Sins of the Father (TNG episode)

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Star Trek: TNG episode
"Sins of the Father"
"Worf stands trial for his father's crimes in "Sins of the Father".
Episode no.	65
Prod. code	165
Airdate	March 19, 1990
Writer(s)	Drew Deighan Ronald D. Moore W. Reed Moran
Director	Les Landau
Guest star(s)	Tony Todd Charles Cooper Thelma Lee Patrick Massett
Year	2366
Stardate	43685.2
Episode chronology
Previous	"The Offspring"
Next	"Allegiance"

"Sins of the Father" is the title of an episode from the third season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

[edit] Plot

The Klingon commander Kurn is assigned to join the USS Enterprise 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 the Klingon discipline aboard the Federation vessel, being harsh with everyone except Worf, whom he gives easy assignments. Thus, during a minor course calculation, he exaggeratedly praises Worf's efficiency, displaying in the same time more smooth and more polite manners than with the rest of the crew. However, Worf slowly begins to overheat at this treatment.

Later, in the turbolift, as they were on their way towards Captain's mess, Riker offers himself to provide Kurn guidance in working with the crew. Kurn respectfully declines the offer. However, Riker insists reminding him Enterprise is not a Klingon ship. Kurn replies menacingly that if it were a Klingon ship he would kill him for offering his suggestion.

During dinner at the Captain's mess, the Klingon commander complains the food is too bland for him. Naturally, everyone glance at Worf who was enjoying his meal when he hears Kurn say this. Feeling extremely self-conscious, Worf promptly loses his appetite.

After dinner, filled with rage, Worf goes to Kurn's quarters and, when the other doubts his Klingon instincts, bursts with violence. However, he is shocked to find out Kurn is his brother. Kurn tells Worf he had sought him because their father, Mogh, was accused of treason by the Klingon High Council. Supposedly, he had lowered the shields of Khitomer outpost just before the Romulan attack. Kurn had lived all these years, hiding his identity as the son of Lorgh but when he learned of the Council's judgement he came to Worf, asking him to challenge the judgement as Mogh's elder son. Worf agrees and asks for Picard's permission. Picard decides to support Worf in his decision and brings the Enterprise to the Klingon Homeworld. There, Worf, assisted by Kurn, his Cha'DIch, makes the challenge in front of the Council despite the accusations of Duras, the son of Mogh's greatest rival. Worf is surprised to learn that the very leader of the Council, K'mpec, tries to persuade him into abandoning his challenge. Meanwhilst Duras' assassins attack and severely wound Kurn.

Worf decides to go on with his challenge, electing Picard as Cha'DIch. In the meantime, the Enterprise crew discovers that the evidence which supported Mogh's guilt were fake and that there was another survivor of Khitomer Massacre, a woman named Kahlest. Picard persuades Kahlest into testifying for Worf. But K'mpec and Duras privately confess to Worf and Picard that Mogh was innocent, the real traitor being Duras' father. In order to avoid a civil war, they decided to use Mogh as a scapegoat, not knowing his sons would challenge the judgement.

For the sake of the Klingon Empire, Worf is forced to abandon his challenge and accepts discommendation. In the end Picard promises Kurn that the honour of Mogh's family would be restored.

[edit] Trivia

Several times throughtout this episode, it is obvious certain sound effects were left out. For instance, Picard successfully uses his communicator badge twice, but neither one of those times does it "chime" like it is suppossed to. Also, blows were exchanged twice between various people but no characteristic impact noises were heard.