The Inner Light is one of those rare moments in television when a series transcends its expectations and becomes a work of art. TNG has already had transcendent success with episodes like The Measure of a Man, The Best of Both Worlds, and Family – episodes which are truly exceptional. But in almost every possible way, The Inner Light surpasses those episodes. The writing, the direction, and the pacing are fantastic; the music is hauntingly beautiful; and the acting from Picard is a true tour de force. For these reasons, I believe The Inner Light represents the very pinnacle of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The story focuses on Picard who, after encountering an alien probe, is transported into the life of Kamin, a man from the planet Kataan, whose civilization and planet met their end centuries ago. The truth is that while Picard’s body is still on the bridge of the Enterprise, his entire self has been literally kidnapped and thrust into a new reality on Kataan.

At first Picard resists this new reality. He walks out on Eline, the woman who claims to be his wife. He talks to Batai, a man who claims to be his best friend. He explores the countryside. It all seems real, almost as real as his memories. And the emotional journey has begun.

Picard, so used to command and control, is suddenly completely out of control. He has been abducted and literally compelled to live another man’s life. There was no choice for Picard. And he will spend a lifetime in this reality. The feelings of scandalous frustration are palpable.

But as the episode and Picard’s life as Kamin both progress, Picard slowly begins to accept Kataan as his new reality. As his life. Perhaps it is a coping mechanism. Perhaps Picard sees a chance to make different choices in life. Whatever the motivation, Picard ultimately accepts that he his Kamin, Batai’s best friend, Eline’s husband. Kamin has a daughter. Then a son. His daughter marries and has a child, Kamin’s grandson.

Part of the beauty of the episode is its portrayal of the cycle of life. Of how families are created. Of how our choices profoundly influence who we become in life. Picard chose the solitary life of an explorer. Kamin chooses the domestic life of a family. Which is better? There is no right or wrong answer. Both Picard and Kamin find fulfillment from their choices. And yet, both also have a deep sense of longing for something else, something more. And that is life.

The theme of music runs throughout the episode. Early on in his life on Kataan, Eline presents Picard with a flute, which she informs him he has not truly mastered. As his quiet life progresses Picard, now Kamin, spends more and more time practicing and playing. It’s a brilliant connection to his musical roots, first mentioned during The Perfect Mate. In fact, he overcomes his fear of performing and actually plays in front of friends and neighbors at his son’s naming ceremony. And it’s symbolic of how our choices affect who we are.

As for the music itself, it is a short, melodic, bittersweet melody played on a flute that is incredibly moving. And like Kamin’s learning of music, the melody itself is symbolic – this time of Kamin’s life which, like the theme itself, is destined to be bittersweet.

Kamin has a loving family. But the explorer and scientist within him drives him to study his planet and learn that it is dying from a prolonged drought. The end of his life is burdened with the knowledge that his family is destined to die along with the planet. Bittersweet, indeed.

The final sequences on Kataan, where Kamin finally connects his life to that of Picard are deeply, and sublimely, profound and emotional.

And when Picard revives on the Enterprise, his feelings of loss are not lessened in the least. The probe’s program has finished. It’s inner workings are forever lost. But contained within it is the very flute Picard played during his life on Kataan.

TNG has always been at its best when the exploration of outer space has been used as an avenue for the explorations of the inner self. The Inner Light is the epitome of that concept. Through its music, its writing, its acting and its symbolism, The Inner Light is simply the very best that TNG has to offer.

Filed under: TNG Reviews