't you have a cave to decorate?

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

The look on Riker's face; he knew what was at stake, but you can see the pride in his face. The unexpected twist; in this episode; was that you thought that her speech would have changed things; and then ...it didn't.

[@bobpage6597]

Which was exactly the same in Voyager with the Voth - when Chakotay stood up to the Minister and gave an impassioned speech about her species. With the look on her face and the music cue, you think Chakotay has gotten through to her; then she sits in her chair and resumes her stance demanding Professor Gagen retract his claims.

[@emdee7744]

This was heart breaking. Will found someone he felt he loved, his love was returned, and she was wrenched away from him by bureaucracy.

[@izzafizza339]

I would have shot those scum of aliens the federation has no right to interfere fine but rikers love accepted that she was to be cured after lashing out that that was wrong to do to her. She did it to avoid being killed she was scared and riker should have knocked them out. If I was in his place I would have grabbed that senator lady by her neck collar and demanded soren be released

[@gnryushi]

It really was. You just had to feel bad for him because he really loved her.

[@tallsmile28]

Happens all the time in our society

[@Elly3981]

This woman was rather plain looking. Wonder what he saw in her?

[@hillarysudeikis2264]

Genders are real and cannot be changed, the very fact that male and female are the only two genders that can procreate for the past 6000 years of creation is proof enough, there's no figuring out anything otherwise we would have been extinct. Every single female has biological differences to their male counterparts and they both have their own unique desires and cognitive functioning, thing's like a mother's intuition and women's instinct are solid. Follow Lord Jesus, sin leads to hell, obey the word of God.

[@MoulderingMortal]

I literally just finished watching this episode on tv and I bawled like an infant. What Soren said was so moving.

[@clauderobotham6261]

This was a very sad episode. Watching it again after so many years, I think Jonathan Frakes' performance in the courtroom was his best acting of the series.

[@hillarysudeikis2264]

Genders are real and cannot be changed, the very fact that male and female are the only two genders that can procreate for the past 6000 years of creation is proof enough, there's no figuring out anything otherwise we would have been extinct. Every single female has biological differences to their male counterparts and they both have their own unique desires and cognitive functioning, thing's like a mother's intuition and women's instinct are solid. Follow Lord Jesus, sin leads to hell, obey the word of God.

[@CSLucasEpic]

Things like these make TNG a show completely ahead of its times. Like The original Star Trek was ahead of its time.

[@hjde-jg7ho]

wel duh.. it's a futuristic sf

[@billymccall5969]

Except when they explain away Spock’s appearance to people in the 1930’s as him being “obviously Chinese”, and having been injured in an unfortunate incident with a “mechanical rice picker” 😂 But yes I do respect Star Trek for always trying to be ahead of its time.

[@juliandacosta6841]

@@billymccall5969 i saw that as kirk thinking the cop was racist, so he came up with a stereotypical race related reason as an explanation for spock

[@mikebasil4832]

One of the saddest Star Trek stories ever and with one of the most important Star Trek messages. 💔

[@Sumdian]

I'm a trans woman marathoning TNG for the first time and completely stumbled into this episode unaware of the content. This scene and others brought me to tears.

[@rocsaltjohn]

Or the colony is full of transgender people telling her to be one because that is normal? That is what it appears like to me.

[@rocsaltjohn]

OmarAlQaseer well it's always ones reference to assume that their opinion is correct. I disagree with yours.

[@leda1974]

Frank, you're a tit.

[@rocsaltjohn]

leda1974 well, you sure showed me. Irrelevant respose.

[@jameswilkes451]

Your response was just as irrelevant as his, and is based off of pure unbacked logic; exactly the same as the judge in this video.

[@raydrawsdaly]

My mom who is still coming to terms with me being LBGT+ showed me this episode and asked if this was how I felt. This scene had me crying and I'm grateful my mom reached out to me through it. Episodes like this help people see the unknown from a familiar perspective.

[@Saintbow]

Why not just say gay? As LBGT ect stands for more than just folks who are gay, seems like you're just pushing. Have you also considered what your mother is feeling? Here you are pushing and demanding of her to see it from your side, yet you refuse to see it from her side. You are telling a person to go against everything they have known, felt, and perceived to become what you want them to. Where is the compassion you are demanding, but you can't give to others. Your mother now has to accept the fact that her bloodline (if you are the only child) is over. Sure you can have a robot put the goods in you, but if your argument is that being gay is a natural act, how can you say it's natural to have a doctor use a needle, to get you pregnant? Notice how you also were projecting your distain for men in your post? By only mentioning your mother, and you didn't even care enough to mention your father? I mean, who cares what men think, since your pro-female only, right? You can't sit there and preach about how you want people to be accepting, yet you refuse to give an inch to the ones you are forcing to change to accommodate you. Seems a little bias and bigotry to me.

[@raydrawsdaly]

@@Saintbow Please chill out. I didn't mention my dad because he didn't care about what gender I am or the gender of my partner. He accepted me all the same. It was my mom who struggled with me being LGBT+ and Star Trek helped her understand. You don't know anything about my life just like I don't know anything about yours.

