“Journey To Babel” is easily a classic episode, featuring a plethora of aliens including Vulcans and Andorians. It also features the introduction of Sarek, Spock’s father. The plot is a twisting mystery which successfully establishes and elevates the tension. There are themes of familial tension and duty. In fact, all of the elements exist to create an outstanding episode. Unfortunately, the story, which focuses so heavily on logic, is undermined by two premises which are wholly illogical – and therefore sabotage the episode itself.

The premise of the story is for the Enterprise to act as an interstellar ferry, carrying hundreds of diplomats from dozens of planets, to the planet of Babel for a conference to debate whether or not a dilithium-rich civilization ought to be admitted into the Federation. But tensions run extremely high among the delegates, with some harboring ill will, and even aggressive tendencies, toward others. So the problem with the premise is this: Why would you keep so many delegates within such a confined area – simply to transport them to another place? Why not just have the conference right there on the Enterprise? Or at least have them arrive at Babel on their own? It’s completely “illogical” to gather all of the delegates, have them interact, within a confined vessel, but not expect them to openly debate the issues.

The other problem with the episode is the father-son tension of Spock and his father, Sarek. The concept of father-son angst is certainly universal, and it plays out well enough in the episode – except for one glaring problem. For Spock’s father to ignore Spock, or ask for a different tour guide, is completely illogical. Put simply, the conflict suffers from the fact that it should never have been as pronounced as it was depicted in the episode – logically speaking. And while the idea of logic, and possible illogical actions and emotions, is confronted in the episode, no one ever directed confronts the primary illogic: that Sarek and Spock act emotionally toward one another.

These two issues are big enough to detract from what is, otherwise, a well-paced, well-written mystery. A delegate is murdered, Sarek is implicated – then suffers a heartattack. The Enterprise is stalked by a powerful, enigmatic ship which appears to be far more advanced. It turns out to be a relatively surface-level conflict involving a race called Orions who were interested in undermining diplomacy purely out of self-interested.

The real “heart” of the story is reserved for Spock’s relationship with his family. If you can get past the illogic of it all (a big if), there’s plenty of fodder here for thought and enjoyment. The script rather expertly weaves the tapestry of Spock’s past – his childhood, his career choices, his relationships with his mother and father, his inner conflict of human and Vulcan characteristics. The primary conflict stems from Sarek’s heart-attack which forces a procedure which Spock is required to donate blood. But because the Enterprise is threatened by the Orions, and because Kirk has been stabbed, Spock is forced to bypass the surgical procedure, in the name of his duty to the ship and Starfleet. It is, of course, all a bit too convenient and a bit too contrived. But the payoff is almost worth it all, due to the powerful performances of the cast.

“Journey To Babel” is, in almost every sense, a classic Star Trek episode – in terms of both its strengths and weaknesses. The assembly of aliens is very colorful and entertaining, but also very “Trekian” in the props and methods used to make aliens out of human actors. The main story delves into the human equation, but is tripped up by its own logic (or illogic, as it were). The plot is a bit contrived, but is also sold through some very impressive performances. All-in-all this is an enjoyable Star Trek episode, despite its flaws.

Filed under: Original Series