Original artwork, not a still
The Tamarians in "Darmok", Star Trek: The Next Generation (1991)
Shaka, when the walls fell.
— Star Trek: The Next Generation · 1987
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The Tamarians talk only in references to their own stories, so this phrase means a failure to bridge a gap, not a literal event. That is why fans adopted the whole language as shorthand for communicating through shared references, which is exactly how internet memes work. Say it to a Star Trek fan and you are quoting a way of speaking, not just a line.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Star Trek: The Next GenerationShow the scene
In "Darmok" (Star Trek: The Next Generation, season 5, episode 2, 1991), the Enterprise meets the Tamarians, whose words the universal translator renders but whose meaning stays opaque. Their captain, Dathon, beams himself and Captain Picard down to El-Adrel and leaves them together near a dangerous beast. He tries to forge friendship by speaking of Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra, then offers a knife. Later he and Picard repeat this phrase, a Tamarian metaphor for failure, as the attempt to beam Picard away collapses and Dathon is wounded.
Sources (2)
- Wikipedia: DarmokPlot and ProductionReference checked
- Memory Alpha: Darmok (episode)Summary and memorable quotesReference checked
Context reviewed
