Darmok, under 8 minutes

[@Rikerish]

15 minute "Unabridged" Version - vimeo.com/820879030 (w/ Picard's awesome Gilgamesh speech and a lot more context)

[@kurtfisher1379]

Picard begins reciting the Epic of Gilgamesh at 10:28 min:sec. Thank you for posting this.

[@handsomelarsandhisfabulousjars]

Thanks, this is one of my favorite TNG episodes!

[@DanielAppleton-lr9eq]

@@handsomelarsandhisfabulousjars This was such a change from space plagues, planetary civil wars, Klingon infighting, etc.

[@odysseusrex5908]

One of the best, possibly the best, episode of the whole series. One of the few that actually dealt with strange new worlds and new life and new civilizations.

[@grnbrg]

I'll agree with "One of the best"... "The Inner Light" is my favourite, though. And "Cause and Effect" is in my top 5.

[@dongilleo9743]

This is one of my favorite episodes. I've had a lifelong interest in languages. I often thought the Enterprise crew had it a little too easy at times. They meet a new group of people, and because of a "universal translator" can instantly communicate with them in English, and automatically understand their entire culture.

[@odysseusrex5908]

@@grnbrg Oh yes, The Inner Light is also wonderful, very high concept. The only problem is that they never referred to it again. That experience should have had a profound effect on Picard which should have affected his behaviors and attitudes. He should have at least occasionally referred to that experience as an example of how to handle whatever problem they were having now. That, of course, is not a criticism of the episode, just what they did after it. Cause and Effect is also good, but I have trouble suspending disbelief enough to accept that the crew would be able to have any memory at all of previous loops, much less be able to send messages through. I would have loved to have seen a follow up story on how the crew of the Bozeman dealt with what had happened to them and how they reintegrated into society. In general, Next Gen was not as good as TOS, but these three episodes are certainly as good as anything in TOS.

[@jaysmiles2]

Tng on my TV. My eyes dark

[@toga1022]

you need to watch more than three episodes . . .

[@Chuck-PK]

Picard literally became a part of their vocabulary.

[@teebob21]

Thanos, when his fingers snapped.

[@Lord-Gazimus]

​​@@teebob21 Strange, when dust he became!

[@teebob21]

@@Lord-Gazimus Captain America, when he understood that reference.

[@Lord-Gazimus]

@@teebob21 Banner, his skin green with rage!

[@curtisberard7831]

Logan, his claws out

[@yourhandlehere1]

Shortly after this episode aired a friend was in her kitchen, I heard a loud noise, cussing and wailing. I went to see. She had dropped a large glass bowl of salad and it broke on the floor. I said... "Salaad...when the bowl fell". She had to quit cussing and laugh.

[@austinseven4720]

Going for TV and movie quotes is always good strategy in those situations! I broke some crockery while washing up when I was around 10. My mother heard the sound and was suitably unimpressed. At which point I opted for the Short Circuit approach - "Numerous fragments. Some large, some small!" Despite her best efforts, the anger went and the laughter came.

[@perfectsplit5515]

And one time in Air Force ROTC class my classmate (a prior service Marine) started ranting on and on about some historical leader's quote that extremely offended him. The teacher tried to calm him down, saying, "Let's not take this so seriously. These were all considered great leaders in their time." He replied, "Well, I do take it seriously!" And he kept going on and on, extremely intense in his ranting. Then another cadet yelled out, "You can't handle the truth!" The whole class busted out laughing.

[@MrFlintlock7]

IcantSignIn is arms wide!

[@mournblade1066]

Epic.

[@fastertrackcreative]

My solution, don't have many glass things 😆. I'm too clumsy for glass bowls.

[@thetruth45678]

Picard: "They speak in memes." Riker: "Memes?" Data: "Dank memes, to be precise."

[@axelhopfinger533]

Funnily enough, that's actually more appropriate than one would think. Their entire language practically consists of verbalized and codified memes of their myths and history.

[@teebob21]

@Charlie Sthill Senor Chang, when he allowed it, his hat brim wide.

