Editing Journey to Babel

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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox television episode
| image = Star Trek TOS - Journey to Babel - Captain Kirk with Vulcan ambassador Sarek and Tellarite ambassador Gav.jpg
| caption = A toast to the ambassadors
| series = [[Star Trek: The Original Series]]
| season = 2
| episode = 10
| production = 044
| airdate = {{Start date|1967|11|17}}
| writer = [[D. C. Fontana]]
| director = [[Joseph Pevney]]
| music = [[Gerald Fried]]
| photographer = [[Gerald Finnerman|Jerry Finnerman]]
| guests = 
*[[Mark Lenard]] - Ambassador [[Sarek]]
*[[Jane Wyatt]] - [[List of Star Trek characters (G–M)#Amanda Grayson|Amanda]]
*[[John Wheeler (actor)|John Wheeler]] - Ambassador Gav
*[[Reggie Nalder]] - Shras
*[[William O'Connell (actor)|William O'Connell]] - Thelev
*[[Billy Curtis]] - Small Copper-Skinned Ambassador
*James X. Mitchell - Josephs
*Frank da Vinci - [[Vulcan (Star Trek)|Vulcan]] Aide
*William Blackburn - Lt. Hadley
| prev = [[Metamorphosis (Star Trek: The Original Series)|Metamorphosis]]
| next = [[Friday's Child (Star Trek: The Original Series)|Friday's Child]]
| episode_list = List of Star Trek: The Original Series episodes
| season_article = Star Trek: The Original Series season 2
}}

"'''Journey to Babel'''" is the tenth episode of the [[Star Trek: The Original Series season 2|second season]] of the American science fiction television series ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]''. Written by [[D. C. Fontana]] and directed by [[Joseph Pevney]], it was first broadcast on November 17, 1967.

In the episode, ''[[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|Enterprise]]'' is tasked with transporting dignitaries to a diplomatic conference.

The episode features the first appearance of [[Sarek]] ([[Mark Lenard]]) and [[Amanda Grayson|Amanda]] ([[Jane Wyatt]]), the parents of [[Spock]], and also introduces two new species, the [[Andorian]]s and the [[List of Star Trek races#Tellarite|Tellarite]]s.

==Plot==
''Enterprise'', under the command of Captain [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]], is transporting [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]] ambassadors to a conference on the planet Babel to discuss the admission of the Coridan system into the Federation. The system is a prime source of [[Dilithium (Star Trek)|dilithium]] crystals, but is underpopulated and unprotected, a situation some would prefer to maintain by keeping Coridan out of the Federation.

Sarek, who is a [[Vulcan (Star Trek planet)|Vulcan]] ambassador, boards the ship with his human wife Amanda, ignoring Spock's greeting. Captain Kirk learns that Sarek is in fact Spock's father, now estranged because he had disapproved of his son's decision to join [[Starfleet]] rather than attend the Vulcan Science Academy.

During a reception for the passengers, the Tellarite ambassador, Gav, demands to know Sarek's position on Coridan. Pushed for a response, Sarek refers to the need to protect Coridan from unauthorized mining operations, with which Tellarite ships have been involved. Gav takes offense at the allegation and the confrontation briefly becomes physical before Kirk intervenes, warning all parties to keep order on his ship.

Meanwhile, Communications Officer Lt. [[Uhura]] has detected an encoded transmission beamed from ''Enterprise'' to a fast-moving vessel at the extreme edge of sensor range. Shortly afterward, Ambassador Gav is found murdered, his neck broken by what Spock describes as an ancient Vulcan method of execution called ''Tal-Shaya'', casting suspicion on Sarek. During questioning, Sarek suffers a cardiovascular event, and is rushed to the sickbay, where Chief Medical Officer [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]] determines that he requires immediate surgery. Because there is a shortage of his rare T-negative-type blood, Spock volunteers to donate some of his own blood for the operation, using an experimental stimulant for increased blood production.

Plans for the procedure come to a halt when Thelev, a member of the Andorian delegation, stabs Captain Kirk. Kirk subdues Thelev but is seriously wounded and taken to Sickbay, while Thelev is imprisoned in the brig. In accordance with regulations, and despite Amanda's emotional plea, Spock refuses to serve as the blood donor and turn command of ''Enterprise'' over to another officer, as the situation is too critical and command regulations are silent on the matter of personal privilege.

Hearing of Spock's refusal to relinquish command, and having recovered sufficiently to be able to walk, Kirk returns to the bridge to relieve Spock and order him to Sickbay, intending to turn command over to [[Mr. Scott]] and then hide out in his quarters until the operation is completed. When Uhura picks up another encoded transmission from inside ''Enterprise'' and traces the source to the brig, Kirk decides to stay on the bridge. When Thelev is searched, it is discovered that one of his antennae is fake and conceals a small transceiver.

