Spock Gets Told: Barry Atwater As Surak

Barry Atwater appeared as Surak only once on "Star Trek," and his role is actually very brief. Nonetheless, the fact that the character is the father of Vulcan philosophy, the kind of hero to Spock that Lincoln is to Captain Kirk, not to mention one of a very few Vulcans portrayed in the original series, has given Surak a special place in the "Trek" canon. Atwater is roundly praised by fans for his ability to create in just a few scenes a complete and credible portrait of a character who is supposed to be one of the most important figures in history, yet who is completely unknown to us prior to his performance. Whether Atwater considered any of that beforehand, his nuanced performance remains true to our expectation of Vulcan stoicism while still showing signs of annoyance, arrogance, and bemusement. Sadly, Atwater had died long before Surak was called upon again, for a 2004 episode of "Enterprise," and Bruce Gray played the role. (He would have been pushing 90 anyway.) Had Atwater lived into the 1980s, when the show started spawning movies and TV spinoffs, his memorable portrayal may have inspired an earlier return for Surak. ***** This scene is from the notorious jump-the-shark episode "The Savage Curtain." The sequence actually is interrupted by one on the Enterprise; please forgive the awkward transition, as my video software doesn't allow super-precise cuts. One more thing: I've always thought Spock should have shown a little more emotion to justify Surak's admonishment. And shouldn't Captain Kirk know who the most famous Vulcan of all time is? Maybe he was absent that day at Starfleet Academy.

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[Iluthra]

I'm surprised that after working with Spock so long, he would not know who Surak was. Spock never even mentioned him? The academy never taught anything to caets about the history of one of the founding planets of the Federation?

[jaguar57772]

Surak is the founder of Vulcan logic.

In many quarters it is believed that Surak is based upon the Buddha, master of compassion.

[TheDjmoore33]

Surak expressed a"suppressed" flash of anger @ 0:23. due to Spock's disrespect.

[TheAtheistFuture]

@ilovetruffles99 Vulcan's are a very emotional people by nature, their emotions led them to think irrationally and very violently, Surak taught them to suppress emotions and think rationally to save their planet.

[ThePiscean60]

over 15,000 people have seen this clip alone, you'd think they'd put the full episodes up again- c'mon CBS, get with it!!!!!!

[ARP7777777]

@Iluthra how can you teach others of yourself in another?

[ettore666]

@jaguar57772 Kahless would kill both prety easy, you know.

[ettore666]

@Iluthra Americans know the history of all the countries in the UN? Well se Earth as US and Federation as UN and you will understand my point.

Qapla'!

[Fhilbo]

@Fhilbo are you suggesting my comment was illogical???

[ilovetruffles99]

@Fhilbo wait, what? that makes no sense. it's not even funny-what what??

[Fhilbo]

@ilovetruffles99 because you touch yourself at night!

[ilovetruffles99]

why can't vulcans show emotion?