[@drewesalahor4857]

Yoy speak in such eloquent ways

[@BlastinRope]

Sukat! His eyes uncovered!

[@julioverne579]

But how can we undank these memes,? - Tasha Yar. or Should we just fuck?

[@themadmallard]

The way Paul Winfield said "Darmok and Jelad on the ocean," was always compelling to me, selling that he was experiencing the metaphor on a personal level of describing a beautiful friendship from adversity.

[@dongilleo9743]

Him saying that line, the emotion in his voice, always makes me a little emotional.

[@jackburton6330]

I always thought it meant they escaped together victorious.

[@DavidMann10k]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYKbkHlsn76KrJY

[@nneisler]

Its almost metaphorical

[@teebob21]

@@jackburton6330 Darmok and Jelad, at Tanagra.

[@tonoornottono]

“Picard and Dathan at El-Adrel.” this episode got so much across. even the short story of darmok and jalad is incredibly moving. it takes real creativity to write this sort of thing and i’m just always so impressed with the situations that star trek can allow for.

[@hubbsllc]

Interestingly, the TNG creatives spent about two years trying to get this episode made and the script underwent a LOT of pencilwhipping. It was such a good core idea that they just couldn't let go of it and I think they eventually got the teleplay about as right as it could be.

[@martinlutherbling424]

"Tonoornottono... his eyes wide open !" Tonoornottono & MartinLutherbling on the ocean...their sails unfurled.

[@FraDonaghyMusic]

This episode perfectly sums up Gen X and Gen Z trying to communicate.

[@guyver6622]

Nice thing about Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra is that when you say it to someone, and they understand the reference, it confirms the point of Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra.

[@DanielAppleton-lr9eq]

Picard is, indirectly, part of the Epic of Gilgamesh.....

[@DP-hy4vh]

No one will ever unhear those immortal words; Darmok and Jalad at Tenagra.

[@Menaceblue3]

Temba his arms wide! 🤗

[@JoshSweetvale]

"Gilgamesh... and Enkidu. At Uruk." T_T

[@Anolaana]

Picard and Dathon, at El-Adrel.

[@TheRealTerranMarine]

The beast at Tanagra!

[@evm6177]

Wait, perfect strangers dropped on a unidentified planet and must fight the beast.. Sounds kinda like the exact plot for 'The Predators' right!?

[@joystickfigure6118]

An entire civilization that speaks only in memes.

[@cylontoaster7660]

Pepe, his palms raised up.

[@ThermalGoguh]

Soyjack, his mouth open

[@hollyibbotson5290]

And the walls fell

[@samsmith2635]

Eduard Khil, when he trololol'd kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqKZqqOemb-bi6M

[@EmArgh]

Kappa his face need punch

[@iyziejane]

Imagine teaching Tamarian students physics so that they can be warp engineers. "Good morning class. Newton, with the moon, and the apple. Einstein, with the universe, and the math. Test on Monday."

[@hubbsllc]

🤣🤣🤣

[@martinlutherbling424]

🎯😄😄😄😂😂

[@esean1]

The late Paul Winfield. What a great actor! Also well known for playing the ill-fated Captain Terrell in WRATH OF KHAN among many other things.

[@Rikerish]

Agreed, one of the best guest performances in all of trek.

[@Ronald_Custard]

He was also In Terminator as a cop interviewing reece

[@tsukikrieger8467]

Excellent

[@kingsman8475]

We was the cousin of William Marshall, aka Dr. Richard Daestrom from the " Ultimate Computer."

[@markkringle9144]

Also the trial judge in “Presumed innocent.”

[@jospenner9503]

The final scene of Picard holding the dagger and remembering what his friend did for him and feeling regret and gratitude all at the same time, is why this is the greatest show in history.

[@graphkid]

I hope if they ever make another Star Trek they bring back this species to open a full connection to the federation

[@Trepidity]

@@graphkid that would be pretty awesome.

[@evm6177]

Wait, perfect strangers dropped on a unidentified planet and must fight the beast.. Sounds kinda like the exact plot for 'The Predators' right!?

