Spock's Father's Star Trek: The Next Generation Appearance Needed Captain Picard

Ambassador Sarek's (Mark Lenard) appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation would not have worked without Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). Aside from a couple of references in its earliest episodes, TNG initially distanced itself from Star Trek: The Original Series. Gene Roddenberry wanted TNG to stand on its own, so he did not allow the show's writers to even mention any characters from TOS. This rule was relaxed over time, as Roddenberry became less involved in TNG's production, eventually leading to guest appearances from a few TOS stars.

Ambassador Sarek, the father of Spock (Leonard Nimoy), became the first prominent Star Trek: The Original Series to guest star in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. In TNG season 3, episode 23, "Sarek," the USS Enterprise-D hosts the Vulcan ambassador as he prepares for his final diplomatic mission for the United Federation of Planets. Soon after Sarek arrives on the Enterprise, the ship's crew members begin experiencing unexplained outbursts of uncontrollable anger. This eventually leads Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) to determine that Sarek is suffering from Bendii Syndrome, a degenerative neurological condition that can affect elderly Vulcans.

Picard Was The Perfect Captain For Star Trek To Reintroduce Ambassador Sarek

Jean-Luc Picard Has Many Vulcan-Like Qualities

Ambassador Sarek is initially reluctant to accept the truth of his condition, but Captain Picard eventually convinces him that he cannot proceed with the negotiations. With the stoic demeaner of a Vulcan, Picard uses logic to get Sarek to see the truth, revealing the ways Sarek's wife, Perrin (Joanna Miles), and his aides have been compensating for his condition. It's Perrin who eventually suggests that Sarek mind meld with Picard, so that the Vulcan can complete the mission while Picard takes on his volatile emotions.

Perrin had already revealed that Sarek had been following Captain Picard's career, indicating that the Vulcan ambassador greatly respects the Captain of the Enterprise. Not only is Picard an accomplished diplomat in his own right, but he also has the calm and authoritative demeanor that Sarek needed to channel for the negotiations with the Legarans. Picard understands Sarek even before the mind meld, and Jean-Luc is likely one of the only people Sarek would have agreed to mind meld with. "Sarek's" storyline works largely thanks to Picard, and it would not have made as much sense with any other Star Trek captain.

"Sarek" Contains 2 Of Star Trek's Strongest Performances Of All Time

Patrick Stewart & Mark Lenard Elevate "Sarek's" Simple Plot

Throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Sarek," Mark Lenard perfectly portrays Sarek's frustration as the Vulcan ambassador struggles to come to terms with his old age and poor health. Lenard is particularly great in the scene when Picard confronts Sarek about his Bendii Syndrome. The scene builds as Sarek's anger rises to the surface just before he comes to the heartbreaking realization that he cannot control his own emotions. Picard navigates this scene perfectly, and Lenard is more than up to the task of acting alongside Patrick Stewart.

Patrick Stewart never failed to deliver a compelling performance throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation, but he reaches a new level in "Sarek". The mind meld scene contains some of Stewart's best acting on TNG, as he experiences all of the strong emotions that Sarek has been repressing. Stewart makes the scene feel like a Shakespearean monologue, as he expresses Sarek's despair, love, and regrets. Picard's mind meld with Sarek remains one of Star Trek: The Next Generation's most affecting scenes, as Patrick Stewart proves why he was the perfect choice to be paired with Mark Lenard.