[@alexsch2514]

Were you a trekkie before watching it?

[@raydrawsdaly]

@@alexsch2514 It was the first couple episodes of TNG my mom shared with me when I told her I was getting into the original series.

[@antoniocasias5545]

@@raydrawsdaly well it’s clearly not true that “star trek” was the help

[@sgtmyers88]

"The Orville" over its past 3 seasons with the Moclan story arc has done an excellent follow up to the topics referenced in this episode. Worth a watch.

[@sammykewlguy]

I read that Jonathan Frakes wanted a male cast in the role but the producers decided against it. That would have been really cool, but as it is, it's a great episode.

[@The_gaming_archaeologist]

If that's true that's totally fucking awesome! I mean, it's shitty that the producers were against it, but it's great that Jonathan Frakes wanted a male case member, despite knowing that he was going to kiss this person and be romantically attached to them. Shows how progressive he was as a person instead of just the actor who had no issue with Soren's identity.

[@PurpleCrownVic]

Idk if he wanted a male in the role. He stated the character should have been perceived as more evidently male to make the moment more poignant. But the point stands.

[@nostrandholdings2324]

🤢🤮

[@Ragitsu]

@@nostrandholdings2324 What's wrong?

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@The_gaming_archaeologist It’s not

[@triptoheaveandho]

this was so powerful i hadnt seen it til recently and it brought tears to my eyes .. why cant we live and let live??/

[@JasonOnEarth]

sherry gypsy S Exactly! It's a shame we criticize each other and we fight for our own beliefs and not be open-minded. The world would and will be a better place when people can empathize with others better and just understand each person is just born who they are. Some may be different but difference, diversity is a good thing. Otherwise this world would be very boring and monotone.

[@shariwidmayer4487]

I literally have this ep on and this scene just played. I’m a straight female but my sister is gay and I have a trans male nephew. This episode is one of my absolute favorites. And knowing that Jonathan Frakes actually wanted Soren to be played by a male actor makes me love him just a little more. I’m an ally… if your family has abandoned you for who you are…. I am now your mom. I love you.

[@JasonOnEarth]

Exactly! Star Trek touches on many issues related to humanity. Different alien species magnify our personality traits and who we are. To me, it's almost philosophical and can be very deep. Sadly many people fail to "get" that part of ST, trivializing the awesomeness of this series. What do others think? Thanks for your unique input! :-)

[@krioni86sa]

Amazing indeed!

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

I think you’re reading too much into it

[@justseffstuff3308]

⁠@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072It's not even reading into it at all, it's a one-to-one comparison. Every single queer person I know that's watched this has related- it wouldn't be that clear and universal if it wasn't related. Nothing is as simple, or ever has been as simple, as you folks like to pretend it is.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@justseffstuff3308 what the heck does that even mean?

[@psifla99]

Melinda Culea, once an outcast of sorts among The “A” Team as Amy Allen, finds herself a literal Outcast again and knocks this performance right out of the park. Given the tremble in her voice around 01:05 you can feel that Soren senses she is doomed but she’s not going to go down without telling everyone the truth.

[@TheBreezus]

Wow so relevant right now, to think this episode came out in 1992.

[@oscarlorde2145]

Breeze very ahead of its time

[@tribbleq]

Whoa, the year of my birth and this applies to a lot of what I am-- biromantic asexual, autistic, transgender. I just wish it *wasn't* ahead of its time, I wish I'd known sooner from things besides just this; though this show had a huge impact on my life generally.

[@OrchestrationOnline]

Very cool episode, based on Ursula K. LeGuin's epic award-winning novel "The Left Hand of Darkness." Despite borrowing nearly everything about it, the TNG writers managed to come up with a new story that has real meaning in today's society.

[@m.e.3862]

Yeah they even named them Genaii which sounds a lot like Genly Ai

[@SOAMLE]

I am a huge TNG fan. I don’t particularly like any other trek (I know, I’m sorry) so im not too deep into the trek universe and lore, but I continue to be amazed at how open and accepting the Star Trek community is. It’s a wonderful community.

[@tallsmile28]

I am female. I was born that way. I have had those feelings, those longings, all of my life. It is not unnatural. I am not sick because I feel this way. I do not need to be helped. I do not need to be cured. What I need, and what all of those who are like me need, is your understanding. And your compassion. We have not injured you in any way. And yet we are scorned and attacked. And all because we are different. What we do is no different from what you do. We talk, and laugh. We complain about work. And we wonder about growing old. We talk about our families, and we worry about the future. And we cry with each other when things seem hopeless. All of the loving things that you do with each other, that is what we do. And for that, we are called misfits, and deviants, and criminals. What right do you have to punish us? What right do you have to change us? What makes you think you can dictate how people love each other?

[@CraigTube]

She felt female because their race used to have male and female, and it got changed into one gender over time. Your quote is taken out of context. Watch the whole episode.

[@tyn833]

Born what way explain that to me

[@Onearmdude]

​@tyn833 I'm glad Christianity is declining. It means fewer bigots like you, claiming that being LGBT is a 'choice', comparing it to some moral failing or addiction. As an obviously flawed human being, maybe you should be casting fewer stones.

