As someone who’s been watching the original Star Trek for years, first in syndication, then on VHS tapes I purchased at Kmart, and then onto DVDs and streaming, I’ve seen each episode dozens of times. There are a few I avoid and some I love so much that I know the scripts by heart, but none is dearer to me than “Journey To Babel” (S02E10.) This episode has so many fantastic elements that it’s difficult to choose only a handful, but here are a few that truly stand out for me.
1. Mark Lenard as Sarek
While Mark Lenard gave a memorable performance as the Romulan commander in the episode “Balance of Terror,” (S1E14,) he is in his element as Sarek of Vulcan and Spock’s father. While his scenes with Leonard Nimoy are quite brilliant, it is his delivery with other beings on board that makes him stand out. My favorite line is when Gav, the Tellerite ambassador, says “Vulcan! I would speak with you!” The pause and Lenard’s facial expression before he replies, “It does seem unavoidable,” slays me every time! Now we know where Spock gets his Vulcan sass.
2. D.C. Fontana’s stellar writing
I began writing my own Star Trek adventures in 1990 (I still have them; I punched them out on a used manual typewriter my parents bought me,) and when I discovered that the D in D.C. Fontana stood for Dorothy, I loved “Journey To Babel” even more! As a young writer constantly inspired by Star Trek, the fact that a woman wrote my favorite episode only drove me into further and more complex types of writing, such as scripts and novella-length projects. Fontana’s writing style still inspires me, and no doubt other women sci-fi writers, to this day.
3. The Andorians
“Journey To Babel” gives us our first look at the Andorians with Shras (Reggie Nalder), an ambassador, and Thelev (William O’Connell) who is truly an Orion in disguise. Even during early viewings of this episode, I found myself drawn to them. I was fascinated by Shras’ accent and his advice to Spock to put logic aside and look to motivations of “passions and gain; those are reasons for murder” when Spock suggests the attack on Captain Kirk isn’t logical. Also, Thelev’s resting “I have an attitude” face and his LARP-level dramatics on the bridge before he dies of self-poisoning rather than remain a captive never fail to entertain me!
4. McCoy getting the last word
For many fans, there’s nothing more satisfying than when Kirk, Spock, and McCoy argue, debate, and banter. Bones usually loses these arguments, but in this episode, he comes out on top. In the last scene, McCoy tells both Kirk and Spock they must remain in sickbay to recover (Kirk from Thelev’s attack and Spock from the blood transfusion that saves Sarek’s life,) and when Spock agrees that he’s never seen McCoy look happier, Bones snaps, “Shut up!” He hushes Kirk too and then, in one of the greatest 4th-wall-breaking moments of all time, says gleefully, “Well! What do you know! I finally got the last word.” It never fails to make me laugh, no matter how many times I’ve seen this episode.
“Journey To Babel,” as well as the rest of the original Star Trek series and more, is now available to watch on Paramount Plus. Check it out and then come on over to our X account to let me know your thoughts!