Wednesday, April 17, 2013

TNG: "Darmok"

So, don't hold me to this because I might change my mind when "Tapestry" rolls around but I think that "Darmok" is my favorite episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

If you're unfamiliar with this episode, basically, the Enterprise is scheduled to meet with a group of aliens called the Tamarians. No one's ever been able to successfully cross the language barrier with them but Captain Picard is feeling smugly sure of his ability to communicate. He even makes a smug face:

When they finally hail the alien vessel, our crew finds them completely incomprehensible. They witness an argument between the captain and first officer of the Tamarian ship and then Picard is suddenly beamed down to the planet where he comes face to face with the Tamarian captain, Dathon. The Tamarian attempts to communicate and, though we can understand some of the words, we (and Picard) find his language inscrutable. Dathon continually gestures toward Picard, two knives in hand, saying, "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra." But it's of no use, they are too different.



Finally, after they're attacked and must work together, the secret to the Tamarian language system begins to dawn on Picard. These aliens speak in metaphor. They use reference as language. Stories make up their vocabulary. When Dathon is saying, "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra," he's referencing a part of Tamarian mythos that is so ingrained in their culture it has become part of their linguistic system. He means, "Two people, strangers alone, by working together, will become united."  Essentially he's saying, "Cooperation."

When I was a kid, this episode enchanted me. I've seen it several times throughout my life only to love it even more after every viewing. I think the reason for that is that there are so many excellent ideas at play here. The idea of two peoples, with seemingly nothing in common, working together to overcome adversity is one. The idea that, if you give of yourself openly, you can be met with still more goodness is another. And, paramount to me, is the idea that storytelling is not only important to culture but necessary.

The ability to cite history or stories, myths and legends, and to be entertained by them and learn from them is uniquely human (at least on this planet) as is our ability to pass these stories on. So much of human history, from proto-humans painting the facsimile of hunts on cave walls, to the epic poems that weren't even written down until long after the fact, to the invention of the novel and, more recently, television and movies, we long to tell our stories. We want to make our mark, ensuring that there is a record of our existence and someday, if we're all gone, we want whoever else comes along to know that we were here. We existed and, not only that, here's how we lived, our mistakes, our successes, our ability to hate and to meet that hate with love, and our continual hope for a happy ending.



11 comments:

  1. I LOVE this episode! I've seen it so many times I could almost recite it from memory. As a lover of language and storytelling, I can't help but relate to it each time I watch.

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    1. Totally! One of the things I love about this one is its re-watchability. When the Enterprise first encounters the Tamarians, if you're familiar with the episode, you can understand what they're saying. Oh! I love it so much!

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  2. I've been waiting to hear the "f" word- favorite - from you, and I wondered if it would coincide with mine. Darmok- as well as Tapestry- are in my top 3! :)

    I watch this episode fairly regularly- most recently just about a week ago. It's got so much that I absolutely love. The storytelling angle, the metaphors, the communicating through differences- all such great themes. And Dathon was wise- he seemed to get the idea, way before Picard did,that a shared adventure, a shared adversary might bridge the gap. Getting to understand Dathon was the first time I considered that there might just be Captains out there, from other worlds, that are just as awesome as Picard. I always wish I could learn more about those little metal sculptures from the campfire ritual...

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    1. KJ! I'd love to hear what the third one is in your top three. Is it "The Inner Light" by any chance?
      Yes, Dathon (played by Paul Winfield) is amazing in this episode. I love the common ground that they find and I tear up every time Picard launches into the Epic of Gilgamesh. Uggh. So good!

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    2. How did you know it was going to be The Inner Light?! I'm leaving out the awesome and epic Best of Both Worlds from this list- not because it's not a favorite, but more because I think of it in a different category, a different kind of thing from a regular episode. (And I'll be seeing it on the big screen next week, the Fathom Events showing- woohoo, I can't wait!)

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    3. I figured it was based on your other two choices. Mine is also "The Inner Light" but that's kind of tied with "Measure of a Man." And I completely agree with the "Best of Both Worlds" statement, I think because of its epicness, it belongs with "All Good Things." We are also going to the "Best of Both Worlds" showing next week and CANNOT WAIT! So excited! I can't wait to hear your experience!

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    4. Hah, Measure of a Man is right up there w/ me- I consider it my favorite "early" episode (though it totally holds its own against any season). I thought for sure I was going to Best of Both Worlds by myself, but I think my good friend might actually come with me! (Do I wear my uniform top? Hmmm, I'm not sure yet...it's been a while.)

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  3. That language concept is absolutely fascinating!

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    1. Kate, even though this episode is somewhat outside the norm (it's mostly a Picard-heavy story rather than ensemble) I feel that it's also exemplary of what Star Trek does so well. Often, when someone asks me what one episode of TNG they should try, I say "Darmok." (hint. hint. i KNOW you have Netflix)

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  4. I'm not sure how I haven't found your blog before today; but, I'm happy I did - "Darmok" is my favorite Start Trek episode. I agree that it gets better with each watching. When I explain to people why I love this episode, I tell them it's because it the exemplar of everything Star Trek as a brand stands for - understanding between different peoples, cooperation and sacrifice towards a greater good, and the importance of remembering history (storytelling) as we make choices for the future.

    I'm currently re-watching all of Star Trek starting with TOS. I've watched most of the tv shows, with the exception of Enterprise and DS9 (reportedly the best when seen in its entirety), but figured it was better to start from the beginning. As someone going through this journey themselves, I'm excited to follow yours, and compare the experience.

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  5. I remember loving this episode! It was a great "get to know the Captain" one.

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