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{{realworld}}
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{{real world}}
{{sidebar episode|
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{{sidebar episode
<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Episode data project]] -->
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|<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Projects/Episode data project]] -->
| aSelf = Sins of the Father
+
|image = Worf faces the high council.jpg
| sTitle = Sins of the Father
+
|teleplay = [[Ronald D. Moore]] & [[W. Reed Moran]]
| sSeries = TNG
+
|story = [[Drew Deighan]]
| nSeason = 3
+
|director = [[Les Landau]]
| nEpisode = 17
+
|date = 43685.2 ([[2366]])
  +
|<!-- Arcs -->
|sProductionSerialNumber = 40273-165
 
 
|arc = [[Worf]] vs. [[House of Duras|Duras]]
| nAirdateYear = 1990
 
 
|arc next = Reunion (episode)
| sAirdateMonth = March
 
| nAirdateDay = 19
+
|arc number = 1
| sImage = Worf faces the high council.jpg
+
|arc count = 9
| wsWrittenBy =
 
| wsTeleplayBy = [[Ronald D. Moore]] & [[W. Reed Moran]]
 
| wsStoryBy = [[Drew Deighan]]
 
| wsDirectedBy = [[Les Landau]]
 
| nNthProducedInSeries = 64
 
| nNthReleasedInSeries = 64
 
| nNthReleasedInAll = 171
 
| bFeatureLength = 0
 
| nSerialAirdate = 19900319
 
| wsDate = 43685.2 ([[2366]])
 
| aNextReleasedInAll = Allegiance (episode)
 
| aPrevReleasedInAll = The Offspring (episode)
 
| aNextReleasedInSeries = Allegiance (episode)
 
| aPrevReleasedInSeries = The Offspring (episode)
 
| aNextProducedInSeries = Allegiance (episode)
 
| aPrevProducedInSeries = The Offspring (episode)
 
|aNextInUniverseTimeline = Allegiance (episode)
 
|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = The Offspring (episode)
 
| wsArc1Desc = [[Worf]] vs. [[House of Duras|Duras]]
 
| aArc1PrevPart =
 
| aArc1NextPart = Reunion (episode)
 
| nArc1PartNumber = 1
 
| nArc1PartCount = 6
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
Worf is plunged head-first into the politics of the Klingon Empire when his deceased father is accused of treason.
 
Worf is plunged head-first into the politics of the Klingon Empire when his deceased father is accused of treason.
Line 40: Line 17:
 
==Summary==
 
==Summary==
 
===Teaser===
 
===Teaser===
  +
:"''[[Captain's log]], [[Stardate]] 43685.2. As part of an exchange program, we're taking aboard a Klingon officer to return the recent visit of Commander Riker to the cruiser ''Pagh''.''"
The [[Klingon ranks|Klingon Commander]] [[Kurn]] is temporarily assigned to the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} as acting [[first officer]] as part of the [[Federation]]-[[Klingon Empire|Klingon]] [[Officer Exchange Program]]. Earlier, in [[2365]], [[Commander]] and ''Enterprise'' First Officer [[William T. Riker|William Riker]] [[A Matter Of Honor (episode)|served in a similar capacity]] aboard the {{IKS|Pagh}}. Kurn, in his new role immediately tries to impose "[[Klingon]]-style" discipline aboard the [[Starfleet]] vessel, with [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]'s full approval. The surprised crew find Kurn's method excessively harsh and draconian.
 
  +
  +
[[File:Kurn on Enterprise bridge, 2366.jpg|thumb|Kurn on the bridge]]
 
The [[Klingon ranks|Klingon Commander]] [[Kurn]] is temporarily assigned to the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} as acting [[first officer]] as part of the [[Federation]]-[[Klingon Empire|Klingon]] [[Officer Exchange Program]]. [[A Matter Of Honor (episode)|Earlier]], in [[2365]], Enterprise first officer [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|William Riker]] served in a similar capacity aboard the {{IKS|Pagh}}. Kurn, in his new role, immediately tries to impose "[[Klingon]]-style" discipline aboard the [[Starfleet]] vessel, with [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]'s full approval. Kurn disciplines [[Wesley Crusher]] in front of the bridge crew while the [[acting ensign]] whispers with [[Data]] while Kurn is speaking to the crew. Kurn has Ensign Crusher set course for the outer [[comet|cometary]] cloud of the system, with Kurn angrily ordering him to increase speed to one-third [[impulse power]]. The surprised crew find Kurn's method excessively harsh and draconian.
   
 
===Act One===
 
===Act One===
  +
[[File:Wesley and Riker, 2366.jpg|thumb|left|"''He just doesn't seem to like me.''"]]
When [[Geordi La Forge|La Forge]] and [[Wesley Crusher|Wesley]] complain privately to Riker about this, he reminds them that Kurn has a different style of command and that Klingons believe in obedience and strict adherence to regulations. However, it is notable that the only person Kurn has ''not'' been giving a hard time is "''the one person who wouldn't really mind it''": [[Worf]].
+
When [[Geordi La Forge|La Forge]] and Wesley complain privately to Riker in [[Ten Forward]] about Kurn's aggressive command style, he reminds them that Kurn simply has a different style of command, and that Klingons believe in obedience and strict adherence to regulations. However, it is notable that the only person Kurn has ''not'' been giving a hard time is "''the one person who wouldn't really mind it''": [[Worf]].
   
  +
Kurn gives Worf the assignment of scanning the 2,000 [[asteroid]]s in a [[Asteroid field|field]] at a range of 300,000 [[kilometer]]s: none in their flight path. He praises him sarcastically for his efficiency during an easy navigational procedure on the [[bridge]]. Worf is angered at being patronized, but resists confronting a superior officer.
Kurn has been giving Worf easy assignments, exaggeratedly praising his efficiency during a minor course correction. Worf slowly begins to overheat at this babying treatment.
 
   
Riker offers to assist Kurn with suggestions in working with the crew. Kurn respectfully declines the offer, reminding Riker that on a Klingon ship he would be killed for such a "suggestion".
+
[[File:Kurn and William T. Riker.jpg|thumb|"''This is not a Klingon ship, sir!''"<br />"''No, Commander. It is not. If it were a Klingon ship, I would have killed you for offering your suggestion.''"]]
  +
While in a [[turbolift]] on his way to the [[captain's dining room]], Riker tells Kurn it took him some getting used to Klingon culture while serving on the ''Pagh''. Riker notes that the crew of the ''Enterprise'' must take some getting used to for him and he offers to assist Kurn with suggestions in working with the crew. Kurn respectfully declines the offer. Riker forcefully reminds Kurn that this is not a Klingon vessel. Kurn concurs and reminds Riker that on a Klingon ship, he would be killed for offering up such a "suggestion".
   
  +
[[File:Officer's buffet, 2366.jpg|thumb|left|A special dinner in honor of Kurn]]
A special dinner is prepared at the captain's mess in honor of Kurn, who understands the honor and is prepared to sample some of the food, even though some of it is cooked -- but he doesn't like it, and bluntly explains that it is too bland. La Forge observes that it seems to agree with Worf, earning Worf a contemptuous look from Kurn.
+
A special dinner is prepared at the captain's mess in honor of Kurn, who understands the honor and is prepared to sample some of the food, even though some of it is cooked—but he doesn't like it, and bluntly explains that it is too bland a taste. La Forge observes that it seems to agree with Worf, earning Worf a contemptuous look from Kurn.
   
 
After dinner, filled with rage, Worf goes to Kurn's quarters to demand an explanation. When the other expresses doubt of Worf's Klingon instincts, Worf erupts in a violent outburst. Kurn is pleased and says he's been testing Worf to see just how Klingon he was, revealing that he is really Worf's younger brother.
 
After dinner, filled with rage, Worf goes to Kurn's quarters to demand an explanation. When the other expresses doubt of Worf's Klingon instincts, Worf erupts in a violent outburst. Kurn is pleased and says he's been testing Worf to see just how Klingon he was, revealing that he is really Worf's younger brother.
   
 
===Act Two===
 
===Act Two===
  +
[[File:Mogh brothers.jpg|thumb|The brothers discuss the challenge]]
Kurn explains that when Mogh's family went to [[Khitomer]], he had been left behind with their father's friend, [[Lorgh]], and so escaped the massacre.
 
Worf explains to Kurn that the [[Sergey Rozhenko|Starfleet officer]] that rescued him was told by the [[Klingon High Command]] that he had no living relatives, believing that Kurn was with the family and therefore killed at Khitomer. After the massacre, Lorgh adopted Kurn as his son and kept him in his family. When Kurn reached the age of ascension he was told the truth about his bloodline.
+
Kurn explains that he was barely a year old when their family went to [[Khitomer]], and they weren't going to stay there for long, so he had been left to stay with their father's friend, [[Lorgh]] until their return, and so escaped the massacre. Worf explains to Kurn that the [[Sergey Rozhenko|Starfleet officer]] that rescued him was told by the [[Klingon High Command]] that he had no living relatives, believing that Kurn was with the family and therefore killed at Khitomer. After the massacre, Lorgh adopted Kurn as his son and kept him in his family. When Kurn reached the [[Age of Ascension]], he was told the truth about his bloodline.
   
Kurn has sought Worf out because their father, [[Mogh]], is accused of treason by the [[Klingon High Council]]. Supposedly, he had given the Romulans access codes allowing them to lower the shields of the Khitomer outpost just before the Romulan attack. Kurn had lived all these years, hiding his identity by masquerading as the son of Lorgh, but when he learned of the Council's action he came to Worf, asking him to challenge the judgment as Mogh's elder son.
+
Kurn has sought Worf out because their father, [[Mogh]], is accused of [[treason]] by the [[Klingon High Council]]. Supposedly, he had given the [[Romulan]]s defense access codes allowing them to lower the shields of the Khitomer outpost just before the Romulan attack. Kurn had lived all these years, hiding his identity by masquerading as the son of Lorgh, but when he learned of the Council's action, he came to Worf, asking him to challenge the judgment as Mogh's elder son.
   
Picard says that since Worf is accused of a capital crime it would be better if he were standing at Worf's side as he made his challenge, rather than simply granting him shore leave. Picard commands Kurn to set course for the [[Qo'noS|Klingon homeworld]]. Kurn is surprised; he hadn't expected the ''Enterprise'' itself to change course. Now he respects Worf more deeply than ever.
+
Worf goes to Picard and explains this to him, asking for leave so he can face the High Council. Picard says that since Worf is accused of a capital crime, it would be better if he were standing at Worf's side as he made his challenge. Picard commands Kurn to set course for the [[First City]] of the [[Qo'noS|Klingon homeworld]]. Kurn is surprised; he hadn't expected the ''Enterprise'' itself to change course. Now he respects Worf more deeply than ever.
   
On the way home, Kurn asks Worf if he can be his [[Cha'DIch]], or ritual second; while Worf is accused, he will not be allowed in any duels or fights. Worf accepts, although he tells Kurn that he must not reveal his true bloodline, reminding Kurn that while on the ''Enterprise'' it's proper for Worf to obey Kurn; but in Council, Kurn will have to obey Worf, who is older.
+
On the way home, Kurn asks Worf in Ten Forward if he can be his [[Cha'DIch]], or ritual second; while Worf is accused, he will not be allowed in any duels or fights. Worf agrees, and Kurn speaks the traditional words of acceptance: "''I accept with honor. May your enemies tremble before you.''" Then Worf tells Kurn that he must not reveal his true bloodline. Kurn protests, and Worf reminds him that, on the ''Enterprise'', Kurn is the superior officer, but on the Klingon homeworld, Worf is the elder brother, and Kurn must obey him.
   
 
[[File:First City, Qo'noS.jpg|thumb|The [[First City]] on the Klingon homeworld]]
 
[[File:First City, Qo'noS.jpg|thumb|The [[First City]] on the Klingon homeworld]]
Once they arrive at Qo'noS, Worf and Kurn beam down with Picard and Riker accompanying them. Worf pronounces his challenge before the Council and faces the accusations of [[Duras, son of Ja'rod|Duras]], the son of Mogh's greatest rival. Worf acknowledges that he is prepared to face the consequences with his very life if his challenge fails.
+
Once they arrive at Qo'noS, Worf and Kurn beam down with Picard and Riker accompanying them. Worf pronounces his challenge before the Council and faces the [[accusation]]s of [[Duras, son of Ja'rod|Duras]], the son of Mogh's greatest rival. Worf acknowledges that he is prepared to face the consequences with his very life if his challenge fails. "''I am Worf, son of Mogh. I have come to challenge the lies that have been spoken of my father!''", he defiantly states to the High Council.
   