[@marcudemus]

​@@CraigTube The quote is taken out of context? It's a verbatim quote, lifted directly from the script. There is no context to debate. I'm confused as to why you commented this. I presume the OP wanted just to emphasize the monologue and perhaps provide a verbatim quote for those who are deaf and can't rely on badly auto-generated closed captions. Maybe they had other intentions, but either way, there is zero other context to contest. It's simply a direct, verbatim quote.

[@bleepbloop101010101]

@@CraigTube They only have one sex, yet she still is female. What do you think the writers were getting at here? Go back far enough and human ancestors were single sex too. It's irrelevant to their current society or the episode. Guess you view her as a deviant.

[@_Trenchfoot_]

Remember when you learned something after watching an episode of Star Trek

[@rainfallen7574]

TNG & DS9 both were so much more ahead of their times than I think anyone gives them credit for. Of course there's still obvious at-the-time 90s flaws, but this speech in 1992 of all times when homosexuality was a taboo subject, not to even mention the outrage over transgender people, this is a powerful speech for the entirety of the LGBTQ+ community. I myself am transgender and not straight in the slightest, and this moved me to tears. Even with the heartbreaking ending where Riker couldn't save Soren from everything going on, but I was okay with that because not everything has a happy ending for queer folk like me, especially not in the 90s. But just addressing this, making us feel SEEN and ACCEPTED by a main character in a show, is powerful.

[@antoniocasias5545]

Seen what?

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

Accepted by a main character? To humans it’s normal. Us seen what? That makes no sense

[@olivesama]

@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072 The stories, myths, and legends we tell about ourselves are part of humanity's ongoing effort to describe the nature of being. This was true back when we were mostly hunter-gatherers sitting around night fires, and this remains true in the age of electronic media. To be accepted by a main character in a story like this is a sign that our culture is actively engaged in trying to understand and accept trans people. To "feel seen", in this context, means that someone notices that the culture is showing signs that there is indeed room for them in it, whereas historically there has been ignorance, shame, and social ostracism. To someone who has long been starved of such signs, seeing this can be a remarkable experience. Does that make any sense? Or do you need more help?

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@olivesama I personally think those are signs of internal insecurity. I assume that your trans however as a gay poc I dont think about this stuff. 🤔 I just want entertainment to give me a good time. The real world has bad people but they don't say I can't do my own thing on the confoets of my own home so it's whatever. Literally no one controls us but ourselves. Not sure about the relevance with mythology but mmkay. I dont see the world changing because of tv

[@olivesama]

@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072 Internal insecurity is a natural thing to feel. It is not unique to trans people or anyone else. If you are unsure of the relevance of this issue to mythology you can rest easy knowing that there are people who have done the work for you. There exists an extensive body of peer-reviewed scientific literature that shows that television has been a major transmitter of values since its invention. And even before TV, the radio had a major role to play in the reinforcement of national mythologies and political ideologies, for better or for worse. And before that you could even cite the invention of the printing press and how it fueled religious movements and the Protestant Reformation. That media and myth/value making have a symbiotic relationship is utterly undeniable. If you haven't seen the world change because of any of this, I'd wager you're either really young or just busy with other things. I, too, am a "poc," but I have spent a great deal of time thinking about the empirical data on this topic.

[@LilDroidBlue]

I've seen this episode three times, and this speech of 'hers' still gives me goosebumps. Star Trek's social commentary was always ahead of its time, this may be dealing with "hetero"sexual relationships, but it's obviously about homosexuality, one could even extend that to transgender peoples. "What right do you have to punish us? What right do you have to change us? What makes you think you can dictate, how people love each other?" Couldn't have put it better myself.

[@stravos11]

What makes you think this episode is obviously entirely about you?

[@LilDroidBlue]

+StravoS What are you talking about? I was saying what the character said applies to my real life. That is all.

[@LilDroidBlue]

Shamal Jifan that is a very interesting tidbit. I did not know that!

[@blackjac5000]

At the time it was definitely a gay metaphor. These days it's more on-the-nose.

[@rocsaltjohn]

I look at it the opposite....They were making her something that she wasn't, and she rejected it. She was a female, born a straight female. They (as modern society is doing today) were forcing her to act in a way that was different than her natural gender. Telling her to deny her natural female feelings for a male and pretend that "it's normal" to do so.

[@KeysofIDproductions]

The Gennai (the aliens in this episode) identified themselves as genderless and opposed anyone who identified themselves as one gender different than the other. They wanted an equality for themselves and shunned diversity. This is the struggle that the LGBT community fights for even to this day against their own government, against hate groups (Westboro Baptist Church) and many religious groups who seek to "correct" their behaviour to be more like they are. It's a very powerful episode.

[@Stardust_7273]

I hear people say this episode was made as an analogy of homosexual people, but it ended up being one of transgender people. I feel it works for anyone in the LGBTQ community. I’m queer, I’m not gay and I’m not trans. I feel this episode totally represents me. This speech can easily be given by anyone in the LGBTQ community.

