STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES
Season 2, Episode 10

Journey To Babel

Series: Original Series - (1966-1969)
Season: 2
Episode #: 10
Production #: 60344
Original Airdate: 11/17/1967

Writer(s): D.C. Fontana
Director(s): Joseph Pevney

Guest Stars
Jane Wyatt as Amanda
Mark Lenard as Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan
William O'Connell as Thelev
Majel Barrett as Nurse Christine Chapel
John Wheeler as Ambassador Gav of Tellar Prime
James X. Mitchell as Lt. Josephs
Reggie Nalder as Ambassador Shras of Andoria

Uncredited Guest Stars
William Blackburn as Lt. Hadley and Ambassador Gav's Aide
John Blower as Babel Conference Officer
Jerry Catron as Lt. Montgomery
Billy Curtis as Copper-Skinned Alien #1
Jerry Maren as Copper-Skinned Alien #2
Russ Peek as Sarek's Aide #1
Frank da Vinci as Sarek's Aide #2
Jeannie Malone as Purple-Skinned Ambassador
Eddie Paskey as Lt. Leslie
Joe Paz as a Human Delegate

Stardate: 3842.3

Synopsis

The U.S.S. Enterprise is appointed to transport ambassadors from many worlds to the Babel Conferences. Among those aboard are Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan and his human wife, Amanda - Spock's parents.

Keeping peace aboard his ship is complicated for Kirk by an unidentified vessel following the U.S.S. Enterprise and high tensions running among delegates on board. At a cocktail party, Ambassador Gav, a Tellarite, quarrels openly with Sarek about the admission of Coridan into the Federation. When Gav is later murdered, circumstantial evidence points to Sarek. The strain of such an accusation causes Sarek's already existing heart condition to worsen and he has the Vulcan equivalent of a heart attack. McCoy battles with less familiar Vulcan physiology to try and correct the damage. Spock is needed as a blood donor for the operation.

[ Complete Screencap Index ]

When Kirk is attacked by Thelev, an Andorian, Spock assumes command of the Enterprise, and refuses to participate in McCoy's operation on his father. The Vulcan insists that they identify and stop the vessel that is following them. Kirk fakes recovery and returns to the bridge, freeing Spock to go to the sickbay and assist in his father's surgery. On the bridge, Kirk must deal with the unknown ship, now in contact with someone on board the U.S.S. Enterprise. A search uncovers the fact that Thelev is not Andorian, but a surgically altered Orion, put on board to disrupt the Babel Conference.

The unknown ship attacks the U.S.S. Enterprise and is defeated. Rather than be captured, it destroys itself and Thelev commits suicide. With Spock available for the blood transfusion, Sarek's operation is a success and he recovers. Father and son make peace, realizing they have a common bond that transcends their differences. Kirk returns to sickbay for treatment of the knife wound caused by Thelev and McCoy gets the last word.

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