Darmok (S05E02)
Airdate: 30 September 1991
Written by: Joe Menosky
Directed by: Winrich Kolbe
Running Time: 46 minutes
Darmok, the second episode of Season 5 of Star Trek: The Next Generation, is frequently cited by enthusiasts as the definitive way to introduce new viewers to the Star Trek universe. It offers a fascinating yet relatively understandable concept that places the narrative strictly within the boundaries of the sci-fi genre, and its message regarding understanding, exploration, and friendship fits exceptionally well into the original vision established by Gene Roddenberry. Yet, despite possessing these commendable qualities, it is frequently overrated and does not actually rank among the very best works of The Next Generation.
The plot commences when the USS Enterprise-D arrives in the El-Adrel system, situated near the location representing the home of the Children of Tama, or Tamarians, a mysterious alien race known to the Federation for at least a century. All attempts at communication have failed, largely due to the specifics of the Tamarian language, which relies on metaphors drawn from their history and culture—rendering the Federation's universal translators effectively useless. Consequently, when the Enterprise encounters a Tamarian ship in the orbit of a planet, they prepare to make yet another attempt at First Contact.
This diplomatic effort involves Captain Picard being beamed down to the planet's surface, where the Tamarians establish an energy field that prevents his transport back to the ship. Picard meets the Tamarian captain, Dathon, who greets him with the cryptic phrase "Darmok and Jallad – at Tanagra". Initially interpreted as a hostile gesture, Picard gradually learns that they refer to friendship among previous enemies fighting a common foe. Tragedy soon strikes when both Picard and Dathon are targeted by a mysterious monster that mortally wounds Dathon. As Dathon dies on the planet, Picard manages to decipher some of these phrases and establish tentative First Contact before the alien captain's death. Upon returning to the Enterprise, Picard must utilise his knowledge to reaffirm the contact and convince his Tamarian counterpart of his good intentions. He succeeds, causing joy among the Tamarians, who incorporate a new phrase into their language: "Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel".
Written by Joe Menosky, Darmok is known for having an incredibly long gestation period, with the work on it having started as early as 1989. The episode, directed by Winrich Kolbe, is often hailed as one of the best in TNG history; however, on closer scrutiny, its actual quality does not match its high reputation. The episode indeed possesses certain qualities—most notably the fascinating concept of a language based on metaphors, which has since become the subject of linguistic study and philosophical essays. It also benefits from the casting of Paul Winfield, who bravely transcends the heavy alien makeup to deliver a powerful performance. Best known among “trekkies” for his role as ill-fated Captain Terrell in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Winfield makes a great team with Picard, and his performance ensures that the audience cares for Dathon's ultimate fate. The episode even takes a moment to encourage viewers to read actual human mythology, which adds a nice layer of literary depth.
Apart from Winfield, the casting of the episode was notable for the relatively young and at that time unknown actress Ashley Judd, who made her TNG debut as the character of Robin Lefler. Despite these strengths, the episode suffers from several flaws. One significant issue is the relative unoriginality of the scenario—the notion of a human and an alien being stuck alone on a deserted planet—has been used previously in the TOS episode Arena. While Darmok takes a much less violent and more optimistic take on that scenario, the familiarity of the premise dilutes its novelty. Furthermore, there is a logical inconsistency where Picard somehow succeeds in figuring out the language in a matter of hours, a feat that the most powerful computer and the brightest minds of the Federation failed to achieve in a century. This convenience undermines the stakes and the credibility of the scientific premise. Additionally, the visual design for the Tamarians has been criticised for looking somewhat generic, with one reviewer noting it looked more like "Pigs in Space" than authentic Star Trek aliens, which arguably detracts from immersion.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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