[@KeysofIDproductions]

@A Publick Domain Yeah, that pesky Prime Directive, lol. Riker's got nothing on the many times Picard violated it in his tenure as Captain.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

J’Naii*

[@BrianTerrill]

It's the LGBTQ community that is fighting for gender equality and gender less bathrooms etc. This episode shows that there are people wanting to be identified by the gender they really are, the opposite of what the LGBTQ community wants.

[@samanthapatrick4345]

This episode had an impact on me the most since coming out as transgender

[@natetheguitarkid]

The only problem i had with the ending is i think they should of explain what was going through Soren's mind better. I get she was supposedly "cured" of her attraction to males, but they acted like she was also cured of her friendship/bond with Riker all together and she acted like he was a stranger. Was the only bond she had with him a sexual attraction, and being cured of that just made it all go away? For Riker it was obviously more than that. Just seemed a little unrealistic. But i really liked this episode overall.

[@Lilacgem-02]

My guess it was a complete reconditioning by surgery and brainwashing techniques. Soren was robotic maybe she was lobotomized in some way.

[@tallsmile28]

Unrealistic. Every year thousands of children and adults get sent to religious camps that try to "cure" gay people. They do not care about the nuances of a friendship or bond. They only care that they are gay.

[@ThatFlamingFroggo]

When I watched this, I wasn't thinking of homosexuality, but rather that of an Transgender narrative. I did find it maddening, that after her impassioned speech there was absolutely no change in the judge, or those present. Then again, it shows that in parallel there are some people, in this world, who don't care one ounce of what a certain person says, no matter how well the argument is made. They will always see that person as sick, or guilty in someway. Inferior. I really enjoyed the episode, although some changes would have made it all the more strong.

[@rocsaltjohn]

The Judge required her to be transgender...she wasn't. So who's pushing who?

[@leda1974]

Shut your trap, Frank. Adults are talking.

[@sethmacadam3253]

Frank Patek The majority of their species are androgynous not transgender!

[@Mechaghostman2]

You're viewing a late 80's to mid 90's TV show from the sensibilities of the 2010's. It's about homosexuality.

[@jonathanjoestarwithpluck4930]

Mechaghostman2 trans people have existed for longer than 10 years genius. In fact trans people have existed in many cultures for thousands of years, so why couldn’t this episode be about gender identity, especially when that’s the specific framing device they chose?

[@teleportedbreadfor3days]

I don’t care if you’re transgender, gay, anything: You are not sick or broken, you don’t need a councilor or a god to tell you otherwise. What you are is Human, and what you feel is as real as Human nature. Nothing more, nothing less.

[@The_gaming_archaeologist]

Having watched this recently a while back to go through all Star Trek series I understand this too well despite not being transgender. The same kinds of things happened with those who were gay with conversion therepy that was meant to make them "normal" and so on.

[@GiselleGauthier]

Eerily relevant 30 years later.

[@lilben4184]

Indeed. A cult of androgyny rejecting the "primitive" sexual binary trying to indoctrinate men into denying their manhood and women into denying their womanhood. Haunting.

[@MichaelMoore99]

One part of this scene always nags at me: *Riker walks through door* Commander Riker, these proceedings are CLOSED. --- Then why didn't you LOCK the freaking door?! You just let him stroll on through! Have you never heard of door locks on your world?

[@nummersieben3489]

security. when there is a fire they have to escape quicly (srry for my bad english :/)

[@MichaelMoore99]

+Nummer Sieben They make 1-way locks now. They should have them in the future. Lock going in. Keep going out unlocked.

[@TheySchlendrian]

@@MichaelMoore99 it doesn't really help the narrative though ;)

[@nDndAd]

He could have just as easily transported in had they locked the doors. He would have "barged in" one way or another.

[@The_gaming_archaeologist]

They truely are a regressive people. Perhaps they are SOO full of the law that they're under the belief that no one will walk in because it's against the law.

[@TheGreenVoter]

"You have to admit, it'd be pretty uncomfortable if Soren was actually played by a man." Uncomfortable for WHO?

[@quelorepario]

Whom

[@wonderboy76]

@@quelorepario As an Englishman, no one says whom. Who is just fine.

[@jerryburke250]

Tell Ernest Hemmingway

[@dgphi]

@@jerryburke250 Or John Donne.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@wonderboy76 bad

[@KeysofIDproductions]

Once you get past the first season, it gets a lot better and it deals with a wide variety of prejudices that we face even today. Roddenberry had a prophetic vision almost of what humanity struggles with every day. I think he understood humanity better than anyone ever could, even if most of what is shown on Trek is "silly".

[@ErichoTTA]

That was great! Still holds true today!

[@xeeen0]

This reminds me of Alan Turing, the father of AI. A gay man who cracked the enigma code, who was chemically castrated to "cure" him. He unlifed himself.

[@garypranzo9334]

The ending was not satisfying but that is what made it great. Solutions to problems rarely make everyone happy and are often the wrong solutions. The episode makes me think that the Gennai will one day accept diversity but not yet.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

J’Naii*

[@RobinPM86]

Both Riker and Soren's accusers believed they were acting in HER best interests.

[@mrAZcardinal]

Be educated ya'll. Gay marriage is not wrong, sick or defective. Love is love, love us never wrong, love never hurts anyone.

