When I saw what episode was up tonight I let out a whoop, this was probably my favorite episode as a kid. (At least my favorite non-action episode, come on, I was 10 when this episode aired.) And fortunately for me it is as good as I remembered. Possibly better than I remembered actually. I am aware of the criticism that has been leveled against this episode that it makes no sense to only talk in metaphors and references, how were these stories told in the first place? But I actually don't care, they are an alien people, they figured it out somehow. Well enough to give us this touching story of Picard learning to see the world a different way.
The episode begins with the Enterprise set to meet with the Children of Tama, an advanced race that has so far eluded all attempts at communication. They have sent a mathematical signal to the Federation that has been interpreted as a sign that they may want to improve relations. When the two ships meet they can understand each others words but not the meaning of the words. The captain of the Tamarian ship is visibly irritated and before they can stop him beams both himself and Picard to the surface of the unoccupied planet below and has his ship block transporters and communications.
On the surface Picard interprets the Tamarian gesture of giving him a knife as a sign he wants to fight and throws the knife back to the Tamarian. Back on the ship Geordi is working on a plan to beam through the interference and Worf is sent down in a shuttle. But the Tamarian ship fires on the shuttle, but only a little, damaging its engines and forcing it to return to the Enterprise. On the planet night has fallen and Picard can't start a fire while the Tamarian has no problem. The Tamarian gives Picard some of his fire and Picard realizes this may not be what he thinks. The next day the Tamarian again insists on giving Picard a knife only this time there are distant screaming and rumbling sounds so Picard realizes this too is a peaceful gesture.
The rumbling turns out to be a mostly invisible monster that the two try to fight together but the Enterprise sees what is happening and tries to beam Picard out allowing the beast to mortally wound the Tamarian. That night the Tamarian manages to tell Picard a story that is a metaphor for what he is trying, trapping them together to become friends. In the morning the Tamarian dies and Picard is attacked again. The Enterprise opens fire on the other ship and knocks out the blocking beam long enough to retrieve the captain. But it is in vain, the Tamarians have them out gunned and almost destroy the Enterprise before Picard can rush to the bridge and hail them. This time he knows enough of their stories to calm things down and possibly start a new relationship with a powerful species (who are never heard from again, but you can't blame this episode for that.)
Review: This stands up as one of the best TNG and honestly best Trek episodes of all time. This is the best of what Gene wanted Star Trek to be.
10 out of 10
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