• Err(()).unwrap()@lemmy.world
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    15 hours ago

    Sokath, his eyes uncovered!

    It’s bang on how the aliens in the TNG episode Darmok communicate. Their spoken language is based entirely on metaphors and historical/cultural references, and meaning is derived from a shared understanding of those memes within the present context.

    • Unique_Emerald_Sol_I@sh.itjust.works
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      11 hours ago

      I’ve not seen a whole lot of TNG so I’ve only managed to hear about that episode thru this exact kind of talk – I know I need to look it up and I’m glad you mention the episode title b/c I don’t think I’d heard it before.

      • Err(()).unwrap()@lemmy.world
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        10 hours ago

        It’s universally considered one of the best episodes of all of Star Trek, up there with The Drumhead and The Measure of a Man. TNG is at its best when it touches contemporary philosophical subjects within the framework of sci-fi and an enlightened human golden age.

        If you’re not committed to watching the entire series and don’t mind missing some minor context, you should probably start with season 2. Season 1 (“before the beard”) is an extremely mixed bag, including one hilariously racist episode.