Sarek

For theTNG episode of the same name, seeSarek (episode). For thenovel of the same name, seeSarek (novel).

This character is a member ofSpock's family.

This page details Sarek in theprimary universe; for the Sarek in themirror universe seeSarek (mirror); for the Sarek in theKelvin timeline created by Nero's temporal incursion, seeSarek (Kelvin timeline); for the Sarek in themirror universe created by Nero's temporal incursion seeSarek (mirror) (Kelvin timeline); for the Sarek in all other alternate universes seeSarek (alternates).

Sarek

Biography[]

Early life and career[]

S'chn T'gai Sarek, son ofSkon andT'Rama, was born in the city ofShiKahr,Sas-a-Shar onVulcan on18 June2165. Sarek's name was a cognate of the nameSurak used by the Vulcan nation that had launched the nuclear weapon responsible for Surak's death, and whom Surak had forgiven in his final days. (ENT -Rise of the Federationnovel:Uncertain Logic)

Sarek was given a traditional upbringing on Vulcan and was groomed to be a diplomat like his father. At age seven in theyear2172, he was bonded to the Vulcan princessT'Rea, as was traditional in Vulcan society. He also had a brother known asSilek. (TOSepisode &novelization:Journey to Babel;TOSmovie,novelization &comic adaptation:The Search for Spock;TOSnovels:Sarek,Demons;TOSmovie,novelization &comic adaptation:The Final Frontier)

By2185, Sarek had begun his successful career as a diplomat, following in his father's footsteps. His early diplomatic career included many trips toEarth, including a visit to watch theWorld Series in2180. His familiarity with Earth andHumans made Sarek the logical choice to negotiate theInterstellar Comprehensive Trade Act between Earth and Vulcan in2192. (TOSnovel:Spock's World)

In2206, Sarek moved to Earth to serve as a diplomatic attaché at theVulcan Embassy underAmbassadorSelden. Sarek speny much of the next fifteen years on the planet, which affected hispon farr cycle.

In2212, he was appointedVulcan Ambassador to United Earth. (TOSnovel:Spock's World)

In2218, Ambassador Sarek was appointed as Vulcan liaison to theplanetFreelan. Sarek's first voyage to Freelan was in2221, when under Selden's orders to conduct trade negotiations forcrysium ore that was recently discovered in theFreelan system. While aboard the Freelan space station, Sarek began to experience his firstpon farr, and was forced to return to Vulcan. There he married T'Rea, and unknowingly conceived his first son,Sybok. (TOSnovel:Sarek)

Sybok's birth in2222 was initially kept secret from Sarek, but he later discovered the truth. His marriage continued until2224, when T'Rea ascended to becomeHigh Master of Gol and the marriage had to be annulled. (TOSnovel:Sarek;TOSmovie,novelization &comic adaptation:The Final Frontier)

TheTNGepisode: "Sarek" states that Sarek's first wife was from Earth -- obviously a reference to Amanda Grayson. It is supposed that either this first marriage was annulled - so henceforth it never happened - or that Sarek and T'Rea never married, which would contradictSarek.

Rise to prominence[]

Sarek's life began to change forever in2228 when he met schoolteacherAmanda Stemple Grayson on Earth. The two began attending a series of formal receptions together, and over the next year, the two began to develop a strong relationship. They were married in September2229. Following a Human ceremony on Earth -- including a honeymoon onCarmel Beach -- Sarek and Amanda traveled to Vulcan where they were joined in a Vulcan ceremony. Following the wedding, Sarek and Amanda permanently set up home on the outskirts of ShiKahr. (TOSnovels:Sarek,The Vulcan Academy Murders)

A year later, their son,S'chn T'gai Spock, was born. His conception and birth were not easy, and he was one of the first products of genetic manipulation between Humans and Vulcans. Sarek's early relationship with the young Spock was often strained, as Sarek often displayed shame at Spock's emotional outbursts. However, Sarek and Spock did have an underlying respect for each other. (TOSmovie,novelization &comic adaptation:The Final Frontier;TOSnovel:The Vulcan Academy Murders;TOSepisode &novelization:Journey to Babel)

