Darmok

One way to figure out whether someone is a true “Trek” nerd is to work the phrase “Shaka, when the walls fell” into conversation. If the other person’s eyes light up and they answer “Darmok and Jalad at Tenagra,” you know they understand how special this episode is.

In this fascinating hour, Picard must try to understand the allegorical language of the Tamarians, and the entire endeavor ends up being a celebration of language and of the ability to forge a connection with someone whose worldview had otherwise been impenetrable.