Darmok (28 Sep. 1991)

Picard must learn to communicate with a race that speaks in metaphor under a difficult set of circumstances.

Director:

Winrich Kolbe

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator), Joe Menosky (teleplay),

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Patrick Stewart	...	Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes	...	Commander William T. Riker
LeVar Burton	...	Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn	...	Lieutenant Worf
Gates McFadden	...	Doctor Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Commander Data
Richard Allen	...	Tamarian First Officer
Colm Meaney	...	Chief Miles O'Brien
Paul Winfield	...	Captain Dathon
Ashley Judd	...	Ensign Robin Lefler
Majel Barrett	...	Enterprise Computer (voice)

Storyline

The Enterprise approaches the uninhabited Eladrel solar system, near the territory of the enigmatic, presumably pacific race known as the children of Tamar, which is now establishing contact. Picard expected fairly easy diplomacy, but the Tamarians first have a row at their side, then transport Picard and their own captain Dathon down to the nearest planet surface, which they make impenetrable behind a particle shield, to pit them for a duel, which Picard is unwilling to engage. Both the captain and his crew on the bridge desperately study the Tamarian language, which they find to be unusually focused on mythical narrative, notably the epic of Darmac, which holds the key to its metaphorical 'code', and thus to the whole situation...

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Plot Keywords:

metaphorical language | 24th century | first contact

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Details

Release Date:

28 September 1991 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Vasquez Rocks, Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first time we see Picard's jacket.

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Goofs

When the Enterprise fires phasers at the Tamarian vessel, the phasers are being fired from the opening where probes are launched, and not from the phaser banks.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45047.2 - The Enterprise is en route to the uninhabited El-Adrel system. Its location is near the territory occupied by an enigmatic race known as 'The Children of Tama'.

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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Game (1991)

User Reviews

Another winner from "Next Generation's" landmark fifth season

Paul Winfield makes his second appearance in a Trek production (the first being the theatrical "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan") as "Captain Dathan," the leader of an alien species never encountered before by the crew of the Enterprise.

He and Capt. Picard find themselves allies on a planet, facing a malevolent and invisible presence. Adding to their situation is the fact that neither is able to communicate with the other, for Dathan's language is based solely on symbolism, making it almost impossible for the captain to make his wishes or strategies known. However, the two finally are able to "talk" to each other and the subsequent communication becomes a lesson in diplomacy and the importance of understanding language in forming relationships, political or otherwise.

"Darmok" is one of my top ten all-time favorite "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episodes.