Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994): Season 3, Episode 17 - Sins of The Father - full transcript

Commander William T. Riker is charged with hosting Klingon commander Kurn, who takes his place as first officer as part of an exchange program. As expected, his ruthlessly authoritative command style gets on everyone's nerve, but the worst is yet to come: Kurn reveals himself as Lieutenant Worf's younger brother, and demands he joins him in dealing with a blood feud, as their late father's honor is challenged by accusations of treason to the Empire in league with the Romulans during a bloody attack. The Enterprise sets course to the Klingon first city, while Picard fears legal and diplomatic repercussions. Data finds indications the Klingon records were doctored, possibly at Klingon High Council level, so the Enterprise crew sets out to find out the truth...

PICARD:
Captain's log, stardate 43685.2.

As part of an exchange program,
we are taking aboard a Klingon officer

to return the recent visit
of Commander Riker

to the cruiser Pagh.

We must take care
that while he's with us,

Commander Kurn is accorded
all the rights

and responsibilities due
to a first officer onboard this ship.

If he should feel patronized
in any way--

Well, I'm sure we'd know.

One does not patronize
a Klingon warrior.

Your experience onboard the Pagh
will prove invaluable



during the commander's tour.

Be sure the crew are prepared
for any unusual orders.

The Klingons are very thorough.

I'm sure Commander Kurn has studied
for his assignment just as I did

when I served with them.

I understand he requested
the Enterprise specifically.

Commander Kurn is ready
for transport, captain.

Energize.

Welcome aboard the Enterprise,
commander.

I'm Captain Picard.

This is Commander William Riker.

He will be yielding the first officer's
position to you during your tour.

You are relieved.

May I take my station, sir?



I thought I might show you
to your quarters first.

I am ready for duty, sir.

I ask that I be allowed
to take my station.

Very well.
If you will accompany us to the Bridge.

KURN:
I am Kurn.

Commander rank,
Klingon Defense Force.

You will address me
as "commander" or "sir" at all times.

I am fully aware
of all Starfleet regulations,

and they will be strictly adhered to
by all personnel

while I am in command.

It is my intention
to bring a sense of discipline

that you may not be accustomed to.

With your permission, of course,
captain.

Oh, by all means, commander.

I have studied
all of your Starfleet records.

Impressive.

We shall see if you live up
to your reputations.

[WESLEY WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]

Do you wish to speak,
Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher?

No, sir, commander, Sir.

The crew awaits your orders,
captain.

Then take us to the outer
cometary cloud, commander.

Set course 114, mark 230.

- One-third impulse power.
- Aye, sir.

Execute.

Engaged. Increasing
to one-third impulse power, sir.

[KURN SIGHS]

PICARD:
Space, the final frontier.

These are the voyages
of the starship Enterprise.

Its continuing mission:
to explore strange new worlds,

to seek out new life
and new civilizations,

to boldly go where no one
has gone before.

- Mind if I join you?
WESLEY: No, sir.

Is there something wrong, Wes?

Commander Kurn, perhaps?

He just doesn't seem to like me.

I can't do anything right for him.

Every time I respond to an order,
he jumps down my throat.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

RIKER: Problem, Geordi?
- Yes, sir.

It's our new first officer.

I take it he found something wrong
with Engineering.

LA FORGE:
Just the entire section.

He pulled a surprise inspection
in the middle of a maintenance cycle.

- I tried to explain it to him--
- But he wouldn't listen.

We're all gonna be doing double shifts
to get ready for the next inspection.

[SIGHS]

His style of command
is just different.

Klingons believe in obedience
and a strict formality of command.

Yeah, but this isn't a Klingon vessel.

He's gonna have to loosen up,
commander.

WESLEY:
And it's not just us.

He's been leaning
into everybody pretty hard.

Except...

Except the one guy
who wouldn't really mind it.

Sensors picking up asteroidal debris
ahead, commander.

Can you identify the coordinates,
Mr. Worf?

Bearing 001, mark .03,
range 300,000 kilometers.

Excellent.

Please scan the asteroid field for me,
lieutenant, and report.

Approximately 2,000 small objects,
none directly in our flight path, sir.

So no course correction
is necessary.

- Is that what you are saying?
- It should not be needed, sir.

Very good, lieutenant.
You handled that well.

