Plot

Enterprise encounters a hyper-giant star. While there, they make first contact with the Vissians, a technologically sophisticated race with three genders. While making quick friends, and eagerly learning about the advanced technology, Trip gets curious about the Vissians third gender, known as the Cogenitor, who is crucial in the Vissian reproductive process. Against the wishes of the Vissians, Trip befriends the Cogenitor and encourages it to defy its cultural boundaries, which the Vissians are made aware of, and are angered by.—Meribor

While preparing the sensors to observe a hyper-giant that will be transformed in a supernova, the Enterprise makes first contact with the amicable and highly developed Vissians. The race of explorers is invited to visit the Enterprise and the crews exchange information about each civilization. Trip is intrigued about the third gender of the Vissians, necessary for their reproductive process, and Dr. Phlox explains that there are many races with more than two genders and T'Pol asks him to not interfere with the Vissian culture. When Trip finds that the Cogenitor, who does not have a name, is illiterate and treated like an object, has the same level of intelligence of the males and females of its race, he decides to secretly encourage it to learn how to read and expand its culture, tragically affecting the relationship between humans and Vissians.—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

While exploring a hyper-giant star, Enterprise makes first contact with an advanced and very friendly alien race known as the Vissians. Vissians offer to help install technology that would help the humans get a better understanding of hyper giants. The two star-ships' crews are happy to intermingle. Commander Tucker becomes intrigued when he meets a Vissian couple (Chief Engineer (F.J. Rio) and Wife Calla (Larissa Laskin )) in the mess hall accompanied by a third member of their race, and learns that the being, which has no name, is a "Cogenitor" (Becky Wahlstrom) - a third gender in Vissian biology. Cogenitors are needed to complete reproduction: they do not genetically contribute to offspring, but supply an enzyme required for fertilization. Since Cogenitors only constitute 3% of the population, Vissians must apply to have a Cogenitor assigned to them when they intend to conceive a child. Cogenitors are considered mentally deficient, and are not citizens on equal terms with men and women. The Vissian ships emit Omicron radiation, which Tucker to be inoculated against it, when he is invited by the Vissian chief engineer to study their warp core engine.

Elsewhere on the ship, Lieutenant Reed finds himself the romantic focus of a female Vissian crew-member - their tactical officer Veylo (Laura Interval). Veylo spends time with Reed surveying the armory and even offers to spend the night with him. Captain Archer bonds with the alien captain Drennik (Andreas Katsulas) while on a three-day reconnaissance of the star in a small probe (The Vissian Stratopods have double the shielding and go even closer than their star-ships). Drennik is fascinated with human literature and Archer is amazed at their advanced tech.. its a win-win.. Drennik even allows Archer to pilot the craft and promises to visit Earth to share more of their technology. Tucker becomes increasingly intent on the rights of the Cogenitor and learns, with the help of Doctor Phlox (who helps him take a neural scan of the Cogenitor), that they are actually equally intelligent. On the alien vessel, without the couple's knowledge, Tucker secretly encourages the Cogenitor to learn to read, while building a friendship with them. Despite having a near-total lack of education available, she is an insatiable learner. Soon learning the importance of names, she asks to be called Charles (Commander Tucker's own first name). Tucker entertains her on the Enterprise, showing her the 1951 movie The Day the Earth Stood Still.

'Charles' soon realizes that future life in Vissian society would not be fulfilling. She requests political asylum. Archer now returns to find himself in the middle of a first contact diplomatic crisis, with the Vissians confused and defensive at Tucker's interference in their traditions. Tucker appeals to Archer's sense of justice, but he sides with the Vissians. With the Cogenitor returned, the Vissians hope good relations with the humans can continue. Later communications reveal that Charles has committed suicide, thereby delaying the birth of the Vissian's child, and straining the relations between the two species. Archer summons Tucker and severely reprimands him for his lack of professionalism and judgment.