Star Trek writers and fans have an innate assumption that science should be left to canon and timeline experts, rather than exploration of real scientific theory or practice. In the episode of the "Good Shepherd," we find a rare glimpse of real scientific dialogue somewhat.
While real science didn't seem to have any significant impact on making this episode memorable, it did not hurt. So much for natural assumptions. Instead we have three crewmen in this plot being unwillingly groomed for higher Star Fleet aspirations. Despite these crewmen's respective talent (or lacking); they're not very ambitious or enthused about this Away Mission.
An inadvertent problem occurs that will test them like they've never considered. Working together and utilizing each other's strength makes them a formidable foe, against all odds. It also makes this rare approach, on average, par for the course. It was typically episodic as sci-fi formats go.