[@EpochDarkleaf]

@@graphkid i think they had a member join the Federation in Lower Decks

[@hubbsllc]

Easy to choke up at least a little at that scene. Picard entered the bridge ready and able to speak Tamarian well enough to communicate to the alien crew in a way that was meaningful in context and it was acted in a way that showed he understood Dathon's sacrifice.

[@theodorerosen8854]

One of the best TNG episodes. Simple but perfect story about a person willing to give his life to ensure communication between peoples.

[@davwad2]

Definitely in my top ten!

[@kevinh891]

I agree one of my favorites....

[@spiritsplice]

Very poorly executed with completely impossible concept.

[@That_AMC_Guy]

@@spiritsplice Agreed. Still, pretty good for a fan-written episode confined to a 47-minute TV show. Probably a lot more exciting than Data trying to absorb several thousand years of Tamarian folklore.

[@teebob21]

And, as it turned out, theirs was a civilization that communicated entirely with memes and references.

[@bryanstephens6838]

Paul Winfield was a Gem . This episode made you think about it long after you watched it. It really defined Picard's character in the series,and outlined the difficulties of first contact.

[@mikehigbee2320]

Finally, some aliens who behave in a strange alien way, not just like humans with head ridges.

[@henrimatisse7481]

I disagree, Klingons are totally a warrior civilisation, even their women. You have to admit they are fascinating. The only for profit people are great too. That obsession with ears. Even the Betazeds and the nudity thing. Interesting that most aliens take one thing about humans and take as a model but there was the episode about the planters of the civilizations. All those people came from one idea

[@mikehigbee2320]

@@henrimatisse7481 I hear you. Nevertheless, they are all pretty relatable and easy to understand. I thought this episode was a different level of alien, or at least something I hadn't seen before.

[@Trepidity]

they did have head ridges though. I love this episode. its my favorite. I agree though, often the aliens are all the same-ish.

[@razvansfirlogea3134]

@@henrimatisse7481 A warrior civilisation becoming space faring was always very funny to me. How would you even get to have nerds and scientists developing warp when all your civilisation cares about is fighting and killing xD

[@HellOnWheel]

My father and I shared a lot of inside jokes related to Star Trek. Picard's Shakespearean delivery of "Metaphor!" was one of them.

[@FuzzyElf]

Metta-foah!

[@HeathenSWolf]

I didn't understand nothing when I saw this episode way back when. Since then I've grown and now see that it's an amazing idea and an episode.

[@ColinRichardson]

His eyes uncovered

[@MG-xy2sd]

@@ColinRichardson 😂

[@ImranChaudhry]

That is a great thing about Star Trek - you can see new things in old episodes over time.

[@MeNoOther]

This episode is essentially the movie Enemy Mine. Stargate used this plot in the episode where Daniel Jackson met an Unas

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

A classic setup. Two enemies/rivals working together against a common enemy.

[@SodiumWage]

This was always my all-time favorite Star Trek episode from any series. I love language and the issue presented here of two species trying to communicate with each other is handled masterfully. I also love that there isn't a "villain" in the episode, just two sides separated by a challenging language difficulty. In my opinion this episode epitomizes what Star Trek was all about: peaceful exploration of ideas.

[@nicholassmith7984]

It's probably one of the most quinesentially 'Star Trek' episodes of The Next Generation.

It's a bad idea, badly executed, and makes no sense.

[@JK-Visions]

Always remined me of enemy mine the movie with 2 crashed enemy starships.

[@TFZ.]

@@JK-Visions YEAH!!

[@cush6827]

I liked the very last scene of Picard's final salute with the dagger at the window of his ready room.

[@grayden4138]

This episode produced one of the greatest memes of all time: The T-shirt design of Picard playing a guitar and 'Darmok and Jelad at Tenagra' is the "concert". Classic.

[@YesterdaysMoose]

Consider this episode from the "beast's" prospective: *Two aliens invade its home and begin attacking it for no reason.*

[@FuzzyElf]

It was just inviting them to tea and badminton!

