10 Star Trek Episodes That Are Beyond Words

6. The Language Of Compassion

The Empath represents one of Star Trek's earliest deep dives into communication beyond speech. And that's pretty relevant for a ship that's constantly making first contact with aliens who could have any number of conceivable (and inconceivable) ways to communicate.

Kirk, Spock and McCoy are abducted by a mysterious force during an away mission. They discover an unknown lifeform (a woman who looks remarkably human, complete with a cute 60s hairdo), but she is entirely silent. Nevertheless, her feelings shine through with her expressive face and almost balletic movements.

Gem, as Bones calls her, not only shows her developing empathy through compassion, but also by taking their wounds as her own...despite the danger to herself. But most touching is the bond that develops between Gem and the away team, even without words. A bond that becomes so meaningful that she is willing to give her own life to save McCoy's.

The choice to use such expressive body movement to replace her speech adds a sense of artistry to Gem's silent story. And her ability to offer Spock support with a touch to the shoulder and a kind expression, or to mourn McCoy's fate with a single tear, reminds us that our capacity for empathy and connection with others, even relative strangers, transcends words.