Spoiler Alert: I grew up a Trekkie geek.

On one of my favorite Star Trek episodes the Enterprise makes contact with a Tamarian ship in orbit around the planet El-Adrel. The Tamarians had been previously contacted by the Federation, but could not be understood – although the universal translator can translate their words, the order, syntax, and structure in which they use them were judged as “incomprehensible”. Likewise, the Tamarians cannot understand Captain Picard’s use of language.

The Tamarian captain, Dathon, has himself and Picard transported to the planet’s surface. The Tamarians then cast a scattering field that blocks further transporter use. Dathon utters the phrase “Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra” and tosses Picard a dagger; Picard mistakes Dathon’s intentions, believing he wants a fight to the death. The next morning, Dathon comes running and Picard realizes there is a hostile predator in the area. Picard begins to understand the Tamarians’ jargon when he recognizes one expression as a tactic to fight the beast. Picard finally realises that Tamarians speak in allegories. The two attempt to battle the beast together, but the Enterprise‘s unsuccessful attempt to beam up Picard prevents him from participating at a crucial moment. Dathon is severely wounded.

On the Enterprise, First Officer Riker and the crew struggle to understand the aliens’ language. Although they now understand how the aliens speak, communication is still impossible as they know nothing of the Tamarians’ mythohistorical references. They make several efforts to rescue the Captain, all foiled by the Tamarians. While tending to Dathon’s wounds, Picard slowly deduces that Darmok and Jalad were warriors who met on the island of Tanagra and were forced to unite against a dangerous beast there, becoming friends in the process. Dathon tried to recreate this event with Picard, hoping to forge a friendship through shared adversity. Picard recounts for Dathon the Epic of Gilgamesh, a story that parallels the allegory of Darmok and Jalad. Dathon listens gladly, eventually succumbing to his injuries.

The Enterprise fires on the Tamarian ship, disabling the scattering field, and beams up Picard. A battle begins, but just when destruction of the Enterprise seems imminent, Picard enters the bridge and uses his newfound knowledge to communicate with the Tamarians, who are overjoyed at the development. Picard offers them Dathon’s diary and dagger after telling them of their captain’s sacrifice. The Tamarians tell him to keep the dagger in remembrance of Dathon, and record the event as “Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel” — a new phrase in their language.

Picard later reads the Homeric Hymns, explaining to Riker that studying their own mythology may help them relate to the Tamarians. He mourns that Dathon sacrificed himself in the hope of communication, and wonders if he would have done the same.

Picard’s diplomatic skills are put to the test in “Darmok.” What would be like if your only way of communicating was via metaphor. This “only-on-Star-Trek” premise is in many ways this is whole point of Star Trek. This itself served as a retelling of heroic lore in sci-fi form for each generation since the OG series came out in the 60’s. Each episode presented us with another allegory to talk about current issues for which we do not have words.

I write this now in memory of Patrick Stewart z”l, the gentlemanly British actor best known for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard who died last week. May his memory be for a blessing. There is no doubt that through his craft generations of people learned to communicate ideas that our society was not yet ready to grapple. Dathon and Picard on El-Adrel. Patrick Stewart manifested the metaphor and taught us the deepest lessons. He will be missed.