[@superfrogsgaming]

Tbh i thought the "beast" was just a hologram from the alien ship energy field

[@superfrogsgaming]

nope youre right its a non sentient energy creature native to el adrel 4

[@asamushroomcloud]

England and America, almost everywhere

[@bigbuddahboy18]

@@asamushroomclouddamn straight, and don’t you forget about it 🦅🇺🇸

[@rickbase833]

Well I gotta say that the dialog of this episode was far richer than the episode where Geordi is kidnapped by the Pakleds......but at least he made the Pakled ship strong.

[@YnseSchaap]

🤣

[@GrumpyMcfart]

He is smart!

[@allenharper2928]

He made it go. Pakleds like things that make them go.

[@YnseSchaap]

@@allenharper2928 And big helmets

[@mtoinma]

@@allenharper2928 we look for things to make us go!

[@danielclawson2099]

I never liked this episode as a youth: its impossible to communicate by metaphor (very abstract) without knowing words (concrete/atomic) and sentences (modular) first. Now, as an adult, trying to teach my children vital concepts that have no direct definition.... I appreciate it more.

[@neilkurzman4907]

We don’t realize how often we use metaphors and phrases, instead of actually saying what we mean. Which is difficult for someone learning the language because it’s not in the dictionary. If you translate it directly it doesn’t mean anything. “That’s cool” It’s not a warning about the temperature of an object.

[@danielclawson2099]

@@neilkurzman4907 This

[@agaeus]

You hit the nail on the head ;)

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

Just think about the amount of memes that have almost become common speech.

[@neilkurzman4907]

@@HappyBeezerStudios Not just memes, pop-culture. Move like Jagger Go postal. Idioms Take a hike Take a short, walk off a long pier I’ve got to take off.

[@mikeforester3963]

A brilliant approach to the point that words alone don't make a language.

[@jasonsullivan4579]

This episode also introduced Picard's Captain jacket. It also followed my favorite episodes of Redemption I and II about the Klingon civil war between Duras sisters/Romulans and the new Chancellor Gowron.

[@aikrichter5403]

i always wanted a jacket like that since i saw it the first time,ages ago. best looking piece of uniform in the whole franchise

[@mrsjr78]

I always remember the jacket from this episode. I wish they utilized it more in later episodes

[@JanRichter1977]

i wanna by one! here is a picture of fry saying stop talking take my Mony!

[@markuhler2664]

Such a good episode. The inventive language used, the explanation on why the universal translator is a miracle, but mostly Paul Winfield's captain willing, even wanting, to give his life to establish friendship between people.

[@michaelsublet3283]

Talking in Metaphors only works if you Both have the same point of reference.

[@magicmulder]

A lot of English expressions are metaphors. “Don’t rain on my parade.” Theoretically it even works without you knowing what a parade is if you learned what it means.

[@breadtoast1036]

thats the whole point of the episode no was able to understand them even tho they used a universal translator, that was until picard understood it was metaphors and very quickly try to get background on some of the metaphors in order to communicate. we could translate their language into english but not translate the metaphor into a working language, i bet after this starfleet put into works on upgrading translator for such unique circumstances

[@martinlutherbling424]

​@@breadtoast1036the "metaphor app"

[@au1317]

I've always loved thinking about how much inflection and emotion in your voice impact the way this language would be if it were real

[@daydreamer8662]

Mandarin does that to a small degree

[@mechanomics2649]

The conlang hymnos, of the Ar Tonelico games, sees emotion as a direct core of its language; regardless of dialect. One dialect in particular, The New Testament of Pastalie, fits this to a T with its "emotion banks". A word contains emotion banks (.) throughout it where upon you can use a base word to write a whole sentence. For example, the word "sing" is h.m.m.r. We use emotion vowels to communicate how we feels about singing. hEm.m.r. means "I am happy to sing." hEmEm.r. means "I am very happy to sing." hOm.m.r. means "I sing in anger.". There is a lot more complexity to it but it's an example. Whole songs, that you can find on KZbin, called hymns can be sung using this language as well as the other dialects.

[@MegaFragmagnet]

Darmok is my favorite episode of STNG ever. Its such a good story and so meaningful.