[@kylevernon]

"it is not our mission to impose federation or earth values on any others in the galaxy" -Jean Luc Picard

[@FQP-7024]

If the prime directive was just a little different it would have ended with the Enterprise getting chases by them fron their system with her in tow to the nearest Starbase

[@trekforphotos]

This seen is brilliant truly ahead of its time!!

[@urbanarmory]

Famously the showrunners originally wanted Sorren to be played by a man

[@etanaedelman9011]

It's a funny thing; this episode was intended to deal with homophobia but did a terrible job at it. But it actually works pretty well as an allegory for being transgender.

[@zippomage]

+Etana Edelman YES! I see that so much more clearly. And it's such an incredibly powerful scene in that way. Star Trek, generations ahead of their time, like they do.

[@sweetsour6783]

or a SJW world gone mad

[@zippomage]

Sweet Sour no

[@etanaedelman9011]

I assume you must dislike Star Trek, because it is one of the most "SJW" shows ever. There are so many allegories and morality plays that it's been accused of being preachy. I don't know if that's true or not, but if you're the type to rail against SJWs, you're watching the wrong show.

[@zippomage]

Etana Edelman childhood ruined *high five*

[@Joshnky]

I didn't like the outcome of this episode.. but it was the way it was.. and it is the way it is still sometimes.. sigh

[@Blueleaf11]

I agree the outcome was very sad, but I think that was intentional.

[@ParappatheRapper]

I seriously feel like at some point they wrote themselves into a corner and that outcome was a way to just end it without ever having to go back to it and constraining the episode for time. To me, the outcome makes the entire endeavor utterly and completely pointless. It never even comes up later at any point and Will Riker never seems affected in future decisions regarding similar situations. So in canon the episode may as well have never happened and the message itself seems meaningless and clumsy. I think I would have wrote it so that she gained asylum but then leaving her planet become an incredibly hard and sudden change, compounded by the fact Riker is unwilling to give up his career even though he cares for her. She would end up feeling alone and unable to cope with the change and would have to go back home and undergo the "treatment". Riker would be somewhat upset but have some solace in that "they tried" and maybe this is actually he best outcome even though it seems wrong.

[@sideshowkazstuff3867]

It needed this end. Things couldn’t be a fairytale in this episode. It had to reflect a lot or people’s reality at the time.

[@joeconcepts5552]

Show this to the angry modern Trek fans who think it wasn’t “woke” until recently. And while I believe the writers’ intent here was to speak more about gays and lesbians, isn’t it amazing how it almost fits better with trans people?

[@snuvmelon9974]

This -is- about trans people. I am trans and I don't like nutrek because it isn't presenting the 'woke' issues with any nuance or differing perspective. It is just telling people what to think. Not how to think for themselves and come to compassionate AND logical conclusions. Star trek changed my life and the new stuff just isn't it. It's a souless facsimile made to cash in on the greatness of the series before it. It's shallow and doesn't seem to genuinely care at all. It's a shill.

[@lbat5276]

And all that with no background music. Hard as fuck.

[@manco828]

I liked that Riker proposed asylum. Too bad the writers did not go with that.

[@Skyebright1]

Seriously lots of the issues with individual people in Star Trek could be fixed by offering them asylum

[@AoiYukinoMisharu]

One of my favorite episodes of the series, and definitely my favorite scene. Very powerful.

[@wanderyonder23]

My best friend of many years is transsexual. In the 10 years since she's transitioned from male to female, and for long before, she has had to endure so much criticism and ridicule for wanting to be the person she is. This scorn has come from so many places, everyone from complete strangers to her own family, and yet, she perseveres. She is not afraid to be the person she knows she is, no matter what the consequences. I watched this episode last night, and it hit all too close to home for me.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

Erroneously believe he is* Well that’s what addiction does to you. Irrational thoughts. -I don’t mean literally it was a metaphor- RidicuIe is unfair but we gotta admit that the notion is quite outlandish. But what I don’t understand is what possessed him to take this course of action in the very 1st place?

[@calypso4533]

@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072 "these people are so irrational, unlike me who is so logical and intelligent" you say, replying to an 11 year old comment from a stranger out of a desperate need to tell them you're smart

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@calypso4533 ?

[@jamiehg4272]

@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072 you realise this entire episode is speaking out against people like you right?

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@Jamie HG wait what? Dude. Did you WATCH it? If anything it's FOR people like me. Inspiration wise but that's not what it was about.

[@SovereignReign]

You go Soren!

[@Lyktwz]

TNG is the best SciFi series ever. This Episode is simply awesome...

[@williambowman8384]

TNG is the best variant of the Star Trek series, TNG covered so many issues

[@hillarysudeikis2264]

Genders are real and cannot be changed, the very fact that male and female are the only two genders that can procreate for the past 6000 years of creation is proof enough, there's no figuring out anything otherwise we would have been extinct. Every single female has biological differences to their male counterparts and they both have their own unique desires and cognitive functioning, thing's like a mother's intuition and women's instinct are solid. Follow Lord Jesus, sin leads to hell, obey the word of God.