When Spock was a boy, he would often disappear into the mountains for days at a time. Sarek asked him what he had done and where he had gone but Spock refused to tell him. He forbade him to go but he went regardless and endured the punishment for disobeying his father. Shortly before his death in2368, Sarek toldCaptainJean-Luc Picard that he secretly admired "the proud core of him that would not yield." (TNGepisode &novelization:Unification)

In the2240s, Sarek and Amanda then tookMichael Burnham as their foster daughter and raised on Vulcan. Whenlogic extremists bombed theVulcan Learning Center, Burnham was considered medically dead. Sarek was then able to use aMind meld to revive her. As a result of this meld, a part of Sarek'sKatra remained in Burnham's mind and allowed them to communicate across great interstellar distances. (DSCepisodes: "The Vulcan Hello", "The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry")

In2243, Sybok, now aged 19, came to live with Sarek and his new family. Sybok's presence caused some tension in thehousehold due to his support for emotionalism, which earned him disdain from many of his peers, including Spock, and a degree of shame from Sarek. (TOSmovie,novelization &comic adaptation:The Final Frontier)

In2245, Burnham then attended theVulcan Science Academy as its first human attendee. Four years later, Burham graduated from the Academy and applied to theVulcan Expeditionary Group. Sarek attempted to gain admission for both of his children but was told that only one could be accepted. Sarek chose Spock, who ultimately decided to joinStarfleet, rendering Sarek's decision meaningless; Sarek felt terrible guilt about this incident for many years, since he was forced to lie to Burnham (telling her she had been rejected). Sarek then took Burnham aboard theUSSShenzhou. (DSCepisodes: "Battle at the Binary Stars", "The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry", "Lethe")

Meanwhile, Sarek's career as a diplomat continued to flourish. After being appointedAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Earth, he was awarded theNobel Peace Prize in2248 for his diplomatic and peacekeeping efforts in holding theUnited Federation of Planets together. (TOSnovels:Memory Prime,Spock's World)

2249 saw the beginning of an eighteen-year rift between Sarek and Spock. Sarek wanted Spock to enter theVulcan Science Academy and eventually follow in his footsteps into diplomacy and continue the family career. However, Spock decided to enterStarfleet Academy instead. As a result, Sarek proclaimed Spock to be avrekasht and vowed never to speak with him again. Being emotionally stricken at the rift between father and son, Amanda left her husband for a teaching job inSan Francisco. Amanda returned in2250 when it was revealed that Sarek's father, Skon, had died. (TOSepisode: "Journey to Babel";TOSnovels:Sarek,Vulcan's Forge,Recovery)

Ambassador Sarek[]

In2256, Sarek was contacted by Burnham, by then theUSSShenzhou'sXO, who asked for his advice in dealing with Klingons. Sarek told her about a Vulcan contact with the Klingons in2016 atH'atoria, who encouraged the Vulcans tofire first at the Klingons until formal relations were established. Unfortunately, this advice led Burnham to mutiny against CaptainPhilippa Georgiou and Starfleet's direct orders at theBattle of the Binary Stars, sparking theFederation-Klingon War of 2256. Six months into the war, Sarek traveled toCancri IV to speak with severalKlingon houses that wished to discuss an alliance between them and the Federation as an opening to cease-fire talks. However, Sarek was targeted bylogic extremists , whose sent suicide bomberV'Latak aboard Sarek's shuttle. Sarek was saved by Burnham and theUSSDiscovery. (DSCepisode: "The Vulcan Hello")

In2257, Sarek then accompanied AdmiralKatrina Cornwell to confirm the re-appearance of theDiscovery. There, Sarekmind melded with CommanderSaru and confirmed that it was the actualDiscovery and its crew. Sarek also confirmed that CaptainGabriel Lorca was not theLorca of their "prime" universe. Sarek spoke with Saru, Burnham and Stamets about the current situation in the war. (DSCepisode: "The War Without, The War Within")

Throughout the2250s and2260s, Sarek continued his prominent career, earning the respect of many other ambassadors from across the Federation and beyond. Sarek earned a reputation for not being easily swayed to positions which ran counter to his logic. This was especially true regarding the question ofCoridan III's admission to the Federation in2267: while Sarek supported their admission, theTellarite andAndorian ambassadors did not, leading to several heated arguments aboard theUSSEnterprise. When Tellarite AmbassadorGav was later murdered, Sarek was considered a suspect in part due to these arguments, as well the use of thetal-shaya in Gav's death.