[@oldestgamer]

And the Ressikan Flute epi, both really taking STN to new worlds

[@2ManyGoats]

Thanks for this. A friend recently told me he has not seen anything before Enterprise. This right here will be a perfect introduction to the best of TNG!

[@Write-Stuff]

Oh man, what a poor way to be introduced to Star Trek. I believe one should at the very least start with TNG.

[@RegularSizeRick]

The moment when the Enterprise tries to beam Picard away just after he grasps how their language works is so frustrating.

[@martinlutherbling424]

Shaka. When the walls fell.

[@thetruth45678]

Picard is teleported away. Two seconds later... Riker: "Block their transport!" Worf: "But... it moves at the speed of light, sir. He was gone before your mind could comprehend it." Riker: "... I knew that."

[@sandozdelysid]

The universal translator has limits

[@axelhopfinger533]

The very fact that an universal translator can even function with a completely unknown species without first receiving extensive training and data collection , since it lacks all initial points of reference, is the most unrealistic thing about it.

[@philwright4826]

@@axelhopfinger533 True, at least ST:Enterprise tackled this subject a bit better with them needing Hoshi

[@sidhayes6168]

The more times you watch the episode, the better it gets !

[@Serviervorschlag-]

It is a very touching episode but they also could come on board and teach the crew their way to speak without causing someone's death.

[@Rikerish]

Very true. But I guess -Romulans- Tamarians are into drama.

[@DeetotheDubs]

I was under the impression it was both for the drama and under the idea that the necessity to cooperate would speed up Picard's understanding.

[@axelhopfinger533]

And how exactlywould they do that without being unable to declare no hostile intent and provoking a defensive reaction?

[@ps36081]

That's what the California Class did after. Second Contact

[@tenofprime]

​@@ps36081 exactly, the first contact attempts before had been unsuccessful because the universal translator is useless. In all likelihood this captain was chosen because he is skilled at communicating with other races, when the normal approach failed he resorted to a more drastic approach. It cost him his life but he succeeded.

[@sfk1066]

This episode had such an "Enemy Mines" vibe too.

[@phL274]

Oh my God, there's a character in Skyrim named Temba Wide-Arms. She "takes" Bear-pelts from you, the beasts she wants you to cut down.

[@Tanto83]

I always found it interesting that a society could create a warp capable civilization using only metafors.

[@teebob21]

The goggles; they do nothing!!

[@dacsus]

That's why this episode doesn't really make sense. Because for engineering you need a concrete vocabulary, and precise expression - the same in science.

[@teebob21]

@@dacsus Dascus, the memes his ally. Dascus merely adopting the language of memes. Tamaria, born in it; molded by it. Tamaria, their studies strong.

[@dacsus]

@@teebob21 and now try to explain quantum mechanic with metaphors only. Or something not so complicated - Newton laws or Pythagorean theorem.

[@teebob21]

@@dacsus Quantum mechanics is already so complicated and inexplicable that it's already described either in metaphors, allegories, or nearly impenetrable calculus and field theory equations. Thank you for proving my point for me that incredibly complex topics and ideas can be communicated using imprecise language.

[@antoniusblantranderozari5325]

I hope a beautiful story like this one will inspire Terry & Co to write their own and make a memorable one. This episode worth to be revisited even after 20 plus years.

[@tymcat]

Thank you for posting this summary! This episode marks the split between Star Trek and Star Wars. It is truly “Roddenberian,” at a very high level. I hope to see continuations of this message in my lifetime. Star Trek was a means of conveying Subrosa messages of integrity and wisdom and slipping them under the door of censorship and commerce. It started in the Cold War era - now we face even greater threats and the ST franchise has succumbed to commerce. Perhaps humanity needs one more war to ascend (or descend?) to common understanding. Rather Prime Directive than - "May the Force be with you". btw - I love SW too - as an escape, a world in its own, a perfect-picture fairy tale of... idk... as a good night story with knights, princesses, war lords, a mystical force, impossible light sabres, banthas, star castles, wise ...um... dwarfs. A cinematic marvel - much more than ST - fantastic imagery, epic music, iconic figures & creatures, even language gimmicks, which can be transposed into almost all languages: Yoda-speak 😂😘

[@icebeam23860]

I loved this episode so much. Thanks for the upload. I wish they made another episode with them in it.