[@zoominmonkey278]

@@hillarysudeikis2264you talk of all this science and biological proof yet base your belief in magic and fairy tales when it comes down to it, btw why only 6000 years? Oh god you’re not a young Earth creationist too are you? Might as well believe the earth is flat

[@pinocchiocozad1222]

And I rewatch it ten years later... Little has changed. This species sucks.

[@Ragitsu]

No kidding. Khan and World War III (and the Vulcans) can't get here fast enough.

[@Sentientmatter8]

Much like ours.

[@EmilianaKowalewska]

And this is why all the original Star Trek series (TNG, DS9, Voyager) remain the very best and will always be ahead of their time with strong ethic and philosophical stories included. And most of it is not sci-fi anymore. This episode of 1994 did LGBTQIA rights as a theme long before it became a mainstream social and political topic in reality nowadays! And the writers did it in a clever way by reversing the roles and making heterosexual people into outcasts, because the androgynous aliens of the J'naii are a society where romantic relations between men and women are forbidden, and you are not allowed to identify yourself as any gender male or female, you are expected to remain in a neutral state.

[@Jarvis466]

Well said!!!

[@chosenfallen2024]

When they say discovery had too much SJW issues in it. I couldn't help but laugh. Are we watching the same Star Trek? Hell the the Star Trek with Kirk had the first onscreen multi racial kiss.

[@robertszekely8686]

Ever since the original series Star Trek has had numerous topics to make people think. Any true Star Trek fan has got to have an open mind. Whatever your opinion may be the show makes us open our eyes and minds.

[@chosenfallen2024]

@@robertszekely8686 That's what I like about it

[@robertszekely8686]

@@chosenfallen2024 Me too.

[@MareMagister]

Me three. I dislike SJWS with 1000 made up genders. But this isn’t about narcissism, it’s about two sentient humanoids in consensual love.

[@rn6312]

@@MareMagister Lal would like to have a word with you.

[@SkepticalChris]

this episode also had a key scene, where the majority of the Bridge crew were playing poker, and sadly this episode does a lot of disservice to Worf as a character. Troi declares that its "Federation" Hand or something along those lines, and its a poker hand that has many wild cards, and Worf says its a female's game because its weak. Worf comes from a culture of warriors, and women fight alongside men, and for him, who prides his Klingon culture for their strength, would never say something like that. In his culture, women and men are equals in almost every regard, sadly the writers failed to realize this when writing this episode.

[@Cupit29]

That isn't true. Klingon women cannot be Emperor or serve on the high council. They can be the leaders of their house only with special dispensation from the high council. I'm surprised you remembed their poker game so well but forgot that!

[@SkepticalChris]

yeah but aside from that, and being chancellor, most positions can be occupied by women. And even if they can't officially, they can still hold considerable influence.

[@Mechaghostman2]

@@Cupit29 Not true anymore because Star Trek Discovery says so.

[@Cupit29]

@@Mechaghostman2 Well, fuck.

[@sethmacadam3253]

Skeptical Chris In Star Trek TOS, Klingon women had to be sponsored by a male and could lose position if that male lost position. Their Culture appears to have changed a little. Gowron offered Kehlyr a seat on the council yet later stated according to Klingon tradition women could not sit on the high council. Azetbur was appointed Klingon Chancellor after her father Gorkon died although the fact that she was not of the warrior caste appears to be the reason!

[@dorkmax7073]

Hot damn Star Trek was ahead of its time.

[@luceatlux7087]

Jason On Earth... You've been around forever on YT. I remember watching your Outer Limits episodes waaaaay back in the day, wondering who you were and, for some reason, thinking you probably were a really cool and unique person. I'm back all these years later just hoping you're well 🥰

[@sciencefixion]

I have been thinking about this scene a lot as a trans person recently. I mimics so much of my sentiments about recent legislation it hurts.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

?????

[@zachjordan7608]

I'm sorry, I hope you're doing ok

[@TheGreenVoter]

"Treks also always worn its left wing heart on its sleeve." And proud of it!

[@The_gaming_archaeologist]

Yet there's still right-wingers who are claiming Star Trek became progressive recently...

[@churchtriv4150]

@@The_gaming_archaeologist I know and that completely baffles me, I've seen people say it's become a series for left snowflakes and I'm just sitting here thinking "what the hell have you been smoking?!" a series that strives for equality, understanding, without the influence of money or power, assisting the ones in need. I can't believe some of the things these people are saying

[@Camcolito]

@@churchtriv4150 Don't sweat it, right-wingers are mostly morons.

[@DininDalael]

Wow, when did Star Trek become so woke? /s

[@Finallybianca]

I am trans and I remember being a teen and seeing this I cried throughout the episode without being able to fully explain the reasons to my family.

[@nostrandholdings2324]

This episode is actually anti-trans

[@help4343]

@@nostrandholdings2324 No it is not.

[@Teekoness]

Hugs to you, Bianca.

[@samanthapatrick4345]

🫂🫂🫂🏳‍⚧🏳‍⚧🏳‍⚧

[@SpoopySquid]

​@@nostrandholdings2324 only if you have zero media literacy

[@knotsure913]

riker just strolls in..... well that is the deffinition of swagger? right?

