Why Star Trek was not just about space

Star Trek: The Next Generation follows the voyages of the Starship Enterprise (NCC-1701 D for those who want to know). But to fully understand Star Trek is to know that it was not just about space exploration as much as it was, like many other dramas, exploring the human condition.

Science fiction has been a wonderful vehicle to explore current issues in the story of humanity. Star Trek, particularly this version, is a prime example. I do not always agree with what Star Trek says is the right way of doing things, but I appreciate the manner it approaches topics.

This first clip is a lesson in communication between people who, on the surface, are as far apart as you can possibly be. The technololgy of the time makes use of a universal translator, which for most inter-species communication, is not a problem. But Captain Jean-Luc Picard must try to communicate with the alien captain who sounds like he's only speaking in riddles. How? Watch the drama unfold:

Even though Picard and the alien captain are not fluent in communicating with each other, a door has been opened for future communication and mutual understanding.

The other clip comes from the episode "Inner Light," hailed as one of the best Star Trek TNG ever aired. Picard has been hit with a beam from an alien probe. It transports him to a society where everyone thinks he is someone else. Eventually Picard accepts that he's not going back and enters into the life of this man, who is married, is an important member of the community and lives on a world that is dying for lack of rain water. This carries over into old age. The clip gives the rest of the story:

There are many ancient cultures that have been forgotten. Anthropologists and archaeologists are passionate about keeping alive the memory of cultures long past. Here, the only hope for these people without the technology to bring water or escape the planet was to send the people's memories into space in hopes of encountering someone who would remember their story. I am thankful for a promise-keeping God who knows the name of all "insignificant" people who have lived throughout history.

The third clip comes from the episode "Family." The Enterprise has returned to earth after its encounter with the Borg. Picard goes to the home of his brother, whom he hasn't seen in 20 years, still recovering psychologically from being made a Borg drone against his will. The dialogue conjurs images of the Prodical Son in the Gospel of Luke. It also shows that we are frail, even when we try to be strong. With Worf and his adoptive parents, it is about letting go, for a moment, the notion of Klingon honor, to accept that love and support are not weaknesses.