Arguably the best Star Trek episode of all time, The Inner Light is a masterpiece of science fiction, incorporating philosophical elements and a theme of inner growth. Let's dive into this brilliant story.
The Premise
Only a few brief scenes take place on the Enterprise; the vast majority of this episode doesn't involve outer space or any cast members other than Patrick Stewart. Yet despite this, the story it tells and themes it raises about life are profound. As I've discussed before, this is what makes peak Star Trek.
The Enterprise encounters as unknown probe that starts to scan the ship and suddenly renders Captain Picard unconscious. In the span of around 20 minutes, he lives most of the life of another man, Kamin, from an extinct civilization whose star went nova 1,000 years ago. Because they knew that they could not escape the impending disaster, the people on this planet instead chose to preserve their civilization and memory through transmitting the life of one of their citizens to an alien via the probe. They hoped that this recipient would keep their memory and culture alive. As Picard lives this whole other life, let's explore 3 lessons that he learned.
Science and Art
Despite being dropped into very different circumstances, Picard never lost his love for science. He built a telescope, studied the weather patterns, and collected soil samples, all in an attempt to understand what was happening to Kataan's climate. He passed this love of science down to is daughter, Meribor, who ultimately reached the same conclusion as Picard - the planet was dying and there was no hope for future generations.
Yet despite his continued love for science, Picard learned to embrace a new art as well - teaching himself to play the Ressikan flute. Much to his surprise, he found that his art helped enhance his scientific mind with a wonderful synergy:
I'm not brooding. I'm immersed in my music!… I find that it helps me to think, but the real surprise is that I enjoy it so much.
Moreover, he passed his love for music down to his son, Batai (played by Patrick Stewart's real son) and gave his approval to pursue a career as a musician, something he never would have agreed to in the past. In this way, his two children can be seen as a metaphor for the two halves of himself - the man of science and the artist.
The Meaning of Life
After years together with his wife, Eline, Kamin reflects on how much his perspective on family and life has changed:
I always believed that I didn't need children to complete my life. Now, I couldn't imagine life without them.
Finding love and raising children has profoundly changed him. Eline beautifully summarizes their relationship and bond when she reminds him, for the last time, to "remember... put your shoes away". As he nears the end of his long life as Kamin, he is truly a changed man.
As Kamin goes to witness the launch of the probe that (unbeknownst to him) found the Enterprise, suddenly its purpose is revealed and Eline and his friend Batai reappear, telling him:
Now we live in you. Tell them of us… my darling.
Embrace the Present
Seize the time, Meribor – live now! Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again.
Knowing that the planet is dying, Kamin urges his daughter to make the most of every day and live in the present. Despite this profound experience, Picard later continues to eschew love and family after his return to the Enterprise. This choice abruptly catches up with him in Star Trek: Generations, when he tragically loses his brother and nephew in a fire:
As he reflects on this loss and his choice to not have children, he is transported to the Nexus where he experiences yet again another life where he is a father of several children:
Moreover, his wife in this aspirational reality bears a striking resemblance to Kamin's wife, Eline. These parallels with the choices he made as Kamin to have a family and be a loving father are unmistakable and it's clear that the experience had a profound impact on him, despite his lack of action in this arena of life in the years since.
Reflecting on the loss of his brother, nephew, and the Enterprise, he later gives Commander Riker the same advice that Kamin gave his daughter Meribor in another lifetime:
I believe time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish each moment, for it will never come again.
Conclusion
The episode reaches a somber conclusion as Picard, alone in his quarters (and in his experience), plays his cherished Ressikan flute and remembers all those he has lost and all those still surrounding him as he attempts to merge his two lives together. It is clear that the people of Kataan picked a worthy emissary to keep their memory and history alive. There is no better way to end this review than to listen to Picard's beautiful composition on the Ressikan flute.