It's a great episode precisely
because it's a female vowing revenge and not Trek's standard stereotype of the out-of-control, Ahab-like male -- and let's face it, because her primary motivation
is revenge and
not protecting the Federation or its citizens, her actions are not heroic but selfish and personal. Like Matt Decker, she gets some sympathy for the tragedy of the events, but like Matt Decker, she is less than noble.