[@MatthewJamesKalasky]

A very, very, very, very VERY ahead-of-it's-time episode.

[@erich4351]

Their repressive and discriminating culture and government should automatically disqualify them from membership in the Federation.

[@zedtrek]

Like we shouldn't have Poland or Hungary in the EU?

[@Stardust_7273]

@@zedtrek I don’t think that applies. The Federation has gotten past all this nonsense and doesn’t condone discrimination. The EU still accepts it. We as a people are still very much lacking in this department.

[@ercanunsalerturk6138]

as much as i remember from the episode, riker reported all these events to the starfleet and some political consequences were implied.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

I believe they were in fact rejected Federation membership or any protective treaty. They later joined the Dominion alliance as the Founders were impressed with their society going against the status quo of other humanoid species. However, they were beaten to a pulp by the Klingons and their planetary system remains under occupation as an enslaved world.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@zedtrek dafuq does that have to do with it

[@thinkprotoss]

This series was so much more.

[@Ragitsu]

A valiant effort by Riker.

[@CMK101380]

I have watched Start Trek the Next Generation completely through several times in my life (though the last time I was a teenager) Now as an adult I decided to sit back down and watch them. A lot of episodes tackle issues ahead of their time. This one though just stuck out a lot, Maybe because I am older now, maybe because it is a current social issue or because it has been recently that I have gained wonderful friends who cover the spectrum of sexual identities and orientations. They have been patient with my ignorance and I learned a lot and am better for it. (Not that I ever had a problem with people of other sexual identities or orientations... I just really had no clue other than know they existed :P) Anyway, I found this episode so poignant I had to show it to my friends who were not aware of the episode. I like the delicate way they flipped the issue on it's head as if to say "See how would you like it if this were happening to you?"

[@rpgeek22]

This episode came out in the mid 90s and even today it would be controversial. Star trek is always ahead of the curb.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Controversial today? Not a chance in this woke era. But for the early 90s this was downright a big move to put out an episode like this. I believe they only got away with it due to syndication, but even then they were pushing it to the limit.

[@swiinka]

I got to watch this episode today, perfect one to see on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

That’s a thing? Jeez

[@edwardtjbrown1979]

Gene Roddenbury wanted to feature gay characters/gay couples in Next Generation, but his efforts were always vetoed. Same thing with a 1988 script that would have dealt with HIV. This Outcast episode was setup to have a "gay episode" within the Trek cannon, but without getting angry letters from homophobes. This speech is a gay rights speech, but script references to sexual orientation-based discrimination were deleted.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

Mmm no that’s not particularly accurate

[@edwardtjbrown1979]

@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072 how so?

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@edwardtjbrown1979 well there’s no evidence of that that is the case. For Gene I guess I should quantify that

[@edwardtjbrown1979]

@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072 ...its facts.....um......a trek fan would know that

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@edwardtjbrown1979 I remember George Takei mentioning something to Gene but nothing substantial

[@JasonOnEarth]

Yup, this is what happens when people in charge limit freedom of speech, sexual orientation, etc. People LOSE.

[@owwmykneecap]

The mad thing is in the 12 years since this comment, people in America (somehow..) see freedom of speech as a right wing thing, and supposed left wing people (imo they ain't) mock freedom of speech. A few weeks in any of the many harsh countries without freedom of speech on this planet, e.g. Saudi, Iran, NK... might cure them all of such shallow opinions! And they might get a new found respect for the freedom of the sexuality of homosexuals etc when their heterosexuality is also impinged by an oppressive dictatorial government. Funnily enough.

[@christopherweber9464]

So ahead of its time ...

[@TaraCheetarachii]

I miss this eps... and ST - TNG in general.

[@ray25lee]

Everything to be said..... has been fucking said like a boss.

[@ouellet222]

man, woman, straight, gay, bi, trans, sexual ambigious alien; it's all goooooooooooood!

[@JNilsson1976]

I agree, but i must say that TNG does this far better then the other series, they have better actors and better script

[@AC-ih7jc]

When this episode aired, I was working for my county's department of mental health, and this was an issue that we had to deal with all the time. Is there a point where the client's/patient's wishes are so counter to their own wellbeing that providers are compelled to intervene despite the client's/patient's wishes? Now before anyone starts rage-posting, no, we're not talking about funtioning members of society who might have had simple diversities from "normal." We're talking about people who were having difficulty staying in touch with reality and seeing to their own needs. Is the disorder making you refuse treatment vs. Is the treatment making you thankful for it? It was an ethical issue we did not take lightly.

[@BigNoseDog]

This episode was an obvious attempt to address the issue of homosexuality. But even Jonathan Frakes said it was a mistake to cast all women.

