First Time Watching ALL of Star Trek - Episode 39: Journey to Babel (TOS S2E10)

[@ugothereur]

So much fun watching trekkies being born right in front of my eyes.

[@alanr4447a]

Better when they don't have to resort to a Caesarian section.

[@woidonmiguel1]

that is the real charm of this channel, that they are and don't really know how deep the well is and how beloved it is going to be.

[@fredklein3829]

I like how Alex is developping afterglow for certain episodes -- a mark of a true fan.

[@Panzer4F2]

They will be assimilated. Their cultural and technological ability will be added to the collective. Still a few years before that though ...

[@sarahfullerton6894]

One cool little detail I have always loved: when Spock and Sarek are in sick-bay, going through the operation and blood donation, the clear transfusion tubes show green "blood" going through the tubes!

[@aliceharper707]

When Amanda slapped Spock, Jane Wyatt actually slapped him hard. She was definitely a method actress. I loved her in lost horizons.

[@brandonflorida1092]

It was stated a couple of times in the reaction that Vulcan's don't have emotions. This is incorrect. In fact, they have very strong, sometimes violent emotions. This is precisely why they adopted a tradition of suppressing them.

[@Paul_Waller]

The computer voice says "Correct!"

[@Paul_Waller]

I think Spock ocationally talks about how violent Vulcan history was. And about Surak, the ancient leader of the total logic and emotion suppression movement that saved their race from destroying themselves. Or something like that. The Savage Curtain in Season 3 touches on this too.

[@woidonmiguel1]

and you do see Sarak's emotion when his wife reaches out to him and he returns the gesture. It is just very subtle and perfectly Vulcan.

[@countgeekula9143]

Yup. They can be dangerously emotional which is why they learned how to suppress them so effectively. But now and then they do surface.

[@daniel385]

At the time this episode originally aired, it wasn't clear at all the Vulcans had emotions and were suppressing them. The Cage (Menagerie flashbacks), The Naked Time, and Amok Time gave us clues, but it really was vague. I may be missing something. That made it fantastic in my opinion.

[@vincentsaia6545]

"Neither Vulcan nor human. At home nowhere." How many of us have felt as Spock did growing up?

[@applcinamn]

And some network honchos thought the character wouldn't appeal because he was "Satanic" looking. They had no idea. I think another reason why so many of us loved "the big 3" (besides the actor portrayals, character interplay and chemistry) was how we related to each of them, even as kids. We wanted to be like Kirk, strong, heroic and larger-than-life. We identified with Spock's dual nature and his being the alien, the different one. And McCoy, I think, was the closest to being like the viewer, like the way most of us would probably react in those situations.

[@LeutnantJoker]

Definitely one of the most iconic episodes of the show, and a LOT of the things of this episode will come back later :)

[@RicheeRich101]

Jane Wyatt was a big star in the 50’s. She won several Emmys as the mother in the 1950s series “father knows best “. Her costar was Elinor Donahue, who played her daughter. Elinor Donahue was in the last episode, “metamorphosis “. Mark Lenard was an Interesting guy. I met him a couple of times in the 70s, and he acted and talked just like Sarek in person. He always address me as “young man “. One of my most prized possessions was an autograph he made for me where he doodled a cartoon of the Romulan warbird spaceship firing phasers at my name. Unfortunately, I lost it along with everything else in the fire.

[@handsolo1209]

Did you meet him before he was in Buck Rogers? In my mind he is Sarek and the guy who took his own head off.

[@a.g.marshall2191]

Played a Romulan, Vulcan, and a Klingon (in ST:TMP), but I'll always remember him as Aaron Stempel in "Here Come the Brides."

[@majkus]

Outside Trek, perhaps her most prominent fantasy role (sort of) was as Ronald Coleman's love interest in 1937's "Lost Horizons". She lived to see the age of 95 - who needs Shangri-La anyway?

[@Vulcanerd]

Aw, I’m sorry to hear about your memorabilia (and the other things) destroyed in the fire, but what a memory. Sarek, along with Martok, are probably my favorite characters outside of the main casts. I would have loved to have met Mr Lenard.

[@powerbad696]

I've been watching episodes of Father Knows Best,really enjoying it and The Donna Reed Show.Didn't know Jane Wyatt was a star in the 50s or that Elinor Donahue was in-Metamorphosis as an adult.Good info.

[@christopherthorkon3997]

D.C. Fontana (Dorothy Fontana) wrote this episode and others too. She was loved by fans for her great storytelling ability. She also worked as a producer and story editor (briefly) on Star Trek -- The Next Generation. She also wrote for Star Trek Deep Space Nine and even wrote the script for the fan film Star Trek : New Voyages ("To Serve All My Days"). She died in 2019.

[@robphillips1797]

D.C. Fontana! What a great writer! We get political intrigue, the generation gap, murder mystery, difficult decisions, all in a tense, taut drama. This episode never bores me, even after repeated viewings! 🖖

[@Lethgar_Smith]

Basically began as Gene's secretary she began doctoring scripts and eventually moved up to full blown writer. As script supervisor and story editor she was in the unique position to add all kinds of world building to the episode scripts. Clearly she had a fascination with Spock and the Vulcans.

