THE PLOT
The Enterprise is chosen to host the first meeting between the Federation and a race known as the Legarans. The Federation is to be represented in these talks by Sarek of Vulcan (Mark Lenard), the only Federation ambassador the Legarans will talk to. It will be Sarek's final negotiation before retirement - a crowning achievement, to end an extraordinary career.
This is not destined to be a smooth voyage. Sarek's behavior is erratic, entirely rational one moment, over-emotional and confused the next. His aides and his wife, Perrin (Joanna Miles), do their utmost to protect Sarek, insisting that he be allowed to remain undisturbed in his quarters until the start of the conference. However, one of Sarek's Vulcan aides indicates to Data that there may be a problem when he inquires about Picard's own diplomatic skills. Matters are further complicated when outbreaks of sudden, inexplicable rage are triggered throughout the ship. Sarek's emotional control is weakening. His telepathic abilities are broadcasting his emotions at random among the Enterprise crew - and the Legarans are only hours away!
CHARACTERS
Capt. Picard: His respect for Sarek is such that he hesitates, possibly longer than he should, before directly confronting him with Dr. Crusher and Troi's theory about Bendii Syndrome. When he does go to Sarek, he is relentless in pushing the ambassador to reveal the man's own weakness to himself, determined that the mission not be allowed to fail. His respect for Sarek does lead him to consent to a mind-meld to temporarily stabilize the Vulcan for the negotiation... Which prompts the standout scene of the episode, and probably Patrick Stewart's standout scene in the series to date. As Sarek is stabilized, Picard is infused with all of the Vulcan's repressed emotions and regret, and Picard is left crying out those regrets in the dark, tears streaming down his face. A haunting scene, and an incredible performance by Stewart.
Riker: Plays support to Picard throughout, observing the spread of the outbursts through the ship and making sure Picard is aware that this is serious and escalating. While everyone else, even Picard, venerates and protects Sarek the Legend, Riker maintains his loyalty to his ship. He expresses frustration that Sarek remains shielded and, even in the midst of an artificially-imposed outburst, stays on-message in pushing Picard to confront the Vulcan about what is happening.
Dr. Crusher: Suffers from the spread of strong emotions first-hand when she slaps Wesley, largely unprovoked. Is upset enough about this to go straight to Troi, who tells her that she's heard several similar cases since Sarek's arrival. This prompts the two to formulate the theory about Bendii Syndrome. Her feelings for Picard are evident in the scene in which the post mind-meld Picard expresses all of Sarek's anguish. When he cries out to her that he can't fight back the strength of the Vulcan emotions, she embraces him protectively, even maternally, in one of the character's best moments and one of the few times this season I've felt actively glad to have her back.
Sarek: Mark Lenard returns to the role he originated in the 1960s series. As is expected of a role that he had played in the 1960s, 1970's, and 1980s in various Star Trek shows and films, he slides right into the role. This is a different version of Sarek than any we have seen before. He is much older, and he is starting to lose his grip on his reason - probably the worst fate a Vulcan, particularly one of such stature, could imagine. Lenard does well with Sarek's frailty, and is particularly good when Sarek breaks down in anger while trying to refute Picard's claims as "illogical." The payoff comes after Picard and Sarek mind-meld, temporarily restoring Sarek's control and allowing Lenard to play Sarek as he had been in appearances in other series. Only when we see the Sarek we know do we realize how strained Sarek is in the rest of the episode, even in his controlled and rational moments.
THOUGHTS
It would have been easy for Sarek to have simply been a bit of fan service, a meeting of a TOS character with the TNG universe. Thankfully, the script - credited to Peter S. Beagle, though reputedly rewritten from the ground up by Ira Steven Behr and Ronald D. Moore - is not content to act as a bit of TOS nostalgia. This is a good story first and foremost. Save for a couple of references to Spock, Amanda, and a brief throwaway nod to Journey to Babel, you could replace Sarek with a completely original guest character and the episode would still work as a story.
However, making the deteriorating ambassador Sarek, a character we've grown to know and respect - That adds a great deal of resonance to old fans, all encased within a story that will still work for new fans. Seeing Sarek struck low by Vulcan Alzheimer's (basically what this episode is about) has an impact that just wouldn't be there if this guest character was "just anybody," and the performances by Mark Lenard and Patrick Stewart push the episode's impact as far as it will go.
While the episode is titled Sarek, the writers do not repeat the mistake of Season One's Too Short a Season or Season Two's Loud as a Whisper. They don't craft an episode centered entirely around a guest character. This is a TNG episode, and we are with the Enterprise crew and seein the situation unfold from their perspective throughout. This does mean that Sarek is seen only intermittently in the first half, with the Mozart concert (in which Bach is played) being the character's biggest scene up to that point. But holding back Sarek's screen time works both to emphasize the extent to which his aides have isolated him from the crew and to only gradually reveal his disease to the audience. And when Picard confronts him, Mark Lenard gets two showcase scenes: first, breaking down when his Vulcain aide's help is removed; then, after the mind meld, being restored and made "(himself) again. It's been a long time." It's very effectively-structured, and by giving the events meaning to Picard, Riker, and Crusher, it gives them more meaning to us.
With effective us of the title character's TOS links, outstanding performances by Patrick Stewart and Mark Lenard, and a very well-judged story structure, Sarek emerges as quite possibly the season's strongest episode. It's a toss-up between this and Yesterday's Enterprise. This isn't as high concept, perhaps, but it's a stronger character piece and is more effectively emotional. A very good one, in any case.
Overall Rating: 10/10.
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