Over several era’s and realities within the Star Trek Universe, there are very few who can tie them all together. Kirk may have met Picard thanks to the Nexus, and Riker may have joined the crew of the Cerritos, but before those events crossed over there was one landmark event that not only helped to bridge the worlds of the original series and the Next Generation, but would begin a thread that would help spawn both the Kelvin Timeline era as well as the new revival of Star Trek.
During it’s time the Next Generation had a cameo or two from the original series. Even right at the beginning as a much older Dr McCoy, now an Admiral, had a brief scene comparing Data to his old friend Spock in the first of many “passing the torch” moments for the franchise. But with that moment being just a cameo, there was a more significant crossover three seasons later that would have a much deeper impact when Sarek, Vulcan Ambassador and father of the infamous Spock, would arrive on board the Enteprise.
Still holding onto his Vulcan dignity and upper class vibe, Sarek was ill. Losing his grip on his ability to suppress emotions and in need of aides to help him stay strong. Eventually, to carry out his diplomatic mission, he’d mind meld with Picard and leave the Captain with all the emotional trauma and rage so Sarek could hold onto his mind long enough to fulfil his duties. As they parted ways, Picard not only experienced the intensity of a supresed Vulcan emotion, but learned Sarek’s love for his son, Spock and the deep regret he had for logic interfering in showing love.
In Season 5 Sarek would return one last time as his son was missing. Last seen on Romulus, the Federation feared their Ambassador had defected to the enemy. With a long lifetimes of secrets and knowledge, Spocks insight into the Federation would be a deadly weapon that could be used against them and a huge betrayal. Sarek knew the truth however, telling Picard that Spock had something more pressing on Romulus. A desire to end the conflicts between them and Vulcan and bring the two species – who shared a common ancestry – back into one nation.
Months before Leonard Nimoy would return alongside William Shatner and Deforest Kelley for their final film appearance together, Spock would preface the end of his era by joining the Next Generation cast as Picard began a whole different kind of search for Spock!
The two parter is more complex than just “Spocks in it!” as many remember it for. It’s also a little frustration as the first part only had Nimoy appearing in the closing scenes as a big reveal to bring on the second part. In terms of how the story plays out, Spock’s just part of the potential power shift within the episodes. Once Picard finds out the possibility of Spock just pushing for his goal of bringing peace with Romulus, it branches out into two core threads; one with Picard and Data putting on their best Romulan cosplay and making their way to Romulus with the help of some Klingon pals, and the other with Riker taking command of the Enterprise to follow a mystery as he tracks down the origin of some suspicious debris.
On Riker’s side of things, despite chasing what looks to be a nefarious plot involving the trademark deceptive Romulans, there’s a lot of fun moments along the way. Mainly with the stereotypically grumpy junkyard superviser throwing his authority around while sitting atop a vast fleet of completely dead and useless starships. It’s a cliché scene of sheer arrogance, but offers a bigger smile than Riker going all bad ass on a bit of a weak challenge when chasing his next clue.
Picard’s journey has a bit of humour as well. Their Klingon escort, played by Stephen Root who’s far better known for being the awkward weirdo in things like Dodgeball, takes his time in relishing putting Picard through severe discomfort in a spartan, comfort free cabin built for hardened warriors who’s rather sleep on a metal shelf instead of a nice comfy bed. And of course sharing a room with Data who just stands in the middle of the room staring into space as Picard fails to sleep knowing Data’s right behind him like an intrusive man-shaped baby monitor.
GENERATIONS PAST
Under the moments of levity, the plot’s actually one of the better ones when it comes to Romulan intrigue and fit in nicely to the shenanigans that surrounded Sela. Despite that, the first part does drag a bit. It’s just one big waiting game, putting all the blocks in place for the final scenes where Spock wanders out of the shadows and the core of the story begins.
The best part of the first half happens early on. And thats all Sarek. After seeing him earlier in the series, showing the wise old Vulcan’s brain was beginning to fall apart like a wet cake, it was an emotional moment. Having seen Picard suffer through the Vulcan rage of emotion following their season 3 mind meld, as well was watching Sarek desperately try to cling on, that original appearance was already a tough watch for such a character. Here, it hit even harder.
Quite literally on his deathbed, Sarek couldn’t hide his instability any longer. He was at the end of the road and there was no effort to pretend otherwise. Both Patrick Stewart and Mark Lenard were on top of their game in portraying their shared pain, having bonded significantly through the meld. Later on we learn Sarek does die off screen shortly after this scene which leaves Picard with the heavy burden of having the last remnant of Sarek in his mind; all the more important a reason to find Spock and share the love and admiration Sarek always repressed.
