Star Trek: The Next Generation — 3x23 — Sarek

Aired 1990-05-14

SpaceOpera.com rating:7

Average reader rating:6.94

Synopsis

Sarek of Vulcan visits the Enterprise.

Remarkable scenes

Sarak freaking out and getting emotional.
Geordi and Wesley arguing.
Data's string scene with Sarak crying.
Beverly freaking out at Wesley.
O'Brien starting a brawl.
Sarak's vulcan helper admitting Sarak's weakness.
Picard and Riker arguing.
Picard confronting Sarak.
Sarak freaking out in front of Picard.
Picard freaking out after the mind meld. Marvelous acting.

Review

An excellent episode from a fanboyish standpoint. We all remember Sarak from TOS/TAS. The chance to see him in his later years is indeed appealing. I for one will never forget Picard's performance venting Sarak's emotions. Truly great acting. Very touching. A fine episode. My only regret is not seeing Spock.

5 reader comments

When Picard approaches Sarek about the mind meld, he comments that it is the only logical choice. Wouldn't another Vulcan be the more logical choice? There is a Vulcan on Sarek's staff, and there are also other Vulcans on board the Enterprise. "The Schizoid Man" featured a Vulcan medical doctor.
When Sarek and his wife beam off the Enterprise, they join hands. This puts their hands outside the transporter containment field. Thankfully, the transporter still manages to work "correctly." Otherwise, Sarek and his wife would be handless when they arrived at the transport ship.
by DSOmo | 07/29/2007 at 3:26 pm

"An excellent episode from a fanboyish standpoint." I disagree with you on that.
I really don't care if Sarek is Spock's father. It doesn't affect the story at all, which is - at least to me - the exact opposite of a SciFi fanboy story: It is rather a quite universal tale of coming to grips with one's mortality - and a really good one too. It's about losing control because of ageing, an aspect which is more and more important in our ageing society. The denial of losing his mind, the difficulty of accepting help, the fear of becoming an undignified burden to your loved ones, the silent tear during the concert - everything about this episode was beautiful and touching.
Your only regret is not seeing Spock? And that cost the episode 3 points? What a shame…
by Dave Edsons | 02/16/2012 at 2:24 am

A pretty good episode. Interesting just how illogical vulcans can be - not only Sarak with his debilitating illness, but also his vulcan aide (at least until Data pushed him a bit).
I thought the mind meld was used appropriately here and in an interesting and rather novel way.
One thing they could've been mentioned was why Sarak didn't meld with his vulcan aide instead (it could've easily been explained that the illness could be transferred among vulcans through melds, plus Picard has the benefit of a diplomatic mind). It made sense, pretty much, just had to fill in the dots on your own…
by Ggen | 04/09/2012 at 3:58 am

Sarak is said to be 202 years old in this episode in Journey to Babel he is said to be 101.
by jeffenator98 | 02/06/2020 at 6:02 pm

Too bad Brent Spiner didn't bother with taking a few violin lessons over his career as Data! His inability to even badly fake it is conspicuous. Hey, wait, where's O'Brien? He plays cello! And he was even in this episode! Blaah!
I like how this episode shows the inherent contradiction of Vulcans. They work so hard to be emotionless, to the point of superstition. Perrin implores Picard to let him retain his pride and honor. Those are not logical! I also noticed this recently watching ENT: "The Andorian Incident" where T'Pol speaks of "blasphemy."
Are the Vulcans logical because that is the most pragmatic way to exist as an emotional being? Or are they logical because they built a quasi-religion around it? Watching Picard express all of Sarek's regrets, such as not showing enough tenderness to his family, was really sad. Top-tier overacting from Patrick Stewart and Mark Lenard!
by Azalea Jane | 08/26/2021 at 1:15 am