Second Contact: Men Are From Vulcan, Women Are From Betazed! (feat. Dax)

This week, we’re on a second contact mission, revisiting Star Trek: Enterprise Season 2, Episode 22 “Cogenitor,” now that Maria and Bill have watched it and can tell us all their opinions on Trip’s relationship with the cogenitor, Malcolm’s sensual cheese-eating, and the shocking decision Archer makes at the end of the episode. Plus, returning guest Dax joins us this week to discuss the episode’s handling of nonbinary gender identities.We also watched and discuss the parallels between Cogenitor and the Next Generation episode “The Outcast” and the Alien Nation episode “Three to Tango.”A word of warning: If you haven’t listened to the episode before this one, “Men Are From Vulcan, Women Are From Betazed!,” go listen to that first because this is a follow up to last week.Content Warning: The Enterprise episode we discuss contains themes related to self-harm and suicide.Follow Dax on BlueSky: @mxdax, @vucanscience, @randomtrekquotesSupport and Suicide Prevention Hotlines (US-Based) – Most allow calling and texting. Some also have a chat option via their website.National Suicide Prevention Hotline : Call or text 988 (Note that the LGBTQ+ specific section of the hotline has been removed)Blackline: 1-800-604-5842 (for BIPOC & LGBTQ+)Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (US) or 1-877-330-6366 (Canada) (for trans people)Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line: 1-888-407-4515LGBT National Help Center: 1-888-843-4564For a good resource to learn more about nonbinary identities, we recommend the Taboo Science Podcast’s episode Nonbinary 101: Beyond the BinaryMaria recommends and refers to this The M0vie Blog review of the episode CogenitorJamie mentions this slow-motion video of a duck penis. You can learn more about the research behind that video and duck sex in this Science News article.Rikermendations:Dax: K-Pop Demon HuntersWe now have merch! Show your love for EnterpriseSplaining and the cutest beagle ever with a Porthos Appreciation Society shirt!EnterpriseSplaining is proud to be part of the ESO Network.The show is produced by K.O. Myers at Particulate MediaFollow us on BlueSky: @enterprisesplainFollow us on Instagram: @enterprisesplainingLike us on Facebook: EnterpriseSplainingSend us an email: [email protected]