 
===Act Three===
 
===Act Three===
  +
[[File:Worf in Great Hall, 2366.jpg|thumb|left|[[Worf]] faces the judgment of the [[Klingon High Council]]]]
Duras accuses Worf of forsaking his heritage for the Federation, but Picard tells the council that Worf has served under his command with distinction, earning Picard's admiration and respect. Appealing to the council's better natures, Picard says he trusts their wisdom will guide them to clear Worf's family name and return him to duty. Chancellor [[K'mpec]] notes the trust of a commanding officer is admirable and notes it for the record.
+
Duras accuses Worf of forsaking his heritage for the Federation, but Picard tells the council that Worf has served under his command with distinction, and as such, has earned him Picard's admiration and respect. Appealing to the council's better natures, Picard says he trusts their wisdom will guide them to clear Worf's family name and return him to duty. Chancellor [[K'mpec]] notes the trust of a commanding officer is admirable and notes it for the record.
   
Duras testifies that a transmission of access codes went out from the outpost to the [[Romulan]] vessels which allowed them to dismantle the outposts' [[shields]]. Thousands died on Khitomer, including Duras' father. Duras calls Mogh a traitor and because Worf has brought this challenge, Duras calls him a traitor as well, backhanding Worf in the traditions of their people. Duras then rips Worf's [[baldric]] off of him, telling Worf he is unworthy to wear the emblems of their people. Worf tells Duras "''it is a good day to die, but the day is not yet over.''"
+
Duras testifies that a transmission of access codes went out from the outpost to the [[Romulan patrol ships 001|Romulan patrol ships]] which allowed them to dismantle the outposts' [[shields]]. [[Khitomer Massacre|Thousands of Klingons died on Khitomer]], including Duras' father. Duras calls Mogh a [[traitor]] and because Worf has brought this challenge, Duras calls him a traitor as well, backhanding Worf in the traditions of their people. Duras then rips Worf's [[baldric]] off of him, telling Worf he is unworthy to wear the emblems of their people. Worf replies, "''it is a good day to die, Duras, and the day is not yet over.''" [[File:Worf describes the day.jpg|thumb|"''It is a good day to die, and the day is not yet over.''"]]
   
During a recess of the council K'mpec meets with Worf and tries to persuade him into abandoning his challenge. Worf reacts with shock and dismay at this seemingly un-Klingon request, even though he understands that K'mpec's personal affection for Mogh may be influencing the request.
+
During a [[recess]] of the council, K'mpec meets with Worf and tries to persuade him into abandoning his challenge. Shocked at this, Worf asks K'mpec why he would have him lay aside his father's honor, but K'mpec will not allow himself to be questioned and advises Worf to leave before he is condemned as a traitor.
   
Kurn has received a note to meet someone in an isolated corridor; it is Duras. Duras reveals that he knows Kurn's true bloodline and tries to blackmail him into turning against Worf. Kurn refuses, and Duras' assassins attack and seriously wound him.
+
Kurn has received a note to meet someone in an isolated corridor; it is Duras. Duras reveals that he knows Kurn's true bloodline and tries to blackmail him into turning against Worf. Disgusted, Kurn refuses, and Duras' [[assassin]]s attack him with a ''[[kut'luch]]'', the ceremonial weapon of an assassin, which inflicts serious wounds.
   
 
===Act Four===
 
===Act Four===
  +
[[File:Kurn sickbay.jpg|thumb|left|"''What kind of a weapon makes a vicious wound like that?''"]]
Although [[Beverly Crusher]] reassures Worf that Kurn's wounds are not life-threatening, Worf tells her she should have let him die because he'll be executed anyway. Worf asks Picard to be his Cha'DIch. Picard demurs, but Worf insists that there is no one better qualified. Picard accepts and recites the traditional Klingon words which mean "I accept with honor. May your enemies tremble before you."
 
  +
Although [[Beverly Crusher]] reassures Worf that due to Kurn's phenomenal metabolic recovery, his wounds are not life-threatening. Worf tells her she should have let him die because he'll be executed anyway &ndash; now that someone knows he is Worf's brother, Kurn will share Worf's fate if the challenge is unsuccessful. Later, Worf voices his worries that the very High Council itself is against him to Picard, who attempts to reassure him. Worf requests that he be allowed to select another Cha’DIch, from among the crew this time, which Picard assents to. Promptly, Worf asks the captain to be his Cha'DIch, giving him the option to refuse with no dishonor. Picard is touched, but demurs by pointing out that there are many stronger and younger people that he can choose. In response, Worf confidently states that there is no one better qualified. Picard pleases Worf by reciting the same traditional acceptance, in Klingon.
   
Surprised by Worf's new Cha'DIch, Duras questions Picard's valditiy as Cha'DIch but Picard tells Duras that he's not here to Command, which Duras responds that he has to fight as well, which isn't something that is not taught by Starfleet. Picard defiantly tells Duras that he is welcome to test that assumption at his leisure.
+
Surprised by Worf's new Cha'DIch, Duras questions Picard's validity as Cha'DIch, but Picard tells Duras that he's not here to command, to which Duras smirks and responds that he has to fight as well, which he believes isn't something that is taught by Starfleet. Coldly, Picard informs Duras that he is welcome to test that assumption at his leisure, wiping the grin off of Duras’ face.
   
The ''Enterprise'' crew, on Picard's orders, are investigating the Khitomer massacre on their own. The {{USS|Intrepid|NCC-38907}} was the first ship on the scene of the disaster; Data contacts Starfleet for copies of the logs. Meanwhile, La Forge and Data have gotten into the Klingon central information net and discovered that the Klingons recently captured a Romulan ship with information about Khitomer in the ship's logs and that's how they found out about the treachery.
+
The ''Enterprise'' crew investigate the Khitomer Massacre on their own. The {{USS|Intrepid|NCC-38907}} was the first ship on the scene of the disaster; Data contacts Starfleet for copies of the ''Intrepid''{{'}}s logs. Meanwhile, La Forge and Data have gotten into the [[Klingon Central information net]] and discovered that the Klingons recently captured a Romulan ship with information about Khitomer in the ship's logs and that's how they found out about the treachery.
   
Upon comparing the information in the Klingon archives with the ''Intrepid'' logs, La Forge and Data discover that there is a discrepancy in the transmissions. The evidence which supported Mogh's guilt was faked. Another survivor of the [[Khitomer Massacre]], a woman named [[Kahlest]], is found. Picard is told about this during the second Council session and asks Worf, who says that Kahlest was his nurse and that he thought she had died.
+
Upon comparing the information in the Klingon archives with the ''Intrepid''{{'}}s logs, La Forge and Data discover that there is a discrepancy in the transmissions. The evidence which supported Mogh's guilt was faked. They also discover another survivor of the [[Khitomer Massacre]], a woman named [[Kahlest]], is found to be still alive and residing in the [[Old Quarter]] of the First City. Riker informs Picard about this during the second Council session and asks Worf, who says that Kahlest was his [[nurse]] and that he thought she had died. Picard tells Worf he must find her and bring her before the Council. Worf recommends that he not go alone, as it is too dangerous. Picard tells him, "''Hey, I'm your Cha'DIch.''"
   
 
===Act Five===
 
===Act Five===
  +
[[File:Picard cloak.jpg|thumb|Picard, in a cloak, enters [[Kahlest]]'s home]]
Using a cloak and keeping the hood up, Picard journeys into the Old City and finds Kahlest's home. Kahlest says she considers her life over after Khitomer and she is waiting to die. Picard tries to persuade Kahlest to accompany him back to the High Council chamber, telling her that the family that she once served proudly needs her again. She refuses, and Picard starts to leave. Just outside Kahlest's door, he is ambushed by Duras' assassins. He manages to overcome one, Kahlest emerges from her home, and throws a knife, killing the other. Kahlest now agrees to accompany Picard back to the [[Klingon High Council|High Council]] for the purpose of testifying for Worf. She also reveals that K'mpec was once romantically interested in her, but she wasn't attracted to him; he was too fat.
+
Picard journeys into the Old Quarter and finds Kahlest's home. Kahlest informs him that she considers her life to have ended after Khitomer and that she is waiting to die. Picard tries to persuade Kahlest to accompany him back to the High Council chamber, appealing to her sense of honor by telling her that the family that she once served proudly needs her again. She refuses, and a disconcerted Picard leaves. Just outside Kahlest's door, he is ambushed by Duras' assassins. He manages to overcome one and Kahlest, emerging from her home, throws a [[knife]] and kills the other. Impressed with Picard’s bravery, Kahlest now agrees to accompany him back to the High Council for the purpose of testifying for Worf. She also reveals that K'mpec was once romantically interested in her, but she wasn't attracted to him; he was too fat.
   
Just as K'mpec is about to pronounce judgment on Worf, Picard enters with Kahlest. In a private session, Picard demands that she be allowed to testify in open council in accordance with Klingon law. Duras is almost hysterically against it. K'mpec silences him by asking him if he would really kill an old woman to cover his dishonor. K'mpec's statement makes it clear that the dishonor rests not on Worf but on Duras; Kahlest is free to go. K'mpec tells Kahlest, "''It is good to see you again''", to which she responds, "''You are still fat, K'mpec''."
+
Just as K'mpec is about to pronounce judgment on Worf, Picard enters with Kahlest. K’mpec’s eyes flash with recognition as he sees Kahlest and he calls a recess. In a private session, Picard demands that she be allowed to testify in open council in accordance with Klingon law. Duras threatens to kill Kahlest right then and there so as to silence her. K'mpec, incensed, silences him by asking him if he would really kill an old woman to cover his dishonor. Picard instantly sees that the whole Council proceeding is a farce: a [[framing|frame-up]] to save Duras, not Worf, from disgrace. K'mpec tells Kahlest she is free to go, adding, "''It is good to see you again''", to which she contemptuously responds, "''You are still fat, K'mpec.''"
   
K'mpec privately explains the truth. When Klingons captured the Romulan ship with the records, they learned of the treachery behind the Khitomer Massacre; this soon became common knowledge, and ''someone'' had to answer for that treachery. Fortunately, only the Council knew who transmitted his code: not Mogh, but [[Ja'rod]]: Duras' father. K'mpec says the Duras family was too powerful and to expose him would likely split the Empire and cause a civil war. In order to avoid that, they decided to use Mogh as a scapegoat, believing that Worf, since he was in [[Starfleet]], would not challenge the judgment. None of them realized that Kurn was Mogh's second child. Picard says this means Worf's challenge was successful. He refuses to hand Worf and Kurn over for execution. When K'mpec threatens to end the [[Treaty of Alliance|alliance]] with the [[Federation]] because of Picard's defiance, Picard reminds him that their alliance is not based on lies. If they must protect their secrets, then so be it but Picard will not allow the needless sacrifice of these two men.
+
Worf angrily demands an explanation for the Council judging Mogh guilty, despite the fact they knew he was innocent. K'mpec privately explains the truth: When Klingons captured the Romulan ship with the records, they learned of the treachery behind the Khitomer Massacre; this soon became common knowledge, and ''someone'' had to answer for that treachery. Fortunately, only the Council knew who transmitted his code: not Mogh, but [[Ja'rod]], Duras' father.
   
  +
Beside himself, Worf violently points out that Duras should have been made to pay for the sins of Ja’rod, but K'mpec reveals that the Duras family is too powerful and to expose him would likely split the Empire apart and plunge it into a [[civil war]]. In order to avoid that, they decided to use Mogh as a [[scapegoat]], believing that Worf, since he was in [[Starfleet]], would not challenge the judgment. None of them realized that Kurn was Mogh's second child. But now things have progressed too far, and both sons of Mogh must die.
Worf speaks up and says he'll volunteer to die for the sake of the [[Klingon Empire]]. Picard objects, but Worf tells his Cha'DIch to be silent. Worf asks for Kurn's life to be spared. Duras rejects this, as Kurn's honor would then demand revenge. Worf then offers to accept [[discommendation]] if Kurn will be allowed to live. K'mpec tells Worf that doing so would be the same as admitting his father's guilt. Worf simply says "''So be it.''" K'mpec states that Worf's heart is truly Klingon, and commands that this will never be spoken of again to anyone. Before they proceed, Worf calls Duras the son of a traitor and backhands him as tradition demands.
 
