STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
Season 5, Episode 17

The Outcast

Series: The Next Generation - (1987-1994)
Season: 5
Episode #: 5.17
Production #: 40275-217
Original Airdate: 03/16/1992

Writer(s): Jeri Taylor
Director(s): Robert Scheerer

Guest Stars
Melinda Culea as Soren
Callan White as Krite
Megan Cole as Noor

Uncredited Guest Stars
K.C. Amos as an Operations Division Officer
Rachen Assapiomonwait as Crewman Nelson
Lena Banks as an Operations Division Ensign
Jane Bauer as a J'naii Civilian
Thomas J. Booth as an Operations Division Officer
Bowman as a Sciences Division Officer
Michael Braveheart as Ltjg. Martinez
Carl David Burks as Lt. Russell
Tara Christie as a J'naii Pilot
Michelle Cordero as a J'naii Civilian
Gerard David, Jr. as an Operations Division Ensign
Holiday Freeman as a J'naii Civilian
Gina Gallante as a Civilian
Keith Gearhart as a Civilian
Gerrardo as a J'naii Pilot
Amanda Getty as the J'naii Judge
Laura Granick as a J'naii Leader
Hall as a J'naii Leader
Christie Haydon as a Command Division Ensign
Mark Lentry as a Civilian
Debbie Marsh as a Command Division Ensign
Mercedes as a J'naii Pilot
Michael Moorehead as a Sciences Division Ensign
Janet Lee Orcutt as a J'naii Guard
Mary Peters as a J'naii Guard
Joyce Robinson as Gates
Stanners as a J'naii Leader
John Tampoya as a Command Division Ensign
Christina Wegler Miles as a Command Division Ensign

Stardate: 45614.6

Synopsis

While investigating the disappearance of a J'naii shuttlecraft, the crew finds reason to believe the missing ship is stranded in an abnormal pocket called "null space." Riker and Soren, a member of the J'naii race, begin preparing to rescue the craft, and the two strike up a friendship. Their relationship develops quickly as the pair question each other about mating habits, since the J'naii are androgynous and do not identify themselves as either male or female. Despite this difference, sparks begin to fly between them.

Heading toward the null space in a shuttlecraft, Soren wonders to Riker if a J'naii and a human could be sexually compatible. She then tells him that this would be illegal in her society, where gender-specific relations are strictly forbidden. However, after she is injured during the mission, Soren becomes bolder. She insists on completing the mission, and also insists taking an even greater risk by telling Riker that she is attracted to him.

[ Screencap Index ]

The following day, Riker and Soren locate the J'naii shuttlecraft and successfully load the injured J'naii onto the ship. Soren's colleague Krite thanks Riker for his help and invites Riker to join them for a celebration that evening. As Soren and Riker say a discreet goodbye, Krite notices the sparks between them. Later that evening, Soren and Riker sneak away from the dinner for a walk in the woods, where, hidden from everyone, they exchange a passionate kiss.

Continuing to work together to remove the J'naii shuttlecraft from the null space, Riker and Soren present a purely professional front to the crew. However, when Riker arrives at Soren's quarters for a pre-arranged meeting, he is informed that she has been taken into custody as a result of their relationship. Riker finally finds Soren in a civic chamber, sitting before a panel of judges. After admitting to her belief of being female, she is taken away by guards to be brainwashed.

Desperate, Riker concocts a plan to rescue Soren and returns to the planet to find her. Unfortunately, when he does locate her, he is too late. Having already undergone psychotectic therapy, Soren no longer has any belief in gender differences or any romantic feelings for Riker. Sadly, Riker returns alone to the U.S.S. Enterprise.

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