EDITED - Darmok (TNG S5E2) | Star Trek Journey 209

This is one of the episodes that highlights some of TNG's best qualities.

I am with Josh on this one. I routinely skip this episode when watching Season Five.

The Idea with the language is pretty cool but it doesnt carry the whole episode Btw the idiots over res Letter Media own the Rubber head of the creature from this Episode :D

Wow.., D from Josh.. something just didn't gel eh.... " Josh & Alex at Tanagra " :)

This is one that I kind of liked when it aired, but over 30-some years of hearing fanboys praise it to high heaven, slipped down into my LEAST FAVORITE list... but rewatching it with you two, while I don't think it's as great as the fanboys think, it's nonetheless solid B tier, and I wouldn't argue with A. I could tell you stories and anecdotes ABOUT the frustrations of learning a new language, but this one takes the tack of immersing the audience in that frustration. That's something that never struck me before. Brilliant. "HIS EYES OPENED!" = great moment. MORAL OF THE STORY: Sometimes (sigh) the fanboys are right.

5:25 raises a question that I've been pondering. All things being equal, would you rather have a season consisting of (a) fewer episodes with a higher effects budget, or (b) more episodes with basic, not flashy effects?

I think Alex got this episode. Like Josh I didn't like it when it first aired. I probably would have given it a C. D is harsh. But over the years it has become an A tier episode for me. Just some great acting from Stewart here.

I remember going to a Star Trek convention in the early 90's and they talked about this episode. The wardrobe department had begged for a few years about giving Picard an alternate uniform like Kirk had (green wrap top), producers relented and two jackets were made using leather and suede at a cost of a few thousand dollars. They gathered to watch the episode and were thrilled with how it looked on screen and then were heartbroken when Patrick Stewart threw it in the dirt.

I love this episode! It's a nice showing of what can happen and also what can be accomplished if people cannot understand each other. Many people who cannot understand someone else, whether it be language, culture, customs, etc, can become afraid or angry because of it and may resort to violence. This episode shows that even if you are worried the other person wants to harm you, if you pay attention to body language and such you can find out what their intentions are. Most people don't want violence and anger, but many think other people do and look at it with those eyes first. Let's all try to be like Star Trek and look deeper. :)

S Tier episode for me, one of my favorite of the whole series. Paul Winfield, the Reliant's captain from Wrath of Khan that got infected with the ear bugs, was the Tamarian captain in this episode.