“Sins of the Father”
Written by Ronald D. Moore & W. Reed Moran (story by Drew Deighan)
Directed by Les Landau
Season 3, Episode 17
Original air date: March 19, 1990
Star date: 43685.2
Mission summary
The Enterprise crew welcomes a new Klingon officer, Commander Kurn, who will be filling in for Commander Riker temporarily as part of the Federation-Klingon Exchange Program. Kern has no sooner beamed aboard than he requests to begin his duties, and he ingratiates himself to the Bridge crew by demanding that they actually perform their jobs with efficiency and professionalism. The crew is stunned to have such a competent disciplinarian serving as first officer.
Captain Picard is impressed, considering that “it may be healthy to shake up the status quo occasionally.” But not everyone is so receptive to the Klingon first officer’s style of command. After Wesley and LaForge whine to Riker, he attempts to intervene on their behalf.
RIKER: Your knowledge of our systems and procedures is very impressive, Sir. I would like to make one suggestion, sir.
KURN: A suggestion?
RIKER: When I served aboard the Pagh, the hardest part for me was recognizing and adapting to the demands of the crew. They needed an iron hand. 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.
KURN: No, Commander. It wouldn’t.
RIKER: This is not a Klingon ship, sir.
KURN: No, Commander, it is not. If it were a Klingon ship, I would have killed you for offering your suggestion.
Kurn is unfailingly polite to one crew member, however: Lieutenant Commander Worf, who of course views this as a gross dishonor. After Kurn makes one snide comment too many at Worf’s expense at dinner, the security officer confronts his new first officer in his quarters and calls him out on his dishonoring ways.
KURN: I find you to be a capable Starfleet officer. A credit to your ship.
WORF: Yet you dishonor me at every opportunity.
KURN: Have I? I did not know that being polite to a Starfleet officer would bring dishonour on him.
WORF: I am a Klingon.
KURN: Really? Perhaps your blood has thinned in this environment. I simply don’t want to hurt you.
Worf is all too happy to show Kurn that he can fight like a Klingon, which delights Kurn. He was only going easy on Worf to test him to see how Klingon he is. You know, the way a younger brother might tease an older one. Which he is, by the way — Worf’s younger brother! He had been left behind at a year old when Worf and their parents left for their brief but ill-fated trip to the Khitomer Outpost. When Worf was rescued by a Starfleet officer, he was informed that he had no surviving relatives, and when Kurn’s family didn’t return, he was adopted by another Klingon family.
Kurn had specifically requested assignment to Enterprise to seek out Worf so he can challenge the Klingon High Council, which has accused their father Mogh of betraying the Empire to the Romulans and causing the deaths at Khitomer. Picard refuses Worf’s request for leave to defend his family’s honor, opting instead to divert the ship to the Klingon capitol and stand by his side.
Worf and Kurn, serving as his brother’s cha’DIch (like someone’s second in a duel) but not revealing that they are related, face off against Duras, who has brought these charges against their father. During a recess, the Council leader K’mpec recommends that Worf drop the challenge and sneak away to avoid risking his life; if he loses the challenge, he will be killed as a traitor himself. Meanwhile, Picard rallies the Enterprise crew to dig into the details of the Khitomer massacre, and Kurn is ambushed by Duras and his goons, who know he’s Worf’s brother. Kurn survives, but Worf will need a new cha’DIch. Picard accepts this honor.
The investigations on Enterprise reveal that something is definitely being covered up, and Dr. Crusher finds out that there was another survivor of Khitomer besides Worf, his nanny Khalest. When Picard visits her, she confirms that Mogh was no traitor, but he had suspected someone of collaborating with the Romulans and followed him to Khitomer. Though she doesn’t know who the real traitor is, she agrees to come back with Picard and pretend that she knows something.
Her presence is enough to prompt K’mpec to come clean: Duras’ father was the traitor, but his family is so powerful, revealing this would have destroyed the Council and plunged the Klingon Empire into Civil War. Mogh was just a convenient scapegoat, since Worf was in Starfleet and they didn’t think he’d mind. Picard is scandalized and refuses to allow his officer to be killed over a lie, but Worf suggests a compromise. He will accept discommendation — effect acknowledging his father’s guilt — if they allow Kurn to live and don’t reveal his true lineage. K’mpec accepts the deal.