[@kwokwinghong6370]

Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel!

[@argonwheatbelly637]

First time I saw this, I thought the universal translator had a stroke. Still love it.

[@Machuell_DuLac]

Basically, "My face when..." the episode.

[@originaldarkwater]

I've come to realize in recent years that what these people are doing is communicating in memes, just in spoken word rather than images. If I were to say "Cringing Drake: Picard seasons 1&2, Happy Drake: Picard season 3" any internet denizen would instantly know exactly what I meant, while it would be very mysterious to my mother.

[@goatwarrior3570]

Now try to explain that meme to your mother without the use of any images and using only metaphors. You'll soon learn why this language is nonsense.

[@joeschmo622]

Gilgamesh and Enkidu, at Uruk.

[@martinlutherbling424]

joeschmo622... his eyes wide open.

[@A.rtificial-I.nclusion]

God I love rewatching bits of my childhood like this show, God I love them. :)

[@Rekuzan]

This episode is second only to the one with the Pakleds "We look for things....things that make us go!"

[@Lord-Gazimus]

They were far from home.

[@infernothegreat1041]

I kept wanting to say TIMON AND PUMBAA!

[@anthonyrussell0912]

One of my favourites. Amazing episode

[@Ailsworth]

This episode makes me weep

[@LarryJohnson-in1xi]

GREAT ACTOR PAUL WINFIELD AS THE TAMARIAN. TIMBER HIS ARMS OPEN WIDE

[@YnseSchaap]

Great episode it always reminds me of the movie Enemy Mine. Not sure which one was first though

[@magicmulder]

Enemy Mine was 1985. Years before TNG.

[@YnseSchaap]

@@magicmulder Thank you

[@zulerodoeht329]

This episode and "The Inner Light" are by far the 2 best episodes of the entire run.

[@halfsourlizard9319]

100% ... some really beautiful story-telling that gets us to care about the characters and what they're experiencing.

[@daydreamer8662]

I would add "There are FOUR lights" (I don't remember the name of the two-parter)

[@zulerodoeht329]

@@daydreamer8662 Chain of Command is the name of the 2 parter. Yes, I agree another excellent 2 episodes.

[@halfsourlizard9319]

@@daydreamer8662 Oh, that too! David Warner FTW! (Oh, crap: Just realised that he died last year.)

[@daydreamer8662]

@@halfsourlizard9319 I remember watching him when the first Tron came out. He was so wickedly evil, almost a Bond villain.

[@FlamingLily]

A beautiful episode, and a fantastic abridged version that truly does it justice. It's a shame that Picard's telling of the Epic wasn't in here though

[@seanbarron2890]

Rewatching this I can see Dathon's second in command is just like Riker. What on first viewing seems like agression towards the Enterprise was in fact anger at his captain when he told him what he was going to do, beam down to the planet and put himself in danger. Riker never liked Picard going on away team missions and always felt the captain should stay safe to command the ship.

[@martinlutherbling424]

Good observation.

[@funnyusername8635]

Probably my favorite one off from any science fiction series. Reminds me of something you would have heard on the X Minus One radio show.

[@lightyagami1752]

Picard at the start: "Vader, by the sea, his jug overflowing." Picard in the middle: "Raptor, its talon poised on chin." Picard by the end: "DeVito, his face relieved."

[@SSJ3Mewtwo]

I was sent here by Seth Myers. And it reminded me so much of just why TNG was so very awesome.

[@BlueGoblin1]

Part of why i liked enterprise was the fact that Hoshi had to actually figure out new languages rather than using the universal plot device.

[@j.w.calinger9816]

There's been an element of that in "Strange New Worlds", with Cadet Uhura figuring things out for Captain Pike.