[@WUStLBear82]

And just at the end of the era when women writers often used their initials or male pen names to confound mostly male executives in film and publishing. In the DS9 episode _Far Beyond the Stars_ , Nana Visitor's secondary character is a nod to women SF writers like Andre (actually Alice Mary) Norton and James Tiptree Jr. (Alice Bradley Sheldon), as Avery Brooks' character was to Black writers.

[@Panzer4F2]

This is quality television. It is after repeated viewings that I am able to notice and appreciate the little details that usually just fly by.

[@Asher8328]

Easily a top 10 episode for me, as I'm sure for many others. BTW, Mark Lenard is the only person to ever play a Romulan (he was the commander in "Balance of Terror"), a Vulcan, and a Klingon (he has a cameo-sized role in ST: The Motion Picture). But he seems born to play Spock's dad, and yes, you will see him again, just not in TOS.

[@alanr4447a]

I think the Romulan commander was Sarek's twenty-third cousin, six times removed, so naturally they look alike! ;) They'd gone through six more generations on the Romulan side, as Romulans don't tend to live as long, since when they get older they tend to settle into a rather sedimentary [sic] lifestyle. Conversely, Zephram Cochrane's Companion tends to be more metamorphic, while the Horta and the Scalvians from "The Savage Curtain" lean more toward igneous, although the latter also have their metamorphic aspect.

[@dangussin7524]

One thing to keep in mind, Vulcans have very strong emotions that almost lead to their own destruction. The Teachings of a spiritual leader named Surak showed Vulcans how to control emotions and use logic as a means for self discipline. So Amanda did not marry a person without feelings, but a person who has a very disciplined mind and spirit Thank you both for a great channel!!! Love your work ! Live long and prosper

[@majkus]

D. C. Fontana, who wrote this episode, also penned an episode of animated series which is a spiritual sequel to this.

[@shallowgal462]

Or prequel?

[@tjkhanks]

I love that episode of the series. It makes me feel like a kid again.

[@rttoonist4275]

Yesteryear is definitely a must watch episode - it's one of Spock's most crucial character building moments. Ironically it's also one of the most emotional tear-jerky and relatably human Star Trek stories given that it's supposedly about a freaky emotionless alien. Anybody can identify with what Spock went through.

[@tranya327]

Yes. I consider 'Yesteryear' essentially tied with 'City on the edge of forever' for the single greatest 'official' Trek adventure that features the original cast. That's remarkable: You'd think that a crudely-animated 30-minute episode could in no way compete with 'City,' the best episode of the original series (in a one-hour format, and with live action)... even though it does. :)

[@anthonyleecollins9319]

I sometimes forget how good this episode is. Top tier. It's several of the things Trek does best, all in one episode, and not rushed. (Also, since Starfleet is theoretically about peace, it's nice to see the emphasis on diplomacy.) Plus, "Miss Jane Wyatt" (as she's listed in the credits) is so good in this episode.

[@tjkhanks]

I agree! Definently in the top 3 of the series for me. 😊

[@mikejankowski6321]

I never forget how good this one is. Probably my favorite of them all.

[@tjkhanks]

@SpaceAce100 No, not TWOK, TVH.

[@snr9365]

This might be my favorite episode. I just love Spock so much. And this episode is a powerhouse that packs in so much character and emotional development, as well as a tense and complex plot. Mark Leonard as Sarek is pitch perfect. The overall dilemma and conclusion is satisfying both for plot and emotional reasons. I love that our heroes are backed into a corner in two different capacities: they have the real danger of the mystery assassin, but also the equally real predicament of Vulcan cultural norms that prevent Spock from "illogically" saving his father. Just terrific. Kirk has to outsmart both! Look out for this episode's writer D.C. Fontana to pop up again in the titles -- she wrote some bangers. And she really loves and gets the Spock character. Her animated series episode "Yesteryear" might be tied with this one as the best Vulcan culture and worldbuilding episode.

[@Vulcanerd]

Spock is my favorite Trek character so I have to rank this high as well. I love everything about it. It’s a bit of drama, a whodunit mystery, space action all rolled into one along with everything you mentioned. One of the finest, for sure.

[@katoracle]

I showed my 9 year old "Yesteryear" a few months ago, and he said it was just as good as some of the best live action episodes.

[@robabiera733]

Both DC Fontana and Theodore Sturgeon deserve a huge amount of credit for the worldbuilding they did in "Amok Time" and "Journey To Babel". But it was Leonard Nimoy's performance as Spock that really laid the groundwork for all of that. I could even go so far as to say that an argument could be made that if it weren't for the breakout popularity of Nimoy as Spock, the powers-that-be behind Star Trek might not have found Vulcan to be worth developing further. It certainly was one of the reasons why these episodes focused so prominently on Spock.