At least Worf gets to smack Duras before he is ritually shunned by all the other Klingons, including his brother. They will live to fight (and die) another day.
Analysis
Perhaps it’s shameful to admit this, but I never liked the Klingon episodes of TNG all that much. I knew that they were good, probably some of the best, but I just wasn’t as interested in Klingon political machinations and culture as I was in visiting strange new worlds. (This is one reason I don’t read much fantasy versus science fiction.) But looking back, I appreciate these stories much more as a viewer and a writer. I now understand that in a sense, these episodes are exploring new worlds and civilizations as much as, if not more than, more sf-nal stories about first contact. Perhaps they are even more satisfying in the long run, because while most people aren’t going to encounter new alien species, we can all learn about and relate to new cultures.
This is the first canonical Star Trek I’ve watched since Star Trek Into Darkness (I also watched the first episode of the fan-produced Star Trek Continues, which deserves its own post), and during the episode I found myself thinking about the many differences between the TV shows and the rebooted franchise. This episode and the ones that follow dealing with Worf and his family’s honor and political strife in the Klingon Empire are much more Star Trek than what J.J. Abrams has crafted: they are quiet (except when the Klingons shout, which is often) and contemplative stories that thoughtfully flesh out the complicated motivations and rich heritage of an alien race that was previously portrayed as nothing more than stock villains.
These are stories about people, and whether I care about what’s happening on the Klingon Homeworld or not, I care about Worf and how those developments affect him and his friends, and I’m rooting for him as he plays his role in the outcome. The way he straddles his loyalties between Starfleet and his Klingon heritage is just as compelling as Spock’s struggle between his human and Vulcan sides.
I had forgotten that TNG had this callback to the second season’s “A Matter of Honor.” It provides an interesting counterpoint to that episode, and I think it’s wonderful that Kurn has obviously put in as much research on his new crew as Riker did. One might excuse him if he’s less interested in mollycoddling the Enterprise crew and meeting them on his own terms, as he does have other motives here; in fact, I like to think he has done this research in order to understand Worf and the life he leads more than just attempt to make a good impression. Although there are some funny cultural disconnects in this episode, I never feel like we’re having a laugh at the Klingon’s expense, as in, say, Star Trek VI. Kurn isn’t backwards or misunderstanding some nuance of culture; he gets it, he just doesn’t care for it.
I found the dichotomy between Klingons and the Federation one of the most interesting aspects of this episode. Kurn is demanding and thinks the crew is soft, pointing out that the ship is built for comfort, and he isn’t wrong. Picard and Riker do run kind of a loose ship, though they get the job done when it counts. What I like best is how much Picard respects Worf and his birth culture. Either the captain knows a bit of Klingon already, or he’s gone out of his way to learn it to accept the role of cha’DIch. (Probably the former, unless he was hoping Worf would ask him. Awww.)
I’m less comfortable with the idea of Picard diverting the ship from its current mission, whatever it is, to accompany Worf on his personal mission, even if he justifies it as in the best interests of the Federation. I guess it’s good they weren’t in the middle of anything important? He also devotes a fair bit of resources to investigating the Khitomer massacre (and I’m tired of this trope too, that they have uncovered something that was missed for decades). And why did they have to work to figure out what the charges were, when the Council eventually just told them?
Ironically, if they hadn’t gotten involved, the secret would never have come out, and the threat of Klingon Civil War would have died quietly, along with Worf and Kurn. And in a further irony, it’s interesting that Picard’s willingness to go above and beyond for one crew member — which never would have happened on a Klingon ship — is what saves Kurn’s and Worf’s lives. This gesture, however ill-advised, does highlight the fact that even though Worf has accepted discommendation, he still has a family on Enterprise.
I don’t quite buy the hypocrisy of K’mpec saying at one moment “the Empire will not be destroyed for one family’s honor,” but also admitting that the Duras “family is powerful. If the truth were known, it would shatter the Council, most certainly plunge us into civil war.” Perhaps this is just the seed of corruption that will ultimately destroy them, but it doesn’t make sense to not take some action against the Duras family. And I’m also not entirely clear on why Duras was working with the Romulans. I don’t remember if this is explained later in the whole saga, but it seems like an important question, and do you want this family in such a position of authority in your government? Really?
