This episode is proof of how brilliant an actor Patrick Stewart is. When a probe's beam knocks Picard down he is suddenly in this 'other' life. He refuses to accept his predicament and insists he is not supposed to be there. Minutes pass on the Enterprise and years pass within Jean Luc, now known as Kamin's life. Crusher tries to revive the Captain to no avail. The warmth and friendliness on the planet Kamin is on, Kataan, is beautiful and somewhat blissful. The planet is doomed because of a massive draught and it's people are aware of their plight and have accepted it and, with a sense of spirit have united to plant trees as an affirmation of life. Kamin's beloved wife, Eleen asks repeatedly for him to give up the life he so clings to and start living in this one and start a family. Eventually Kamin has a family, two children and plays a flute. Eleen dies and Kamin is left a widower. Into old age we see a launching that a grumpy old Kamin reluctantly attends. His daughter tells him he's already seen the probe before he came here. Eleen appears, as does his dead friend and they explain that they wanted someone from the future to be a teacher and tell of their planet in a touching heart warming scene. Picard awakens on the Enterprise and is startled to discover that less than a half hour has elapsed. The probe is taken aboard and Kamin's flute is on it and Picard wistfully holds it to his chest and then plays the Kataanian tune remembering the people. Fans should know that Batai the older is played by Daniel Stewart, son of Patrick. This is one of the best episodes of the series by a wide margin
Review of The Inner Light