Yes.

RIKER:
Commander.

- Captain's mess?
- Yes.

Resume.

Your knowledge of our systems
and procedures is very impressive.

Sir.

I would like to make one suggestion,
Sir.

A suggestion?

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 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.

[DOOR OPENS]

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.

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.

I have attempted to select a menu
that will allow you

to sample a variety of dishes,
commander.

Uh, try some caviar.

[SNIFFS THEN GRUNTS]

The odor is not palatable.
What is it?

The unhatched eggs
of a large, scaleless--

Later, Data. A fish, commander.

A delicacy from the Caspian Sea
on Earth.

It's a favorite of mine.

Our replicator
has never done it justice,

but I managed to store a few cases
for special occasions.

Uh, I am honored, captain.

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 CHUCKLES]

I believe he was trying to communicate
the crew's sense of discomfort

with my style of command.

Under normal circumstances,
I would consider

that a challenge to my authority.

One of the aims
of the exchange program,

commander,
is for us all to learn tolerance.

As for my crew,

it may be healthy to shake up
the status quo occasionally.

The commander certainly appears
to have the crew on its toes, sir.

And then some. No offense, sir.

None taken.

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

[KURN GRUNTS]

Don't you like it, commander?

Our food has much more taste to it.

While I'm sure this is well prepared,

it is much too bland
for the stomach of a Klingon.

It seems to agree with Worf.

Yes.

[DOORBELL BEEPS]

Enter.

[KURN SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

Permission to speak freely, sir?

- For what purpose?
- I have questions I wish to pose.

Are your quarters so comfortable?

They serve me.

This entire ship seems built
on comfort,

relaxation, being at ease.

It is not the ship for a warrior.

Not the ship of a Klingon.

You cannot ask these questions
within the boundaries of protocol?

They are of a

personal nature, sir.

Permission granted.
Pose your questions.

I wish to know
if I have given you offense.

I am not human.

If you had given offense,
you would not need to ask.

Perhaps I have not performed
my duties to your satisfaction.

I find you to be
a capable Starfleet officer.

A credit to your ship.

Yet you dishonor me
at every opportunity.

Have 1?

I did not know
that being polite to a Starfleet officer

would bring dishonor to him.

- I am a Klingon.
- Really?

Perhaps your blood has thinned
in this environment.

I simply didn't want to hurt you.

[WORF GROWLS
& KURN SHOUTS IN KLINGON]

So your blood is not so thin after all.

I am a Klingon!

If you doubt it,
a demonstration can be arranged.

That is the response of a Klingon.

The response I would expect
from my older brother.

I was barely a year old
when you left for the Khitomer outpost.

You, our mother and father
were not going to stay long.

It was decided
that I did not need to go.

I was left to stay
with our father's friend Lorgh

until you returned.

You never did.

The Starfleet officer that rescued me
was told by the Klingon high command

that I had no living relatives.

They assumed that I was killed
with the family at Khitomer.

Lorgh had no sons.

He took me into his family.

It was not until I reached
the age of Ascension

that I was told the truth.

So you asked to serve
aboard the Enterprise to watch me.

It was an excellent opportunity
to see what kind of Klingon you were,

or if you were Klingon at all.

- Your deception offends me, brother.
- It should.

- But it was required.
- To satisfy your curiosity.

No. Much more.

You are the eldest son.
The challenge is yours to make.

Challenge?

The Klingon High Council

has judged our father a traitor
to the empire.

What are the allegations, Worf?

My father is accused
of aiding and abetting

the Romulan attack
on the Khitomer outpost.

The attack
in which he himself was killed?

But why now?

- After 20 years?
- I do not know, captain.

I will hear the evidence
when I arrive.

The charge has been made by Duras,
the son of my father's greatest rival.

Our family name will be disgraced
for seven generations.

It is my responsibility to clear his name
or answer for his crimes.

Answer for them?

The family of a Klingon warrior
is responsible for his actions,

and he is responsible for theirs.

If I fail in my challenge,
I will be executed.

Will you grant my leave, captain?

No.

If I understand correctly,

a Starfleet officer,
a respected member of my crew,

could be accused of a capital crime.

Your actions in 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.

- Commander Kurn.
KURN: Sir.

We are changing course.

