Editing Sarek (section)

==Family relationships==
Spock's ongoing conflict between emotion and logic is countered by his parents, Sarek and human [[Amanda Grayson]], a seemingly loving and devoted couple. The character of Sarek and his relationship with Spock and Amanda have been explored in depth in [[fanfiction|amateur fiction]], several authorized novels, and in the animated episode "[[Yesteryear (Star Trek: The Animated Series)|Yesteryear]]". Movies and episodes of ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' have also added to background on these relationships. Spock and Sarek's relationship is formal and respectful, but strained. Captain [[Jean-Luc Picard]], who mind melded with Sarek before he died, also mind melds with Spock in order to share Sarek's thoughts and feelings about his son. Little is known about Sarek's relationship with his oldest son [[List of Star Trek characters (N–S)#S|Sybok]], but presumably it was a difficult one since Sybok rejected Vulcan ways and was banished from the planet.

Sarek's adoptive daughter [[Michael Burnham]] was added in ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]''. Sarek in many ways is closer to Burnham because he shared part of his Katra with her. Still, when forced to choose between Spock and Burnham, Sarek favored his biological son. This is a central theme of the ''Discovery'' episode "[[Lethe (Star Trek: Discovery)|Lethe]]", in which Sarek attempts to have both of his children accepted to the Vulcan Expeditionary Group, but is told that only one could be chosen. Sarek ultimately chose Spock, who opted to join [[Starfleet]] instead, rendering Sarek's decision futile and causing him to feel terrible guilt over having to make the choice (and over misleading Burnham about her application since he had originally told her that she was rejected).