But what I’m getting from this is that even if you don’t understand why Klingons do what they do, they have their reasons and you should respect them.
Here’s a parting question: Why don’t commbadges have a silent mode? If you’re in the middle of a Klingon trial or ceremony, you should probably make sure you aren’t going to receive any calls. I’m just saying.
Eugene’s Rating: Warp 5 (on a scale of 1-6)
Thread Alert: Charles Cooper (K’mpec) previously played the Klingon Korrd in Star Trek V. Not only did they recycle the actor, but they recycled his wardrobe — he’s wearing the same cloak and medals he had in the film the year before!
Best Line: KURN: How long has the bird been dead? It appears to have been lying in the sun for quite some time.
LAFORGE: It’s not dead, it’s been replicated. You do understand that we cook most of our foods.
KURN: Ah, yes. I was told to prepare for that. I shall try some of your burned replicated bird meat.
Trivia/Other Notes: Ron Moore has stated that it was Patrick Stewart’s idea for Picard to know the cha’DIch ritual, so Moore wrote one into the script.
Moore cites this as a turning point in the franchise that opened the door for more continuing story arcs in Star Trek. (It also started the trend of introducing family members we’ve never heard about…)
This was the first appearance of the Klingon homeworld on screen, which was visualized by art director Richard James, set director Jim Mees, and cameraman Marvin Rush — setting the tone for the Klingon aesthetic for the rest of the franchise. The beautiful matte painting of the Great Hall and the First City, created by Syd Dutton at Illusion Arts, is still being referenced and recycled.
Tony Todd reprises his role of Kurn in “Redemption, Parts I and II” and “Son of Mogh” (DS9), and he makes another appearance as an older Jake Sisko in DS9’s fan favorite “The Visitor.”
We see the “captain’s mess” for the first time, which fittingly looks just like a conference room.
Previous episode: Season 3, Episode 16 – “The Offspring.”
Next episode: Season 3, Episode 18 – “Allegiance.”
In a nice little coincidence, I note that the Re-Watch returns to active duty on the same day that TOS goes on sale on Amazon. Just in case anyone wants the Blu-Rays.
That aside, I’m actually like Eugene in that I never cared for the Klingon storylines all that much either. I like getting insight into new worlds and their cultures; it’s just that the Klingons never interested me that much.
That said, I actually quite like this episode. I think it’s great that we get to learn so much about Worf, even as he’s learning about his own personal history. The decision he made to accept discommendation is an extremely important one for his character development. Along the same lines, Picard’s actions on Worf’s behalf serve to show just how much of a family the crew of the Enterprise has become. Worf was originally set up as the ultimate outsider on the crew. In this episode, it becomes clearer than ever that this isn’t really the case. That’s a pretty positive message.
I love the Klingon arc, both here and on DS9 (though it’s really more of a sideline there). As Ron Moore noted, this is where TNG really began to tell big stories, although the season finale would probably have pushed them in that direction anyway, and it must have been in the pipeline.
Another important thing that happens here in Worf’s development is his first discovery of the difference between the theory and practice of being Klingon. He never thought all that politicking and intrigue had a place in the empire, but obviously it really is necessary. The Viking-Samurai code is no basis for a system of government and compromises sometimes have to be made. Worf’s gradual exposure to this, in many ways, results in him really growing up
Batting 1.000 for the past several episodes.
I especially like how this episode seems to be going in one direction, and then yanks very hard in another unexpected direction. The writers are definitely becoming more comfortable with hanging uncertainty and dubious outcomes.
I never much understood the whole Klingon ethos, but—as DemetriosX notes—watching these episodes in retrospect it becomes clear to me that Worf is the only one who actually does believe this nonsense (as K’Ehleyr once accurately described it). Everyone else just postures or uses the “duty and honor” ethos to justify disreputable, grasping behavior.
