Journey to Babel

In the future when populated worlds have been stripped of mineral value a place like the planet Corridan becomes very valuable with much minerals and no life. If you could stand the heat think of what treasures a place like Mercury could yield?

That is the subject of this Star Trek story. There's a conference on board the Enterprise with various alien races meeting under StarFleet auspices to decide the disposition of Corridan. The Vulcan delegate is Mark Lenard, a galaxy renowned diplomat named Sarek. He brings his wife who is played by Jane Wyatt. Oh, and they're Leonard Nimoy's parents.

A whole lot of the Vulcan world is revealed with Spock's interaction with his parents. The usual emotions among parents and child are severely subdued. Difficult indeed for Spock as his human side is testing the Vulcan philosophy he's been raised on.

Some physical problems result to as Lenard takes ill and has the Vulcan equivalent of a heart attack. There's also a murder of one of the delegates, one who was seen quarreling with Sarek. That's William Shatner's problem to deal with.

Toward the end its DeForest Kelley who steps to the front. Dr. McCoy has not had much experience with Vulcan surgery. His challenges are considerable.

Quite a lot is packed into this extremely well written story. The character of Sarek would carry over into The Next Generation and in that the cycle of life for Sarek is complete. Remember Vulcans do live for a few centuries.

Action there is, but there's some real character development in this really good Star Trek story.