[@immortalfrieza]

I liked in Enterprise that everybody acted like real people instead of being overly dramatic, being pompous and stuck up, or both.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

​@@immortalfrieza Plus they genuinely had to work hard to prevent stepping on everyones feet. And yet Porthos peed on the holy tree. Was it the best series? Good question. But it surely wasn't bad. I felt the whole Xindi conflict was stretched out longer than necessary, but we got new enemies. And Season 4 had some really good plots.

[@JK-Visions]

Loved this episode! Because i am not a native english speaker it took me a few rewatches at the time to understand what was happening;) Thanks for your great video:)

[@iamfritz]

Not only one of the best overall Star Trek episodes, some of the all time best science fiction stories of all time.

[@spiritsplice]

Love all these fake comments from fake accounts.

[@iamfritz]

@@spiritsplice Well mine is a Fritz comment from a Fritz account.

[@rocjones6543]

"His eyes uncovered "😊

[@Volvican]

It's so cool my algorithm brought me to this.

[@chuckselvage3157]

Excellent episode to explore strange new worlds definitely described this.

[@NobleReliance]

My high school speech teacher used this episode as a way to explain language barriers. Brilliant shit.

[@ExplodingPiggy]

This is the same reason why Google is terrible at translating Japanese into English

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

After some time you learn to understand the distinct ways it deals with metaphors and double meaning.

[@ExplodingPiggy]

@@HappyBeezerStudios ....or you could just get the joke

[@infernothegreat1041]

Shaka when the wall fell

[@nervchemnitz]

Shaka, when speaking Japanese fell.

[@freesk8]

@@nervchemnitz Yamamoto, when his Betty crashed.

[@philippebarillecavalier9275]

First time I watched it, it was rather cringe (feeling the exasperation of Picard!). Now that I see it again, it's marvellous!

[@Robert_Manners]

It is one of the best episode of the series in my view. I agree with you about the need to watch it more than once to fully understand and appreciate it 🎉

[@robertmatch6550]

I remember enjoying it when it aired.

[@kevinthomas2622]

"Sukat...his eyes uncovered" Love that line❤

[@nonyabiz9487]

This episode and the one where the big green lizard dude throws the foam boulder at Kirk are the two greatest Star Trek of all time! No other comes close to its epic greatness... SHAKA when the walls fell indeed.

[@cppursel]

Something I have always liked about this episode is that the Children of Tama, despite the uniqueness of their language, seem to actually have a marginally higher level of technological development than the Federation. As a fictitious alien race, I find the Tamarians impressive in more general terms; like the Klingons, it seems they have not abandoned the trappings of a heroic age, one with myths, legends, and bladed melee weapons, but unlike the Klingons, they have a more agreeable temperament and, so far as anyone knows, do not wage wars of aggression. It's too bad that we haven't seen more Tamarians in canonical Star Trek.

[@freelancenerd4804]

One of the greatest episodes of Star Trek ever.

[@TheSupercat2468]

I've looking for this episode for years. "His eyes open"

[@kurtfisher1379]

Missing from these excellent clips is the scene in which Picard, realizing that the alien culture speaks in metaphors, begins reciting to the other captain "The Epic of Gilgamesh". Gilgamesh is a Mesopotamian poem from 3500 years ago that is the foundation for many Western themes, including the biblical flood, Hercules, and the Homeric adventures. Being unschooled in literature, I had no idea what the Epic was when this episode first aired; I tracked the Epic down; and it remains a favoured reading 20 years later. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_of_Gilgamesh?wprov=sfla1

[@argonwheatbelly637]

I loved that part, especially Picard reading Homer in Greek art the end. It IS better in the original, having read it in both English and Homeric Greek.

[@martijnspruit]

@@argonwheatbelly637 Just wait until you've read Hamlet in the original Klingon.

[@Rikerish]

Check out the description for a longer version. It has Picard's retelling of Gilgamesh and a lot more context!

[@martinlutherbling424]

😂😂😂 ha ha ha ha... Gill-Ghee-Mesh... ha ha.

[@mencken8]

Rather than a “cliff’s notes” version, the viewer should do themselves the favor of watching the whole episode, particularly since it’s one of the very best in STNG.