[@katoracle]

@@robabiera733 If you ask me, Spock is the single most important character of the franchise. The top five rounded out by Kirk, McCoy, Picard, and Sisko.

[@snr9365]

@@katoracle He's right!

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

Sarek is one of the very best secondary characters in Star Trek. Mark Lenard plays him with such a noble and wise bearing, whose dedication to peace through diplomacy is wholly admirable. It makes one forget he was only a 7 years older than Leonard Nimoy. The character of Sarek was a very popular one all through the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. In an interview, Mark Lenard's children said many people would come up to him to tell him that Sarek was a role model and led them to choose diplomatic careers.

[@AT4W]

This episode is definitely one of the most important for Trek lore - introducing a lot of elements like Spock's parents but also some of the internal politics of the Federation, various races like the Tellarites and Andorians, with stuff especially being interesting when you reach the prequel series Enterprise and see some of the foundations of the Federation.

[@Blazingstoke]

Fun Fact: Amanda's maiden name is Grayson, and she's a descendant of Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle. (This is not explicitly mentioned in the series, but one of the movies has Spock refer to Doyle as "an ancestor of mine".)

[@zoppie]

It's possible that director Nick Meyer was trying to imply that Spock was a descendant of Holmes himself, as both are fictional characters and he did also direct _The Seven Percent Solution._

[@Blazingstoke]

@@zoppie I'm sure that movie was the inspiration for the line, but the Star Trek universe is one where Doyle was real and Holmes is fictional, so Spock would have to be referring to the former.

[@Swiftbow]

@@Blazingstoke No, it's a figure of speech, not an explanation of his family tree. Spock is good at deducing things, so was Holmes. Thus, Holmes is his "ancestor."

[@Dionpitman]

One of my favourite episodes. We finally get to meet Spock's parents and both Mark Lenard and Jane Wyatt are excellent performers who completely sell their parts. Also the Andorians and Tellarites are introduced, expanding the scope of the Federation. As for the Orions, they are the aliens with green skin. The Talosians turned Vina into one back in The Menagerie. 6:11 Spock was born in 2230 and this episode is set in 2267, making Spock 37 years old

[@ronaldfinkelstein6335]

Kirk and S p.o ck are close in age...as Shatner and Nimoy were

[@Dionpitman]

@@ronaldfinkelstein6335 Spock is three years older than Kirk, but IRL Shatner was born four days before Nimoy.

[@ronaldfinkelstein6335]

@@Dionpitman My statement is still valid. I did not specify which was born first, nor how close their ages were.

[@Dionpitman]

@@ronaldfinkelstein6335 oh I wasn’t meaning to imply your statement wasn’t valid, just thought the birth order, age gaps etc of both characters and actors were an interesting topic to post about

[@scgreek1114]

I just finished watching the "Enterprise" episode "Babel One" from 2005, complete with Andorians and Tellarites. Such an underrated series.

[@LeutnantJoker]

I loved that series and Captain Archer. They had really cool plans for future seasons, including giving the ship an engineering section in a refit. They really did that show dirty with the early cancellation and that horrible finale.

[@andycooper6085]

@@LeutnantJoker The novels make sense of the finale.. relying on the fact it takes place in a holodeck.

[@m.e.3862]

I really liked how they addressed the combative nature of the Tellerites and it makes the actions of the character in this episode normal. I loved when Archer shit talks back to the ambassador and the guy smiles because he appreciates it. And they also fixed the mask too!

[@auckalukaum]

Humans, Vulcans, Tellarites (the pig guys) and Andorians (blue dudes with the antennas) were the founding members of the Federation. The Federation is sort of like the United Nations, and Starfleet is its naval/military arm. Tellarites like to argue as part of their culture and consider good insults to be compliments. Andorians come from an ice moon and are kind of like friendly Romulans, very secretive and militant but honorable. The prequel show Enterprise does a LOT of background stuff on the founding races. In the TOS era, starships are built by Earth with Vulcan technology for the warp drive and Andorian-built weapons. Sarek and Amanda both come back in the TOS films as well as Discovery and the 2009 reboot series, and Sarek comes back in TNG. The actor who plays Sarek here (Mark Lenard) also played the Romulan commander in Balance of Terror, and a Klingon captain in The Motion Picture. He was the first (and maybe still the only) actor to play a Vulcan, a Romulan, and a Klingon.

[@reichensperger1847]

If "I, Mudd" was written specifically for Alex, this one was specifically written for Josh. It's by the same writer who wrote his favorite, "This Side of Paradise," the brilliant D. C. Fontana (she also gave us "Charlie X," "Tomorrow is Yesterday," etc.). What she understood, probably more than any other writer of the show, is that good drama isn't based on danger or adventure, but on decision-making -- the pressure of having to make an impossible choice. And here she pulls off the feat of forcing both Kirk and Spock to make impossible choices -- between losing your father, losing your friend, losing your ship. When she left the series at the end of season 2, there was a noticeable drop in this artfully constructed human drama.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

Wrt the mother's change-in-attitude: When the operation is first brought up, it's more like it's an operation which Sarak probably needs "soon", but not necessarily "right now". And maybe Vulcan doctors would have other options, if the Enterprise had the time to contact them. But after his health has worsened, and she's facing a situation where either Sarak gets the operation right then, or he'll be dead within a day or two. When faced with "your husband will certainly die tomorrow", it's understandable that her priorities might change.