   
  +
Offended and outraged by the sheer hypocrisy of K'mpec and the Council, Picard demands to know what this says for an Empire which professes to value honor above all else. K'mpec adamantly says one family's honor must be sacrificed to preserve that Empire, not the other way around. Picard &ndash; now speaking in his official capacity as captain of the USS ''Enterprise'' and a representative of the Federation &ndash; insists that Worf's challenge has succeeded, and he refuses to hand Worf or Kurn over for execution. When K'mpec threatens to end the [[Treaty of Alliance|alliance]], Picard retorts that their alliance is not based on lies. If they must protect their secrets, then so be it but Picard will not allow the needless sacrifice of these two men.
Kurn is heartbroken by Worf's decision, telling Picard that he was ready to die for Worf. Picard tells Kurn that he must live in order to restore the honor of Mogh's family. Picard tells Kurn that there will be another day. "Do not forget what he does here today. Do not let your children forget." Picard and Kurn join Worf in the middle of the council chambers and the council members gather in a circle around Worf. Worf says the ritual words, "''tlhIH ghIj jIHyoj''" ("''I fear your judgment''"); K'mpec replies, "''biHnuch!''" ("''Coward!''"), and one by one, the Council members cross their arms and turn their backs on him in ritual ostracism. Worf softly tells Kurn that he must do it also. Almost on the verge of tears, Kurn very reluctantly complies. The whole assembly having turned their backs, Worf and Picard leave the Council Chamber and return to the ''Enterprise''.
 
   
  +
[[File:Worf's discommendation.jpg|thumb|left|Worf's discommendation]]
==Log entries==
 
 
Worf then volunteers to die for the sake of the [[Klingon Empire]]. Picard begins to object but Worf tells his Cha'DIch to be silent. Worf asks for Kurn's life to be spared. Duras rejects this, as Kurn's honor would then demand revenge. Worf then offers to accept [[discommendation]] if Kurn is allowed to live. K'mpec instantly sees this as a neat solution to their dilemma but doing so would be the same as admitting his father's guilt. Worf simply says "''So be it.''" K'mpec affirms his belief that Worf's [[heart]] is truly Klingon and proclaims that this matter will never be spoken of again. Duras, satisfied that matters have been arranged to his and his family's benefit, starts to exit the chamber, but Worf stops him and does what tradition demands: saying to his face, ''"<u>You</u> are the son of a traitor''" and viciously backhanding him (A warning Worf will kill Duras). K'mpec nods in approval at this.
  +
 
In a room behind the council chambers, Kurn tells Picard that he was ready to die for his brother and his family's honor. Picard attempts to console Kurn with the reasons behind Worf’s sacrifice; Worf is looking ahead, knowing Kurn must live in order to restore that honor: "''There will be another day, Commander. Do not forget what he does here today. Do not let your children forget.''" Picard and Kurn join Worf in the middle of the council chambers and the council members gather in a circle around Worf. Worf says the ritual words, "''tlhIH ghIj jIHyoj''" ("''I fear your judgment''"); K'mpec replies, "''biHnuch!''" ("''Coward!''"), and one by one, the Council members cross their arms and turn their backs (turning to their right) on him in ritual ostracism, all except Kurn, who stares at Worf pleadingly. Worf softly tells Kurn that he must do it also. Kurn very reluctantly complies, but instead of turning to his right, he turns to his left. The whole assembly having turned their backs, Worf and Picard leave the Council Chamber and return to the ''Enterprise''.
  +
 
===Log entries===
 
* [[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2366#Officer Exchange Program|Captain's log, USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-D), 2366]]
 
* [[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2366#Officer Exchange Program|Captain's log, USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-D), 2366]]
   
==Memorable Quotes==
+
==Memorable quotes==
  +
"''One does not patronize a Klingon warrior.''"
  +
: - '''Riker'''
  +
   
 
"''Do you wish to '''SPEAK,''' Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher?"''
 
"''Do you wish to '''SPEAK,''' Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher?"''
:-'''Kurn'''
+
: - '''Kurn'''
  +
   
 
"''I imagine it must be very difficult for you to work with a crew that is so different. I would be happy to guide you in that regard, if it would be helpful.''" <br />
 
"''I imagine it must be very difficult for you to work with a crew that is so different. I would be happy to guide you in that regard, if it would be helpful.''" <br />
"''No Commander, it wouldn't.''" <br />
+
"''No, Commander, it wouldn't.''" <br />
 
"''This is not a Klingon ship, sir.''" <br />
 
"''This is not a Klingon ship, sir.''" <br />
"''No Commander, it is not. If it ''were'' a Klingon ship, I would've killed you for offering your suggestion.''" <br />
+
"''No, Commander, it is not. If it ''were'' a Klingon ship, I would've killed you for offering your suggestion.''" <br />
:-'''Riker''' and '''Kurn'''
+
: - '''Riker''' and '''Kurn'''
   
   
"''How long has this bird been dead? It appears to have been lying in the sun for quite some time.''" <br />
+
"''How long has this bird been dead? It appears to have been lying in the sun for quite some time.''" <br />
"''Well it's not dead, it's been replicated. And you do understand that we cook most of our foods...''" <br />
+
"''Well, it's not dead, it's been replicated. And you do understand that we cook most of our foods&hellip;''" <br />
"''Ah yes, I was told to prepare for that. I shall try some of your burned replicated bird meat.''"
+
"''Ah yes, I was told to prepare for that. I shall try some of your burned replicated bird meat.''"
:-'''Kurn''' and '''Lt. Cmdr. La Forge'''
+
: - '''Kurn''' and '''La Forge'''
   
   
Line 120: Line 115:
   
   
"''I am Klingon! If you doubt it, a demonstration can be arranged.''" <br />
+
"''I am Klingon! If you doubt it, a demonstration can be arranged.''"<br />
 
"''That is a response of a Klingon. The response I would expect from my older brother.''"
 
"''That is a response of a Klingon. The response I would expect from my older brother.''"
:- '''Worf''' and '''Kurn'''
+
: - '''Worf''' and '''Kurn'''
   
   
 
"''Will you grant my leave, Captain?''" <br />
 
"''Will you grant my leave, Captain?''" <br />
"''No - if I understand correctly, a Starfleet officer, a respected member of my crew, could be charged with a capital crime. Your actions on this matter will reflect on this ship, and on the Federation - therefore, it seems only appropriate that your captain should be at your side while you make your challenge...I'm sure you would do no less for me.''"
+
"''No &ndash; if I understand correctly, a Starfleet officer, a respected member of my crew, could be charged with a capital crime. Your actions on this matter will reflect on this ship, and on the Federation &ndash; therefore, it seems only appropriate that your captain should be at your side while you make your challenge&hellip; I'm sure you would do no less for me.''"
 
: - '''Worf''' and '''Picard'''
 
: - '''Worf''' and '''Picard'''
  +
  +
  +
"''I am Worf, son of Mogh. I have come to challenge the lies that have been spoken of my father!''"
  +
: - '''Worf''', to the Klingon High Council
   
   
Line 142: Line 141:
   
 
"''Are you adjusting to your new environment, Commander?''"<br />
 
"''Are you adjusting to your new environment, Commander?''"<br />
''"I find the constraints a bit difficult to conform to. Just a short while ago I had to stop myself from killing Commander Riker.''"
+
''"I find the constraints a bit difficult to conform to. Just a short while ago, I had to stop myself from killing Commander Riker.''"
:-'''Troi''' and '''Kurn'''
+
: - '''Troi''' and '''Kurn'''
   
   
"''For many turns, the truth about Khitomer has been dormant. Unknown. Now the truth has been revealed. The traitor, Mogh, sent the defense access codes to the Romulan patrol ships, allowing them to destroy the outpost. Thousands died on Khitomer! My father died on Khitomer! Their deaths must be avenged. Your father was a traitor. By posing this challenge, '''you''' are a traitor! You will not wear the emblems of our people. You are a fool, and your challenge can only result in a fool's death.''"<br />
+
"''For many turns, the truth about Khitomer has lain dormant. Unknown. Now the truth has been revealed. The traitor, Mogh, sent the defense access codes to the Romulan patrol ships, allowing them to destroy the outpost. Thousands died on Khitomer! My father died on Khitomer! Their deaths must be avenged. Your father was a traitor. By posing this challenge, ''you'' are a traitor! You will not wear the emblems of our people. You are a fool, and your challenge can only result in a fool's death.''"<br />
"''It is a good day to die, Duras, but the day is not yet over.''"
+
"''It is a good day to die, Duras, and the day is not yet over.''"
 
: - '''Duras''' and '''Worf'''
 
: - '''Duras''' and '''Worf'''
   
   
"''This is not your world, human. You do not command here.''" <br />
+
"''This is not your world, Human. You do not command here.''"<br />
"''I'm not here to command.''" <br />
+
"''I'm not here to command.''"<br />
"''Then you must be ready to fight. Something Starfleet does not teach you.''" <br />
+
"''Then you must be ready to fight. Something Starfleet does not teach you.''"<br />
"''You may test that assumption at your convenience.''" <br />
+
"''You may test that assumption at your convenience.''"<br />
:- '''Duras''' and '''Picard'''
+
: - '''Duras''' and '''Picard'''
   
   
  +
"''My appreciation, madam.''"
"''This ''Ha'DIbaH'' should've been fed to the dogs!''"
 
  +
: - '''Picard''', to Kahlest after she kills a Klingon who was about to murder him
: - '''Worf''', pointing at Duras
 
   
  +
 
"''THIS ''Ha'DIbaH'' SHOULD’VE BEEN FED TO THE DOGS!!''"
 
: - '''Worf''', pointing at Duras after learning the truth
   
   
 
"''You are brave, ''cha'DIch''. Worf chose well.''"
 
"''You are brave, ''cha'DIch''. Worf chose well.''"
: - '''Kahlest''', after Picard fights off Duras's assassins.
+
: - '''Kahlest''', after Picard fights off Duras' assassins
   
   
"''K'mpec would remember Kalest. I caught his eye back then. But he was too fat.''"
+
"''K'mpec would remember Kahlest. I caught his eye back then. But he was too fat.''"
 
: - '''Kahlest'''
 
: - '''Kahlest'''
   
   
"''It is good to see you again.''"
+
"''It is good to see you again.''"<br />
 
"''You are still fat, K'mpec.''"
 
"''You are still fat, K'mpec.''"
 
: - '''K'mpec''' and '''Kahlest'''
 
: - '''K'mpec''' and '''Kahlest'''
Line 179: Line 181:
 
"''The empire will not be destroyed for one family's honor.''"<br />
 
"''The empire will not be destroyed for one family's honor.''"<br />
 
"''Unacceptable, K'mpec!''"<br />
 
"''Unacceptable, K'mpec!''"<br />
"You ''have no say in this, cha'DIch!''"<br />
+
"You ''have no say in this,'' cha'DIch!"<br />
"''I speak now as the captain of the U.S.S. ''Enterprise'' and Lieutenant Worf's commanding officer! You will not execute a member of my crew, nor will I turn his brother over to you!''"<br />
+
"''I speak now as the captain of the USS ''Enterprise'' and Lieutenant Worf's commanding officer! You will not execute a member of my crew, nor will I turn his brother over to you!''"<br />
 
"''This is not the Federation, Picard. If you defy an order of the High Council, the alliance with the Federation could fall to dust.''"<br />
 
"''This is not the Federation, Picard. If you defy an order of the High Council, the alliance with the Federation could fall to dust.''"<br />
 
"''The alliance with the Federation is not based on lies, K'mpec. Protect your secrets if you must, but you will not sacrifice these men.''"
 
"''The alliance with the Federation is not based on lies, K'mpec. Protect your secrets if you must, but you will not sacrifice these men.''"
: - '''Picard''', '''K'mpec''' and '''Duras'''
+
: - '''Picard''', '''K'mpec''', and '''Duras'''
   
   
"''The cha'DIch will be silent!''"
+
"''The ''cha'DIch'' will be silent!''"
 