Set coordinates for the First City
of the Klingon Imperial Empire.

KURN:
We arrive within the hour.

- Yes.
- The council will receive you

at high sun in the Great Hall of--

I know the procedure
for the challenge.

You'll need a cha'Dlch
to defend you.

While you are accused,
you will not be allowed combat.

I would be honored if you chose me.

I ask you to stand with me,
to be my cha'Dlch.

[SPEAKING IN KLINGON]

The two sons of Mogh, together.

- We will restore the family honor.
- No.

For the proceedings,
you will not reveal your true father.

- I must.
- You will not.

Because it would mean my death
as well if you fail.

A Klingon's honor means more
to him than his life.

Perhaps your human values
have clouded your judgment.

I insist.

On this ship,
you are my commander,

and I obey.

In council chambers,
you are my cha'Dlch.

You do not insist. You obey.

Yes, brother.

[THUNDER CRASHING]

[CROWD CHATTERING
IN KLINGON]

[KLINGON SPEAKING IN KLINGON]

I am Worf, son of Mogh.

I have come to challenge the lies
that have been spoken of my father.

[CROWD MURMURING
IN KLINGON]

Worf, son of Mogh,

you have challenged the judgment
of the council.

Are you prepared to answer
for this if you fail?

Yes.

With my life.

Why do you come before us,
commander?

I am Kurn, son of Lorgh.
I will stand by Worf's side.

I am cha'Dlch.

K'MPEC:
Hmm.

[K'MPEC SHOUTS IN KLINGON]

You claim a birthright
you have forsaken?

I have not forsaken my heritage.

I am Klingon.

My heart is of this world.

My blood is as yours.

DURAS: Yet you come to us
wearing a child's uniform.

And you bring outsiders
to our Great Hall.

I am here at my own request.

I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard
of the Enterprise.

Your words mean nothing here.

Duras, let him speak.

Lieutenant Worf has served
under my command with distinction.

He has earned my admiration
and my respect.

It is my greatest wish

that this council, in its wisdom,
will clear his family name

and return him to duty.

The trust of a commanding officer
is admirable.

The council has noted it.

Speak the accusation.

For many turns,
the truth about Khitomer

has lain dormant, unknown.

Now the truth has been revealed.

The traitor Mogh
sent the defense access code

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.

[CROWD MURMURING
IN KLINGON]

Your father was a traitor.

By posing this challenge,
you are a traitor.

[CROWD MURMURING
IN KLINGON]

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.

Council stands in recess.

We will return for the Mek'ba.
The evidence will be presented.

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

[CROWD CHATTERING
IN KLINGON]

Mr. Data.

Find out everything you can

about the destruction
of the Khitomer outpost.

Cross-reference
with Romulan tactics

and strategic information
on the region.

And request access
to the Klingon central information net.

Computer, presentation overview
of Klingon custom

and law pertaining
to familial accountability.

COMPUTER: Accessing.
- In my Ready Room.

K'MPEC:
Worf,

I would speak with you alone.

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

You should not
have brought the challenge.

There was no risk to you.

- What does it matter?
- I am Klingon.

Of that I have no question.

But your life in the Federation

would not be affected
by this judgment.

- My father--
- Is dead.

He died long ago.

I knew your father, served with him.

This is not
how I wanted to remember him.

We must let the past be
and protect what we have now.

If you leave before the Mek'ba,
no shame will come upon you.

Return to your ship.
Go back to your life.

The challenge will be forgotten.

Why would you ask me

to lay aside the honor of my father,
my family?

Are these the words of the council?

I will not be questioned by you.

Leave now, or you too
will be condemned as a traitor.

What Federation starship
was the closest to the Khitomer

at the time of the attack?

DATA: The USS Intrepid
was the first ship on the scene, sir.

Contact Starfleet.
Request all logs of the Intrepid.

Riker to Doctor Crusher.

CRUSHER [OVER COM]:
Crusher here.

Look over the medical records
from all the rescue vessels

that responded
to the Khitomer massacre.

See if there's any information
on the aftermath that might help us.

CRUSHER:
Understood.

I should have 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.

You can still be safe.

Let him stand alone.

He's my brother.

I will not betray him.

Then you will die for him.