[@mikephillips8810]

Great reactions. I loved seeing your faces to the initial interactions between Spock and Sarek. And the McCoy moments at the end. Really enjoying your journey through the show.

[@photonicus]

20:32 Josh likes how they didn't try to do too much in this episode. 12:29 (flying butt- move) Also Josh: "Kirk.. you did too much"

[@alanr4447a]

4:46 "You couldn't pronounce the Vulcan name." Just what Spock said in "This Side of Paradise"!

[@davidsandy5917]

It is not surprising that a Vulcan name might not be pronounceable for a human. I studied Russian a few years back. There are a couple of letters in their alphabet that I cannot pronounce.

[@alanr4447a]

@@davidsandy5917 I think the Vulcan language(s) typically have a sound that's kind of a cross between a hearty guffaw and a sneeze. This evolved from an ancient Romulan form that was closer to a "raspberry".

[@garywillig5143]

Sarek is a major recurring character in Star Trek. He comes back for multiple movie appearances and even has an episode named after him. Amanda has fewer appearances than Sarek, but she is in 2 movies.

[@ice-iu3vv]

the orions btw, who spock referred to (i believe youll find the andorian imposter is an orion) you saw an orion as a green dancing girl in the menagerie. they are very recurring in trek lore

[@LeutnantJoker]

I wonder if they inspired the Twi'leks ;D

[@inhumanmusic1411]

Funny thing about this episode. The last episode you watched featured Eleanor Donoghue from Father Knows Best. This episode featured Jane Wyatt who played Eleanor's mother in the same show. A excellent episode to follow up this episode with would be Sarek from Star Trek: The Next Generation. A very emotional episode and some of Mark Lenard's finest acting ever seen.

[@momokomiyafuji396]

Amanda, Wife of Sarek was powerfully played by Jane Wyatt. Probably best known as the mom in Father Knows Best. Although she had a decade-spanning career in TV and movies. Sarek was Mark Lenard, who did indeed play the Romulan Commander in Balance of Terror. Sadly, Sarek and Amanda do not appear again in the original series. The next appearance of Sarek and Amanda was the 1973 Animated Series episode “Yesteryear” (an outstanding Star Trek episode by ANY standard. Just ignore the animation 😏). Sarek next appears solo in Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock. Sarek and Amanda are both in Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home. This was Jane Wyatt’s final appearance. Sarek’s final appearance in Classic Trek continuity was Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country. Mark Lenard returned as Sarek in Star Trek: The Next Generation for two episodes. “Sarek” (3x23) and “Unification Pt 1” (5x07). Unification wrapped up a character arc that spanned four decades. That should be some kind of record (Unification 1 & 2 also marks the return of Leonard Nimoy to the franchise). Man. You guys honestly have a LOT to look forward to. Except Seasons 1 & 2 of TNG. Don’t look forward to those. You’ll be amazed the show got more seasons. But season 3 on? Pretty much Fire! 🔥 😁

[@PrimeCircuit]

Sarek's tailor deserves a raise.

[@chiaraderrico8783]

One of the best episode: Sarek and Amanda are great, Spock's relationship with his father is incredible well written and adds depth to the character, an AMAZING pplitical-spy storyline and Bones breaking the 4th wall in the end. Pure classic star trek

[@bbser]

I don't know how you guys did it but even after countless viewings over 50+ years I almost always break down during the Amanda/Spock back and forth over Sarek. Journey To Babel is Star Trek treasure and I thought you did it justice reaction-wise.

[@williamjackson6705]

One of the best episodes of the series written by the late, great Dorothy Fontana. We lost her about 3 years ago. She also wrote an episode of the animated series called "Yesteryear" that explores Spock`s childhood. Hopefully you'll get to it. It has strong connections to this one. Yes, that is Mark Lenard who played the Romulan Commander in "Balance of Terror". He was also a bargaining chip Roddenberry used when Nimoy wanted a raise. Nimoy "accidentally" found a list of actors that they could use to replace him as Spock. The list was deliberately left in the open by Roddenberry & Lenard's name was at the top of it. Both Jane Wyatt & Mark Lenard reappear in later Trek.

[@TheSlysterII]

I am so looking forward to the rest of your reaction videos for this wonderful thing called Star Trek.

[@Rebel9668]

Funny thing to note. In the last episode the woman with the virus (Elinor Donahue) once played Betty Andersen, the oldest child on the long lived TV series "Father Knows Best". In this episode Spock's Mother (Jane Wyatt) played the Mother (Margaret Andersen) on "Father Knows Best" as well.

