The Enterprise beings must go and kiss butt on some socially anachronistic planet so that said planet will join the Federation. Until this happens, the planet cannot be tamed or exploited or whatever it is the Federation wants it for. The bad guys are toothy lizard things who are easily provoked with comments about their mothers. It's too bad that Star Trek fans have such teensy memory retention -- I could have done without a reintroduction to all the main characters and occasional reflections on their personal situations.