: - '''Worf''', to Captain Picard
 
: - '''Worf''', to Captain Picard
   
Line 193: Line 195:
 
: - '''Worf''', to Duras
 
: - '''Worf''', to Duras
   
==Background Information==
+
==Background information==
  +
=== Production history ===
  +
* Final draft script: {{d|5|January|1990}} {{Star Trek Minutiae|resources/scripts/165.txt}}
  +
* Premiere airdate: {{d|19|March|1990}}
 
* First UK airdate: {{d|26|February|1992}}
  +
 
=== Story and production ===
 
=== Story and production ===
  +
* This story began life as two different scripts, one by [[Drew Deighan]] which featured Worf's father being accused of treason, and another script by [[Beth Woods]], in which Worf's brother came aboard the ''Enterprise''. Shortly after officially joining the writing staff, [[Ronald D. Moore]] was given the two scripts by [[Michael Piller]] and asked to combine them into a single story. Due to Moore's comparative inexperience in writing for television, the more experienced [[W. Reed Moran]] was asked by Piller to work with Moore, only for Moran to be removed from the writing process after completion of the first draft due to his own lack of familiarity with the series, with Moore and Piller subsequently seeing the script through to completion. ([[TNG Season 3 Blu-ray]], episode commentary)
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] recalled, "''I was in love with 'Sins of the Father' and I fought for it when there was some question about which way we were going to go with it. I really like the fact [[Worf]] took it on the chin that episode. It said he was willing to stand up and do the right thing for his people, even if they weren't going to do the right thing by him. [[Patrick Stewart|Patrick]] and I were at the Saturn Awards together, and he made a really good suggestion. When Worf is asking Picard to be his ''Cha'DIch'', Picard originally says a single Klingon word, but Patrick thought it would be nice if Picard knew the whole line of ritual. At that time there wasn't a formal ritual, and there wasn't one for Kurn either, so I went back and wrote a line for him to say in Klingon and I tied it into Picard.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 193)
+
* Moore recalled, "''I was in love with 'Sins of the Father' and I fought for it when there was some question about which way we were going to go with it. I really like the fact [[Worf]] took it on the chin that episode. It said he was willing to stand up and do the right thing for his people, even if they weren't going to do the right thing by him. [[Patrick Stewart|Patrick]] and I were at the Saturn Awards together, and he made a really good suggestion. When Worf is asking Picard to be his ''Cha'DIch'', Picard originally says a single Klingon word, but Patrick thought it would be nice if Picard knew the whole line of ritual. At that time there wasn't a formal ritual, and there wasn't one for Kurn either, so I went back and wrote a line for him to say in Klingon and I tied it into Picard.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p.&nbsp;193)
* Director [[Les Landau]] recalled, "''Here was an opportunity to explore the Klingon world in depth from beginning to end. Meaning that Ron Moore came up with a wonderful story which [[Richard James]], the art director, and [[Jim Mees]], the set decorator, had to visualize in terms of set design and set decoration. Additionally, to which [[Marvin Rush]], the cameraman, had to conceptually find a visual representation of what the Klingon world was all about. I think all three of those gentlemen accomplished that task totally. In fact, Richard and Jim went on to win Emmy Awards for that episode, which I'm very proud of. Marvin's work speaks for itself. It was visually one of the most dynamic episodes ever done. It looks like a feature film. There were long detailed conversations about how, conceptually, we should deal with them. Ultimately, [[Rick Berman]] gave the final approval for each and every one of the ideas and details, and we showed a world that was heretofore never seen before, and which the audience craves to see more of. I was never one of the original ''[[TOS|Star Trek]]'' fans, however. My attitude was, is and always will be to never see what has come before, but to go where none have before and visualize what is in my thinking and mind as to what the visuals should be, which is dictated by the storyline. We must always come back to the words and what the story is, because without it, we have nothing to tell. After all, film and episodic television is nothing if not telling a story.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 194)
+
* Director [[Les Landau]] recalled, "''Here was an opportunity to explore the Klingon world in depth from beginning to end. Meaning that Ron Moore came up with a wonderful story which [[Richard James]], the art director, and [[Jim Mees]], the set decorator, had to visualize in terms of set design and set decoration. Additionally, to which [[Marvin Rush]], the cameraman, had to conceptually find a visual representation of what the Klingon world was all about. I think all three of those gentlemen accomplished that task totally. In fact, Richard and Jim went on to win Emmy Awards for that episode, which I'm very proud of. Marvin's work speaks for itself. It was visually one of the most dynamic episodes ever done. It looks like a feature film. There were long detailed conversations about how, conceptually, we should deal with them. Ultimately, [[Rick Berman]] gave the final approval for each and every one of the ideas and details, and we showed a world that was heretofore never seen before, and which the audience craves to see more of. I was never one of the original ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' fans, however. My attitude was, is and always will be to never see what has come before, but to go where none have before and visualize what is in my thinking and mind as to what the visuals should be, which is dictated by the storyline. We must always come back to the words and what the story is, because without it, we have nothing to tell. After all, film and episodic television is nothing if not telling a story.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p.&nbsp;194)
* As an in-joke, the captain of the {{USS|Intrepid|NCC-38907}} is named [[Drew Deighan (Captain)|Drew Deighan]] on a monitor screen, after [[Drew Deighan|the writer]] who submitted the spec script upon which this episode was based. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'' 2nd ed., p. 120)
+
* As an in-joke, the captain of the {{USS|Intrepid|NCC-38907}} is named [[Drew Dieghan]] on a monitor screen, after [[Drew Deighan|the writer]] who submitted the spec script upon which this episode was based. ({{tngc|2|120}})
* The design of the Klingon Great Hall (and other sets in the episode) won an [[Emmy Award]] for Best Art Direction for ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' production designer [[Richard James]]. The exterior of the Great Hall and the surrounding First City was a matte painting created by [[Syd Dutton]] at [[Illusion Arts]]. (''[[Star Trek Encyclopedia]]'' 1st ed., p. 118)
+
* The design of the Klingon Great Hall (and other sets in the episode) won an [[Emmy Award]] for Best Art Direction for ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' production designer [[Richard James]]. The exterior of the Great Hall and the surrounding First City was a [[matte painting]] created by [[Syd Dutton]] at [[Illusion Arts]]. ({{ste|1|118}})
 
* The [[Great Hall]] in this episode was built off the quite large [[Tanuga IV research station]] set that was built for {{TNG|A Matter of Perspective}}, earlier in the third season.
 
* The [[Great Hall]] in this episode was built off the quite large [[Tanuga IV research station]] set that was built for {{TNG|A Matter of Perspective}}, earlier in the third season.
 
* Among the items which were sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction]] on eBay was a [[Klingon blade weapons#Assassins's knife #2|Klingon assassin's knife]], seen in this episode. {{stala|8777}}
 
* Among the items which were sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction]] on eBay was a [[Klingon blade weapons#Assassins's knife #2|Klingon assassin's knife]], seen in this episode. {{stala|8777}}
* First UK airdate: 26th February 1992
 
   
 
=== Continuity ===
 
=== Continuity ===
  +
* This episode marks the first depiction of the Klingon homeworld [[Qo'noS]].
*This episode refers to William Riker's service in {{IKS|Pagh}} and other events from {{e|A Matter Of Honor}}.
 
*It also sets up several future themes, such as the [[House of Duras]] and the underpinnings to the [[Klingon Civil War]].
+
* The episode refers to William Riker's service on the {{IKS|Pagh}} and other events from {{e|A Matter Of Honor}}. It also sets up several future themes, such as the [[House of Duras]] and the underpinnings to the [[Klingon Civil War]].
*[[Tony Todd]] makes his first appearance as [[Kurn]] in this episode. He reprises the role in {{e|Redemption}}, {{e|Redemption II}} and the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' episode {{e|Sons of Mogh}}.
+
* [[Tony Todd]] makes his first appearance as [[Kurn]] in this episode. He reprises the role in {{e|Redemption}}, {{e|Redemption II}} and the {{s|DS9}} episode {{e|Sons of Mogh}}.
 
* The over-the-shoulder cloak with the medals that [[K'mpec]] wore as High Council leader was the same cloak [[General]] [[Korrd]] wore in {{film|5}}. Both roles were played by [[Charles Cooper]].
*[[Duras, son of Ja'rod|Duras]] ([[Patrick Massett]]) and his father, [[Ja'rod]], are descendants of the [[22nd century]] [[Klingon]] warrior [[Duras, son of Toral|Duras]] ([[Daniel Riordan]]) who appeared in {{ENT|Judgment}} and {{e|The Expanse}}.
 
 
* The [[captain's dining room]] is seen for the first time.
*The over-the-shoulder cloak with the medals that [[K'mpec]] wore as High Council leader was the same cloak [[General]] [[Korrd]] wore in {{film|5}}. Both roles were played by [[Charles Cooper]].
 
 
* Kahlest tells Picard that Mogh "was loyal to the emperor." However, {{e|Rightful Heir}} will later establish that the Klingons haven't had an emperor in 300 years. It can be assumed that Kahlest was abstractly referring to the Emperor [[Kahless]] and his guiding principles for all Klingons.
*The [[captain's dining room]] is seen for the first time.
 
 
* This is the only episode where Duras' father [[Ja'rod]] is actually named.
*Kahlest tells Picard that Mogh "was loyal to the emperor." However, {{e|Rightful Heir}} will later establish that the Klingons haven't had an emperor in 300 years. Thus, we must assume that Kahlest was abstractly referring to the Emperor [[Kahless]] and his guiding principles for all Klingons.
 
 
* Picard refers to the Klingon state as the "Klingon Imperial Empire," a redundant designation which was never used again.
*This is the only episode where Duras' father, [[Ja'rod]], is actually named.
 
 
* On the medical file for [[Kahlest]], Dr. [[Beverly Crusher|Crusher]] reads that she was treated at [[Starbase 24]]. However, the [[okudagram]] reads [[Starbase 23]].
*Picard refers to the Klingon state as the "Klingon Imperial Empire," a redundant designation which was never used again.
 
 
* This is the first episode to acknowledge Dr. Crusher's middle initial, 'C'.
*On the medical file for [[Kahlest]], Dr. [[Beverly Crusher]] reads that she was treated at [[Starbase 24]]. However, the [[okudagram]] reads [[Starbase 23]].
 
  +
* Michael Dorn accidentally flubs the Klingon word Ha'DIbaH (animal). He transposes two syllables and says "ha'bidah" instead. Patrick Massett makes the same error later in {{e|Reunion}}.
*This is the first episode where we learn of Dr. Crusher's middle initial.
 
*Several walls of the Klingon [[Great Hall]] were originally seen as walls of the [[Tanuga IV research station]].
 
   
 
=== Reception ===
 
=== Reception ===
*''Entertainment Weekly'' ranked this episode #7 in their list of "The Top 10 Episodes" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_4,00.html]
+
* ''Entertainment Weekly'' ranked this episode #7 in their list of "The Top 10 Episodes" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_4,00.html]
* This episode won an [[Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Art Direction for a Series.
+
* This episode won an [[Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Art Direction for a Series.
* [[Michael Piller]] commented, "''It was complicated, because we were combining characters and scripts, trying to put together a Worf story we liked. I think we came out of it fairly well, with a good show.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 193)
+
* [[Michael Piller]] commented, "''It was complicated, because we were combining characters and scripts, trying to put together a Worf story we liked. I think we came out of it fairly well, with a good show.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p.&nbsp;193)
* Moore remarked, "''I thought Tony Todd did a wonderful job as Worf's brother. I was kind of worried, because there's always that hesitation when you're bringing in other family members no one else has even seen. Half the audience is ready to throw things at the screen, and you're thinking, 'This better work.' I was there when he stepped on the stage and made it his own.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 193)
+
* Moore remarked, "''I thought Tony Todd did a wonderful job as Worf's brother. I was kind of worried, because there's always that hesitation when you're bringing in other family members no one else has even seen. Half the audience is ready to throw things at the screen, and you're thinking, 'This better work.' I was there when he stepped on the stage and made it his own.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p.&nbsp;193)
* Moore saw this episode as a turning point towards more continuing [[story arc]]s on ''The Next Generation''. He commented, "''The biggest decision on this show was the ending...where Worf takes it on the chin and decides to accept his dishonor even though he knows its a lie but he does it for the greater glory of the Empire and he walks out the door and it ends with this sense of 'Oh my God. This has changed Worf forever, and what's going to happen to him next?' And what that did to the franchise overall was it suddenly said there's a continuing story here...As soon as Worf walks out the door with his dishonor it demands a follow-up. And that's why we eventually came back to {{e|Reunion}} and {{e|Redemption}} and on and on and on. All the Worf stories spring from that moment, and also opened up the whole franchise to the idea that maybe we can do continuing stories. It was really a pivotal moment looking back on how we structured ''Next Generation''.''" (''Chronicles from the Final Frontier'', <!--4 is not a typo-->[[TNG Season 4 DVD]] special features)
+
* Moore saw this episode as a turning point towards more continuing [[story arc]]s on ''The Next Generation''. He commented, "''The biggest decision on this show was the ending&hellip;where Worf takes it on the chin and decides to accept his dishonor even though he knows it's a lie but he does it for the greater glory of the Empire and he walks out the door and it ends with this sense of 'Oh my God. This has changed Worf forever, and what's going to happen to him next?' And what that did to the franchise overall was it suddenly said there's a continuing story here&hellip;As soon as Worf walks out the door with his dishonor it demands a follow-up. And that's why we eventually came back to {{e|Reunion}} and {{e|Redemption}} and on and on and on. All the Worf stories spring from that moment, and also opened up the whole franchise to the idea that maybe we can do continuing stories. It was really a pivotal moment looking back on how we structured ''Next Generation''.''" (''Chronicles from the Final Frontier'', <!--4 is not a typo-->[[TNG Season 4 DVD]] special features)
* [[Michael Dorn]] observed, "''There was a lot more involved in it than the writers realized. Things that have to do with Klingon loyalty and honor. They didn't give it its due. You look at Worf in a different light, and I've played him in a different light since that episode. This is not something they have come up with. I'm doing this on my own. Hey, it's their fault. They wrote it. So now, I'm going to carry on with it.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', pp. 193-194)
+
* [[Michael Dorn]] observed, "''There was a lot more involved in it than the writers realized. Things that have to do with Klingon loyalty and honor. They didn't give it its due. You look at Worf in a different light, and I've played him in a different light since that episode. This is not something they have come up with. I'm doing this on my own. Hey, it's their fault. They wrote it. So now, I'm going to carry on with it.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', pp.&nbsp;193–194)
* The book ''[[Star Trek 101]]'', by [[Terry J. Erdmann]] and [[Paula M. Block]], lists this episode as one of the "Ten Essential Episodes" from ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''.
+
* The book ''[[Star Trek 101]]'' (p. 72), by [[Terry J. Erdmann]] and [[Paula M. Block]], lists this episode as one of the "Ten Essential Episodes" from ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''.
* A mission report for this episode by Patrick Daniel O'Neill was published in ''[[The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine]]'' Vol. 13, pp. 48-51.
+
* A mission report for this episode by Patrick Daniel O'Neill was published in {{STNG|13|48–51}}.
   