[@rightofcenter1977]

It's been a long time since I've watched this episode all the way through. This truly may be the best written episode of the series. This episode had multiple plots and it just kept you engaged the entire episode.

[@OpenMawProductions]

Mark Lenard will return both in an Animated Series episode as Sarek, but also in the Star Trek movies (3 4 and 6), and he makes two appearances in Star Trek TNG in episodes "Sarek" and "Unification, Part 1." Sarek is one of the few really strong Vulcan characters we get outside of Spock. A lot of the other actors who play Vulcan's didn't have the benefit that Mark Lenard had, he got to work directly with Leonard Nimoy. A lot of the actors who play Vulcan's in later series, unfortunately, seem to think that to be a Vulcan means to be either A. A robot, or B. An asshole. Spock and Sarek are both quite emotional, it's just under the surface or behind the eyes. Vulcans are not robots. They do have feelings, they just suppress them. That's another great moment from the episode where Sarek returns in TNG. One of the best acted moments by Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard). I'm glad you guys enjoyed this one. The original Trek is at its best when it provides an interesting conflict that is in someway directly rooted with the big three. The space action stuff is compelling here, but it's really every tidbit we get about Spock that makes this episode so good. A favorite little thing in this episode for me is the way Sarek and Amanda hold hands with two fingers. This idea came from Nimoy as the two actors were trying to figure out how they should relate to each other as husband and wife. This was all part of Nimoy's working theory that Vulcan's channel a lot of energy through their finger tips (hence mind melds and neck pinches.) So instead of whole-cloth holding hands we see this two finger thing... Which will also make a return in future episodes. Just little bits of world building that bring the whole thing to life.

[@LeutnantJoker]

Don't spoil surprise future experiences for them

[@OpenMawProductions]

@@LeutnantJoker I didn't. Literally nothing I said gives any specifics away at all, anymore than they already spoil things for themselves when they look up the episodes before watching.

[@iKvetch558]

Aw yeah!!! Another other of my favorites! I love how much worldbuilding goes on here...the new species we learn about, new lore for the Vulcans...and SO much backstory for Spock to fill out the character even more. 💯💯 And of course, the icing on the cake is the great Mark Lenard as Sarek...just pay no attention to the fact that he looks just like that Romulan. LOL

[@Lethgar_Smith]

DC Fontana did the majority of the world building

[@tjkhanks]

LOL it's just a coincidence that they looked the same. It was mostly due to the poor lighting and his hair. That's all. 😆

[@jefflong2101]

That's why Spock did the double-take when he saw the Romulan commander in Balance of Terror. Looks just like his old man.

[@applcinamn]

Well, they say everyone has a doppelganger. Sarek's just happened to be the Romulan Commander. ;) And Stonn's was Subcommander Decius, lol.

[@iKvetch558]

@@applcinamn That's right...I forgot about Stonn...he WAS there too. LOL

[@LeutnantJoker]

You'll find out more about the Orions in the future. They'll play a role all the way up til DS9 and Enterprise.

[@richardb6260]

They're used the most in Enterprise. I guess we could include Discovery, if we must.

[@woidonmiguel1]

@@richardb6260 please dont :P

[@tjkhanks]

This was an awesome reaction guys! You were both so enthralled with the story. It reminds me of the first time I saw this. Great reactions. Not sure if you are planning to watch the animated series, but they actually show Spock's pet selot, in probably the best episode of the series. BTW, Sarek is played by Mark Leonard, who did indeed play the Romulan Captain in Balance of Terror. Once again, loved your reactions, and can't wait for more. Thanks for undertaking this Star Trek project. It is a huge one, but very well worth it for you, and especially the fans.

[@noahbawdy3395]

One of my favorite episodes. We got to see so many alien members of the Federation for the first time.

[@Kunsoo1024]

The guy playing Sarek - I forget his name - did play the Romulan commander. And he plays a Klingon in one of the movies later on. He is thus the only actor to have played each of the three primary alien races in Star Trek.

[@davidsandy5917]

The name is Mark Leonard. He was also a gorilla in Planet of the Apes

[@racookster]

The Tellarite makeup wasn't exactly a mask. It was a glue-on latex appliance that covered the eyes and nose, but it *was* shaped something like a domino mask. There's a picture of it at memory-alpha. The purpose of the eye holes was apparently just to make the eyes look deep-set and inhuman. However, the appliance had to be rushed out in a single night and wasn't entirely successful.

[@Warped9]

Great episode! My one nitpick is that Lieutenant Uhura outranks Ensign Chekov so Kirk should have handed command off to her.

[@christopherleodaniels7203]

By the way, you guys have already seen an Orion before. They’re green people, with supposedly dubious ethics, and one of them was a slave girl illusion, dancing for Captain Pike in The Menagerie flashback episode in season 1.

