Cogenitor

We have to remember this was 2003 - 17 years ago - and I hope a different time than today (heavy emphasis on HOPE). The lost potential here was to really make a statement about GENDER. What if the performer cast to play the Cogenitor was a cis-gendered male actor? (This could be seen as an allegory for transgender rights as well, so what about a transgendered actor?) How would that have changed the dynamic of Trip trying to "rescue" the Cogenitor? T'Pol asked Archer the same question in Rogue Planet (2002). How would the story change if it were played by a male actor? Consider, The Outcast (1992), what if Soren was played by a male actor? That would have made for an interesting twist and would make the conversation much more relevant. The other reviewers have mentioned the dubious morality of Archer and that is not my issue here (as I agree with the double standards he sets for Trip). What do you think?

When Enterprise is up close examining some cool space phenomenon, they meet up with a new species, the Vissians. These Vissians are very friendly, more advanced and seem like neat new friends. However, one thing about them really intrigued Trip--that they have THREE genders. There are men and women but to actually reproduce, they have a third gender. This is pretty strange but Trip's interest goes much further. He notices that people talk about this third gender more like it's a pet or slave and accord it a much lesser status. These beings are not taught to read or write, have interests of their own and are more like tools than anything else. Trip ascribes human standards to this and sees the third gender as being enslaved and that it is basically unfair. On his own and with no blessing from the Captain, Trip takes it on himself to meet one of these beings and teach it to read and think for itself. Not surprisingly, this ends up causing HUGE problems.

This is a very good episode, as it really pushes the idea that other cultures are not necessarily good or bad--just different and interfering could cause HUGE problems. Very interesting--one of the better episodes.

By the way, my daughter is sitting next to me and going crazy because in the show, they were playing the Chinese game, GO. And, they were playing it all wrong!! She was incensed and I thought this was freaking hilarious! Apparently other fans noticed this as well and their identical rant can be found at http://en.memory- alpha.org/wiki/Cogenitor_%28episode%29

I thought this was quite a provocative episode. Archer is being seen by some as lacking in concern for human rights and almost Hitler like. Unfortunately, he is between a rock and a hard place here. He is thrilled that a friendly species has hooked up with Enterprise and is interested in sharing what they have. The problem is that while he is having a great time, Trip is back at the ship, trying to teach a creature whose sole purpose in life is to aid in reproduction. When he realizes that she/he/it has potential to be more than a facilitator of producing children, he disobeys his captain. The problem is that many see Archer as a sellout because he has been rebellious in the past. I think the problem here is the speed with which everything happens. No study of the culture. No more deliberation before entering on disruption. Archer is on a short leash. One thing no one mentions is that without the cogenitor, this race dies. Another question is, give a little negotiating time, perhaps there could be a cogenitor that has other possibilities other than the primary role. Just food for thought.

Alot of the reviewers here take exception with the ending proclaiming it to be completely against the ethos of Star Trek. I couldnt disagree more.

Star Trek has always been progressive (and thats a good thing...Im a progressive), and what does being "progressive" mean? To change, to find a better way, to move forward with further evidence. It DOESNT mean that you proclaim to know all the answers and those that disagree with you are wrong.

This is what is wrong with how the liberal movement has gone lately...if you adhere to today's liberal ethos and cannot tolerate those who disagree...today's progressive becomes tomorrow's bigot. To think that progressive's current worldview is the end all and be all is exactly what we need to fight against.

Try this thought experiment on for size: We here in the west eat hamburgers...we love them! This is seen as disgusting to people in India as they are seen as holy. What do we do when someone sees it as their duty to stop this unholy slaughter of great animals by setting them free from farms? Would we become angry when the cows run wild and die due to not being prepared for the world outside of the farm? This is very much like the ending of this episode...the character who is playing by our sensibilities "set the cogenitor free", and assured its fate.

THIS is Star Trek...challenging you to rethink your preconceived notions of what is right and wrong.

Was Archer acting like an arse? Yes...could it have been handled better by those in the story? Yes...but to proclaim that your ethos are unquestionably better without knowing others' situation and "story" is bigotry. Very often, when we humans fight against something so fiercely, we BECOME what we abhor. Hate bigotry hard enough and you become a bigot. Hate intolerance and you become intolerant. This is what Gene fought against...intolerance of other viewpoints.

Trip proving again what a liability he is. Chief engineer should be locked in engineer room

Not sure why he is so popular