"Journey to Babel" delivers lots of good TOS. The trip to the Babel Conference documents an important event for the Federation and Starfleet, as the provocative issue of Coridan admission enflames interplanetary passions to espionage and murder. As Enterprise conveys over one hundred valuable passengers (including Spock's parents) tension mounts as the debate cannot wait for the Conference. One ambassador gets killed and Spock's estranged father seems a circumstantial suspect. His heart gives out however requiring an immediate emergency transfusion from Spock. Meanwhile an unidentified ship arrives to annoy and attack, mirroring a spy who nearly kills Kirk but fails. Soap opera surgery saves the reconciling father and son, Kirk defeats the attacker to collapse in sickbay, and McCoy finally gets the last word!
The late greats Miss Jane Wyatt and Mark Lenard shine as ma Amanda and pa Sarek, she with dignity and grace (and wicked slap!) and he with stolid rectitude. Clearly this capable, efficient, logical man treats his adoring wife with kindness, almost smiling in private discussion about love and respect. Also highlighted are internal machinations among prominent Federation species (even the unseen Orions). Pure arrogant obstinacy as Gav, John Wheeler embodies the Tellarites "who do not argue for a reason, they simply argue." As ambassadors of the violent Andorians, Reggie Nalder supplies an influential performance as Shras, and William O'Connell miscalculates most regrettably as the Andorian Thelev.
The regulars match these superb performances with their own. Kirk is impeccable as host and besieged commander, staying frosty on the bridge correcting Uhura at her station (but learning a lesson about Andorians with knives!). Without emotion Nimoy excels, showing Spock's reaction to the pressures of duty and family (though couldn't he at least mutter "Orion" or other clue before Chapel knocks him out?). But in many ways this is McCoy's episode, despite any discomfort in dress uniform or attempting the Vulcan salute (at least he didn't try to learn Tal-Shaya).
Deserving special mention is one of the series' best teasers, as senior officers receive the Vulcan detail with a fantastic view of the shuttlecraft and hangarbay (capped by the startling remark that the ambassador and his wife "are my parents"). Also memorable is brief mention of Spock's "teddy bear" sehlat so fondly realized in "Yesteryear." The story wraps up cleanly with Spock and Sarek at amends, leaving open only any post-mission reaction of the Federation towards the Orions. They took a big risk (something not their business) and got an interstellar war, just not the one they wanted.