[ASSASSIN SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

[ALL GRUNTING]

[KURN GROANING]

[ASSASSIN SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

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

It is a kut'luch,
the ceremonial weapon of an assassin.

Fortunately, his metabolic recovery
is phenomenal.

He will be all right.

It does not matter.
We should have let him die.

Now that Duras
knows his bloodlines,

we will both be executed.

You sound like you've already lost,
Worf.

Commander, I have discovered
the basis of the charges

against Worf's father.

Apparently, the Klingons recently
captured a Romulan ship with logs

that provided new information
on the Khitomer attack.

They clearly indicate a transmission
from the outpost

to the Romulan ship moments
before the shields went down.

From Worf's father?

They do correspond
to Mogh's personal security code.

How can we be sure those records
haven't been falsified?

Well, we can cross-check them
against the Intrepid's sensor logs.

I will try,

but the Intrepid was at the edge
of sensor range during the attack,

and we cannot be certain
if the scan was complete.

Looks like a pretty good match-up,
Data.

DATA: Both the Intrepid
and the Romulan logs

show a series of distress signals
from Khitomer.

What happened there?

Those are gaps in the Intrepid's logs,
missing information due to the range.

That is where Mogh's alleged
transmission should be.

- Right in the middle of the gap?
- Wait a second, Data.

Back up.

Just before the Intrepid's gap begins,

the timebase on both files
are in perfect sync.

But look.

Look at what happens to the signal
after the shields are dropped.

DATA:
They are no longer synchronous.

Commander,
somebody's been rewriting history.

I do not pretend
to fully understand the nuances

of your world's law and culture,
lieutenant.

But I do understand when somebody's
trying to hide something.

K'mpec urged me
to drop my challenge,

abandon my family honor.

It was impossible to believe
I was hearing a Klingon speak.

Obviously, they did not expect,
and never wanted, this challenge.

You're getting close to something,
lieutenant,

something they care a great deal
about protecting.

If it is true, it is not just Duras

but the High Council itself
that is my enemy.

Captain.

I must choose another cha'Dlch.

I would like your permission
to ask one of the crew.

Well, of course, lieutenant.
Choose whomever you wish.

Then I would ask you
to stand with me.

You may refuse with no dishonor.

Thank you, lieutenant.

I appreciate the gesture,
but I know that there are stronger

and younger men
from whom to choose.

I can think of no one
I would rather have at my side.

[SIGHS]

[SPEAKING IN KLINGON]

I accept.

[CROWD CHATTERING
IN KLINGON]

[KLINGON SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

My challenge will proceed.

No threats, no treachery will stop it.

Not even a trap set
for my cha'Dlch by a coward.

Duras!

I will not hear lies
from the son of a traitor.

- Keep your place, Picard!
- This is my place.

He is now my cha'Dlch.

This is not your world, human.
You do not command here.

I am 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.

I've got something.

Worf was not the only survivor
of the Khitomer massacre.

- Another child?
- No.

A Klingon woman
was found with Worf.

RIKER: Kahlest. Who was she?
CRUSHER: I don't know.

But the report
said she was severely injured,

was transferred
to Starbase 24 for treatment.

That was when she was separated
from Worf.

And after her recovery,
she returned home.

We've got to find her
if she's still alive.

Data, scan the Klingon central net.
See if there's any record of her.

The Romulans lowered
the outpost shields themselves.

They were given
the defense access code.

The record clearly shows
the Romulan patrol ship

receiving a personal transmission
from Mogh

seconds before the shields fell.

RIKER [OVER COM]:
Riker to Captain Picard.

Stand by.

DURAS: The Khitomer commander
noted in his log

that Mogh
had been acting suspiciously.

Go ahead, Number One.

RIKER: We located another survivor
of the Khitomer massacre.

A woman who was found with Worf.
Her name is Kahlest.

She resides in the Old Quarter
of the First City.

Well done. Picard out.

DURAS:
Another witness testified

that Mogh often spoke
of his admiration for the Romulans,

their culture, their women.

Mogh betrayed us,

and 4,000 Klingons died
on Khitomer.

- Only the son of Mogh survived.
- K'mpec.

May we have a short recess?

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

Have you heard of a woman
called Kahlest?

She was my ghojmoK, my nurse.

Then it's possible
she was an eyewitness

to your father's activities
on Khitomer.

