As others have said, this episode manages to be both preachy at times and a bit of a cop-out. And Soren was clearly hard to follow because she ... speaks ... so ... quickly, of course! At least one of Soren's monologues was long, not subtle at all, and had soporific effects.
I am not sure how Riker could fall in love so quickly, and it seems unlikely that he and Worf would risk so much to attempt a rescue, being against the Prime Directive for starters and targeting someone whom Riker met only recently. Why is this love interest different from his others, in that it is apparently true love this time? Because it moves along the main (heavy-handed) story.
That Riker was too late to stop the brainwashing was predictable. The technical subplot was a bit unrealistic as well; not sure why the Enterprise would sent its second in command on such a risky shuttle mission. I realize that Riker goes on many risky missions over the course of the show, but that doesn't mean that it makes sense. Apparently, in this case, it was necessary to move the main plot along as Riker apparently has limited time to fall in love!
I am not sure how Riker could fall in love so quickly, and it seems unlikely that he and Worf would risk so much to attempt a rescue, being against the Prime Directive for starters and targeting someone whom Riker met only recently. Why is this love interest different from his others, in that it is apparently true love this time? Because it moves along the main (heavy-handed) story.
That Riker was too late to stop the brainwashing was predictable. The technical subplot was a bit unrealistic as well; not sure why the Enterprise would sent its second in command on such a risky shuttle mission. I realize that Riker goes on many risky missions over the course of the show, but that doesn't mean that it makes sense. Apparently, in this case, it was necessary to move the main plot along as Riker apparently has limited time to fall in love!