Line #10 Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E23Sarek


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tng_sarek_hd_282.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Yes, ''that'' [[Recap/StarTrekS2E10JourneyToBabel Sarek]].]]
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4	'''Original air date:''' May 14, 1990
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6	The ship prepares for the arrival of Vulcan Ambassador Sarek, Spock's father, who will close out his illustrious career as a diplomat by hosting a historic first meeting between the Federation and the Legarans. Before Sarek arrives, however, two of his aides beam aboard and state that Sarek has become infirm in his old age and must not be disturbed for any formal meeting or event until the conference. Picard is dismayed that Sarek will miss out on the concert they have arranged for him, but agrees. When Sarek arrives with his wife, he seems perfectly normal and accuses his handlers of coddling him unnecessarily.
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8	Soon after Sarek's arrival, the tempers of the crew begin to flare up irrationally. Wesley and Geordi get into a shouting match over whose dating life sucks more. Later, Sarek attends the concert against the advice of his handlers and begins to weep. Troi notes the uncharacteristic display of emotion from a Vulcan. Across the ship, random crew members become irrationally angry, and a massive brawl breaks out in Ten-Forward.
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10	Picard wants to isolate Sarek to protect him from the disturbances, but Troi and Crusher suspect that he may be unintentionally responsible. Their theory is that he may be suffering from Bendii syndrome, a degenerative brain disease which affects elderly Vulcans. While in most cases Vulcans must physically touch others to use their telepathy, the brain damage caused by Bendii syndrome breaks down this limitation, so his fraying emotions are spilling out psychically into random crew members and could ruin the diplomatic meeting with the Legarans. Sarek denies the accusation, but his Vulcan assistant admits that he's been using his psychic powers to hold Sarek's mind together as much as possible.
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12	Sarek's presence is paramount to the meeting's success. Bereft of options, Picard offers to mind meld with Sarek, taking on the burden of Sarek's illness and leaving the Vulcan temporarily whole enough to complete his diplomatic role. Sarek concludes the meeting successfully while Picard is left under the care of Crusher to suffer Sarek's unrestrained emotions. In the end, Sarek and Picard bid each other farewell with immense respect, now sharing a part of themselves in each other. When asked about Sarek's prognosis, the diplomat's handlers state that the disease has no known cure, but medical advances are being made all the time...
13	----
14	!!Tropes featured in this episode include:
15	* ActorAllusion: While arguing with Wesley, Geordi tells him [[Series/ReadingRainbow "You'd get more action out of a good book than you'll ever see on this date, I guarantee it!"]]
16	* AnguishedDeclarationOfLove: After the mind-meld, an overwhelmed Picard tearfully speaks of Sarek's love for Perrin, Spock, and the late Amanda.
17	* ArmorPiercingQuestion:
18	** The one-on-one confrontation with Sarek heats up when Picard cites him crying at the concert and asks, "Is it logical for a Vulcan to cry?"
19	** Earlier than that, Data confronts Sarek's personal assistant, Sakkath, and asks him "You must decide which is your greater obligation. Your loyalty to Sarek or your duty to the Federation? Can you accept the logic of continuing this mission?", which leads him to admit that Sarek is not well.
20	* AsideGlance: Picard gives one when Sarek insists upon seeing the conference room after arriving aboard the ''Enterprise''.
21	* BarBrawl: Fueled not by alcohol but by Sarek inadvertently projecting his anger telepathically onto others.
22	* BigNo: Picard screams this just after the mind meld.
23	--> '''Picard:''' NOOOO! It is... it is... ''wrong''! It is '''WRONG'''!
24	* BlatantLies:
25	** Sarek telling Perrin that his inability to meditate is "of no consequence".
26	** Ki Mendrossen assuring Picard that Sarek is in perfect health.
27	* CallBack:
28	** Riker mentions Sarek's involvement with the [[Recap/StarTrekS2E10JourneyToBabel Coridan admission to the Federation]]. As in that episode, Sarek's health becomes an important part of the story.
29	** When Geordi insults Wesley's way with the ladies, Wesley snipes back that at least he doesn't find his [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E6BoobyTrap in the holodeck]].
30	** Sarek introduces his current wife Perrin as "she who is my wife", which was also how he introduced his then-wife Amanda in TOS's "Journey To Babel".
