#44 (2-10): Journey to Babel

THE PLOT

While ferrying diplomats from several races to a conference, Kirk and McCoy are startled to discover that the Vulcan ambassador, Sarek (Mark Lenard), is actually Spock's father. Spock has been estranged from his father since joining Starfleet, a decision his father did not approve of, and it is clear that neither Spock nor Sarek has any intention of attempting to mend fences between them.

Before this can turn into a bad Next Generation episode, Kirk observes a confrontation between Sarek and a Tellarite ambassador, who is strongly opposed to the idea of the Federation admitting a new planet. Shortly afterward, the Tellarite is murdered. All evidence points to Sarek as the murderer, which leads to the revelation that Sarek is suffering from a heart condition. His condition requires surgery and a blood donor. Spock is the only possible candidate.

But when the Enterprise comes under attack from a mysterious ship and Kirk is incapacitated, Spock insists that his responsibilities to the ship will not allow him to assist with the surgery - even if it means that his father will die!

CHARACTERS

Capt. Kirk: When he learns of the situation between Spock and Sarek, he does speak in Spock's support. He doesn't meddle in a touchy-feely, Next Generation style way, but he does make it clear to both Sarek and Amanda how valuable Spock has been.  This earns him Amanda's appreciation and a degree of respect from Sarek. After battling with the actual murderer, he feigns recovery from his injuries in order to get Spock to submit to the surgery, not willing to allow Spock's logic and sense of duty to stop him from saving his own father. He also - despite those injuries - keeps control of himself and his ship, using his tactical instincts to outwit a technologically-superior opponent.

Mr. Spock: Obviously, this is a massive Spock episode. We meet his parents here, both of whom would become major recurring characters in the film series a couple of decades later. Spock's relationships with both his father and his mother are firmly established along lines that have remained consistent ever since (even in the newest film), and feel entirely authentic. It helps that Nimoy and Mark Lenard actually seem as though they could be father and son, with Lenard adopting much of Nimoy's bearing and delivery style as Spock to convey Spock's father. Nimoy remains extremely adept at giving us a sense of the emotions Spock feels against his will without actually showing Spock being emotional.  Scenes in which he just stands there, forcing himself not to react, are strikingly powerful.

Dr. McCoy: He is particularly strong when simply being the ship's doctor, striving both to save Sarek's life and to get Spock to agree to help in saving Sarek's life. He also shows concerns at Kirk's injuries, extracting a promise from Kirk that the captain will not be able to fulfill before allowing him to put on his charade of well-being. DeForest Kelly has a unique gift for acting without appearing to actually act, which keeps McCoy feeling authentic. Plus, he finally gets the last word.

Sarek: Mark Lenard's first appearance as Sarek, and he's already fully in command of the role. He brings a palpable sense of dignity, tinged with a certain weariness, and it's easy to see why this one appearance made enough of an impression for the makers of the film series to bring him back in the 1980's. He and Nimoy play particularly well off each other, playing scenes in which what isn't said often comes across more strongly than what actually is spoken. I'm actually a bit surprised that the television series never brought him back - though the slashed budget for Season Three may well have had something to do with that.


THOUGHTS

A major episode for the character of Spock, and an important episode in terms of continuity. If you were to boil classic Star Trek down to ten must-see episodes... You'd have a very hard time doing so, given how many excellent episodes there are, but this would certainly be one of the ten, for continuity reasons alone.

All the better, then, that this is an excellent episode. Much of the credit goes to the cast. The regulars are all on excellent form, and are matched by a strong guest cast. In an episode that, by its very nature, is a spotlight for Spock, both Kirk and McCoy also get excellent material. D. C. Fontana, who has previously shown herself to be adept with both character and plot, expertly juggles both. Her story develops the regulars, provides authentic-feeling guest characters, and does so without sacrificing either pace or suspense.

The makeup for the alien races apparently made this shipbound episode an expensive one, but the expense paid off. It's worth noting that, when the Andorians appeared on Enterprise decades later, their makeup was only very slightly tweaked.  The look and design remained pretty much the same as here. The reason's easy enough - They got it right the first time, and there was no need to change them.

It all ends with a genuinely amusing tag scene, one of only a handful of "comedy tags" that doesn't fall flat.  I have some reservations about the abruptness with which the episode cuts to the assault on Kirk midway through. That aside, this is a terrific episode.


Rating: 9/10.

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