It adds a real weight to the episode that other aspects don’t. Which isn’t a huge criticism. Picard taking a trip and Riker chasing down stolen scrap isn’t exactly captivating viewing with a lot of room for drama. Though the tension throughout builds nicely until Data and Picard manage to crack the code of the secret underground Spock fans on Romulus. Which is quite a surprise considering Federation types are unwelcome, there’s a massive city on a massive planet and within an incredibly secretive society. Yet… an easy task. No wonder Garak spent time there…
Looking back now this just seems to be another journey for Spock as we catch up with his 24th century self. It all fits. When it was first broadcast, this was a month before the final original cast film would have their last hurrah. The Undiscovered Country would see Spock begin his transition from occasional science officer, Academy instructor, mentor and problem solver to the diplomat presented in TNG. As the son of Vulcan’s ambassador to Earth, he’d begin to take up the mantle and push for peace with the Klingons. Here his main goal is to find peace with Romulus, or at least shine enough oof a light on the idea that the process can begin to bring them and Vulcans together, remember their ancestral roots and start the journey.
Romulans being Romulans though, you know something’s not right. A lot of it’s telegraphed with Rikers side of things. While Spock has some up and coming politicians in his little peace cult, people he believe can lead the way if and when they find their seat of power, Riker’s following mysterious stolen Vulcan derelicts and a transport ship thats stealing supplies from the junkyard depot.
You can kind of see it all coming together. Spock’s hope and faith that peace can be achieved blinds him to the truth of the situation. He’s got two big players on board, Neral and Pardek. And Picard is rightly suspicious of how far Spocks come in such a short space of time and how easy it was to turn people within a conservative and insular structure. And of course, it all goes wrong. Never trust a Romulan. But thats the exact same sentiment Spock would argue against in his last mission on board the Enterprise. He was the voice of reason when prejudice overwhelmed everyone. With the Klingons, he was right. Here, it was far, far too soon.
Spocks supposed closest ally on Romulus, Neral, isn’t quite what he appears to be. He assures Spock that he can convince the other senior members of government to come along to Spocks line of thinking, to lean towards peace. He was a trap that Spock fell right into. Pardek was planning to capture and use Spock, to twist his ideas into a fake peace statement and use the distraction to send all those stolen Vulcan ships – refitted and now heavily armed – to strike on Vulcan. This is all the masterplan of power hungry half-Romulan paradox child Sela who’ll make her last appearance here.
LOGICAL CONCLUSION
In terms of plot, it’s typically devious of the Romulans but particularly terrible in execution. Which is a big writing flaw. From the cliché of Sela Bond Villianing her plan by exposing every single detail, neglecting to lock them up and only sending a handful of troops to invade an entire planet, she looks like a complete idiot. They obviously overthrow her and she finds herself ion her most final of defeats after a few appearances.
All the twists and turns are expected. We know from the start theres something odd going on, and Romulans are involved. From there you can guess the ending before it even plays out. Creatively it’s nothing special, other than Leonard Nimoy agreed to come on board as a promotional tactic ahjead of the Undiscovered Country’s release. To the point where he lowered his fee from a million to the going rate to make it work.
For the first major crossover for Star Trek, the story could have been better. And it doesn’t make anyone look good. From Spock not seeing the obvious, to Sarek dying off screen. There were little bits and pieces that would and could have been tightened or re-planned to heighten the drama. And for it’s big scope and political ramifications – both of Romulus trying to invade Vulcan, to Spock’s mission of peace – it feels a little underplayed.
On the flip side, underwhelming main plot aside, this really is a character piece. Now Sarek has passed, Spock has to contend with his fathers provisioning logic, a cautious wisdom Spock knows would reject and challenge his plan. But now through both his meld with Sarek, as well as his own wisdom and caution, Picard steps into that role to challenge Spock, making a unique and well played dynamic between the two iconic characters.
This also stands as an introduction for the Spock we would see in the Undiscovered Country, one that would see logic as a stepping stone and no longer a constant to base his every decision off. There’s a more open mindedness that comes with maturity, a Spock who’s fully embraced both of his conflicting halves. For the lackluster story, those scenes with Nimoy and Stewart together – ass well as a nice and completely unavoidable scene where Spock chats with the new Enterprise logician, Data – makes up for the otherwise average episode.
For it’s flaws, this is an episode that would have a bizarrely lasting legacy. Spocks ties to the Romulans would continue well belong the Next Generation era. Determined to save Romulus from a world-ending event, he’d prove the Federation could be good allies, get lost in time and help start the Kelvin Timeline. Which in turn would also lead to the events surrounding Star Trek: Picards first season. And of course, eventually his plan to unify Romulus and Vulcan would come to be as by the 32nd century, his foster sister Michael Burnham would see a scene from this episode replayed to her after learning of the Unification process.
For an average episode, it’s an episode thats become a significant part of the tapestry of the Star Trek Universe. As the first major crossover, and a significantly better one than Scotty being found in a transporter beam, it was a bigger event during 1991 than it is on a Netflix binge. It’s lack of logic within the plot does take the shine off it a little when looking back on it with fresh eyes. But having Picard and Spock in the same room, as well as the flashpoint it’s become in the grand scheme of things, it is worth a rewatch at least once!
Our next Retro Review is going back to another crossover episode as we take a trip into Tuvok’s Vulcan mind where he takes Captain Janeway on a trip down memory lane to his first tour in Starfleet. Interjecting Tuvok and his Captain into the events of the Undiscovered Country, Voyager celebrates 30 years of Star Trek on board the USS Excelsior with Captain Sulu…
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