The unidentified vessel closes in and attacks, moving too quickly for ''Enterprise'' to lock on with phasers. The ship takes several hits from the attacking vessel. McCoy begins the operation on Sarek, who is receiving blood directly from Spock. Kirk orders Thelev brought to the bridge and questions him about himself and the attacking ship; Thelev is unresponsive. Kirk decides on a ruse, shutting down internal power to make ''Enterprise'' appear crippled. The attacker approaches and drops to sublight speed, and ''Enterprise'' damages it with a surprise phaser attack. The disabled ship self-destructs. Thelev reveals that both he and the ship were on suicide missions; he then collapses and dies from a delayed-action poison.

Kirk returns to Sickbay for further care and finds Spock and Sarek both alert, the surgery an apparent success. Spock speculates that Thelev and the attacking ship were of [[Orion (Star Trek)|Orion]] origin, and the speed and power of the latter were consistent with a suicide mission, with all energy dedicated to attack. Thelev's mission aboard ''Enterprise'', Kirk and Spock presume, was to sow distrust among the Federation members and weaken ''Enterprise'' prior to the attack. In support of this theory is the fact that Orion has been raiding Coridan, and would profit by selling dilithium to both sides in a war. Amanda asks Sarek to thank Spock for saving his life, but Sarek shrugs and says that it was only logical. Amanda expresses anger at this harping on logic, and Spock, noting his mother's exasperation, asks Sarek why he married her. Sarek replies, "At the time, it seemed the ''logical'' thing to do," and offers Amanda his hand in a ritual gesture of affection. McCoy then firmly orders Kirk and Spock to remain quietly in bed, finally getting the last word.

==Production==
Wyatt had been widely known for the 1950s sitcom ''[[Father Knows Best]],'' where she played [[Elinor Donahue]]'s mother. The episode which first aired the week prior to this episode,  "[[Metamorphosis (Star Trek: The Original Series)|Metamorphosis]]", featured Donahue as a guest actor, playing Commissioner Nancy Hedford, who became [[Zefram Cochrane]]'s "Companion."

This episode introduced the Andorian and Tellarite species. [[John Wheeler (actor)|John Wheeler]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0923863/?ref_=tt_cl_t10|title=John Wheeler|website=[[IMDb]]}}</ref> the actor who played the Tellarite ambassador, Gav, had difficulty seeing through the eye holes in his [[prosthetic makeup]] and was forced to raise his head in a seemingly arrogant manner in order to see the other actors.<ref name=st365_220>{{cite book | title=Star Trek: The Original Series 365 | page=220 | author=Block, Paula | publisher=Abrams Books | year=2010 | isbn=978-0-8109-9172-9}}</ref> The Andorian antennae (sprouting out of the back of the head in this and other episodes of the original series) were depicted in the later ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' series as coming out of the forehead and capable of movement.<ref name=Communicator_136_69>{{cite magazine | title=Star Trek: Communicator | date=December 2001 – January 2002 | volume=136 | page=69 | magazine=Star Trek: Communicator | publisher=Official Star Trek Fan Club}}</ref>

==Reception==
In 1996, for the franchise's 30th anniversary, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked "Journey to Babel" No. 5 on its list of the 10 best ''Star Trek'' episodes.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Logan |first=Michael |date=August 24, 1996 |title=10 Truly Stellar Episodes |magazine= [[TV Guide]] }}</ref>

[[Io9]]'s 2014 listing of the top 100 ''Star Trek'' episodes placed "Journey to Babel" as the 39th best episode of all series up to that time, out of over 700 episodes; they noted this episode introduces Spock's parents and has a focus on diplomacy.<ref name="io9st100">{{Cite web|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-top-100-star-trek-episodes-of-all-time-1641565699|title=The Top 100 Star Trek Episodes Of All Time!|last=Anders|first=Charlie Jane|date=October 2, 2014|publisher=[[io9]]|access-date=May 21, 2019}}</ref>

In 2015, [[Syfy|SyFy]] ranked this episode as one of the top ten essential ''Star Trek'' original series Spock episodes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/long-live-spock-10-essential-star-trek-the-original-series-episodes|title=Long Live Spock: 10 essential Star Trek: The Original Series episodes|last=Kaye|first=Don|date=2015-02-27|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en|access-date=2019-07-09|archive-date=2019-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709010418/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/long-live-spock-10-essential-star-trek-the-original-series-episodes|url-status=dead}}</ref> The next year, they also ranked guest stars Mark Lenard, as Sarek, and Jane Wyatt, as Amanda, as the third best guest stars on the original series.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/17-best-star-trek-original-series-guest-stars-hero-or-villain|title=The 17 best Star Trek: The Original Series guest stars (hero or villain)|last=Kaye|first=Don|date=2016-09-16|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en|access-date=2019-06-26|archive-date=2019-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626204122/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/17-best-star-trek-original-series-guest-stars-hero-or-villain|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2016, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' rated "Journey to Babel" as the 15th best episode of the original series.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=McMillan |first2=Graeme |title='Star Trek': 20 Greatest Episodes from the Original Series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/star-trek-episodes-100-greatest-of-all-time-930788/item/corbomite-maneuver-star-trek-100-925983 |date=September 20, 2016 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=March 27, 2019}}</ref> The episode introduced Spock's parents, Sarek and Amanda, who never again appeared in the series, but became major characters across the ''Star Trek'' franchise. Sarek is the father of Spock's half-brother Sybok (introduced in ''[[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier]]''), and both adopted Michael Burnham (introduced in ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]'') as an older sister to Spock.<ref>{{cite web |last=Asher-Perrin |first=Emmet |title=We Can Safely Say That Sarek of Vulcan is Sci-fi's Worst Dad |url=https://www.tor.com/2017/10/26/we-can-safely-say-that-sarek-of-vulcan-is-sci-fis-worst-dad/ |website=Tor.com |access-date=2 June 2019 |date=October 26, 2017}}</ref>