[@FritzMonorail]

I love Sarek so much. Him and Spock are just so interesting. When I first got into Star Trek he was like one of my favorite characters. He only had competition when I watched DS9.

[@royjohnson3361]

Morn was great.

[@Bjy001]

Love this episode! Not only for the reasons you mentioned but for the character building and world building. They were able to accomplish so much in this one single episode.

[@Dmarcoot]

This episode hits so many emotional notes

[@firekrys]

As I said on Patreon, this is in my Top Ten. This episode keeps you engaged the whole time. It's risky to throw in multiple plot points, but if they can bring it back together well, then it pays off. Just as you started to relax and just ponder on what happened, the quick edit to something a lot more intense shakes you would and pulls you back in, ie the Kirk/Andorian Fight. You're caught up in the Sick Sarek needs Surgery plot and then BAM, thrown into an action sequence. Very well done.

[@Panzer4F2]

I was tickled pink when they brought the Andorians into the Enterprise series.

[@greenbrown7776]

As important as "Balance of Terror," "Errand of Mercy" and "Amok Time" are to "world-building" on Star Trek, "Journey to Babel" was by far (to me anyway) the most consequential episode to the entire Original Series. Not only did it help establish key Federation points, it fleshed out Spock's family and more about Vulcan. AND it was just good to boot.

[@monsterhobbies]

I always liked the line that the other Andorian says in this episode when the Orion spy is in the brig.

[@mikejankowski6321]

Never heard a more flavored delivery of the word "adequately" than that. Have emulated it many times.

[@erikdolnack2737]

"Journey to Babel" is my all-time favorite episode of Star Trek. It is perfection!

[@Panzer4F2]

It was pretty cool to see everybody dressed up formally, enough little sub-stories to keep you busy, and McCoy really did get the last word. I can see your point. However, there are some episodes coming up that may change your mind.

[@erikdolnack2737]

@@Panzer4F2 Oh no. I've been a TOS fan since the early 1980s. I've watched these episodes for decades now. "Journey to Babel" is my all-time favorite Trek episode.

[@vincentsaia6545]

My all-time favorite episode. Written by the great D.C. Fontana

[@rccraig7580]

Great Reaction you guys. I'm glad some reactors are re-discovering the TOS era of Star Trek. BTW if you didn't already know the web-site memory alpha star trek details all past and current Star Trek series and movies and the production stories behind them also there is a youtube channel "Triangulum Audio Studios" that also talks about behind the scenes incidents from TOS and Next generation series. Very informative.

[@biffstrong1079]

Journey to Babel : One of my favourite Star Trek episodes. Introduces the Tellurites and Andorians. The biblical story of Babel involves a unified human race speaking one language attempting to build a tower (the tower of babel) to heaven. For this hubris god shattered the tower and made them unable to understand each other, thus explaining all the different human languages on earth.

[@tonyadler1319]

As a kid I watched a lot of tv including episodes of a show called Father Knows Best (204 episodes over 6 years). Spock's mom was the mother on the show and the woman from Metamorphosis played the oldest child. I didn't realize their appearances were back to back.

[@Dionpitman]

I think in syndication it was more common to show Star Trek in production order making Metamorphosis 2x02 and Journey To Babel 2x15 rather than 2x09 and 2x10 which may account for why you didn't realise their appearances were back to back. It's only fairly recently with Blu-Ray and streaming that Original Broadcast order has become more common again.

[@deborahlepage1789]

There's a Star Trek book called Spock's World that thru a larger plot arc also contains several shorter arcs that explore and answer several questions we've all had about Vulcans. It does specifically answer your question about Spock's parents.

[@Vulcanerd]

We need a video collection of Alex’s prescient predictions! Another one, yet again!

[@buzbom1]

One of my fav's since I was a kid in the late 60's. "Bones" get's the last word. And yes, we see the same actor who was Romulan in one episode, become Spock's father forever in Star Trek history.

[@jenniferdarling6]

I'm very thankful y'all are doing this with us 👍

[@shallowgal462]

This is one of my all-time favorites! No spoiling specifics, but you'll see Spock's parents again

[@thewiseoldherper7047]

The Enterprise nailed the alien vessel from 75,000 km away. That’s about 46,000 miles. Which is over six times the diameter of the earth. So that was a pretty good shot....

[@mikejankowski6321]

Try nearly 6 TIMES the distance!

[@thewiseoldherper7047]

@@mikejankowski6321 you’re right! I’m correcting my statement.

[@DocMicrowave]

One of my favorite episodes!

[@youngbloodk]

Mark Lenard and Jane Wyatt reprised their roles as Spock's parents in later Star Trek series and movies.

[@FallenHellscape]

Why do people like you spoil things like this? Cant you comprehend how wrong that is? Thankfully, they never saw your comment and were both surprised and delighted to see their cameos in Trek 3 & 4.

[@alanr4447a]

7:00 The animated episode "Yesteryear" depicted sehlats as basically full-size bears, with fangs. Mark Lenard reprises his role as Sarek (voice) in that episode, BTW (Amanda is also seen briefly, but is just voiced by Majel Barrett).