 
=== Remastered version ===
 
=== Remastered version ===
  +
[[File:Sarah Paul with missing footage.jpg|thumb|[[Sarah Paul]] with the missing 13 seconds on film]]
The episode was one of three selected for inclusion in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Next Level]]'' sampler disc intended as a preview of the remastering process for ''The Next Generation''. Amongst the adaptations required to bring the episode up to high-definition quality included a restaging of the opening shot as a digital matte painting, and a new image of Qo'noS by [[Max Gabl]] (as the original was output directly to videotape using {{w|Video Toaster}}, and did not exist as a film element). [http://trekmovie.com/2012/01/30/star-trek-the-next-generation-the-next-level-review/]
+
The episode was one of three selected for inclusion in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Next Level]]'' sampler disc intended as a preview of the remastering process for ''The Next Generation''. Amongst the adaptations required to bring the episode up to high-definition quality included a restaging of the opening shot as a digital matte painting, and a new image of Qo'noS by [[Max Gabl]] (as the original was output directly to videotape using {{w|Video Toaster}} and did not exist as a film element). {{TrekMovie.com|2012/01/30/star-trek-the-next-generation-the-next-level-review/}}
   
One complication arose with this episode: thirteen seconds of the original film negative - the first part of the scene in Act Four where Crusher and Riker discuss the discovery of the additional survivor, Kahlest - could not be located. As a result, this sequence had to be upgraded from the standard definition master tape. [http://trekmovie.com/2012/01/24/interview-mike-denise-okuda-talk-star-trek-tng-the-next-level-part-1/] On 11 April 2012 director [[Robert Meyer Burnett]] confirmed that the missing thirteen second were located and will be included in the [[TNG Season 3 Blu-ray]], [http://trekmovie.com/2012/04/11/new-crystalline-entity-for-star-trek-tng-in-hd-revealed/] and a preview of the fully-restored scene was included in the [[TNG Season 1 Blu-ray]] bonus features.
+
One complication arose with this episode: thirteen seconds of the original film negative &ndash; the first part of the scene in Act Four where Crusher and Riker discuss the discovery of the additional survivor, Kahlest &ndash; could not be located. As a result, this sequence had to be upgraded from the standard definition master tape. {{TrekMovie.com|2012/01/24/interview-mike-denise-okuda-talk-star-trek-tng-the-next-level-part-1/}} On 11 April 2012 director [[Robert Meyer Burnett]] confirmed that the missing thirteen seconds were located and will be included in the [[TNG Season 3 Blu-ray]], {{TrekMovie.com|2012/04/11/new-crystalline-entity-for-star-trek-tng-in-hd-revealed/}} and a preview of the fully-restored scene was included in the [[TNG Season 1 Blu-ray]] bonus features.
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:Enterprise-D facing a Bird of Prey, original.jpg|The original opening shot from the [[TNG Season 3 DVD|2002 DVDs]]...
+
File:Enterprise-D facing a Bird of Prey, original.jpg|The original opening shot from the [[TNG Season 3 DVD|2002 DVDs]]
File:Enterprise-D facing a Bird of Prey, remastered.jpg|...and its CGI counterpart with adjusted Bird of Prey.
+
File:Enterprise-D facing a Bird of Prey, remastered.jpg|…and its CGI counterpart with adjusted Bird of Prey.
 
File:Sins of the Father missing film.jpg|The rediscovered "missing" roll of film of the bridge scene
 
File:Sins of the Father missing film.jpg|The rediscovered "missing" roll of film of the bridge scene
File:Riker and Crusher, original.jpg|The missing bridge scene from the [[TNG Season 3 DVD|2002 DVDs]]...
+
File:Riker and Crusher, original.jpg|The missing bridge scene from the [[TNG Season 3 DVD|2002 DVDs]]
File:Riker and Crusher, upgraded.jpg|...the upgraded version from the [[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Next Level|2012 sampler disc]]...
+
File:Riker and Crusher, upgraded.jpg|…the upgraded version from the [[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Next Level|2012 sampler disc]]
File:Riker and Crusher, remastered.jpg|...and the completed, full-HD restoration of the scene.
+
File:Riker and Crusher, remastered.jpg|…and the completed, full-HD restoration of the scene.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
 
===Video and DVD releases===
 
===Video and DVD releases===
* Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 33, catalogue number VHR 2560, {{d|6|December|1991}}.
+
* Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 33, catalog number VHR 2560, {{d|6|December|1991}}
* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 3.6, {{d|14|August|2000}}.
+
* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 3.6, {{d|14|August|2000}}
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 DVD]] collection.
+
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 DVD]] collection
* As part of the ''[[Star Trek: Fan Collective - Klingon]]'' collection.
+
* As part of the ''[[Star Trek: Fan Collective - Klingon]]'' collection
* As part of the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Next Level]]'' Blu-Ray collection.
+
* As part of the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Next Level]]'' Blu-Ray collection
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 Blu-ray]] collection.
+
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 Blu-ray]] collection
   
 
== Links and references ==
 
== Links and references ==
 
=== Starring ===
 
=== Starring ===
* [[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Captain|Capt.]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
+
* [[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Capt.]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
 
* [[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|William Riker]]
 
* [[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|William Riker]]
   
Line 256: Line 263:
 
* [[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Cmdr.]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
 
* [[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Cmdr.]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
 
* [[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Worf]]
 
* [[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Worf]]
* [[Gates McFadden]] as [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher]]
+
* [[Gates McFadden]] as [[Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher]]
 
* [[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
 
* [[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
 
* [[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Data]]
 
* [[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Data]]
Line 268: Line 275:
   
 
=== Co-star ===
 
=== Co-star ===
* [[Teddy Davis]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Transporter technician (2366)|Transporter Tech.]]
+
* [[Teddy Davis]] as [[USS Enterprise-D transporter ensign 003|Transporter Tech]]
   
 
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
 
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
* [[Rachen Assapiomonwait]] as [[Nelson (Starfleet)|Nelson]]
+
* [[Rachen Assapiomonwait]] as {{dis|Nelson|Starfleet}}
 
* [[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
 
* [[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
 
* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
 
* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
* [[B.J. Davis]] as [[Unnamed Klingon military personnel (24th century)#Assassins (2366)|Klingon assassin]]
+
* [[B.J. Davis]] as [[Klingon 24th assassins 001|Klingon assassin]]
* [[Christopher Doyle]] as [[Unnamed Klingon military personnel (24th century)#Assassins (2366)|Klingon assassin]]
+
* [[Chris Doyle]] as [[Klingon 24th assassins 001|Klingon assassin]]
* [[Eben Ham]] as [[Unnamed Klingons#Klingon Council members (2366)|Klingon Council member]]
+
* [[Eben Ham]] as [[Klingon 24th council members 001|Klingon Council member]]
* [[Mark Lentry]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Candlelight lieutenant|science division officer]]
+
* [[Kim]] as [[USS Enterprise-D engineer 011|operations division officer]]
* [[Debbie Marsh]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Female bridge command officer (2366)|command division ensign]]
+
* [[Mark Lentry]] as [[Enterprise-D science lieutenant 001|science division officer]]
* [[James McElroy]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Transporter technician / command division officer|command division officer]]
+
* [[Debbie Marsh]] as [[Enterprise-D command female bridge officer 002|command division ensign]]
* [[John Rice]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Bridge science officer|science division officer]]
+
* [[James McElroy]] as [[USS Enterprise-D ops cmd 001|command division officer]]
  +
* [[John Rice]] as [[Enterprise-D science bridge officer 003|science division officer]]
* [[Joseph Michael Roth]] as [[Unnamed Klingons#Klingon Council members (2366)|Klingon High Council member]]
+
* [[Joseph Michael Roth]] as [[Klingon 24th council members 001|Klingon High Council member]]
 
* [[Guy Vardaman]] as
 
* [[Guy Vardaman]] as
 
** [[Darien Wallace]]
 
** [[Darien Wallace]]
** [[Unnamed Klingons#Klingon Council members (2366)|Klingon High Council member]]
+
** [[Klingon 24th council members 001|Klingon High Council member]]
* [[Mark Wilson]] as [[Unnamed Klingons#Klingon Council members (2366)|Klingon High Council member]]
+
* [[Mark Wilson]] as [[Klingon 24th council members 001|Klingon High Council member]]
 
* [[Natalie Wood]] as [[Bailey]]
 
* [[Natalie Wood]] as [[Bailey]]
 
* [[Unknown performers]] as
 
* [[Unknown performers]] as
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Bridge officer (2366)|Command division officer]]
+
** [[Enterprise-D bridge officer 001|Command division officer]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Command division officer in Ten Forward (2366)|Command division officer]]
+
** [[Enterprise-D command officer 007|Command division officer]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Crewmember in corridor (2366)|Command division officer]]
+
** [[Enterprise-D command crewmember 002|Command division officer]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Male command division officer (late 2366)|Command division officer]]
+
** [[Enterprise-D command male officer 004|Command division officer]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Female Ten Forward patrons (2366)|Female civilian]]
+
** [[USS Enterprise-D civilians 002|Female civilian]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Female command division officer in Ten Forward (2366)|Female command division officer]]
+
** [[Enterprise-D command female officer 012|Female command division officer]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female engineer (2366)|Female engineer]]
+
** [[USS Enterprise-D engineer 012|Female engineer]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female relief ops ensign (2366)|Female operations division ensign]]
+
** [[USS Enterprise-D ops operations 004|Female operations division ensign]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female engineering crewmember (2366)|Female operations division officer]]
+
** [[USS Enterprise-D operations crew woman 007|Female operations division officer]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Female medical officer (2366)|Female science division officer]]
+
** [[Enterprise-D science medical officer 001|Female science division officer]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Transporter operator (2366)|Operations division officer]]
+
** [[USS Enterprise-D transporter ensign 002|Operations division officer]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Security officer (2366)|Security officer]]
+
** [[USS Enterprise-D security guard 014|Security officer]]
** [[Unnamed Klingons#Klingon citizens|Seven Klingon citizens]]
+
** [[Klingon 24th Old Quarter citizens 001|Seven Klingon citizens]]
** [[Ten Forward personnel#Ten Forward waiter (2366)|Ten Forward waiter]]
+
** [[Ten Forward waiter 005|Ten Forward waiter]]
** [[Ten Forward personnel#Ten Forward waitress (late 2366)|Ten Forward waitress]]
+
** [[Ten Forward waitress 005|Ten Forward waitress]]
** [[Unnamed Klingons#Klingon Council members (2366)|Ten Klingon High Council members]]
+
** [[Klingon 24th council members 001|Ten Klingon High Council members]]
   
 
=== Stunt doubles ===
 
=== Stunt doubles ===
Line 310: Line 318:
   
