12 Most Heartbreaking Moments In Star Trek
4. The Final Melody - The Next Generation 'The Inner Light'
Picard's time as Kamin will forever rank as among the most beautiful episodes of Star Trek the Next Generation. Following the captain through his initial confusion and hostility to his surroundings, to his acceptance and then embracing of his new life makes for a very moving story. It is clear that while he may live the life of Kamin, he is still Picard and his scientific mind barely fades. His newfound love of music however seems to come entirely from Kamin himself.
The melody that Picard learns to play on the flute is a warm movement, full of hope. This takes on an entirely new meaning in the episode's closing moments. Picard, clearly traumatised after waking to his original life, years of memories now implanted of a happy life, returns to his quarters. He seems to be unable to discuss how he feels.
Riker hands him the box found in the probe, containing the very probe he taught himself to play. As he performs the tune one more time, standing now as Picard and not Kamin, looking through the porthole to the space that he knows so well, there is a haunted beauty. He does not simply play to himself nor does he play just for the audience's benefit. He plays in full symphony with the ghosts of Kataan, alive now only in his mind, waiting for the day he will join them again.