It was also during that mission that Sarek suffered a coronary attack, having already been prescribed medication for it, and required emergencyheartsurgery. Spock agreed to ablood transfusion to allow his father to live, finally leading to the mending of the rift between the two. (TOSepisode: "Journey to Babel") Sarek recovered well enough to attend and give a speech at the Babel Conference in support of Coridan's admission to the Federation. This speech was credited with swaying the delegates to admit Coridan to the Federation. (TNGepisode: "Sarek")

In2269, Sarek argued against Federation intervention onArachnae. (TOSnovel:Vulcan!)

That same year, following the Federation's capture ofLiviana Charvanek, Sarek was lured toRomulus under the pretense of a peace negotiation and taken prisoner. Spock oversaw his father's exchange for Charvanek and escorted him back to Vulcan where Sarek advised his son to consider undergoing the ritual ofkolinahr. (TOS -Year Four: The Enterprise Experimentcomics: "Part 2", "Part 5")

In2273, Sarek's embassy office had the task of informing the next-of-kin ofCommanderSonak of his death in atransporter malfunction. (TOSmovie:The Motion Picture)

That same year, Sarek began talks with theLegarans, which would continue on and off for the next 93 years. (TNGepisode: "Sarek")

In2281, Sarek became the Vulcan Ambassador to the Federation. (Last Unicorn RPGmodule:All Our Yesterdays: The Time Travel Sourcebook))

In2286, Sarek was able to persuade theFederation Council to grant leniency toJames T. Kirk for his actions at theGenesis Planet. Sarek also thanked Kirk for the risks he had taken on Spock's behalf. (TOSmovies:The Search for Spock,The Voyage Home)

In2287, Sarek attended the trial of Captain Kirk. (TOScomics: "The First Thing We Do...", "... Let's Kill All the Lawyers!", "Trial and Error!")

In2293, Sarek advised theFederation President on his response to theCetacean Probe crisis, as well as the arrest, trial and conviction of Kirk andLeonard McCoy on Q'onoS. Sarek later attended theKhitomer Conference between the Federation andKlingon Empire. (TOSmovie:The Undiscovered Country)

Shortly thereafter, Sarek's wife Amanda died. (TOSnovel:Sarek)

Later that year, Sarek represented the Federation in negotiations with theBeta PrometheanKannish for the release of kidnappedExcelsior officers. (TOSnovel:The Fearful Summons)

By the year2327, Sarek had remarried, to a human woman namedPerrin.

That same year, he hosted a conference atVulcan Space Central between Federation PresidentThelian and the Legarans. Also invited as observers were representatives of the newly encounteredCardassian Union. Federation relations with the Cardassians were a major topic, with now-Ambassador Spock opposing his father on how openly to trust this new race. Their disagreement created a new rift between father and son, which lasted for the rest of Sarek's life. (TOScomic: "Enter the Wolves")

Later career[]

In the later years of the 23rd century, Sarek trained a youngCurzon Dax in the ways of diplomacy when the youngTrill served as an aide on the ambassador's staff. After Dax left Sarek's tutelage, he would occasionally call on Sarek when he had difficulties focusing on a problem. (TLEnovel:The Art of the Impossible). At the time the existence ofsymbionts was not widely known, and Curzon kept his own status as a joined Trill largely hidden from the public. Sarek was one of the few non-Trill that knew of Curzon's joined existence. (TLEnovel:Forged in Fire)

At some point in his life, Sarek became a member of theSymmetrists; however, he left the group upon seeing the drastic actions they would take to achieve their goals. (STnovel:Avenger)

Steady decline[]

By the mid-24th century, Sarek remained serving as the Vulcan'sambassador to theFederation in the2360sdecade. (STreference:The Worlds of the Federation)

By the mid2360s, as he reached his 200th birthday, Sarek began to gradually suffer the effects ofBendii Syndrome, causing him to lose emotional control and to project his emotions telepathically onto others. At first, Sarek's aideSakkath was able to use his own abilities to reinforce Sarek's emotional control.