I like K’mpec, and the way he struggles at some semblence of dignity in all this nonsense. He’s like an exasperated uncle to Worf when he confides to him that the whole trial and ordeal is a predetermined set-up and sham, now exposed: “You do not understand. His challenge was defeated before he ever made it. You will not be allowed to present this evidence. The judgment will stand and you will be condemned….”
The only way you have dignity in the Klingon regime is by regretting everything you’re forced or required to do. I wish we’d seen more of him.
Do not forget what he does here today. Do not let your children forget.
That, and Kurn’s expression as he performed the shunning gestures, cued the waterworks for me. Still does.
I am torn with this one.
On the one hand, I think it’s a wonderful Worf character piece. It picks up right where “The Emissary” left off. Worf’s idolization of the Klingon empire is proven, again, to be woefully misplaced. He has a sense of honor and duty that no one else in his beloved culture does. He’s a man living out of time who has idealized his heritage as something much more clean and pure (and honorable) than it really is, and possibly ever was. Basically, he’s a fool.
Yet he makes a conscious choice here to stick to those ideals, even in the face of blatant corruption. He could walk away. The game is rigged, the whole honor system is a sham. But he sticks by it, in his own way, choosing what feels honorable to him. It’s a sort of Kobayashi scenario. Though he can’t win, he chooses not to cheat the game, Kirk-style. He accepts the loss.
What still bugs me, though, after all these years, is that the so-called alien Klingon culture is basically the American senate. I was surprised to read Eugene’s praise for exploration of other cultures. It doesn’t feel alien at all. Their political system is deeply cynical, corrupt, and flawed–you know, basically ours. Okay so maybe I’m cynical, too, but part of what I look for in Trek is idealism. I still think the story works–we’re Worf, trying to make an ideal world out of a broken one–but it still makes me sad that the show gave up a chance to display a truly different culture (I would have accepted Viking-Samurai, because at least it wouldn’t be American).
Other than that, I love K’mpec. You can tell he kind of knew all along this could happen, but was really hoping to avoid hurting anyone. It’s too bad he’s not long for this world.
And as for Kurn, well, I can’t say I don’t still yawn at the “meet this secret family member you never knew about until now!” crap, but who can argue with Tony Todd? I like seeing him play Commodore as he gives the crew a much-needed discipline lesson. Sadly, the whole thing just reminds me of one of the worst plot resolutions ever, when DS9 mind-wipes him, for Reasons.
Ugh.
I’m wavering between a 4 and a 5, but I’ll give this a Warp 5 by not holding it accountable for the sins of its DS9 progeny.
@3 Lemnoc
I especially like how this episode seems to be going in one direction, and then yanks very hard in another unexpected direction. The writers are definitely becoming more comfortable with hanging uncertainty and dubious outcomes.
Yes, that struck me too. You think it’s setting us up for another episode where Kurn and/or the crew learn how to meet each other in the middle or something, peppered with humorous “Look how the Klingon handles Earth customs” scenes, but then it gets so much better.
@5 Torie
Worf’s idolization of the Klingon empire is proven, again, to be woefully misplaced.
If that’s all he ever is, it would be disappointing, but this is the start of his journey to understanding that it is not as wonderful as he’s imagined and he learns to strike a better balance. As annoying as his son Alexander is, he does provide a counterpoint that forces Worf to look at his heritage differently, and then Jadzia comes along… He does change by the end, and that was new for Star Trek.
I was surprised to read Eugene’s praise for exploration of other cultures. It doesn’t feel alien at all.
Even if it’s recognizable to us, it’s still presented as another culture and it’s new to Worf’s Federation crewmates, and in many ways to Worf himself. They may have been a little lazy in their world building, but it’s still better than not even attempting to make them more than cardboard villains. It’s cynical, and that was also new to Star Trek and it was probably acceptable because it wasn’t Starfleet that was corrupt…yet. I think their culture evolves a bit too. But this is a good point, and maybe it helps explain why I never connected with these episodes much before, but now that I’m more cynical, I can look at them differently :)
I like that the Empire isn’t as honorable as it makes itself out to be, and that Worf is more Klingon than Klingon. Who wants to watch a culture that you can describe in one word? Besides, I’m guessing that, if we ever make contact with other intelligent species, we’ll find that, just as it is on Earth, political corruption throughout the galaxy is about as universal as binocular vision.