31	* DamnedByFaintPraise: Inverted. When Perrin tells Picard that Sarek considers his service record "satisfactory", Picard recognizes that, coming from a Vulcan (especially one of Sarek's reputation), that ''IS'' high praise.
32	* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Bendii Syndrome is clearly an analogue to Alzheimer's/dementia.
33	* FiveStagesOfGrief: Sarek and his party go through the progression more-or-less in order.
34	** '''Denial:''' For the first half of the episode, nobody will admit that Sarek is beginning to lose his mind. Ki Mendrosan in particular lies his butt off to Picard.
35	** '''Anger:''' Despite the denials, Sarek is unusually testy, but most of the anger comes out in the form of violence throughout the ''Enterprise''. His confrontation with Picard is basically angry denial.
36	** '''Bargaining:''' Once the truth comes out, Perrin pleads with Picard to undertake the mind-meld and allow Sarek to complete his final mission.
37	** '''Depression:''' While channeling Sarek's emotions, Picard expresses both anger and regret over Sarek not telling his loved ones how he feels about them.
38	** '''Acceptance:''' Sarek returns to Vulcan accepting his fate.
39	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
40	** Mendrossen comments early on that Sarek needs to rest and avoid stress, hinting that he's more aware of Sarek's failing health than he later pretends to be.
41	** The fact that Sarek has an onset of Bendii Syndrome is hinted at in the first act, as he is increasingly concerned about the decor in the conference room, with unnatural intensity in his voice.
42	** Sarek's assistant show interest in Troi's telepathic ability, but sounds almost disappointed she's only an empath and not a true telepath like a full-blooded Betazoid. This foreshadows how he's been using his own telepathic talents to stabilize Sarek. Clearly his hope was that if Troi had been a Telepath she would've been able to help him do this.
43	** After being instructed to give Sarek privacy during the mission, Picard remarks to Riker with some disappointment that he had hoped to spend more time with the ambassador, "sharing his thoughts, memories, his unique understanding of the history he's made". He ends up doing exactly that, in a [[MentalFusion far more literal way]] than he had expected.
44	** While discussing Sarek's condition with Ki Mendrossen, Picard notes that hundreds of people aboard the ''Enterprise'' haven't been affected by Sarek's Bendii Syndrome, including himself. Not only is Picard (and Riker) affected later in the episode, but Picard bears the weight of Sarek's chaotic emotions for the climax, making him the person ''most'' affected by Sarek's condition.
45	* FunctionalGenreSavvy: Troi and Crusher theorize that Sarek has something to do with the ship's sudden onset of violence and animosity aboard the ship.
46	* TheGhost:
47	** We never see the Lagerans. All we know is that it's taken then decades to agree to meet with the Federation, and they live in pools of foul-smelling muck.
48	** Wesley goes on a date with a girl we never see.
49	* GoodWearsWhite: Sarek wears white robes all throughout his visit to the ''Enterprise'', and is considered a hero of the Federation.
50	* GutFeeling: Despite being an emotionless android, Data clearly gets one when Sakkath starts asking about Picard's diplomatic abilities.
51	* HamToHamCombat: Picard and Riker go a round on the bridge until Data gets them to stop.
52	* HatePlague: Bendii Syndrome causes Sarek to lose control of both his emotions and his telepathic abilities, transmitting powerful anger randomly around the ''Enterprise'', which causes a number of arguments, much verbal sniping and one massive BarBrawl.
53	* HeroicWillpower: Picard's mind-meld with Sarek allows the latter to make use of Picard's own impressive self-discipline, which proves to be enough for Sarek to carry himself through the negotiations successfully. In addition, despite Sarek's warning that the intensity of Vulcan emotions could kill a human, Picard manages to survive the experience intact.
54	* HopeSpot: In Ten Forward, Chief O'Brien is getting into an argument with a Blue-Shirt who seemingly took his table, looking a lot like the set-up to Geordi and Wesley's argument, when Geordi intervenes to defuse the situation. All looks well as we go to Riker and Worf who are heading to Ten Forward themselves and discover that a BarBrawl has erupted by that time.
