Changes: Sins of The Father (episode)

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

Summary

Teaser

The Klingon commander Kurn is assigned to join the USS Enterprise-D crew as part of an officer exchange in return for Commander Riker's visit aboard the Klingon vessel Pagh. The new first officer tries to impose Klingon-style discipline aboard the Federation vessel, with Picard's approval. The crew experience this treatment as excessively harsh.

Act One

When La Forge and 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.

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".

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's too bland. 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 cries out "Mev' yap!" (Enough!) 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

He 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 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 lowered 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 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.

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.

Act Three

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 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."

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.

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.

Act Four

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."

The Enterprise crew, on Picard's orders, are investigating 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 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.

Act Five

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 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. The truth is then revealed; it was not Mogh, but Duras' father, who colluded with the Romulans. But this must be kept secret, and not told in open council; Kahlest is free to go. K'mpec makes another small play for Kahlest; "It is good to see you again." She responds, "You're still fat."

K'mpec and Duras privately explain the details of Duras' father's treachery. 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 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 speaks up and says he'll volunteer to die for the sake of the Klingon Empire if Kurn's life will 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.

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"), the Council members reply "biHnuch!" ("Coward!"), and one by one, turn their backs on him. Worf softly tells Kurn that he must do it also. Almost on the verge of tears, Kurn very reluctantly complies.

Log Entries

Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2366

Memorable Quotes

"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 Lt. Cmdr. La Forge

"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

"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

"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."
"It is a good day to die, Duras, but 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'"

"You are still fat, K'mpec."

- 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 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!"
"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

Story and production

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 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)
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 on 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)
As an in-joke, the captain of the USS Intrepid is named Drew Deighan on a monitor screen, after the writer who submitted the spec script upon which this episode was based. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion)
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. [1]

Continuity

This episode 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".
Duras (Patrick Massett) and his father, Ja'rod, are descendants of the 22nd century Klingon warrior Duras (Daniel Riordan) who appeared in ENT: "Judgment" and "The Expanse".
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. Thus, we must assume 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 designation which was never used again.
On the medical file for Kahlest, Dr. Beverly Crusher reads that she was treated at Starbase 24. However, the okudagram reads Starbase 23.
This is the first episode where we learn of Dr. Crusher's middle initial.

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. [2]
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)
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)
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)

Video and DVD releases

Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 33, 6 December 1991.
UK re-release (three-episode tapes, Paramount Home Entertainment): Volume 3.6, 14 August 2000.
As part of the TNG Season 3 DVD collection.
As part of the Star Trek: Fan Collective - Klingon collection.

Links and References

Main Cast

Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes as Commander William T. Riker
LeVar Burton as Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf
Gates McFadden as Doctor Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner as Lieutenant Commander Data
Wil Wheaton as Ensign Wesley Crusher

Guest Stars

Previous episode:
"The Offspring"

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3

Next episode:
"Allegiance"

@@ Line 130: / Line 130: @@
 "I'm not here to command."" <br />
 "Then you must be ready to fight. Something Starfleet does not teach you." <br />
-"Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You may test that assumption at your convenience." <br />
+"You may test that assumption at your convenience." <br />
 :- '"Duras" and "'Picard'"