 
=== Stand-ins ===
 
=== Stand-ins ===
* [[Jeffrey Deacon]] - stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
+
* [[Jeffrey Deacon]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
* [[Nora Leonhardt]] - stand-in for [[Marina Sirtis]]
+
* [[Nora Leonhardt]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Marina Sirtis]]
* [[Tim McCormack]] - stand-in for [[Brent Spiner]]
+
* [[Tim McCormack]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Brent Spiner]]
* [[Lorine Mendell]] - stand-in for [[Gates McFadden]]
+
* [[Lorine Mendell]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Gates McFadden]]
* [[Guy Vardaman]] - stand-in for [[Wil Wheaton]]
+
* [[Guy Vardaman]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Wil Wheaton]]
  +
  +
=== References ===
  +
[[2345]]; [[2346]]; [[2366]]; [[26th century]]; "[[Idiom|a bit]]"; [[accusation]]; {{dis|address|style}}; [[admiration]]; "[[Idiom|after all]]"; [[Age of Ascension]]; [[aiding and abetting]]; "[[Idiom|all right]]"; [[allegation]]; [[alliance]]; "[[Idiom|an iron hand]]"; "[[Idiom|and then some]]"; [[assassin]]; [[assignment]]; [[assumption]]; [[asteroid]]; [[asteroid field]]; "[[Idiom|at all]]"; "[[Idiom|at ease]]"; "[[Idiom|at stake]]"; "[[Idiom|at the time]]"; [[attack]]; [[authority]]; "[[Idiom|back up]]"; [[bearing]]; {{dis|betrayal|ethics}}; [[bird]]; [[birthright]]; [[blood]]; [[bloodline]]; [[brother]]; "[[Idiom|by all means]]"; [[capital crime]]; [[captain's mess]]; {{dis|case|container}}; [[Caspian Sea]]; [[caviar]]; ''[[cha'DIch]]''; {{dis|charge|law}}; [[chief medical officer]]; [[choice]]; [[civil war]]; [[combat]]; [[commander]]; [[Oort cloud|cometary cloud]]; [[comfort]]; [[commanding officer]]; [[computer]]; [[coordinates]]; [[council]]; [[council chamber]]; [[course]]; [[coward]]; "[[Idiom|credit to]]"; [[crime]]; [[cross reference]]; [[cruiser]]; [[culture]]; [[curiosity]]; [[death]]; [[deception]]; [[defense access code]]; [[delicacy]]; {{dis|demonstration|concept}}; [[destruction]]; [[discipline]]; [[discomfort]]; [[discommendation]]; {{dis|dish|food}}; [[dishonor]]; [[distress call]]; [[dog]]; [[dust]]; [[Earth]]; [[egg]]; [[emblem]]; [[enemy]]; [[environment]]; [[evidence]]; [[execution]]; [[experience]]; [[family]]; [[family name]]; [[fear]]; [[Federation]]; [[file]]; [[First City]]; [[first officer]]; [[first officer's position]]; [[fish]]; [[flight path]]; [[food]]; [[fool]]; [[friend]]; [[generation]]; [[gesture]]; ''[[ghojmoK]]''; "[[Idiom|go ahead]]"; [[Great Hall]]; {{dis|guilt|law}}; [[heart]]; [[heritage]]; [[history]]; [[home]]; [[honor]]; [[hour]]; [[Great House|house]]; [[House of Duras]]; [[House of Mogh]]; [[Human]]; "[[Idiom|I do not know]]"; [[impulse power]]; "[[Idiom|in that regard]]"; "[[Idiom|in the middle of]]"; [[information]]; [[innocence]]; [[inspection]]; [[intention]]; {{USSr|Intrepid|NCC-38907}}; [[Ja'rod]]; {{dis|judgment|concept}}; "[[Idiom|jumps down my throat]]"; "[[Idiom|keep your place]]"; [[Khitomer]]; [[Klingon 24th Khitomer commander 001|Khitomer commander]]; [[Khitomer Massacre]]; [[Klingon 24th Khitomer victims 001|Khitomer Massacre victims]]; [[Khitomer Outpost]]; [[kilometer]]; [[Klingon]]; [[Klingon Bird-of-Prey]] ([[Klingon 24th Bird-of-Prey 002|Kurn's transferring ship]]); [[Klingon Central information net]]; [[Klingon custom]]; [[Klingon Defense Force]]; [[Klingon emperor]]; [[Klingon food]]; [[Klingon High Command]]; [[Klingon High Council]]; [[Klingon Imperial Empire]]; [[Klingon law]]; [[Klingonese]]; [[knowledge]]; ''[[kut'luch]]''; [[leave of absence]]; [[lie]]; [[Lorgh]]; [[madam]]; [[maintenance cycle]]; [[meat]]; [[medical record]]; ''[[mek'ba]]''; [[menu]]; ''{{revname|A|Midsummer Night's Dream}}''; [[mister]]; [[Mogh]]; [[Mogh's wife 001‎|Mogh's wife]]; [[name]]; [[nurse]]; [[obedience]]; [[object]]; "[[Idiom|of course]]"; [[Officer Exchange Program]]; [[Old Quarter]]; "[[Idiom|on board]]"; "[[Idiom|on the scene]]"; [[opportunity]]; [[order]]; [[outsider]]; {{IKSr|Pagh}}; [[permission]]; [[personal security code]]; [[personnel]]; [[place]]; [[politeness|polite]]; [[problem]]; [[protocol]]; [[punishment]]; [[Qo'noS]]; [[quarters]]; [[question]]; [[range]]; [[recess]]; [[region]]; [[relative]]; [[relaxation]]; [[replicator]]; [[reputation]]; [[rescue vessel]]; [[respect]]; [[revenge]]; [[right]]; [[risk]]; [[Romulan]]; [[Romulan patrol ships 001|Romulan patrol ship]]; {{revname|Sergey|Rozhenko}}; [[second]]; [[secret]]; [[sensor]]; [[sensor scan]]; [[sensor log]]; [[sensor range]]; [[service record]]; [[shame]]; [[shield]]; [[duty shift|shift]]; [[sir]]; "[[Idiom|so be it]]"; [[son]]; "[[Idiom|stand by]]"; [[Starbase 24]]; [[Starfleet]]; [[Starfleet regulations]]; [[duty station|station]]; [[status quo]]; [[stomach]]; [[command style|style of command]]; [[subspace transmission]]; [[suggestion]]; [[sun]]; [[survivor]]; [[tactics]]; [[taste]]; [[thousand]]; [[threat]]; [[timebase]]; [[tolerance]]; [[tour of duty|tour]]; [[traitor]]; [[trap]]; [[treachery]]; [[treatment]]; [[trust]]; [[truth]]; [[turkey]]; [[turn]]; [[value]]; "[[Idiom|very well]]"; [[visit]]; "[[Idiom|wait a second]]"; [[warrior]]; [[weapon]]; "[[Idiom|well done]]"; [[wisdom]]; [[wish]]; [[witness]]; [[word]]; [[wound]]; [[year]]
  +
  +
==== Other references ====
  +
* '''[[Starfleet Mission Archives Database]]''': {{revname|Drew|Dieghan}}; [[casualty]]; [[civilian]]; [[communications traffic]]; [[distance]]; [[investigation]]; [[Khitomer system]]; [[light hour]]; [[orbital bombardment]]; [[percent]]; [[planetary defenses]]; [[rescue mission]]; [[science ops]]; [[Unnamed Alpha and Beta Quadrant sectors#Sector containing Khitomer system|sector containing Khitomer system]]; [[spacecraft]]; [[standard orbit]]; [[Starfleet Command]]; [[tactical communications]]; {{revname|Romulan|warbird}}
  +
* '''USS ''Intrepid'' Medical Mission Files''': [[biomedical facility]]; [[chief medical officer]]; [[Klingon consulate]]; [[medical facility]]; [[Moran]]; [[patient]]; [[stable condition]]; [[Starbase 23]]; [[Theta Amano Trade Center]]
   
===References===
+
=== External links ===
  +
* {{mbeta-quote|Sins of the Father|Sins of the Father}}
[[2345]]; [[2346]]; [[2366]]; [[Age of Ascension]]; [[biomedical facility]]; [[Camp Khitomer]]; [[captain's mess]]; [[Caspian Sea]]; [[caviar]]; ''[[cha'DIch]]''; [[chief medical officer]]; [[discommendation]]; [[Drew Deighan (Captain)|Deighan, Drew]]; [[Duras, son of Ja'rod]]; [[Earth]]; [[Federation]]; [[First City]]; ''[[ghojmak]]''; [[Great Hall]]; [[House of Duras]]; [[USS Intrepid (NCC-38907)|''Intrepid'', USS]]; [[Ja'rod]]; [[Khitomer]]; [[Khitomer system]]; [[Unnamed Klingon Birds-of-Prey#Rendezvous with USS Enterprise|Klingon Bird-of-Prey]]; [[Klingon Consulate]]; [[Klingon Defense Force]]; [[Klingon High Command]]; [[Klingon High Council]]; [[Klingonese]]; ''[[kut'luch]]''; [[light hour]]; [[Lorgh]]; [[Mogh]]; [[Moran (Starfleet)|Moran]]; [[Old Quarter]]; [[IKS Pagh|''Pagh'', IKS]]; ''[[qhonDoq]]''; [[Qo'noS]]; [[Romulan]]; [[Romulan patrol ship]]; [[Sergey Rozhenko|Rozhenko, Sergey]]; [[Starbase 24]]; [[Theta Amand Trade Center]]; [[turkey]]
 
  +
* {{Wikipedia-quote|Sins of the Father (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Sins of the Father}}
  +
* {{startrek.com|database_article/sins-of-the-father|"Sins of the Father"|external}}
  +
* {{ml|sins-of-the-father|"Sins of the Father"|external}}
   
 
{{TNG nav|season=3|last={{e|The Offspring}}|next={{e|Allegiance}}}}
 
{{TNG nav|season=3|last={{e|The Offspring}}|next={{e|Allegiance}}}}
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[[de:Die Sünden des Vaters]]
 
[[de:Die Sünden des Vaters]]
 
[[es:Sins of the Father]]
 
[[es:Sins of the Father]]
[[fr:Sins of the Father]]
+
[[fr:Sins of the Father (épisode)]]
[[ja:TNG:汚名~クリンゴン戦士として]]
+
[[ja:汚名~クリンゴン戦士として~(エピソード)]]
 
[[nl:Sins of the Father]]
 
[[nl:Sins of the Father]]
 
[[pl:Sins of the Father]]
 
[[pl:Sins of the Father]]

Latest revision as of 00:53, 7 February 2024

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

Worf is plunged head-first into the politics of the Klingon Empire when his deceased father is accused of treason.

Summary

Teaser

"Captain's log, Stardate 43685.2. As part of an exchange program, we're taking aboard a Klingon officer to return the recent visit of Commander Riker to the cruiser Pagh."
Kurn on Enterprise bridge, 2366

Kurn on the bridge

The Klingon Commander Kurn is temporarily assigned to the USS Enterprise-D as acting first officer as part of the Federation-Klingon Officer Exchange Program. Earlier, in 2365, Enterprise first officer Commander William Riker served in a similar capacity aboard the IKS Pagh. Kurn, in his new role, immediately tries to impose "Klingon-style" discipline aboard the Starfleet vessel, with Captain Jean-Luc Picard's full approval. Kurn disciplines Wesley Crusher in front of the bridge crew while the acting ensign whispers with Data while Kurn is speaking to the crew. Kurn has Ensign Crusher set course for the outer cometary cloud of the system, with Kurn angrily ordering him to increase speed to one-third impulse power. The surprised crew find Kurn's method excessively harsh and draconian.

Act One

Wesley and Riker, 2366

"He just doesn't seem to like me."

When La Forge and Wesley complain privately to Riker in Ten Forward about Kurn's aggressive command style, he reminds them that Kurn simply has a different style of command, and that Klingons believe in obedience and strict adherence to regulations. However, it is notable that the only person Kurn has not been giving a hard time is "the one person who wouldn't really mind it": Worf.

Kurn gives Worf the assignment of scanning the 2,000 asteroids in a field at a range of 300,000 kilometers: none in their flight path. He praises him sarcastically for his efficiency during an easy navigational procedure on the bridge. Worf is angered at being patronized, but resists confronting a superior officer.

Kurn and William T

"This is not a Klingon ship, sir!"
"No, Commander. It is not. If it were a Klingon ship, I would have killed you for offering your suggestion."

While in a turbolift on his way to the captain's dining room, Riker tells Kurn it took him some getting used to Klingon culture while serving on the Pagh. Riker notes that the crew of the Enterprise must take some getting used to for him and he offers to assist Kurn with suggestions in working with the crew. Kurn respectfully declines the offer. Riker forcefully reminds Kurn that this is not a Klingon vessel. Kurn concurs and reminds Riker that on a Klingon ship, he would be killed for offering up such a "suggestion".

Officer's buffet, 2366

A special dinner in honor of Kurn

A special dinner is prepared at the captain's mess in honor of Kurn, who understands the honor and is prepared to sample some of the food, even though some of it is cooked—but he doesn't like it, and bluntly explains that it is too bland a taste. La Forge observes that it seems to agree with Worf, earning Worf a contemptuous look from Kurn.