[@teebob21]

Zoomers with short attention spans gonna zoom.

[@HupfderFloh]

Gilgamesh, a king, at Uruk.

[@pjd4268]

I think this is my favorite episode.

[@RegularSizeRick]

It’s a top five without a doubt. Up there with Inner Light and Tapestry.

[@chefdean7257]

Darmok, at El Adril, abridged. 🤓

[@charliebirkner8729]

I always wanted so much more of this. Bah. The feels in 8 minutes.

[@Anth230]

The only episode where Picard wore the Captains Jacket with Leather Shoulder patches. The next time we see the Jacket, the patches are the same material (suede) like the rest of the Jacket...

[@teebob21]

Costumes, on a CBS budget.

[@charlesbowers8112]

Missed the best part, when Picard offers the knife and it's honorably refused.

[@Sund4nc3]

It takes serious acting skill and concentration to say these stupid lines without bursting in laughter

[@witchywoman165]

I always remember this episode , its iconic and probably the most memorable.

[@gregh7400]

Very compelling when Picard tells the story of Gilgamesh to a dying Capt Dathon.

[@Rikerish]

Check out the description for a 15m version w/ Picard's retelling of Gilgamesh and a lot more context!

[@higgme1ster]

I have Paramount Plus on my Roku and just found this to watch tonight. STTNG season 5 episone 2. Darmok Sep. , 30 1991. I was busy working swing and midnight shifts back then.

[@Technichian462]

This was one of the best episodes. This was what defined Star Trek for me. This is what was missing in ST: Picard, New Frontiers, and Discovery. Even ST:Enterprise was missing this. I think when Gene Roddenberry died, the heart of Star Trek did as well. The best thing to do now for Star Trek would be to turn all the paper backs into episodes. Screw original works, as long as the stories are good. I.e. “the Galactic Whirlpool” or (sorry, forgot the title) the one with the Doomsday machine, and a Ferengi Borg. And three Borg Cubes. Now that would be a great episode.

[@KyrosX27]

Creed, with arms wide open.

[@joshDammmit]

“…can’t say, #1… but at least they’re not new enemies.” Utterly brilliant Star Trek.

[@Uriksixteen]

The youtube video on the recommendation, thumbs raised!

[@kennethyazelle7544]

He was warning everyone, that somehow Palpatine will return.

[@Lord-Gazimus]

As to why? Simply: "Somehow..."

[@teebob21]

Sidious, in the Senate chambers.

[@scottmatheson3346]

​@@teebob21 the senate, in the senate chambers

[@sharkdentures3247]

Great performances, great concept, great working depth. Basically, just a great episode!

[@graphkid]

This just shows that we all can make a connection it just takes time and an open mind best episode

[@pmarreck]

The deep dive into a completely different linguistic foundation that befuddled even their automatic translation was brilliant.

[@KingLouisII]

Neat idea. I know it's not the point of the episode, but i could never reconcile how a language like that could develop. They would still have to understand traditional words and speech patterns to vocalize and understand the metaphors.

They *use* "traditional words" here even… "Darmok *and* Jalad *at* Tanagra". This episode makes no fuckin' sense. Hate it.

[@teebob21]

Memes, when the cats have cheeseburgers.

[@HoLd_My_Beer_Thanks]

Brilliant episode, how two individual cultures with different languages and concepts of communications manages to overcome adversity! - Just superb! 👏👏...”His eyes are uncovered” 😊

[@dereklarner6298]

I always wondered if the federation ever managed to unravel the language enough that formal relations could be established.

[@eyo8766]

Kayshon. When he became a puppet

[@ryanspencer6778]

Kayshon is a Tamarian on Lower Decks that serves in security on the ship. He speaks in a way that the universal translator understands, mostly. That's less than 20 years after this episode.

[@XavierKatzone]

Back in those classic TV alien environs of Southern California, eh?

[@EricMcConnaughey]

Gotta stay within that Thirty Mile Zone.

[@Sliferzero]

This Episode was Awesome my friends. Thanks.