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Sins of the Father (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"Sins of the Father" is the 65th episode of the science fiction
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
.
Starship
USS Enterprise-D
's Klingon
Chief of Security, Lt. Worf
, challenges the Klingon High Council
's accusation that his father was a traitor.
. His command style aggravates the crew, particularly Lieutenant Worf. Worf confronts Kurn alone, where Kurn reveals he is Worf's younger brother; when the rest of Worf's family left to the Khitomer colony, he was left with a friend of their father, Lorgh. Kurn was raised as Lorgh's child, unaware until recently of the massacre at Khitomer. Kurn tells Worf that their father Mogh is being charged posthumously as a traitor by Duras, the son of Mogh's rival, in the Khitomer massacre, which will mar the Mogh family name for generations. Worf requests a leave of absence to defend his father's honor. Picard believes that Worf's action as a Starfleet officer in his father's defense will be of significant interest to the Federation, and directs the Enterprise to the Klingon homeworld so they may monitor the events. En route, Kurn volunteers to be Worf's Cha'DIch, a second
to stand with Worf during the challenge. Worf agrees, but warns Kurn to not reveal his bloodline.
At the High Council, Duras reveals evidence of Mogh sending Khitomer's defense codes to the Romulans. Worf challenges this, but is told privately by K'mpec, the Klingon Chancellor, to drop the challenge and return to the Federation. Worf discusses this curious request with Picard, who also finds it strange and orders his crew to examine the evidence. Meanwhile, Duras has ambushed Kurn, aware of his Mogh bloodline, and attempts to get him to betray Worf. Kurn refuses and is seriously wounded, no longer able to support Worf in front of the Council. Picard accepts Worf's request to take Kurn's place.
The Enterprise crew find evidence that the Khitomer logs have been modified, and soon discover one more survivor of the massacre, Worf's nurse Kahlest. Picard is able to convince Kahlest, who knows Mogh was loyal to the Klingon Empire but does not know who the true traitor was, to help in Worf's challenge. Picard brings Kahlest to court, and bluffs that she knows who the true traitor was. K'mpec calls Worf, Picard, and Kahlest into his private quarters and reveals the truth; the Council is well aware that Duras' father was the Khitomer traitor, but exposure of this, given Duras' high political capital, would certainly lead to civil war within the Empire. The Council only accepted Duras' charge of treason against Mogh believing that Worf would not challenge it. K'mpec imparts that the Council must condemn Worf and Kurn, but Picard refuses, a situation that could end the Klingon-Federation alliance. K'mpec, Picard, and Worf agree that the only course of action for Worf is to accept a discommendation, tantamount to admitting his father's guilt; in exchange, the knowledge of the proceedings, including Kurn's true bloodlines, will be covered up. In the council, all of the assembled Klingons, including Kurn, turn their back to Worf in his disgrace, and he and Picard silently leave the hall.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
.
Overview
In this episode, the Federation StarfleetStarfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
Starship
Starship
A starship or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel....
USS Enterprise-D
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
's Klingon
Klingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
Chief of Security, Lt. Worf
Worf
Worf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...
, challenges the Klingon High Council
Klingon High Council
In the fictional Star Trek universe the Klingon High Council is the supreme ruling body of the Klingon Empire...
's accusation that his father was a traitor.
Plot
As part of the Federation-Klingon officer exchange program, Klingon Commander Kurn has requested to be placed aboard the Enterprise as first officerExecutive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
. His command style aggravates the crew, particularly Lieutenant Worf. Worf confronts Kurn alone, where Kurn reveals he is Worf's younger brother; when the rest of Worf's family left to the Khitomer colony, he was left with a friend of their father, Lorgh. Kurn was raised as Lorgh's child, unaware until recently of the massacre at Khitomer. Kurn tells Worf that their father Mogh is being charged posthumously as a traitor by Duras, the son of Mogh's rival, in the Khitomer massacre, which will mar the Mogh family name for generations. Worf requests a leave of absence to defend his father's honor. Picard believes that Worf's action as a Starfleet officer in his father's defense will be of significant interest to the Federation, and directs the Enterprise to the Klingon homeworld so they may monitor the events. En route, Kurn volunteers to be Worf's Cha'DIch, a second
Duel
A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two individuals, with matched weapons in accordance with agreed-upon rules.Duels in this form were chiefly practised in Early Modern Europe, with precedents in the medieval code of chivalry, and continued into the modern period especially among...
to stand with Worf during the challenge. Worf agrees, but warns Kurn to not reveal his bloodline.
At the High Council, Duras reveals evidence of Mogh sending Khitomer's defense codes to the Romulans. Worf challenges this, but is told privately by K'mpec, the Klingon Chancellor, to drop the challenge and return to the Federation. Worf discusses this curious request with Picard, who also finds it strange and orders his crew to examine the evidence. Meanwhile, Duras has ambushed Kurn, aware of his Mogh bloodline, and attempts to get him to betray Worf. Kurn refuses and is seriously wounded, no longer able to support Worf in front of the Council. Picard accepts Worf's request to take Kurn's place.
The Enterprise crew find evidence that the Khitomer logs have been modified, and soon discover one more survivor of the massacre, Worf's nurse Kahlest. Picard is able to convince Kahlest, who knows Mogh was loyal to the Klingon Empire but does not know who the true traitor was, to help in Worf's challenge. Picard brings Kahlest to court, and bluffs that she knows who the true traitor was. K'mpec calls Worf, Picard, and Kahlest into his private quarters and reveals the truth; the Council is well aware that Duras' father was the Khitomer traitor, but exposure of this, given Duras' high political capital, would certainly lead to civil war within the Empire. The Council only accepted Duras' charge of treason against Mogh believing that Worf would not challenge it. K'mpec imparts that the Council must condemn Worf and Kurn, but Picard refuses, a situation that could end the Klingon-Federation alliance. K'mpec, Picard, and Worf agree that the only course of action for Worf is to accept a discommendation, tantamount to admitting his father's guilt; in exchange, the knowledge of the proceedings, including Kurn's true bloodlines, will be covered up. In the council, all of the assembled Klingons, including Kurn, turn their back to Worf in his disgrace, and he and Picard silently leave the hall.