55	* IHaveNoSon: Indirectly pulled by Picard-as-Sarek, who mentions Amanda and Spock, but not Sybok or his first wife. Unsurprising, as the writing staff had agreed between themselves to consign ''Film/StarTrekVTheFinalFrontier'' to CanonDiscontinuity status. Admittedly though it does make sense that Sarek would disown Sybok, as his rejection of Surak's teachings would not exactly have gone over well with his fellow Vulcans.
56	** Thanks to ''Series/StarTrekDiscovery'', this now also applies to [[RememberTheNewGuy his foster daughter Michael Burnham]]. Seriously, he shared his ''katra'' with her and everything!
57	* InelegantBlubbering: Picard lapses into this several times during the mind-meld, most notably when taking about Amanda Grayson, Spock, and Perrin.
58	* InstantlyProvenWrong: Worf and Riker are headed to Ten Forward, discussing an ensign challenging Worf.
59	-->'''Riker:''' Is it my imagination, or have tempers become a little frayed on the ship lately?\
60	'''Worf:''' I hadn't noticed.\
61	''[they enter Ten Forward to find a full-scale brawl going on]''\
62	'''Worf:''' I see what you mean.
63	* InternalHomage: Sarek's mind-meld with Picard was shot in direct homage to the mind-meld scene in ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock''.
64	* {{Irony}}:
65	** Picard and Riker comment on the elderly Sarek's vigor despite Mendrossen's claims of the ambassador's frailty, with Picard dryly hoping to be so "frail" at the age of 202.
66	** Sarek reflects on being accused of many things in his time, but never once of having excessive emotions.
67	* TheKnightsWhoSaySquee: While a bit restrained, Picard still can't hide how thrilled he is to host Sarek on his ship.
68	* LargeHam: Picard really goes to town after the mind-meld.
69	* LaughingMad: As a consequence of the mind-meld, Picard, experiencing all of Sarek's suppressed emotions, briefly starts laughing between bouts of furious shouting and anguished sobbing.
70	* LivingLegend: At this point in his life and career, Sarek is rightfully considered a living legend within the Federation, with the episode beginning with Picard and Riker talking about his many accomplishments. Picard regards Sarek as someone who "shaped the Federation", and Ki Mendrossen referrs to him as "the greatest man of his time."
71	* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Perrin, Sakkath, and Ki Mendrossen all know the truth, but they're keeping it from Sarek so he can complete his last mission and end his career on a high note.
72	* MacGuffin: The Legarans and the treaty with them. Their only importance is that Sarek has been working on said treaty for many, many years, which will bring great unspecified benefits to the Federation, and now there is a desperate need for him to finish this one last great accomplishment before old age catches up to him and he cannot work anymore, even with assistance.
73	* MadnessMantra: "ILLOGICAL! ILLOGICAL!"
74	* MoodSwinger: Under the crushing weight of Sarek's emotions, Picard swings back and forth between rage, sorrow, DissonantLaughter, and regret.
75	* MoodWhiplash: After the MindMeld, we get a quick scene of Sarek being suddenly back to his old self, to Riker's surprise, and heading down to the negotiations. An innocuous scene, right before immediately cutting to Picard ''flipping the hell out.''
76	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Beverly after slapping Wesley.
77	* MySkullRunnethOver: Sarek's illness causes his impulses to project onto others around him, leading to the crew of the ''Enterprise'' to become testy, if not outright violent, with each other.
78	* TheOnlyOne: Thoroughly deconstructed. Sarek insists he's the only one the Legarans trust to negotiate for them on the Federation's behalf, but at his advanced age and grappling with Bendii Syndrome, he is forced to confront the possibility that he can't be the only one to do his duties anymore. Thankfully, he and Picard come to a solution that would allow him to do his duties one last time.
79	* OOCIsSeriousBusiness:
80	** Sarek's unusually testy behavior is revealed to be the onset of Bendii Syndrome.
81	** Similarly, Beverly slapping Wesley, Geordi and Wesley sniping at each other, and then Picard and Riker having a massive blowup on the bridge as a result of Sarek losing his emotional control.
82	* PersonalitySwap: Sarek transfers his negative emotions to Picard through a mind-meld, giving the aging Vulcan his emotional strength, while Picard receives the consequences of Sarek's breakdown. Sarek even temporarily adopts Picard's habit of addressing Riker as "Number One".