After dinner, filled with rage, Worf goes to Kurn's quarters to demand an explanation. When the other expresses doubt of Worf's Klingon instincts, Worf erupts in a violent outburst. Kurn is pleased and says he's been testing Worf to see just how Klingon he was, revealing that he is really Worf's younger brother.

Act Two

Mogh brothers

The brothers discuss the challenge

Kurn explains that he was barely a year old when their family went to Khitomer, and they weren't going to stay there for long, so he had been left to stay with their father's friend, Lorgh until their return, and so escaped the massacre. Worf explains to Kurn that the Starfleet officer that rescued him was told by the Klingon High Command that he had no living relatives, believing that Kurn was with the family and therefore killed at Khitomer. After the massacre, Lorgh adopted Kurn as his son and kept him in his family. When Kurn reached the Age of Ascension, he was told the truth about his bloodline.

Kurn has sought Worf out because their father, Mogh, is accused of treason by the Klingon High Council. Supposedly, he had given the Romulans defense access codes allowing them to lower the shields of the Khitomer outpost just before the Romulan attack. Kurn had lived all these years, hiding his identity by masquerading as the son of Lorgh, but when he learned of the Council's action, he came to Worf, asking him to challenge the judgment as Mogh's elder son.

Worf goes to Picard and explains this to him, asking for leave so he can face the High Council. Picard says that since Worf is accused of a capital crime, it would be better if he were standing at Worf's side as he made his challenge. Picard commands Kurn to set course for the First City of the Klingon homeworld. Kurn is surprised; he hadn't expected the Enterprise itself to change course. Now he respects Worf more deeply than ever.

On the way home, Kurn asks Worf in Ten Forward if he can be his Cha'DIch, or ritual second; while Worf is accused, he will not be allowed in any duels or fights. Worf agrees, and Kurn speaks the traditional words of acceptance: "I accept with honor. May your enemies tremble before you." Then Worf tells Kurn that he must not reveal his true bloodline. Kurn protests, and Worf reminds him that, on the Enterprise, Kurn is the superior officer, but on the Klingon homeworld, Worf is the elder brother, and Kurn must obey him.

First City, Qo'noS

The First City on the Klingon homeworld

Once they arrive at Qo'noS, Worf and Kurn beam down with Picard and Riker accompanying them. Worf pronounces his challenge before the Council and faces the accusations of Duras, the son of Mogh's greatest rival. Worf acknowledges that he is prepared to face the consequences with his very life if his challenge fails. "I am Worf, son of Mogh. I have come to challenge the lies that have been spoken of my father!", he defiantly states to the High Council.

Act Three

Worf in Great Hall, 2366

Worf faces the judgment of the Klingon High Council

Duras accuses Worf of forsaking his heritage for the Federation, but Picard tells the council that Worf has served under his command with distinction, and as such, has earned him Picard's admiration and respect. Appealing to the council's better natures, Picard says he trusts their wisdom will guide them to clear Worf's family name and return him to duty. Chancellor K'mpec notes the trust of a commanding officer is admirable and notes it for the record.

Duras testifies that a transmission of access codes went out from the outpost to the Romulan patrol ships which allowed them to dismantle the outposts' shields. Thousands of Klingons died on Khitomer, including Duras' father. Duras calls Mogh a traitor and because Worf has brought this challenge, Duras calls him a traitor as well, backhanding Worf in the traditions of their people. Duras then rips Worf's baldric off of him, telling Worf he is unworthy to wear the emblems of their people. Worf replies, "it is a good day to die, Duras, and the day is not yet over."

Worf describes the day

"It is a good day to die, and the day is not yet over."

During a recess of the council, K'mpec meets with Worf and tries to persuade him into abandoning his challenge. Shocked at this, Worf asks K'mpec why he would have him lay aside his father's honor, but K'mpec will not allow himself to be questioned and advises Worf to leave before he is condemned as a traitor.

Kurn has received a note to meet someone in an isolated corridor; it is Duras. Duras reveals that he knows Kurn's true bloodline and tries to blackmail him into turning against Worf. Disgusted, Kurn refuses, and Duras' assassins attack him with a kut'luch, the ceremonial weapon of an assassin, which inflicts serious wounds.

Act Four

Kurn sickbay

"What kind of a weapon makes a vicious wound like that?"

Although Beverly Crusher reassures Worf that due to Kurn's phenomenal metabolic recovery, his wounds are not life-threatening. Worf tells her she should have let him die because he'll be executed anyway – now that someone knows he is Worf's brother, Kurn will share Worf's fate if the challenge is unsuccessful. Later, Worf voices his worries that the very High Council itself is against him to Picard, who attempts to reassure him. Worf requests that he be allowed to select another Cha’DIch, from among the crew this time, which Picard assents to. Promptly, Worf asks the captain to be his Cha'DIch, giving him the option to refuse with no dishonor. Picard is touched, but demurs by pointing out that there are many stronger and younger people that he can choose. In response, Worf confidently states that there is no one better qualified. Picard pleases Worf by reciting the same traditional acceptance, in Klingon.

Surprised by Worf's new Cha'DIch, Duras questions Picard's validity as Cha'DIch, but Picard tells Duras that he's not here to command, to which Duras smirks and responds that he has to fight as well, which he believes isn't something that is taught by Starfleet. Coldly, Picard informs Duras that he is welcome to test that assumption at his leisure, wiping the grin off of Duras’ face.

The Enterprise crew investigate the Khitomer Massacre on their own. The USS Intrepid was the first ship on the scene of the disaster; Data contacts Starfleet for copies of the Intrepid's logs. Meanwhile, La Forge and Data have gotten into the Klingon Central information net and discovered that the Klingons recently captured a Romulan ship with information about Khitomer in the ship's logs and that's how they found out about the treachery.

Upon comparing the information in the Klingon archives with the Intrepid's logs, La Forge and Data discover that there is a discrepancy in the transmissions. The evidence which supported Mogh's guilt was faked. They also discover another survivor of the Khitomer Massacre, a woman named Kahlest, is found to be still alive and residing in the Old Quarter of the First City. Riker informs Picard about this during the second Council session and asks Worf, who says that Kahlest was his nurse and that he thought she had died. Picard tells Worf he must find her and bring her before the Council. Worf recommends that he not go alone, as it is too dangerous. Picard tells him, "Hey, I'm your Cha'DIch."

Act Five

Picard cloak

Picard, in a cloak, enters Kahlest's home

Picard journeys into the Old Quarter and finds Kahlest's home. Kahlest informs him that she considers her life to have ended after Khitomer and that she is waiting to die. Picard tries to persuade Kahlest to accompany him back to the High Council chamber, appealing to her sense of honor by telling her that the family that she once served proudly needs her again. She refuses, and a disconcerted Picard leaves. Just outside Kahlest's door, he is ambushed by Duras' assassins. He manages to overcome one and Kahlest, emerging from her home, throws a knife and kills the other. Impressed with Picard’s bravery, Kahlest now agrees to accompany him back to the High Council for the purpose of testifying for Worf. She also reveals that K'mpec was once romantically interested in her, but she wasn't attracted to him; he was too fat.

Just as K'mpec is about to pronounce judgment on Worf, Picard enters with Kahlest. K’mpec’s eyes flash with recognition as he sees Kahlest and he calls a recess. In a private session, Picard demands that she be allowed to testify in open council in accordance with Klingon law. Duras threatens to kill Kahlest right then and there so as to silence her. K'mpec, incensed, silences him by asking him if he would really kill an old woman to cover his dishonor. Picard instantly sees that the whole Council proceeding is a farce: a frame-up to save Duras, not Worf, from disgrace. K'mpec tells Kahlest she is free to go, adding, "It is good to see you again", to which she contemptuously responds, "You are still fat, K'mpec."

Worf angrily demands an explanation for the Council judging Mogh guilty, despite the fact they knew he was innocent. K'mpec privately explains the truth: When Klingons captured the Romulan ship with the records, they learned of the treachery behind the Khitomer Massacre; this soon became common knowledge, and someone had to answer for that treachery. Fortunately, only the Council knew who transmitted his code: not Mogh, but Ja'rod, Duras' father.

Beside himself, Worf violently points out that Duras should have been made to pay for the sins of Ja’rod, but K'mpec reveals that the Duras family is too powerful and to expose him would likely split the Empire apart and plunge it into a civil war. In order to avoid that, they decided to use Mogh as a scapegoat, believing that Worf, since he was in Starfleet, would not challenge the judgment. None of them realized that Kurn was Mogh's second child. But now things have progressed too far, and both sons of Mogh must die.

Offended and outraged by the sheer hypocrisy of K'mpec and the Council, Picard demands to know what this says for an Empire which professes to value honor above all else. K'mpec adamantly says one family's honor must be sacrificed to preserve that Empire, not the other way around. Picard – now speaking in his official capacity as captain of the USS Enterprise and a representative of the Federation – insists that Worf's challenge has succeeded, and he refuses to hand Worf or Kurn over for execution. When K'mpec threatens to end the alliance, Picard retorts that their alliance is not based on lies. If they must protect their secrets, then so be it but Picard will not allow the needless sacrifice of these two men.

Worf's discommendation

Worf's discommendation

Worf then volunteers to die for the sake of the Klingon Empire. Picard begins to object but Worf tells his Cha'DIch to be silent. Worf asks for Kurn's life to be spared. Duras rejects this, as Kurn's honor would then demand revenge. Worf then offers to accept discommendation if Kurn is allowed to live. K'mpec instantly sees this as a neat solution to their dilemma but doing so would be the same as admitting his father's guilt. Worf simply says "So be it." K'mpec affirms his belief that Worf's heart is truly Klingon and proclaims that this matter will never be spoken of again. Duras, satisfied that matters have been arranged to his and his family's benefit, starts to exit the chamber, but Worf stops him and does what tradition demands: saying to his face, "You are the son of a traitor" and viciously backhanding him (A warning Worf will kill Duras). K'mpec nods in approval at this.

In a room behind the council chambers, Kurn tells Picard that he was ready to die for his brother and his family's honor. Picard attempts to console Kurn with the reasons behind Worf’s sacrifice; Worf is looking ahead, knowing Kurn must live in order to restore that honor: "There will be another day, Commander. Do not forget what he does here today. Do not let your children forget." Picard and Kurn join Worf in the middle of the council chambers and the council members gather in a circle around Worf. Worf says the ritual words, "tlhIH ghIj jIHyoj" ("I fear your judgment"); K'mpec replies, "biHnuch!" ("Coward!"), and one by one, the Council members cross their arms and turn their backs (turning to their right) on him in ritual ostracism, all except Kurn, who stares at Worf pleadingly. Worf softly tells Kurn that he must do it also. Kurn very reluctantly complies, but instead of turning to his right, he turns to his left. The whole assembly having turned their backs, Worf and Picard leave the Council Chamber and return to the Enterprise.

Log entries

Memorable quotes

"One does not patronize a Klingon warrior."

- Riker


"Do you wish to SPEAK, Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher?"

- Kurn


"I imagine it must be very difficult for you to work with a crew that is so different. I would be happy to guide you in that regard, if it would be helpful."
"No, Commander, it wouldn't."
"This is not a Klingon ship, sir."
"No, Commander, it is not. If it were a Klingon ship, I would've killed you for offering your suggestion."

- Riker and Kurn


"How long has this bird been dead? It appears to have been lying in the sun for quite some time."
"Well, it's not dead, it's been replicated. And you do understand that we cook most of our foods…"
"Ah yes, I was told to prepare for that. I shall try some of your burned replicated bird meat."

- Kurn and La Forge


"I never kill anyone at the supper table, Mr. La Forge."

- Kurn


"I am Klingon! If you doubt it, a demonstration can be arranged."
"That is a response of a Klingon. The response I would expect from my older brother."

- Worf and Kurn


"Will you grant my leave, Captain?"
"No – if I understand correctly, a Starfleet officer, a respected member of my crew, could be charged with a capital crime. Your actions on this matter will reflect on this ship, and on the Federation – therefore, it seems only appropriate that your captain should be at your side while you make your challenge… I'm sure you would do no less for me."

- Worf and Picard


"I am Worf, son of Mogh. I have come to challenge the lies that have been spoken of my father!"

- Worf, to the Klingon High Council


"I should've known. Worf was right. It is a good day to die."
"The time has not yet come. It does not have to come for many turns. I know who you are, Kurn, son of Mogh."
"What?!"
"It was a wise choice to hide your family name. Do not err now by embracing it again, for you only embrace death."
"We shall see."
"Worf has made a choice and he will die for it. But you can still be safe. Let him stand alone."
"He is my brother! I will not betray him!!"
"Then you will die for him!!"

