4.26 — “Redemption, Part I”
Plot: TNG’s Fourth Season finale finds Picard resummoned to his role as arbiter of the Klingon succession which he assumed in episode 4.7, “Reunion.” A faction led by the sisters of Duras opposes Gowron’s ascension to the leadership of the Klingon High Council. A civil war is threatened that could harm Federation interests. Meanwhile, Worf conspires with his brother Kurn to restore the honor of the sons of Mogh.
Thoughts: This is the 100th episode of TNG, and the occasion of a visit to the set by Ronald Reagan, in his third year post-presidency. Yes, it was that long ago. This episode aired on June 17, 1991, right around the time I graduated from high school.
I’m glad to get back to the Klingon succession/discommendation story line, which has been one of the most entertaining threads in the series, thanks in no small part to the talent of Michael Dorn. I don’t love this episode, however. Usually we would be in good hands with a Worf stoy, an episode written by Ronald B. Moore, and this collection of guest actors. But a number of factors conspire to undermine this entry.
First, the episode feels flabby, which is probably a byproduct of stretching the material into a two-part episode. While a few of the events are momentous (Worf resigns from Starfleet!), considerably fewer notable incidents occur than in any of the other three two-part episodes in franchise history up to this point, “The Best of Both Worlds,” “Encounter at Farpoint,” and “The Menagerie.” Note: seven more two-part episodes lie ahead in TNG’s last three seasons, not counting the second half of this one. It’s a new thing.
Second, the notion that the Klingon Empire would outsource its succession to Jean-Luc Picard is a weak point of story logic. Thinking about it reminds me that I also don’t quite buy Worf accepting the discommendation in the first place. Accepting dishonor to prevent war? It hardly seems like a Klingon thing to do.
Third, Picard seems out of character in the episode. When he refuses to assist Worf, even as Worf appears moments away from death on the Klingon vessel, Picard seems weak and disloyal to his friends.
That’s not all that raises my hackles about this episode. The treatment of the Duras sisters feels wrong. I’m not sure they were well cast. Suddenly, no women are allowed on the Klingon High Council, despite the fact that Gowron offered K’Ehleyr a seat on the Council earlier this season. There will also apparently be a female Klingon seen on the council in Star Trek VI, 100 years in the franchise’s past. TNG, why are you so quick to put women in retrograde positions and reinforce bad gender stereotypes? Is it even likely that this level of discrimination would prevail in a spacefaring race?
Finally, I think we’re supposed to be blown away by the appearance of Tasha Yar/Denise Crosby at the end of the episode on the Romulan ship. Maybe the problem is that this plot point was half spoiled for me online, but it feels to me more like a cheap trick than an exciting development.
But I do like crazy-eyed Gowron and Kurn, and stories that center on Worf.
On Honor! On Glory! On Donner and Blitzen! Hello, New Year. Goodbye, Season Four.
3 out of 5 bat’leths.
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