Star Trek frequently uses plot-deviceium and handwaving to advance the plot or fill what would otherwise be dead-air time. (Like 24.) The following are quotes that are particularly obnoxious, and suggested additions to the dialog to put it is perspective. The original quote is entirely in italics.
(Belana and Chocolatte are flying a shuttle over 20th-century Earth)
Belana: …and I've configured the shields to disguise our visual profile. Unless somebody gets right on top of us, we should look like a small, 20th-century aircraft.
Chocolatte: (Turns, spits out his coffee) What? Belana, that's bullsh*t. Shields can't do that. I mean, there's been three series before this one, and none of them ever stated that shields could be used that way.