- But she died in the attack.
- No, she survived.

She's living in the Old Quarter.
I'm going to find her.

WORF: It is too dangerous.
You must not go alone.

Hey, I'm your cha'Dlch.

[KLINGONS SPEAKING
IN KLINGON]

Kahlest?

What do you want?

Your help.

No.

You don't even know what I want.

You are cha'Dlch.

I know.

Then you also know
that Worf's life is at stake.

I cannot help. I am dead.

A long time dead.

Were you with Worf's father
just before the attack on Khitomer?

No.

My life ended on Khitomer.

I served a proud family,
a strong house.

All that is gone.

Worf is not gone.

The family you served
needs you again.

I cannot help.

Was his father a traitor?

No.

Mogh was loyal to the emperor.

Mogh suspected someone
of plotting with the Romulans

and followed them to Khitomer.

Who? Who was the traitor?

I do not know.

Then we have no way
to prove Mogh's innocence.

And Worf will die
as the son of a traitor.

You must leave now, cha'Dlch.

I am dead.

[ASSASSIN SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

[ALL GRUNTING]

[KNIFE PIERCES FLESH]

My appreciation, madam.

You are brave, cha'Dich.
Worf chose well.

Kahlest, would they recognize you?

Would they know who you are?

K'mpec would remember Kahlest.

I caught his eye back then.

But he was too fat.

Come back with me.

They won't know
how much you know.

You may shake loose the truth.

I will come.

DURAS:
The evidence is clear.

I would ask
that the judgment stand.

That Worf be condemned
as the son of a traitor to the empire.

[CROWD MURMURING
IN KLINGON]

Worf, son of Mogh,

- the judgment--
PICARD: K'mpec!

The Mek'ba is not complete.

I bring an eyewitness
to the Khitomer massacre.

One who has new evidence, K'mpec.

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

What is it you think you know,
old woman?

Do not answer.

It is the rule of the Mek'ba

that evidence be presented
in open council.

She will die
before she gives evidence.

Be silent, Duras.

Would you kill an old woman
to cover your dishonor?

Yes.

It is your dishonor
we are protecting here, isn't it, Duras?

I have no reluctance to kill you,
human.

Are you prepared to hear her evidence
in open council?

Obviously, we would not.

Kahlest, you can go now.

It is good to see you again.

You are still fat, K'mpec.

I asked you to leave,
to let this challenge go unanswered.

But you did not hear my words,
and now it has come to this.

Why did you judge my father guilty
when you knew he was not?

Someone had to be blamed.

The warriors
who captured the Romulan ship

had learned of the treachery.

But only the council knew whose
security code had been transmitted.

Ja'rod,

father of Duras.

This Ha'DIbaH should have been
fed to the dogs!

His family is powerful.

If the truth were known,
it would shatter the council

and most certainly plunge us
into civil war.

You were in the Starfleet.

We did not expect you
to challenge the judgment.

Nor did we know
there was another son of Mogh.

Worf's challenge is successful.

The honor of his family
must be restored.

You do not understand.

His challenge was defeated
before he ever made it.

You will not be allowed
to present this evidence.

The judgment stands.
You will be condemned.

So will your brother.
There is no other way now.

You admit the truth

and yet 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'Dlich!

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 of the Federation
is not based on lies, K'mpec.

Protect your secrets if you must,
but you will not sacrifice these men.

I will die for the empire.

- Lieutenant--
- The cha'Dlch will be silent!

Allow my brother to return to his life.

Only you need know
his true bloodline.

Not acceptable.
His honor would demand revenge.

If you allow him to live,
I will give you something

that will serve your purpose
far more than my death.

I will accept discommendation.

Ah.

You would do this in open council?

It would be the same
as admitting your father's guilt, Worf.

So be it.

Your heart is Klingon.

It will be done.

What has been said here
will never be spoken of again.

You are the son of a traitor.

Now I am ready.

Why is he doing this?

I was prepared to die.

Worf wants you to live.

The name of your father
must someday be cleared.

He needs you alive
with your honor intact.

But to do this--

There will be another day,
commander.

Do not forget
what he does here today.

Do not let your children forget.

[SPEAKING IN KLINGON]

[SPEAKS IN KLINGON]

You must also,

brother.