Set in the 2100s of the Star Trek science fiction universe, the starship Enterprise led by Captain Archer encounters an alien race with a third gender.
On the alien vessel, without the couple's knowledge, Tucker secretly encourages the cogenitor to learn to read, while building a friendship with them.
Archer now returns to find himself in the middle of a first contact diplomatic crisis, with the Vissians confused and defensive at Tucker's interference in their traditions.
Katsulas had previously appeared in several episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, playing the part of Romulan Commander Tomalak, and is also known for his role as Ambassador G'Kar in Babylon 5.
[4] When Tucker chooses a movie to show to the cogenitor, two of the options that appear on the screen are "Dixon Hill and the Black Orchid" and "The Bride of Chaotica", which refer to holodeck adventures of characters from other Star Trek series - respectively, Jean-Luc Picard's Dixon Hill and Tom Paris's Captain Proton.
[8] Among science fiction or fantasy genre shows on television that week, the double episode season finale of Alias was on top, followed by Smallville.
[6] Michelle Erica Green, writing for TrekNation, described "Cogenitor" as the best episode of Enterprise up to that time and noted similarities to The Handmaid's Tale and the Xenogenesis trilogy (Lilith's Brood).
He draws parallels to other Star Trek episodes "Half a Life" and "Thirty Days" saying they handle the moral conflict better.
DeCandido is frustrated by the lack of consequences for Tucker, but appreciated other parts of the episode such as the eminent reasonableness of the Vissians in spite of it all.