Episode complete credited cast: | |||
Patrick Stewart | ... | Capt. Jean-Luc Picard | |
Jonathan Frakes | ... | Cmdr. William Riker | |
LeVar Burton | ... | Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge | |
Michael Dorn | ... | Lt. Worf | |
Gates McFadden | ... | Dr. Beverly Crusher | |
Marina Sirtis | ... | Counselor Deanna Troi | |
Brent Spiner | ... | Lt. Cmdr. Data | |
Wil Wheaton | ... | Wesley Crusher | |
Mark Lenard | ... | Sarek | |
Joanna Miles | ... | Perrin | |
![]() |
William Denis | ... | Ki Aloysius Mendrossen |
Rocco Sisto | ... | Sakkath | |
Colm Meaney | ... | Chief Miles O'Brien | |
John H. Francis | ... | Science Crewman | |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
![]() |
Marston Smith | ... | Science Officer / Cellist |
Spock's father Sarek, the legendary Vulcan ambassador, now remarried to another Earth-woman, Perrin, boards the Enterprise to crown his career -before retiring - by finalizing painstakingly prepared peace negotiations with the Legarans. His chief of staff and personal assistant asked Sarek to be given maximal rest in view of his weak health, but he insists on attending the ship's Mozart concert starring Data as violin soloist in his honor, and is seen there to cry, unknown for a Vulcan. Over the next several days more crew members display unprovoked aggression, even toward friends and relatives. Data gets an entourage member to confirm a medical theory: Sarek is affected by the rare Bendii Syndrome, which causes old Vulcans to lose their most-prized emotional self-control, and telepathically spreads the epidemic. Picard must think of the negotiations with the probably susceptible Legarians, which cannot be delayed, while Sarek denies his condition, alas tellingly emotionally; once he ... Written by KGF Vissers
"Sarek" marks the second to last appearance by Mark Lenard as this Vulcan character. A year later he'd reprise the role in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" and Lenard would die a few years later. Interestingly, later the character would reappear--with Ben Cross playing him in the reboot of the series, "Star Trek" (2009).
When the ancient ambassador arrives on the Enterprise for some important negotiations, the Captain is surprised at Sarek's handlers. Despite his looking amazingly good for a being over 200, his wife and assistant treat him as if he's very frail and are protecting him from others. Why? At the same time, strange things begin happening on the ship. Crew members start acting VERY emotional towards each other-- with angry outbursts, near fights and worse. Could it be that Sarek is somehow responsible for this? And, if so, how?! And, how can they hold an important conference is Sarek makes those around him enraged?!
All in all, a very sad episode of the series, as you see a beloved character succumbing to the sad effects of aging. Now I am NOT complaining about this--it is good to talk about dementias and other types of geriatric illnesses. But it is still quite sad. Well worth seeing.
By the way, Picard makes a brief comment that made me take notice. He indicated that he'd briefly met Sarek before...at his (Sarek's) son's wedding! Did this mean that Spock marries or that he has a sibling who married? I am sure the real die-hard Trekkies could answer this one.