Star Trek: 10 Times Picard Proved The Future Was Worth Fighting For
4. Darmok
Darmok often finds itself in top lists of The Next Generation episodes as it is an example of diplomacy and communication winning the day, stripping away the action and adventure of science fiction. Two men meet on an alien word and they don't speak the same language. Together, they must work to solve a problem. It is not a new idea and has been visited throughout human history. And yet in Star Trek it is given new life.
There is a shadowy adversary and the people that are forcing the confrontation are at least as powerful as our protagonists. The danger around them is very real. Picard enters into negotiations with his usual Federation style and learns that he must adapt to suit the situation, not attempt to force the situation to adapt to him.
It is a fish out of water story, told through the lens of an alien language with no point of reference. The fact that they use English words only compounds the nonsense. But the two do work together and they do figure out the problem. It is persistence of will that ends up securing victory. While one of them does not survive, it is the sacrifice of this man that opens the door for future relations between the two peoples. A lesson in understanding that today's world could do with revisiting.