Tucker teaches a member of the Vissians' third sex to read and think for itself, with tragic results.
Enterprise works with the Vissians to study a hypergiant star, and Tucker learns that their species includes a third sex, the cogenitor, which is treated almost as property and given no education. Tucker secretly teaches the cogenitor to read and names it Charles.
The cogenitor asks Archer for asylum, which he refuses because it would interfere with Vissian society. The cogenitor later takes its own life, and Archer harshly reprimands Tucker. The episode is often cited for its moral complexity. It was directed by LeVar Burton and written by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga.