The Host (TNG episode)

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Star Trek: TNG episode
"The Host"
"Dr. Crusher and her affectionate patient in "The Host".
Episode no.	96
Prod. code	197
Airdate	May 11, 1991
Writer(s)	Michel Horvat
Director	Marvin V. Rush
Guest star(s)	Franc Luz Robert Harper Patti Yasutake William Newman
Year	2367
Stardate	44821.3
Episode chronology
Previous	"Half a Life"
Next	"The Mind's Eye"

"The Host" is the 97th episode in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.

It is the first appearance of a Trill, although in a somewhat early version.

This Episode was a test case for the Gay Star Trek movement, who hoped that Beverly might follow her heart. Gay and gay-friendly Star Trek fans initiated a letter writing campaign to pressure the television franchise to address how the utopian society dealt with sexual orientation and gender identity. The extent to which this episode addressed these issues, is a point of contention among Star Trek fans.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The Enterprise is used for a diplomatic mission to agree a peace treaty between two hostile races who now seek peace. Dr. Crusher is drawn to the charismatic Trill negotiator Odan chosen by Starfleet to mediate the discussions.

As the story progresses the negotiator is struck down when one of the sides involved attacks the shuttle he is on, and Dr. Crusher learns that he is symbiotically linked with another life form - a Trill. She still remains loyal to him, and attempts to repair the damage, but is unsuccessful.

Given the importance of the Negotiations, and with the host dying Commander Riker agrees to be a body for Odan, while his home planet sends a new host. However the joining of the Odan and Riker was not stable, and Riker's condition deteriorated rapidly. Once the negotiations were finished, Riker was unable to support the Trill any longer. The ship carrying the new host had experienced engine difficulty, so the Enterprise left to meet the Trill vessel.

Doctor Crusher waits for the new host to arrive. When the new host arrives, to Crusher's horror and confusion the new host body is female (apparently, the Trill have no preferences or hang-ups about whether their host is male or female). Crusher quickly implants the Odan symbiont into the new host, who both seem to be in good health. Later Odan visits her and explains that Odan still loves her and the host understands how strong their feelings once were, but Beverly claims to be uncomfortable with a seemingly ever-changing host and cannot commit. The episode ends on a melancholy note.

The episode is somewhat unclear why Crusher truly ended the relationship, and what are the canon implications, in terms of sexual orientation and gender identity, of her plea for a day when humanity's ability to love is not so limited. Depending on how one wants to interpret the ending, Crusher's plea is directed at homophobia, suggesting that it still exists in a utopian future, or a plea to an end to fear about human-trill relationships.