Cogenitor

"Cogenitor" is the 22nd, season-two episode of Star Trek: Enterprise.

Plot

When the Enterprise makes first contact with an alien race known as the Vissians, which goes peacefully, Malcolm Reed finds himself pursued by one of the Vissian crewmembers - their tactical officer, who quickly demonstrates that her interest in Reed is much more than professional.

The main plot of the episode concerns Commander Charles "Trip" Tucker III, who becomes intrigued when he meets a Vissian couple in the Enterprise mess hall who are accompanied by another of their race who seems different from any of the other aliens. Trip learns that the alien, who has no name, is a cogenitor; in essence, a third gender in Vissian biology. Cogenitors are needed to complete the reproductive process. Whenever a Vissian couple intend to conceive a child, they must apply for the honor of having a cogenitor assigned to them. Since cogenitors only constitute 3% of Vissian population, they provide reproductive functions to many couples in their lifetime.

Trip continues to visit the Vissian starship, but quickly becomes suspicious when he visits his new friends' quarters and finds that the cogenitor does not seem to be treated well. It only eats one meal a day, rarely speaks, spends most of its time isolated in its room, and is not allowed to mingle socially with outsiders. It does not even have a name; the cogenitor requests that it be called Charles (after Trip's own first name).

Without the couple's knowledge, Trip attempts to build a friendship with Charles, who seems to show some female characteristics. He finds that Charles, despite having a near-total lack of opportunities available to her, is actually quite intelligent. Trip secretly runs some medical scans of Charles and, with the help of Dr. Phlox, learns that cogenitors are actually as intelligent as any Vissian and could learn and grow as fast as anyone. Trip encourages Charles to learn to read and write. Charles swiftly learns much and soon realizes that her life in Vissian society would be unfulfilling and demands political asylum on Enterprise.

The Vissians are outraged as the cogenitor is the only one for their ship and others are already waiting for Charles' services. Trip appeals to Archer, who must agree with the Vissians, and Charles leaves. The Vissians hope good relations with the humans can continue. Later communications reveal Charles has committed suicide, thereby delaying the birth of the Vissians couple's baby. Archer calls Tucker into his office and informs him of the event, followed by a severe reprimand.

External links

• Cogenitor at the Internet Movie Database
• "Cogenitor" at TV.com
• Cogenitor at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
• Cogenitor at StarTrek.com