Let He Who Is Without Sin...

Visits to the fictional planet Risa are a reoccurring plot device in the Star Trek franchise.[2] Risa is a Federation planet that is a popular place for space vacations.[2] It is famous for being a pleasure planet, with an open attitude to sexuality. The planet also has a sophisticated weather control system that ensures near-ideal weather every day; without it, the climate would be extremely rainy. The fictional planet was previously introduced in the show Star Trek: The Next Generation. This was during the episode "Captain's Holiday", aired on April 2nd 1990. In the Trek history, however, Risa is first introduced in the Enterprise episode "Two Days and Two Nights".

The episode has extensive amount of guest actors that play the role of the various characters on Risa.[3] This includes Monte Markham as Fullerton, Frank Kopyc as a Bolian, and Blake Valk and Zora Dehorter as Risians.[3] The episode also includes Vanessa L. Williams as Arandis.

The re-occurring character Chase Masterson as Leeta is also in the episode.[3] The character of Leeta is noted as one of the most interesting and best supporting characters of Star Trek.[4][5]

Worf's relationship with Dax hits a rough spot, and he plans to discuss his feelings during their vacation on Risa. But things go from bad to worse when they — along with Bashir, Quark, and Leeta — arrive on the beautiful, climate controlled "Pleasure Planet". Worf learns that the Temtibi Lagoon's "social director", Arandis, is the former lover of Curzon Dax. Pascal Fullerton — Chairman of the New Essentialists Movement, a group bent on "restoring the moral and cultural traditions of the Federation" — approaches Worf. Fullerton's goal is to shut down Risa.

Worf immerses himself in New Essentialist literature and attends the group's rally. Fullerton makes a speech warning that Risa's focus on pleasure is just one example of how the citizens of the Federation have become soft and weak — traits which will render them defenseless if an enemy attacks. Later that night, a group of Essentialists storm the Risian Solarium, armed with phaser rifles.

Dax realizes that the attack is just a stunt to convince the Risian vacationers that they are vulnerable. That evening, Worf accuses Dax of not taking their relationship seriously. The next day, Worf sees Dax with Arandis, assumes the worst, and is overcome with jealousy. He goes to Fullerton's chambers and announces he knows how to drive the guests from Risa.

Soon afterwards, a powerful storm rocks Risa, putting an end to the resort's outdoor activities. Dax realizes that rain indicates a problem with the planetary weather grid. Fullerton and Worf arrive and reveal that Worf has rigged a tricorder to sabotage the grid. Risa will experience its normal rainy climate for the next few days. Many of the guests are furious and bad feelings soon take over the resort, causing Arandis to worry that Fullerton had a point if people are getting so angry over some bad weather. Worf is satisfied with the result, but once he is gone Fullerton decides to go one step further.

A furious Dax accuses Worf of destroying Risa because he does not trust her. He reluctantly reveals that his restrained attitude results from a childhood incident during a school soccer game, in which a head-to-head collision fatally broke a human opponent's neck. Ever since, Worf has felt obligated to hold back his emotions for fear that he might hurt someone else. Dax begins to understand, but the moment is shattered when a powerful earthquake shakes Risa. They rush to Fullerton's headquarters and Worf takes back the doctored tricorder, ending the shaking. He then reminds Fullerton that trust is also a traditional Federation value. After the weather grid restores the resort's pleasant climate, Worf is ready to enjoy what is left of their vacation, now that he has learned to trust Dax.

A 2015 binge-watching guide for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine by W.I.R.E.D. recommended skipping this episode.[6] The criticism of this episode they offer is that the episode "doubles down with the revelation that, hey, did you know that events in your childhood can shape the person you become as an adult? It's true!".

In December 2018, CBR included this episode in a list of Star Trek episodes which are "so bad they must be seen". They say that "The potential was there for comedy with Worf trying to handle being on vacation and Dax cutting loose." However they criticise it for the set, which they say "looks like a cheap resort". They say that Worf is out of character in this episode and that the fights between him and Jadzia are terrible. Overall, they criticise it for "the bad writing and dumb plot". [7]

In 2018, CBR ranked Leeta one of the character's featured in this episode, as the 9th best recurring character of all Star Trek. However, the article does not reference this episode as a reason as to why her character is enjoyable.[5]

In 2018, SyFy included this episode on their Jadzia Dax binge-watching guide. They praise the episode as "Most of the episode revolves around Jadzia trying to get Worf to loosen up and enjoy his time off, which she sort of succeeds at toward the end."[8]

In 2019, ScreenRant ranked this episode worst of the ten worst episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.[2] They note that at that time it had a rating of 5.6/10 based on user rankings on the site IMDB.[2] Their criticism of the episode is that "Worf, who has become increasingly abusive, supports them while also treating Dax horrifically. Fans hate that Dax and Worf make up at the end." Worf is incredibly controlling and aggressive in this episodee, and he treats Jadzia with little respect, hence the article's reference to Worf being increasingly abusive. In 2019, they ranked it the 3rd worst episode of the franchise based on IMDB rankings, including other series made up to that time. Here, the episode is criticised for having "a jarring storyline amidst such an exotic locale."[9]

• Two Days and Two Nights (NX-01 crew visit Risa)

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• "Let He Who Is Without Sin..." on IMDb
• "Let He Who Is Without Sin..." at TV.com

• "Let He Who Is Without Sin..." at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)

• "Let He Who Is Without Sin..." at StarTrek.com
• "Let He Who Is Without Sin..." at Memory Beta