This episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation contains scenes of Sexual Assault. Listener discretion is advised.

In an episode that dances around issues of autonomy, Troi is raped by an alien who wants to see what it’s like to be human while Guinan helps Wesley reconsider his career path.

When the Ferengi just didn’t work out as the new baddies, Star Trek calls up its ex — the Romulans. But this already tense reintroduction of the Romulans gets more complicated when Dr. Crusher thaws out some 20th Century Earth people found frozen in a derlict space craft.

When Admiral Qanon’s warnings come back a few episodes later, Star Trek sets a high bar for standards of evidence. But when the conspiracy theory proves real, Picard and company transport onto the set of Alien. How much did Riker enjoy blowing Remmick to bits? Will these bugs in a box ever attempt another takeover of the Federation? Will your racist Uncle Bob ever stop believing the “Big Lie”?

When American conservative evil is distilled into a black puddle of sludge that kills a woman, sends innocent people to an El Salvadorian mega prison and wages tarrif wars on friendly nations, Captain Picard is forced to answer the question, “Are some people just unable to embrace compassion and empathy?” It’s the episode that drives home the reality that the cruelty is the point.

When the D.A.R.E. program takes over the writers room, Star Trek: The Next Generation leanes hard into its “Drugs Are Bad Mmmkay” messaging. What happens when the Prime Directive overrides compassion and empathy? Will Beverly ever sleep with Picard again after this?