For 1992 it is pretty risque. I haven't been in school for decades but back when I was in my prime, being gay/non-binary/trans was not something you would see for fear of being bullied or physically assaulted. Seems like a large part of the world (my north american part at least) has progressed from that into a safer place to just put it all out there and do your own thing.
I have to admit that I am a fan of star trek unhappy endings. Is it sad that the society brainwashed Sauren back to non-binary status? Sure is... But I could totally see a society that is programmed to hate gender identity finding Sauren's admission offensive. Unless you have no heart, it would seem impossible to not feel for Sauren's situation and that aspect was adeptly told in a wonderful scene in the shuttle with Riker.
Sure, the idea of Riker falling in love in one episode is a bit contrived but it's Bill Riker afterall! An intellectual and knows her way around shuttle controls? You just put Riker on red alert.
But yeah folks ---- This episode is essentially what society was like for gay/trans/non-binary folks pre 90's unless you were famous.
I'm giving this episode an 8 for having the chutzpah to tell a controversial story (at the time) and give us a terribly sad ending that probably resonates with many unhappy endings for those who would not conform to societies perceived norms back in the dark ages before the internet.
For some reason mirror universe Geordi LaForge shows up on the enterprise with a beard ----- however, this LaForge is only 'kind of nice' instead of 'nice'.
Shout out to Worf being a 'bro' and backing up Riker on the planet, despite Will's refusal to kill Worf an episode earlier. You just have to let some things go when you are BFF.
I have to admit that I am a fan of star trek unhappy endings. Is it sad that the society brainwashed Sauren back to non-binary status? Sure is... But I could totally see a society that is programmed to hate gender identity finding Sauren's admission offensive. Unless you have no heart, it would seem impossible to not feel for Sauren's situation and that aspect was adeptly told in a wonderful scene in the shuttle with Riker.
Sure, the idea of Riker falling in love in one episode is a bit contrived but it's Bill Riker afterall! An intellectual and knows her way around shuttle controls? You just put Riker on red alert.
But yeah folks ---- This episode is essentially what society was like for gay/trans/non-binary folks pre 90's unless you were famous.
I'm giving this episode an 8 for having the chutzpah to tell a controversial story (at the time) and give us a terribly sad ending that probably resonates with many unhappy endings for those who would not conform to societies perceived norms back in the dark ages before the internet.
For some reason mirror universe Geordi LaForge shows up on the enterprise with a beard ----- however, this LaForge is only 'kind of nice' instead of 'nice'.
Shout out to Worf being a 'bro' and backing up Riker on the planet, despite Will's refusal to kill Worf an episode earlier. You just have to let some things go when you are BFF.