In2366, nearly a century of working with the Legarans finally paid off when they agreed to meet with Sarek to conclude a treaty. Sarek's wife and aides were convinced that Sarek could complete this one last mission; however, the progression of the Bendii syndrome, and the pressure of this final mission meant that Sakkath's assistance was not enough anymore, and Sarek caused a number of violent outbreaks aboard theUSSEnterprise-D. To save the conference,CaptainJean-Luc Picard agreed to enter into amind meld with Sarek, to give him the emotional control he needed. The meld allowed Sarek to reveal to Picard his love for Perrin and Spock - feelings that he couldn't reveal publicly. (TNGepisode: "Sarek")

Two years later, the disease had advanced so that Sarek had lost all emotional control. WhenSpock unexpectedly traveled toRomulus, Picard approached Sarek, asking about his possible motives. For a few minutes, Sarek was lucid enough to give Picard a lead, suggesting Spock may had gone to seePardek. However, Sarek lost this control, and begged Picard to tell Spock of his love for him. A few days later, Sarek died. (TNGepisode: "Unification")

Legacy[]

After the death of Sarek, his widow Perrin gaveJean-Luc Picard a Vulcan book of Sarek's. Despite being unable to read the language, Picard's mind meld with Sarek allowed him to gain an impression of some of the words in the book. (TNGnovel:The Devil's Heart)

Starfleet named theUSSSarek after the ambassador by2374. It fought duringOperation Return in theDominion War. (DS9episode: "Favor the Bold";DS9novelization:...Sacrifice of Angels)

TheSarek School of Diplomacy and Ambassadorial Studies was established on Vulcan in2380, and dedicated in a ceremony attended by Picard, Perrin, and Spock. (TNGnovel:Before Dishonor)

In the years following Sarek's death, it was found that his Bendii syndrome had begun as the result of poisoning by theSymmetrists. It was not until2374, six years after his murder, that this was discovered, when Spock also began to show symptoms of Bendii, despite being far too young to have contracted the disease. (TOSnovel:Avenger)

Alternate timelines[]

In analternate timeline, Sarek and his wifeAmanda Grayson separated following the death of their seven-year-old sonSpock during theKahs-wan ritual on the 20th day ofTasmeen in the Vulcan year of 8877 (which equated to theEarth year2237). Not long afterwards, Amanda was killed in ashuttlecraft accident atLunaport on her way back to her native Earth. Sarek did not remarry after his estranged wife's death. (TASepisode: "Yesteryear")

Many years later, Sarek discoveredSaavik onHellguard, an abandonedRomulan outpost. In2274, he metThelin th'Valrass, the former first officer of theUSSEnterprise, andDavid Marcus at theAndorian Science Institute onAndoria. On that occasion, he experienced a rare lapse of emotional control as David reminded him of his late son. Shortly afterwards, Sarek sought out his eldest son Sybok and was able to repair his relationship with him, which allowed Sybok to get his life back together.

In2286, Sarek was killed atStarfleet Headquarters when theCetacean Probe ravaged Earth's biosphere. (TOS -Myriad Universesnovella:The Chimes at Midnight)

In another alternate timeline whereMontgomery Scott rescuedJames T. Kirk before he could be absorbed into theNexus, Sarek was theleader of an interstellarAlliance, united against fighting the invadingBorg Collective. Sarek's power was under constant danger from theCardassians, including formercouncilmanZarcot, who made an attempt to undermine his position by claiming no one could truly rule the Alliance unless they personally observed theNexus, which could prove to be more dangerous than theBorg; the Vulcan was forced to travel aboard theWisdom and observe the energy ribbon himself. ThescientistKasok, whom Sarek had personally chosen to the observation team onAlliance Outpost Number 3, contacted theWisdom, its commanding officerVarkan, and Sarek, and requested they investigate a mysterious vessel that had appeared near the anomaly.

Sarek retained what he ascribed to be false memories of the "true" timeline, which caused him to recognize Kirk and Scott when they met, although his initial shock had been of discoveringTerrans; he had them transferred toInterrogation until he could ascertain that they were not agents of the Borg. Zarcot made an attempt on Sarek's life by faking adistress call from alifepod, making it appear to be malfunctioning so that the Arbiter would lower theWisdom's shields, allowing a cloaked Cardassian vessel to attack it; Kirk and Scott aboard theGoddard were able to see the cloaked ship and warned Sarek before the attack was successful, and Zarcot was held for later questioning. Kirk and Scott were again invited aboard theWisdom, this time as guests, where Sarek recalled his false memories and inquired about his other life, including his sonSpock and thefal-tor-pan; in this timeline, the only son he had wasSybok, who had been killed by the Borg in the early part of the century.

