Sarek

Vulcan alzheimers is nothing to gloss over, and the show does an excellent job with the disease, the fallout, and an excellent (if temporary) treatment. If only more episodes dealt with flaws in such manner, rather than abandon all logic in order to put forth a shallow, lazy short story. The arguments and fights shown were all excellent as well, with some refreshing violence to break up the monotony inherent in the mythos.

Amazing performance by Stewart that grabs you by the throat a forces you to look into a tortured soul. Do not miss this one.

Enterprise hosts a peace conference where Ambassador Sarek is to mediate.

This is a strong character episode that should please fans and has great performances from Patrick Stewart and Mark Lenard.

The plot is fairly good with a great theme relating to the ageing process. Anyone who has witnessed the failing health of an elderly person should be able to relate to what happens, particularly how it's handled by close family or friends who like to protect an individual from having to acknowledge or reveal a condition such as Alzheimer's disease.

Sarek and Perrin have a number of great moments, particularly Sarek who lives up to the aura that exists around him. His interactions with the Enterprise crew are compelling, particularly Captain Picard.

Picard has one of his most memorable episodes where he takes on a number of very difficult responsibilities and one for which he has to suffer greatly.

It is entertaining to watch the remainder of the crew with the aggressive symptoms as they fight and behave in a confrontational way toward each other. The only issue I have with this aspect of the plot is that it reduces the impact of some of Sarek's outbursts because we have been presented with so much anger already. Personally I think the plot would have been strong enough without the sci-fi aspect of Sarek's condition affecting other crew members.

Mark Lenard gives another excellent performance, showing good range as this plot calls for much emotion.

All the regular cast are great as a lot of them play against type with their angry outbursts.

Patrick Stewart treats us to some of the finest acting of the series during one epically tense scene near the end.

A major treaty is about to be forged and it will be the crowning achievement of Sarek, the father of Spock. When he arrives on the Enterprise, it is obvious that his entourage is being incredibly protective of him. His second wife, once again an Earth woman, is privy to a situation that is changing the great man for the worse. He has a condition that often comes to Vulcan men when they reach their 200th birthday and beyond. He has begun to lose some of his basic faculties and she is aware of this. He is determined to put this negotiating feather in his cap, however. Unfortunately, because he has powers of telepathy, the disease is causing disarray on the Enterprise. Crew members get into fights. They are edgy and angry. There's even near fisticuffs with Geordi and Wesley, pushing and shoving until Riker breaks it up. It's obvious that Sarek is in no condition to carry on with this effort because he, himself, is also showing a violent streak. What will they do? This is a very good episode during a really impressive season.

Spock's ailing father and legendary Federation ambassador Sarek boards the Enterprise on his way to conclude long-running peace talks with the Legarans. However, Sarek's ill-health puts the mission in jeopardy and forces Picard into an unenviable position.

A powerful episode that brings together the original series and TNG in fine fashion. The story may be a thinly disguised look at the ravages of dementia but thanks to Lenard's presence and an astonishing performance from Stewart (reminding us again how great an actor he really is), this sensitive episode is well worth watching and handles its subject matter and characters with dignity and grace.