[@mrcstravels]

Mark Lenard played the Romulan commander and Sarek Spocks Father through Star Trek V and even made an appearence in Star Trek the next generation. He did a great job doing so.

[@LeutnantJoker]

Guys, can you stop spoiling these appearances? These were supposed to surprise the audience back then. You're taking that experience away from these guys!

[@Panzer4F2]

He played a Klingon in the Motion Picture.

[@pauld6967]

Traffic plus the run time of this is going to make me late to the office but I had to see your reactions on the big screen. It was the correct decision. More good episodes ahead gentlemen.

[@leftcoaster67]

It was logical.

[@capnpooter]

As one of those guys with a star trek room collection of over 40 years, can quote most TOS verbatum, tell you which season and all the trivia stuff I am appreciating your honest watch throughs of these..you arent making fun of the franchise or everytime we see a stunt mans face-you are keeping the respect for the effort they put into this show that even now continues to grow. Thank you!

[@michaelvincent8208]

As a kid, I recorded this episode on reel-to-reel, to listen to while painting or building models. Held the microphone the entire time to record. Only way, at the time, you could enjoy it again.

[@artboymoy]

Parents just don't understand. This was a great episode showing more of the UFP and how the future is set up. The storylines were engaging. And the meet the parents stuff the personal drama we needed. Some nice tonal changes with lighter moments to moments of action and tension. Bones getting the last word was awesome. Mark Leonard did play the original Romulan in Balance of Terror. Jane Wyatt played Spock's mom and was played another mother in another series, "Father Knows Best". So she knows how to play her role well. This is probably in my top 10 episodes somewhere. It's always a great watch.

[@markhernandez6111]

This episode is one i remember because, in school, the Weekly Reader program, sent the teleplay to schools and the students got to read/act the episode out. It was great for bunch of 5th graders. I do not remember what role I read, I just remember it being fun.

[@SG-js2qn]

I'll be curious to see where this one comes out in the ranking for S2. Probably close to the top.

[@Panzer4F2]

It should be an interesting discussion. It's up against some serious contenders already. Amok Time, Mirror Mirror, the Doomsday Machine and there are some other heavy hitters coming up soon, including the cute & fuzzy one. Talk about stiff competition.

[@DavidBrown-xm8ou]

My only problem is giving Chekov acting-command at the end. Uhura outranks Chekov, and she was *right* *there* .

[@petejp1]

I think journey to babel is a top 10 episode from the original series. It had great action scenes as well as a very good story, plus a rare glimpse into spocks personal life. All the actors are excellent. Top notch episode.

[@Panzer4F2]

Their video recapping and ranking the episodes of Season Two is going to be quite interesting. We have already had Mirror Mirror, Amok Time, and the Doomsday Machine, and there are more big stories coming soon. Including the cute and cuddly type. D'oh !

[@stereo999]

There's an episode of the 1973 animated Star Trek about young Spock and his pet

[@johnboy9386]

Yes he got his shirt off, he'll do it again too. Its the origin of the joke in Galaxy Quest when the captain fights the rock monster.

[@adamcollazo8228]

Lifelong Trekker here. Vulcans do have emotions. They simply suppression them to the nth degree due to their extremely violent history. At one point Vulcans almost destroyed themselves until one Vulcan showed his people a different path. A path of logic and peace. The various Star Trek series delve deeper into Vulcan history. As for Spock's pet "teddy bear", the Sehlat, it is actually shown in an episode of the Animated series when Spock visits Vulcan. A Sehlat also appears on screen on an episode of "Enterprise".

[@matthewhutchinson9353]

13:07 actually there was a short deleted scene leading into the fight scene that has Kirk walking down the hall and Thelev just jumps out and tries to kill him (strangely right at the beginning of the deleted scene you see a crewman just going out of frame it’s like dude just cause you’re out of frame doesn’t mean you’re out of hearing distance 😂😂😂😂

[@bad-people6510]

"Pig-Men" Tellarites. Founding members of the Federation. Their culture is based on argumentation. It's how they test themselves. They'll even champion positions they personally disagree with just to test the strength of the idea. In short, Tellarites just be that way.

[@lukefallon8276]

It's fun watching this through the eyes of two 21st century guys. I haven't watched TOS in years and I find your points of view refreshing. BTW my sister just commented that Josh looks like me 25 years ago. Rugged good looks and all. 🤣

[@ScarlettM]

Great reaction! So glad you guy are watching Star Trek and liking it!

[@alexrobinson8029]

This is one of my favorite episodes.

[@andreabindolini7452]

One of the best episodes. Period.

[@youngbloodk]

Episode 2 of Start Trek The Animated Series, Yesteryear (1973), delves more into Spock's childhood.

[@bbser]

great episode and probably the best of TAS

[@Lethgar_Smith]

Great episode. The whole animated series is pretty good. Scripts way better than anything else on TV on Saturday mornings. The show is marred only by its 30 min time allotment, low budget animation and Shatner's uncharacteristically low energy voice acting. Otherwise it is a solid addition to Star Trek.

