'Darmok' is a a prime candidate for the Interpersonal Communication classroom. The grappling between two people to overcome their language barrier; perfectly encapsulated in Picard's being stranded on a distant planet with the captain of a race who speak only in metaphor. Naturally, while being attacked by a hostile creature (it's great seeing Picard's shirt getting slashed; this starts to feel eerily close to Kirk and the Gorn in 'Arena'). It's his struggle to decipher the other man's nonsensical language that gives the story its dramatic push and Stewart is perfectly at home with these scenes . . . but Paul Winfield's got the tough job of conveying emotion and intensity using nothing but proper nouns. Both are impressive actors, but this one deservedly goes to Winfield.
It's easy to poke holes in this episode (like, why do the metaphors use the English language?), but it's also easy to seal them right back up: the writes have 45 minutes to set the stage and the words, and get us to the point of resolution. Considering that, the writing is top-notch, and the feelings of puzzlement, frustration and (ultimately) triumph are palpable.
9/10
It's easy to poke holes in this episode (like, why do the metaphors use the English language?), but it's also easy to seal them right back up: the writes have 45 minutes to set the stage and the words, and get us to the point of resolution. Considering that, the writing is top-notch, and the feelings of puzzlement, frustration and (ultimately) triumph are palpable.
9/10