Analysis of the best TV episode
The shows TNG, DS9, and Voyager are at the top of Star Trek for me. Among these one particular episode stands out: “TNG: The Inner Light” (TIL).
I believe it’s a masterpiece – this was my view before I searched the episode on the internet and confirmed it’s considered one of the best in Star Trek (e.g. most highly-rated on IMDb), but I would go further than that as it’s held as my favourite episode of not just Star Trek but of any show ever.
I have been considering the factors that contribute to its exceptional nature.
Spoilers Ahead
Please note: the factors that are important to me might not be the same for others, e.g. I am typically not too keen on learning all the details of the backgrounds of all the characters or the expanded universe, but largely enjoy Star Trek for the self-contained themes with the events taking place in a Sci-Fi setting. I am now hoping to contribute to the many existing reviews from this perspective.
Breakdown
The events that unfold have numerous profound implications, each extending the force of the episode and combining perfectly with the others, and supporting the underlying theme.
Kamin’s transformation results in a peaceful life
As the episode progresses Kamin becomes more content as he continues to find peace in his relationships, and manages to carry on with his memories of Enterprise remaining in the back of his head, leading a calm and very enjoyable life once he overcomes the initial apprehensiveness.
Picard’s lack of prior family would’ve helped to enable him to become comfortable more quickly. He is enjoying his final moments towards the end, for instance, he can be seen playing with his granddaughter, and he is happy in general. It is all very nice to observe, especially once you know nothing malicious is going on.
More generally, all of Picard’s concerns and worries about what happened to him resolve themselves, and this occurs in a natural and wholesome way.
Picard was their sole method for contact post-nova
This realisation is very powerful: the probe had no other goal. There is uncertainty and suspicion at the start regarding its safety (Picard is mentally assaulted, he feels kidnapped upon waking up on Kataan, and the government employee seems suspicious after rejecting any sensible suggestions for how to solve the draught). As it turns out, the beam nor his forced experiences were ever dangerous in the first place, and it self-destructed once its single mission was complete. There was only one probe, with a one-time use.
It is special for Picard that he was chosen to experience the memories. The memory of Kataan does not live anywhere else in the galaxy.
The Kataans are lost in time
Kamin grows old with his friends and family. However, he wakes up and then one realises they are suddenly long gone, in fact, the star exploded more than 1000 years ago.
The sense of doom is introduced earlier in the episode, and it becomes prominent in the final minutes, with the planet and its citizens having been swept away many years ago.
Any hope for Picard to somehow reunite with them is left unfeasible, and that realisation dawns quickly.
The Kataans had no other option
The government was not able to counteract the nova. Their only option was to construct the one-time-use probe in the hope their memory lives on. It is quite revealing – and very sad – that they didn’t even attempt anything else since they knew the situation was so hopeless.
The family’s ‘remember us’ message is very moving as there was nothing else they could do beyond issuing their desperate plea.
Their fate was accepted amongst those in-the-know
In the end, the characters were smiling and accepted their fate. They had found peace in the knowledge they would have already died by the point the probe started beaming, that they would’ve died together, instantly, painlessly, and that they collectively knew it was coming.
This implies they were making the most of their situation with death in sight, but it doesn’t detract from the fact that they were in an incredibly weak position, making it a tragedy at the same time.
Kamin’s suspicions were correct
Picard finally discovers all of the panic he felt at the start was genuine and justified, but also that he isn’t mad; his memories of the Enterprise are real, and he had to spend years fighting against people trying to convince him otherwise, which would’ve been an uphill battle. He was right all along and it’s a relief when he wakes up.
However, immediately following this the magnitude of what occurred and the message that was being conveyed, specifically to him, begin to sink in.
Reflection on Kamin’s experiences
There is silence while Picard looks out the window into the stars. He is simultaneously gazing at where the Kataan star system used to be and recalling his experiences.
Then the flute begins, and the camera pans out. He is feeling sad knowing the civilization is in the past, but also happy to have been Kamin. He is missing Kamin’s life, friends and family, but also reflecting on his own life as Picard, and his mortality.
Throughout the episode there are hints at this – Kamin growing old quite rapidly between the scenes – suddenly he has children, then a few scenes later grandchildren; Kamin saying “Seize the time…. Live now! Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again.” to his daughter; Kamin’s friend Batai passing away; Kamin’s wife passing away; Kamin himself reaching the end of his life; and finally, Kataan being consumed by the nova.
It could happen to us
While a nova consuming our own solar system is a feasible event, even without one, our time is nonetheless still limited. We can only make the most of our (relatively short) lifespans given an unpredictable future.
The episode is unexpected
It takes you completely by surprise – could have anticipated an episode filled with more Bridge, Data, Riker, trying to solve a complex problem caused by an evil alien ship, and perhaps learning a cliché lesson in the process, which is the format of much of Star Trek. Unexpectedly, they deliver this instead.
Summary
The episode is ultimately a reflection on the human condition, conveyed in a very powerful way that forces anyone who followed Kamin’s journey to reflect on their own life.
The Inner Light is the soul of Kamin, Ressik, and Kataan, living on within Picard. It’s where he can turn to for comfort, and where he can look to remind himself, “Now will never come again”.
It is a stunning and beautiful story.