[@anthonybernacchi2732]

@@Lethgar_Smith According to rumor, Shatner recorded some of the episodes on the toilet.

[@youngbloodk]

@@bbser It is a great episode, and by the same writer. D. C. Fontana wrote both Journey to Babel and Yesteryear.

[@katheryns1219]

For a few years here in Portland, OR, a small but intrepid group of fans staged what they called "Trek in the Park" in which they recreated whole episodes in a local park. Word for word with the scripts and pace for pace with the actors' marks. One of the guys moms made the costumes. It was camp and a great deal of fun, and each year the crowd grew larger, and they had to move to bigger parks. By the time they did their last performance in 2012, 2,000 people gathered to watch Journey to Babel. I went with my sister. At the point where Kirk is attacked by the Andorian and they're fighting onstage, a dog, who was sitting with people in the front row, got excited and leaped onstage to join in the fray before the owner ran up and dragged him back. Kirk goes to the intercom and before collapsing says, "I've been attacked by an Andorian and Lieutenant Smith's dog!" Then he slides down the wall. And the crowd roared with laughter.

[@peterschairer488]

In the Star Trek novel "Sarek" it gives a lot of detail on how Sarek & Amanda met, their marriage, etc. The unabridged version is available on Audible.

[@PipRLagenta]

Jane Wyatt, who plays Spock's mother, was in the classic 1937 film "Lost Horizon". In this Star Trek episode she is *very* beautiful. Even more so in the 1937 film "Lost Horizon". In that film she has a nude scene. FYI

[@bobm2027]

Widley regarded as one of the best episodes. Lots of intros -- Spock's parents, Andorians, Orions and Tellarites. Great reactions guys! Always wondered what the hell that Kirk move was that ended up getting him stabbed in the back.

[@portland-182]

One of the best episodes of Star Trek The Animated Series "Yesteryear" builds on this episode.

[@matthewhutchinson9353]

I love how they reference Scotty so many times in this episode and he is never seen

[@jimbearone]

Sarek was married before to a Vulcan, a person who would be the equivalent of a ‘Princess’ but seventh in succession which makes Sarek a person of prominence or importance but she died of some kind of illness. They had one child, Sybok who chose to follow the path of emotion which made him an outcast and estranged from his family. Sarek found himself “fascinated” by a young human female who pursued him until he ‘logically’ decided to marry her.

[@gerardcote8391]

That actor is Mark Lenard, he played Sarek as well as the Romulan Captain, and was also in TNG as Spock's father.

[@josecarrales2842]

Let me say, I was looking forward to this episode just for the "last word" Bones gets at the end of this episode and HOW you guys would react. I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED!

[@sarahfullerton6894]

Think about this: In both the beginning AND end of this episode, Bones is the one talking!!

[@MightyJonE]

“The tower of Babble”. Yes, that famous Old Testament/Jewish scripture story out of The Holy Bibble

[@avocadothecat]

It's funny cause in the German dub, Kirks voice actor squeezed in "almost" at the end after Bones "finally I got the las word" bit. It cracked me up so much as a kid xD

[@tomyoung9049]

I enjoy this one, more backstory for Spock. A constantly shifting situation. They make a plan and here comes another problem, enough to keep you really focused on the story. And totally agree, the fourth wall remark from Bones was super.

[@biffstrong1079]

The federation itself is an attempt to bring all these different peoples together in peace when the main impetus for all these different peoples with different interests is to go to war. It is the kind of hubris that brought down the tower of babel. Jane Wyatt as Spocks mom and Mark Lenard as his dad in this one were great. Mark Lenard was to play the role many times. She reprised the role again in Star Trek IV the Voyage Home.

[@papalaz4444244]

D. C. Fontana was a great writer and she only passed in 2019. She wrote the Spock/Vulcan episode of the animated series, hence references to this ep :)

[@bengilbert7655]

Mark Lenard, who plays Sarek, was also in the 1969 TV series 'Here Come the Brides' about Seattle in the 19th century who send for women from back east to marry. Lenard plays the sawmill owner who is the competition for the main characters. There is a Star Trek novel by Barbara Hambly called 'Ishmael' where Spock is accidently sent back in time to Seattle during that time {with amnesia rom a blow to the head.) It is a mashup of Star Trek and Here Come the Brides. Spock becomes friends with Aaron Stempel, Mark Lenard's character and it all works better than it should and is an enjoyable novel.

[@WUStLBear82]

And two of the brothers who were Stempel's adversarys on _Here Come the Brides_ were played by Robert Brown from the TOS episode _The Alternative Factor_ and David Soul from the TOS episode _The Apple_ . _Ishmael_ has a lot of Easter eggs among the people Spock meets.

[@BlameThande]

Arguably the single most important TOS episode for worldbuilding, as well as establishing Spock's backstory.