Sarek later spoke with CommanderTal aboard theD'Zidran, who had met theUSSEnterprise-D which had followed Scott back in time, and agreed to bring the two Terrans to rendezvous with theEnterprise. When they arrived, Sarek and the others were beamed aboard whereCaptainJean-Luc Picard warned Sarek that a Borg spy was among the crew, and they could uncover it without also revealing their knowledge. The spy was dealt with, but the Borg were now aware of Picard, and theBorg Queen remembered him asLocutus of Borg and moved to destroy him. Sarek first utilized an ultrasecret network ofinterphase cloakedphoton torpedoes to destroy one cube, and then ordered his loyal fleet on a suicide run against a phalanx ofBorg cubes, perishing in the engagement. The timeline was restored when theEnterprise returned Captain Kirk to the Nexus. (STnovel:Engines of Destiny)

Appendices[]

Background information[]

• Sarek was played byMark Lenard.

Appearances[]

Connections[]

VulcanAmbassadors toUnited Earth
Primary universe	Solkar •Sasav •Soval •Selden •Sarek •Sytok
Kelvin timeline	Sarek

Council of the United Federation of Planets
Earth representatives	Haroun al-Rashid •Percival Kimbridge •Jonathan Archer •Anna Anderson •Courtenay Marshall •Indira Bhutto •Petrach Sormassov •Kevin McBride •Matthew Mazibuko					Vulcan representatives	T'Maran •T'Nuri •Sarek •T'Latrek •T'nirea •T'Los •Soron •Sokketh
Andorian representatives	Anlenthoris ch'Vhendreni •Avaranthi sh'Rothress •Thy'lek Shran •Zhimen ch'Rhettel •D'vin Loctrill •Thrandasar v'Elex •Shroom Stonwin •Charivretha zh'Thane •Kellerasana zh'Faila					Tellar representatives	Gralless •Gora bim Gral •F'xaq •Vagak Haggarak •Bera chim Gleer •Kyll
Alpha Centauri representatives	Nasrin Sloane •Marilyn Hoskin •Sondri Sullivan •Huang Chaoying		Benzar representatives	Melnis •Linzner		Bolarus IX representatives	Min Zife •Nea
Cait representatives	S'rrel •Dynkorra M'Relle		Deltan representatives	LLyanaa •Eleana		Grazer representatives	Jaresh-Inyo •Severn-Anyar •Astoni-Yhard
Trill representatives	Jerella Dev •Jix		Zalda representatives	Samton •Molmaan		Bajoran representatives	Rava Mehwyn •Krim Aldos •Baras Rodirya
Other membership	Alonis:Nerramibus •Antede III:Selora Quintor •Arcturus:Jacob Varis •Ardana:Strovos •Betazed:Cort Enaren •Betelgeuse II:Chuu'iik Hru'uith •Bre'el IV:Nitram •Cestus III:Altoun Djinian •Damiano:Ra'ch B'ullhy •Deneva:Lynda Foley •Djana:Ewu •Efros:Domak Voris •Gemworld:Lari Beltane •Gnala:Gorus Gelemingar •Hermat:Saltroni 815 •Huan:Corices •Icor IX:Lyo Morhas •Igre:Gloobsherkpfack •Ithen:Danga Sitru •Izar:Grace Murabi •Janus VI:Sanaht •Koa:Sicarios •Makus III:Konahr Lutet •Mars:Qaletaqu •Chab jav Lorg •Nasat:C29 Green •Ona:Eftheria Lo •Pandril:Govrin •Regulus III:Maria Moi •Rigel Colonies:Kishkik Sajithen •Tomorok •Sauria:S'kaa •Terra Nova:Kevin Steiner •Tiburon:Jard Elbir •Gnizbreg •Triex:Artrin na Yel •Vega IX:Zhi Nu Palmer •Vestios:Lenith Agreho •Other councillors:Lisa abn Dari •Eric Cooper •Corvix •Walter Julliev •Robert Kelly •Alexis Kindr •Kleeg •Lanugu •Sipak •T'Vorin •Wulkk

External link[]

• Sarek article atMemory Alpha, the wiki for canonStar Trek.
• Sarek article at theStar Trek Timelines Wiki.