[@gigicassel1804]

This is how most of us in the transgender Community feel about the outside world. We have more to fear from you than you do from us. We're just trying to live our lives and be happy people. The only thing that makes us unhappy is when the outside world feels that we are sick and need to be corrected. For a lot of us it took a long time to figure out who we were and that it was okay to have these feelings we've had since we were little. The only thing that makes our lives miserable is the fact that we have to stay on constant guard. I personally don't enjoy being on guard wondering if somebody is going to try to put me down hurt me, criminalize me, institutionalize me or try to kill me. For what reason? Either because they don't understand or they are afraid of something that's different and that's where the problem Lies. When somebody is afraid of somebody because they're different they try to either pretend they aren't there or get rid of them all together. Star Trek was really on top of it when they came to social realizations

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

The problems of these years is the freedom of speech aspect. Just simple conversation can “canceI” a guy when he says *_tHe wRoNG pRONoUnS._* like boohoo. That’s not hurting you or putting your life in danger. Roll your eyes and move on. People have the right to call you what they want as long as it doesn’t impair your rights to be like hateful insults.

[@SpoopySquid]

​@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072 so which slur did you use in public and called out for?

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@SpoopySquid ?

[@Brandonrouthsniece94]

Melinda is such a talent!!!❤

[@TheLostMedici]

Awesome post and speech - so relevant.

[@patrickhebdo5423]

the thing is, how does the Prime Directive apply to these people if they already helped retrieve their damaged spacecraft?

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

?????

[@Captainkebbles1392]

Not woke, not hateful, not bias, not forceful Just truth. Need more writing like this No strawman, no mustache 2d villian. Just reality.

[@intiorozco5063]

Today this would get called woke.

[@charlesterry2480]

It cou|d use some work. But what is strawman? It’s become a catch word. Moustache 2d vi||ain?

[@junbh2]

One thing I kind of wish they had explained a bit was why kissing a man 'outed' her, if her species was supposed to be genderless. Didn't their species still kiss? Just because he had a gender, why did her having a romantic relationship with him him automatically mean she did too?

[@Winthorpej]

You don't have to be a "Trekkie," not that there's anything wrong with that, to find Gene Roddenberry a superb example of self-reflection. What a thoughtful, insightful fellow. ("Not that there's anything wrong with that." See what I did there? :-] ) - straight guy who detests the mindless oversimplification inherent in bigotry

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

No I don’t see what you did there

[@Sploooks]

The reading that this episode is anti trans/anti pc is absurd. You don’t have to be smart to see it’s blatantly a pro gay episode.

[@ashleegreene4350]

Very touching speech

[@arthurwatt5162]

Way ahead of theyre time. I think these bigots should listen to her speech. Of course that woundnt help.

[@NiBelangrijk]

omg, i saw the movie , that and this really make me wish that they make another series, my generation has the need to get our noses pushed on the facts. And what better way than to do that through a popular and highly entertaining sci fi series? Nowadays there's nothing similar to this

[@morgan4xl]

Alternate ending; Riker gets her asylum, first base. Riker takes her to dinner then his room, second base. Riker turns down the lights takes her to his bed, finds out there is a man on third base. Episode ends with Riker telling Troi and Picard he did something that he's not proud of.

[@6364LEGACY]

And Discovery has the audacity to state they introduced the first trans character. They have the audacity to believe they are pioneers of social politics. This scene can be taken as an analogy......sure, but it also stands on its own two feet in relationship the the story. It makes perfect sense that the character would say and feel these things. It isn't forced down the audience's throat with prejudice.

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

It's funny how the world has changed around this episode. At the time, it was a metaphor for someone who felt a different gender being seen as a deviation to be forcibly 'corrected' back to the norm. Now, we're constantly being told that there is no such thing as gender, and all of a sudden this episode looks like 'hate speech' because it's about a character who tries to deny that.

[@MattJohno2]

I once read that they wanted to cast a male character as Soren.

[@JamesSolly-sz1hi]

I've not seen Discovery but this character you mentioned, is it recurring? The thing is this episode was a one off stand alone episode for Soren, we didn't see 'them' again whereas this Discovery character might appear repeatedly.

[@Camcolito]

Such a sad episode.

[@wegner7036]

We have a high success rate for treating deviants. They are happy and grateful for being treated. We are Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

[@Jarvis466]

I always cite Star Trek: The Next Generation as a show that has helped me understand the trans and lgbtq community as just people trying to live in this world and the tsunami of barriers established by others for that sole reason.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

How?????

[@Jarvis466]

@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072 I'm not a moron😂

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@Jarvis466 ?

[@Jarvis466]

@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072 I understand other people of different lives. If that confuses you then that's a personal problem that normal people get over when they are five years old. Being ignorant is not an excuse for being uneducated.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@Jarvis466 ?????

[@Star841]

Yes, a great episode. Perhaps this should have been shown to voters of Prop 8 in California and Amend. 2 in Florida.

[@EyeOnTheTV]

Riker would bonk anything.

[@natetheguitarkid]

He does get around. but obviously it was more than that with Soren.

[@Khaleslie]

TRANS RIGHTS

[@thenoteworthy1298]

Star Trek said trans rights!

[@teneleven2818]

I heard something else

[@thenoteworthy1298]

@@teneleven2818 And that was?

[@zoominmonkey278]

@@teneleven2818you ought to get your hearing checked

[@erikk77]

It's unbecoming of a Starfleet officer to lie.

[@benjaminshinobi]

Just let Riker fix it!