- Kurn and Duras


"Are you adjusting to your new environment, Commander?"
"I find the constraints a bit difficult to conform to. Just a short while ago, I had to stop myself from killing Commander Riker."

- Troi and Kurn


"For many turns, the truth about Khitomer has lain dormant. Unknown. Now the truth has been revealed. The traitor, Mogh, sent the defense access codes to the Romulan patrol ships, allowing them to destroy the outpost. Thousands died on Khitomer! My father died on Khitomer! Their deaths must be avenged. Your father was a traitor. By posing this challenge, you are a traitor! You will not wear the emblems of our people. You are a fool, and your challenge can only result in a fool's death."
"It is a good day to die, Duras, and the day is not yet over."

- Duras and Worf


"This is not your world, Human. You do not command here."
"I'm not here to command."
"Then you must be ready to fight. Something Starfleet does not teach you."
"You may test that assumption at your convenience."

- Duras and Picard


"My appreciation, madam."

- Picard, to Kahlest after she kills a Klingon who was about to murder him


"THIS Ha'DIbaH SHOULD’VE BEEN FED TO THE DOGS!!"

- Worf, pointing at Duras after learning the truth


"You are brave, cha'DIch. Worf chose well."

- Kahlest, after Picard fights off Duras' assassins


"K'mpec would remember Kahlest. I caught his eye back then. But he was too fat."

- Kahlest


"It is good to see you again."
"You are still fat, K'mpec."

- K'mpec and Kahlest


"You admit the truth, and yet you expect him to accept punishment? What does this say of an empire who holds honor so dear?"
"The empire will not be destroyed for one family's honor."
"Unacceptable, K'mpec!"
"You have no say in this, cha'DIch!"
"I speak now as the captain of the USS Enterprise and Lieutenant Worf's commanding officer! You will not execute a member of my crew, nor will I turn his brother over to you!"
"This is not the Federation, Picard. If you defy an order of the High Council, the alliance with the Federation could fall to dust."
"The alliance with the Federation is not based on lies, K'mpec. Protect your secrets if you must, but you will not sacrifice these men."

- Picard, K'mpec, and Duras


"The cha'DIch will be silent!"

- Worf, to Captain Picard


"You are the son of a traitor."

- Worf, to Duras

Background information

Production history

Story and production

  • This story began life as two different scripts, one by Drew Deighan which featured Worf's father being accused of treason, and another script by Beth Woods, in which Worf's brother came aboard the Enterprise. Shortly after officially joining the writing staff, Ronald D. Moore was given the two scripts by Michael Piller and asked to combine them into a single story. Due to Moore's comparative inexperience in writing for television, the more experienced W. Reed Moran was asked by Piller to work with Moore, only for Moran to be removed from the writing process after completion of the first draft due to his own lack of familiarity with the series, with Moore and Piller subsequently seeing the script through to completion. (TNG Season 3 Blu-ray, episode commentary)
  • Moore recalled, "I was in love with 'Sins of the Father' and I fought for it when there was some question about which way we were going to go with it. I really like the fact Worf took it on the chin that episode. It said he was willing to stand up and do the right thing for his people, even if they weren't going to do the right thing by him. Patrick and I were at the Saturn Awards together, and he made a really good suggestion. When Worf is asking Picard to be his Cha'DIch, Picard originally says a single Klingon word, but Patrick thought it would be nice if Picard knew the whole line of ritual. At that time there wasn't a formal ritual, and there wasn't one for Kurn either, so I went back and wrote a line for him to say in Klingon and I tied it into Picard." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 193)
  • Director Les Landau recalled, "Here was an opportunity to explore the Klingon world in depth from beginning to end. Meaning that Ron Moore came up with a wonderful story which Richard James, the art director, and Jim Mees, the set decorator, had to visualize in terms of set design and set decoration. Additionally, to which Marvin Rush, the cameraman, had to conceptually find a visual representation of what the Klingon world was all about. I think all three of those gentlemen accomplished that task totally. In fact, Richard and Jim went on to win Emmy Awards for that episode, which I'm very proud of. Marvin's work speaks for itself. It was visually one of the most dynamic episodes ever done. It looks like a feature film. There were long detailed conversations about how, conceptually, we should deal with them. Ultimately, Rick Berman gave the final approval for each and every one of the ideas and details, and we showed a world that was heretofore never seen before, and which the audience craves to see more of. I was never one of the original Star Trek fans, however. My attitude was, is and always will be to never see what has come before, but to go where none have before and visualize what is in my thinking and mind as to what the visuals should be, which is dictated by the storyline. We must always come back to the words and what the story is, because without it, we have nothing to tell. After all, film and episodic television is nothing if not telling a story." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 194)
  • As an in-joke, the captain of the USS Intrepid is named Drew Dieghan on a monitor screen, after the writer who submitted the spec script upon which this episode was based. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 120))
  • The design of the Klingon Great Hall (and other sets in the episode) won an Emmy Award for Best Art Direction for Star Trek: The Next Generation production designer Richard James. The exterior of the Great Hall and the surrounding First City was a matte painting created by Syd Dutton at Illusion Arts. (Star Trek Encyclopedia (1st ed., p. 118))
  • The Great Hall in this episode was built off the quite large Tanuga IV research station set that was built for TNG: "A Matter of Perspective", earlier in the third season.
  • Among the items which were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay was a Klingon assassin's knife, seen in this episode. [2]

Continuity

  • This episode marks the first depiction of the Klingon homeworld Qo'noS.
  • The episode refers to William Riker's service on the IKS Pagh and other events from "A Matter Of Honor". It also sets up several future themes, such as the House of Duras and the underpinnings to the Klingon Civil War.
  • Tony Todd makes his first appearance as Kurn in this episode. He reprises the role in "Redemption", "Redemption II" and the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Sons of Mogh".
  • The over-the-shoulder cloak with the medals that K'mpec wore as High Council leader was the same cloak General Korrd wore in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. Both roles were played by Charles Cooper.
  • The captain's dining room is seen for the first time.
  • Kahlest tells Picard that Mogh "was loyal to the emperor." However, "Rightful Heir" will later establish that the Klingons haven't had an emperor in 300 years. It can be assumed that Kahlest was abstractly referring to the Emperor Kahless and his guiding principles for all Klingons.
  • This is the only episode where Duras' father Ja'rod is actually named.
  • Picard refers to the Klingon state as the "Klingon Imperial Empire," a redundant designation which was never used again.
  • On the medical file for Kahlest, Dr. Crusher reads that she was treated at Starbase 24. However, the okudagram reads Starbase 23.
  • This is the first episode to acknowledge Dr. Crusher's middle initial, 'C'.
  • Michael Dorn accidentally flubs the Klingon word Ha'DIbaH (animal). He transposes two syllables and says "ha'bidah" instead. Patrick Massett makes the same error later in "Reunion".

Reception

  • Entertainment Weekly ranked this episode #7 in their list of "The Top 10 Episodes" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation. [3]
  • This episode won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction for a Series.
  • Michael Piller commented, "It was complicated, because we were combining characters and scripts, trying to put together a Worf story we liked. I think we came out of it fairly well, with a good show." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 193)
  • Moore remarked, "I thought Tony Todd did a wonderful job as Worf's brother. I was kind of worried, because there's always that hesitation when you're bringing in other family members no one else has even seen. Half the audience is ready to throw things at the screen, and you're thinking, 'This better work.' I was there when he stepped on the stage and made it his own." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 193)
  • Moore saw this episode as a turning point towards more continuing story arcs on The Next Generation. He commented, "The biggest decision on this show was the ending…where Worf takes it on the chin and decides to accept his dishonor even though he knows it's a lie but he does it for the greater glory of the Empire and he walks out the door and it ends with this sense of 'Oh my God. This has changed Worf forever, and what's going to happen to him next?' And what that did to the franchise overall was it suddenly said there's a continuing story here…As soon as Worf walks out the door with his dishonor it demands a follow-up. And that's why we eventually came back to "Reunion" and "Redemption" and on and on and on. All the Worf stories spring from that moment, and also opened up the whole franchise to the idea that maybe we can do continuing stories. It was really a pivotal moment looking back on how we structured Next Generation." (Chronicles from the Final Frontier, TNG Season 4 DVD special features)
  • Michael Dorn observed, "There was a lot more involved in it than the writers realized. Things that have to do with Klingon loyalty and honor. They didn't give it its due. You look at Worf in a different light, and I've played him in a different light since that episode. This is not something they have come up with. I'm doing this on my own. Hey, it's their fault. They wrote it. So now, I'm going to carry on with it." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, pp. 193–194)
  • The book Star Trek 101 (p. 72), by Terry J. Erdmann and Paula M. Block, lists this episode as one of the "Ten Essential Episodes" from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
  • A mission report for this episode by Patrick Daniel O'Neill was published in The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine issue 13, p. 48–51.

Remastered version

Sarah Paul with missing footage

Sarah Paul with the missing 13 seconds on film

The episode was one of three selected for inclusion in the Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Next Level sampler disc intended as a preview of the remastering process for The Next Generation. Amongst the adaptations required to bring the episode up to high-definition quality included a restaging of the opening shot as a digital matte painting, and a new image of Qo'noS by Max Gabl (as the original was output directly to videotape using Video Toaster and did not exist as a film element). [4]

One complication arose with this episode: thirteen seconds of the original film negative – the first part of the scene in Act Four where Crusher and Riker discuss the discovery of the additional survivor, Kahlest – could not be located. As a result, this sequence had to be upgraded from the standard definition master tape. [5] On 11 April 2012 director Robert Meyer Burnett confirmed that the missing thirteen seconds were located and will be included in the TNG Season 3 Blu-ray, [6] and a preview of the fully-restored scene was included in the TNG Season 1 Blu-ray bonus features.

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest stars

Co-star

Uncredited co-stars

Stunt doubles

Stand-ins

References

2345; 2346; 2366; 26th century; "a bit"; accusation; address; admiration; "after all"; Age of Ascension; aiding and abetting; "all right"; allegation; alliance; "an iron hand"; "and then some"; assassin; assignment; assumption; asteroid; asteroid field; "at all"; "at ease"; "at stake"; "at the time"; attack; authority; "back up"; bearing; betrayal; bird; birthright; blood; bloodline; brother; "by all means"; capital crime; captain's mess; case; Caspian Sea; caviar; cha'DIch; charge; chief medical officer; choice; civil war; combat; commander; cometary cloud; comfort; commanding officer; computer; coordinates; council; council chamber; course; coward; "credit to"; crime; cross reference; cruiser; culture; curiosity; death; deception; defense access code; delicacy; demonstration; destruction; discipline; discomfort; discommendation; dish; dishonor; distress call; dog; dust; Earth; egg; emblem; enemy; environment; evidence; execution; experience; family; family name; fear; Federation; file; First City; first officer; first officer's position; fish; flight path; food; fool; friend; generation; gesture; ghojmoK; "go ahead"; Great Hall; guilt; heart; heritage; history; home; honor; hour; house; House of Duras; House of Mogh; Human; "I do not know"; impulse power; "in that regard"; "in the middle of"; information; innocence; inspection; intention; Intrepid, USS; Ja'rod; judgment; "jumps down my throat"; "keep your place"; Khitomer; Khitomer commander; Khitomer Massacre; Khitomer Massacre victims; Khitomer Outpost; kilometer; Klingon; Klingon Bird-of-Prey (Kurn's transferring ship); Klingon Central information net; Klingon custom; Klingon Defense Force; Klingon emperor; Klingon food; Klingon High Command; Klingon High Council; Klingon Imperial Empire; Klingon law; Klingonese; knowledge; kut'luch; leave of absence; lie; Lorgh; madam; maintenance cycle; meat; medical record; mek'ba; menu; Midsummer Night's Dream, A; mister; Mogh; Mogh's wife; name; nurse; obedience; object; "of course"; Officer Exchange Program; Old Quarter; "on board"; "on the scene"; opportunity; order; outsider; Pagh, IKS; permission; personal security code; personnel; place; polite; problem; protocol; punishment; Qo'noS; quarters; question; range; recess; region; relative; relaxation; replicator; reputation; rescue vessel; respect; revenge; right; risk; Romulan; Romulan patrol ship; Rozhenko, Sergey; second; secret; sensor; sensor scan; sensor log; sensor range; service record; shame; shield; shift; sir; "so be it"; son; "stand by"; Starbase 24; Starfleet; Starfleet regulations; station; status quo; stomach; style of command; subspace transmission; suggestion; sun; survivor; tactics; taste; thousand; threat; timebase; tolerance; tour; traitor; trap; treachery; treatment; trust; truth; turkey; turn; value; "very well"; visit; "wait a second"; warrior; weapon; "well done"; wisdom; wish; witness; word; wound; year

Other references

External links

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