In 2016, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ranked this episode the ninth best live-action episode of the ''Star Trek'' franchise, citing "the tricky politics" of Spock's family, the Federation politics, and Mark Lenard's performance as Sarek.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dresner |first=Daniel W. |title=The Top 10 'Star Trek' Episodes Ever |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/09/13/the-top-ten-star-trek-episodes-ever/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=2 June 2019 |date=September 13, 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, ''[[Business Insider]]'' ranked "Journey to Babel" the 7th best episode of the original series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/best-star-trek-episodes-2016-9|title=Here are the 13 best original 'Star Trek' episodes, ranked|last=Kiersz|first=Elena Holodny, Andy|date=2017-09-22|website=Business Insider Australia|language=en|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref>

In 2016, ''[[Newsweek]]'' ranked "Journey to Babel" as one of the best episodes of the original series. They note the episode features the ''Star Trek'' franchise aliens, Vulcans, Andorians, and Tellarites in additions to humans going to a space conference. They note the episode is a sort of teaching moment, about the Federation, politics, and Spock's relationship with his parents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/newsweeks-top-10-star-trek-original-series-410044|title=Newsweek's top 10 episodes from the original Star Trek series|last=EST|first=Newsweek Special Edition On 1/2/16 at 9:09 AM|date=2016-01-02|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=2019-03-27}}</ref>

In 2016, [[Vox Media|Vox]] rated this one of the top 25 essential episodes of all ''Star Trek''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/9/6/12363628/star-trek-explained-50th-anniversary|title=Star Trek, explained for non-Trekkies|last=Siede|first=Caroline|date=2016-09-06|website=Vox|access-date=2019-08-01}}</ref>

In 2017, [[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] recommended "Journey to Babel" as "essential watching" for ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/36662-star-trek-discovery-episodes-to-watch-original-series-next-generation|title=5 Essential 'Star Trek' Episodes to Binge Before 'Discovery'|last=Plante|first=Corey|website=Inverse|date=21 September 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-07-23}}</ref>

In 2019, [[Nerdist News|''Nerdist'']] included this episode on their "Best of Spock" [[binge-watching]] guide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nerdist.com/article/star-trek-binge-watch-guide-7-arcs/|title=A Guide to Binge Watching 7 Great STAR TREK Arcs|website=Nerdist|access-date=2019-07-15}}</ref>

In 2020, ''[[Screen Rant|ScreenRant]]'' ranked this the 8th best episode of the original series (TOS), praising it for having "a bit of everything that makes TOS great. Creative and interesting aliens, political tension and resolution, personal drama, and high-stakes adventure."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top Rated Star Trek TOS Episodes, According To IMDb|url=https://screenrant.com/star-trek-tos-original-series-episodes-best-imdb/|date=2020-04-20|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref>

In 2021, ''[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]'' said that "Journey to Babel" was an "essential episode" of the original series, stating, "{{'}}Journey to Babel' brings the action, drama and fun in an excellent showcase of what the series is capable of," and noting the two interesting plots: one of political intrigue and another of father-son relationship.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-01|title=These Are Star Trek: The Original Series' Essential Episodes|url=https://www.cbr.com/star-trek-original-series-essential-episodes/|access-date=2021-05-05|website=CBR|language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* "[[Babel One]]", an episode of ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]''.
* "[[The Pirates of Orion]]", an episode of ''[[Star Trek: The Animated Series]]'' which references the Babel conference and planet Coridan.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote|Star Trek: The Original Series#Journey to Babel|"Journey to Babel"}}
* {{StarTrek.com|journey-to-babel|"Journey to Babel"}}
* {{IMDb episode|0708434}}
* {{Memory Alpha|Journey to Babel (episode)|"Journey to Babel"}}
* [http://trekmovie.com/2007/02/03/remastered-%e2%80%9cjourney-to-babel%e2%80%9d-screenshots/ "Journey to Babel"] Remastered comparison screenshots at [[TrekMovie.com]]
*[http://www.chakoteya.net/StarTrek/44.htm Star Trek transcript - Journey to Babel]

{{Star Trek: The Original Series episodes|2}}

[[Category:Star Trek: The Original Series season 2 episodes]]
[[Category:1967 American television episodes]]
[[Category:Television episodes written by D. C. Fontana]]
[[Category:Television episodes directed by Joseph Pevney]]