| The Next Generation | |
| 100 | |
| Redemption | |
| 44995.3 | |
The Enterprise is actually going somewhere interesting - to the Klingon homeworld to install Gowron as their new leader. Picard also wants to cause a bit of a political stir for the new leader as he prompts Worf to ask for his family name back. Worf doesn't look happy... He can't stay moping for too long as a Klingon Warbird arrives to "escort" them to the homeworld. Has anyone looked closely at the front of the Warbird? I am sure that there is a Millennium Falcon stuck on the front! In this case it is not Han Solo who arrives, it is none other than Gowron himself who seems keen to avert a Klingon civil war!
Even though Duras is dead, his family lives on and is plotting to overthrow Gowron and sieze power - basically they are sore losers. Picard doesn't want to dirty his hands with this one, even though he is the chosen arbiter. As Gowron is preparing to beam back to the Bortas, Worf explains to him the true nature of the Khitomer massacre and Duras' deceit. Gowron doesn't actually seem to know very much about the way things work - I think he would make a great companion for Picard. Worf asks for his name back, but Gowron says that he cannot oppose the council - in other words no!
Worf looks as if he needs a distemper shot as he asks Picard for a leave of absence - which is granted. His discomfort is clear when he meets with his brother Kurn. Kurn wants to see Gowron and the entire council smashed away and a new structure installed, but Worf gives the "older brother" speech and says they must support him - if they are to get their honour back.
In the council chambers on the Klingon homeworld, Gowron is about to be appointed when... Toral challenges for leadership. Who? Good question. The brat, who is probably more insufferable than even Wesley, claims to be Duras' son. His claim is supported by his aunts demands that his challenge be heard. This doesn't amuse Gowron and I think he should have knifed him when he had the chance. In a none too surprising move, Toral and Co meet with Romulans...
Worf is using his Federation clearance to get the information that will prove his father innocent. This time it is Picard who is less than comfortable - he claims that it is a conflict of interest. Yet he didn't claim this when it was last brought up in front of the council. However so that he doesn't disadvantage Worf any further or throw plot consistency completly out the window, he makes the records open to all. Does he have the right to do it? Can Starfleet captains simply give classified information away for free? It looks like Picard can.
Picard gets invited to meet with Toral and Co, and realises that he is in a serious predicament. If he votes for Toral, Gowron will be killed; if he votes against him, they will claim Federation interference. A strategy worthy of a Romulan! He isn't fazed though and pronounces Gowron as rightful leader. Unfortunately half of the council boycott the decision and stomp off.
Worf once again offers his aid to Gowron - at least he hasn't started to whine yet. While discussing it, the Bortas is attacked by two Birds of Prey. The Enterprise just sits there and watches the show. When Gowron's ship is in real trouble does the Enterprise help? Nope, the leave the area. It's nice to know who your friends are. Kurn saves the day, and pledges his allegiance to Gowron.
Gowron is finally installed as leader, and he officially gives back Worf's family honour. I thought that Worf was going to cry. Instead he slices his hand on a Klingon ceremonial dagger. Aren't you glad you're human? Gowron then officially asks for Federation assistance under the terms of their treaty. Picard claims that is it an internal dispute and they he cannot help. Wait a minute - the result of this will alter the balance of power in this quadrant, and he has an official request from an allied head of state - and he just says no! No consultation with Starfleet, in fact it is a completely arbitrary decision. It looks as if Picard actually runs Starfleet himself. I hope he is strung up for this.
Just to make the situation even more unfriendly, Picard orders Worf back to his duties. Worf makes it entirely clear where he can stick his Federation communicator and resigns of the spot. At least he gets an honour guard when he leaves the Enterprise to become weapons officer on Gowron's ship. I do wonder where they got all the extra uniforms from for the extras - there must have been a con somewhere nearby!
Meanwhile back on the Klinon homeworld Toral and Co are meeting with the Romulans again. Picard has rejected Gowron and Toral says that this is because the humans are weak. One of the Romulans steps forward into the light and she looks just like Tasha Yar! She says: "You should not discount Jean-Luc Picard yet. He is human-and humans have a way of showing up when you least expect them".
