Patrick Stewart’s Most Cherished Star Trek Episode: A Deep Dive into “The Inner Light”
A Father-Son Moment in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Patrick Stewart, the iconic actor who brought Captain Jean-Luc Picard to life in Star Trek: The Next Generation, recently revealed his favorite episode from the series. In an interview with Wired about his new autobiography, “Making It So: A Memoir,” Stewart opened up about why one episode stands out among the rest.
“The Inner Light” […] Because I become someone other than Jean-Luc Picard over decades of living a different life, and therefore become a different person, a domestic person, not a starship captain. And there is another, personal reason. My son Daniel played my son in “The Inner Light.” That was an extraordinary experience.
The Episode That Defies Star Trek Norms
“The Inner Light,” the 25th episode of the fifth season, is often hailed as one of the best in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode begins with the USS Enterprise-D encountering a mysterious probe that scans the ship. But what follows is far from your typical Star Trek fare. Captain Picard finds himself mentally transported to a planet called Kataan, where he lives an entirely different life as a man named Kamin, complete with a wife and child.
A Journey Through Time and Space
In this alternate life, Picard grows old, has grandchildren, and eventually returns to the Enterprise, only to discover that mere minutes have passed for the rest of the crew. The episode is a poignant exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time.
“The Inner Light” may be a somewhat nontraditional episode of Trek – there are no real moral conundrums or galaxy-saving quests – but the episode still exemplifies what makes Star Trek great.
The Flute That Told a Thousand Tales
One of the most memorable aspects of “The Inner Light” is the small flute that Picard plays as Kamin. This instrument becomes one of his most treasured possessions and serves as a lasting reminder of his experiences on Kataan. The flute symbolizes the universal human desire for our stories to be remembered, even if we’re from a civilization that existed a thousand years ago on the other side of the galaxy.
A Life Well-Lived, On and Off Screen
Patrick Stewart’s autobiography, “Making It So: A Memoir,” offers a comprehensive look at his life, from a challenging childhood to a career that spans from Shakespeare to Star Trek to superheroes. Now 83, Stewart has returned to the role of Picard for three seasons of Star Trek: Picard, where he was reunited with the TNG crew on the rebuilt USS Enterprise-D.
The Legacy of “The Inner Light”
The episode’s impact is not just limited to its storytelling or its place in Star Trek lore. For Patrick Stewart, it was an “extraordinary experience” that allowed him to share the screen with his real-life son, Daniel. This personal connection adds another layer to an already complex and deeply human episode, making it a standout in a series known for its thought-provoking narratives.
“Ultimately, it’s a story about people who lived a thousand years before on the other side of the galaxy but still share the very human desire for their story to be remembered.”
“Making It So: A Memoir by Patrick Stewart” is available in bookstores now, for those who want to explore more about the man behind one of sci-fi‘s most enduring characters.