83	* RightBehindMe: Sarek walks in behind Perrin when she tries to stop Picard from confronting him about his Bendii Syndrome.
84	-->'''Perrin:''' Please, you mustn't do this to him.\
85	'''Sarek:''' Must not do what, my wife?
86	* SanitySlippage: Sarek is inadvertently projecting his emotions thanks to Bendii Syndrome, a rare ailment among elderly (200+ years) Vulcans.
87	* SeriousBusiness: Sarek makes sure to impart upon Picard the dangers of long-term mind-melding. He makes clear that Vulcans suppress their emotions because they're so intense, and that the full brunt of them could potentially ''kill'' a normal human.
88	* SingleTear: Just shedding a tear is SeriousBusiness for a Vulcan.
89	* ShoutOut: During the argument, Wesley says that Geordi's more likely to spend his evenings with [[Series/ReadingRainbow a book]] than with a woman.
90	* SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay: A variant. After melding with Picard, Sarek starts calling Riker "Number One."
91	* StarfishAliens: We don't get to see them, but the Legarans are implied to be this. The wading pool of boiling sludge Geordi and Wes set up for them certainly suggests it.
92	* StoryBreakerPower: The only officers who don't get affected by Sarek's condition are Data, who is an android and thus lacks emotions, and Troi, who is an empath and knows how to handle emotions. The only other officer we don't see getting affected was Worf, but it's possible that his incident involving Ensign D'Amato's insubordination was affected by it.
93	* SuddenlyShouting:
94	** Picard and Riker arguing on the bridge.
95	---> '''Riker:''' I don't understand this. Everyone is protecting Sarek. His wife, Mendrosan, even you!\
96	'''Picard:''' What would you have me do? March right down there and destroy the man?\
97	'''Riker:''' The mission with the Legarans cannot be carried out with Sarek in this condition!\
98	'''Picard:''' I know that!\
99	'''Riker:''' THEN TELL HIM THAT THERE IS NO WAY!\
100	'''Picard:''' DON'T YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO!\
101	'''Data:''' Captain...Commander...
102	** Sarek, when Picard forces him to face his loss of emotional control.
103	---> '''Picard:''' Sarek of Vulcan would never be afraid of looking straight at something he did not want to see.\
104	'''Sarek:''' I warn you, your efforts to discredit me will not succeed!\
105	'''Picard:''' Sarek of Vulcan never confused what he wanted with the truth.\
106	'''Sarek:''' I WILL NOT BE SPOKEN TO IN THIS MANNER!\
107	'''Picard:''' Do I hear anger in your voice?\
108	'''Sarek:''' It would be illogical for a Vulcan to show ANGER! It would be ILLOGICAL! ILLOGICAL! ILLOGICAL! ILLOGICAL!
109	* TalkingToTheDead: Under the influence of Sarek's emotions, Picard briefly speaks to Sarek's late first wife, Amanda Grayson.
110	* TenderTears: During their logical argument of the situation, Picard cites seeing Sarek cry during the concert as proof of him being emotionally affected.
111	* ThereIsNoCure: It's revealed that Sarek is contracting Bendii Syndrome, a rare age-related Vulcan disease which degrades their control of their emotions, and which Mendrossen states cannot be reversed.
112	* WhamShot: Sarek shedding a tear at the concert, something a Vulcan would ''never'' do in public.
113	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Picard mentions in passing that he once met Sarek briefly at his son's wedding. This is the only on-screen mention of "Mrs. Spock" (although there's plenty of fan fiction covering it, and according to the [[Literature/StarTrekNovelVerse Expanded Universe]], it's ''Saavik'').
114	* WholePlotReference: [[Recap/StarTrekS2E10JourneyToBabel Sarek visits the Enterprise for his last diplomatic mission that is compromised by an illness hidden from his human wife]]. The first line of dialogue even reveals the fate of Coridan, which was left hanging in the original TOS episode. (Unsurprisingly, Sarek convinced the other Ambassadors to vote in favor of admission.)
115	* WrestlerInAllOfUs: O'Brien hurls the Blue-Shirt he was arguing with about allegedly taking his table over his shoulder into another table, shattering its glass top.

Context Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E23Sarek