History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS6E15Birthright

* YouCantGoHomeAgain: The Klingons captured from Khitomer stayed in the camp, instead of returning and having dishonor for themselves and their families.

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[floatboxright:Series: Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration\\
Episode: Season 6, Episode 15\\
Title: Birthright\\
Previous: Tapestry\\
Next: Starship Mine\\
Recapper: Tropers/{{Premonition45}}]

* CallBack: Geordi mentions O'Brien, who transferred off the ''Enterprise'' and is now Chief of Operations for [=DS9=]. The bad pasta is also a sign of the many problems the station is having, especially with the replicators.

* FantasticRacism: Worf is unable to accept the idea that Romulans and Klingons can ever live in peace together.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Data was supposed to work with Jadzia Dax, but Terry Farrell was busy working on [=DS9=]'s "Move Along Home".

* VillainHasAPoint / WellIntentionedExtremist: Tokath had done something no diplomats from the Klingon or Romulan empires, or Federation has achieved: a manageable peace between Klingons and Romulans.

* AuthorTract/StrawAffiliation: Worf's motivations for "helping" people who don't seem to want his help appear quite racist, but the narrative supports them as truth. The children have genetic Klingon heritage, and therefore they all intrinsically want to act like stereotypical Klingons and are suffering from being denied that? Imagine a stranger suddenly showing up and teaching ''your'' children that they are genetically destined to be cavemen, or cowboys, or drug dealers.

Worf speaks with some of the Klingon children, many of whom are unaware of their Klingon heritage. For instance, a young Klingon, Toq, is seen tilling soil using a gin'tak spear. Toq answers that there's no need for weapons around her, since war is far away, which is why their parents are here. When Worf hears this from Ba'el, the Klingon woman he encountered in the jungle, he suggests she tell her father she wants to visit the homeworld, and see what he says. He tries to reassure her that the war is over, but before he gets very far, her mother, Gi'ral, calls her home. It is clear that she does not want her daughter to speak with Worf.

The ''Enterprise'' arrives at [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Deep Space Nine]] to assist in the reconstruction of Bajoran aqueducts which were damaged during the Cardassian occupation. On the Promenade, Picard and Crusher discuss Quark's holosuites; Crusher is interested in a relaxation program, but Picard won't have the time to stop by, having to meet with Bajoran bureaucrats. Elsewhere, at the Replimat, Geordi and Worf are having ''Pasta al fiorella'' but Geordi doesn't like it whereas Worf is gobbling his plate up. When Geordi leaves to get another dish, Yridian watching Worf in the distance.

Back on the ''Enterprise'', Data detects a power drain in the starboard EPS conduits, suggesting someone is accessing the computer's bio-imaging systems in sickbay. He goes to sickbay and finds [=DS9=]'s chief medical officer, Dr. Julian Bashir, who's studying a strange device found in the Gamma Quadrant; he thinks it's a medical scanner, but DS9's computers aren't up to the task of determining what it is yet. Data suggests taking it to Engineering, where Geordi could assist him.

The ''Enterprise'' arrives at [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Deep Space Nine]] to assist in the reconstruction of Bajoran aqueducts which were damaged during the Cardassian occupation. On the Promenade, Picard and Crusher discuss Quark's holosuites; Crusher is interested in a relaxation program, but Picard won't have the time to stop by, having to meet with Bajoran bureaucrats. Elsewhere, at the Replimat, Geordi and Worf are having ''Pasta al Fiorella'', but Geordi doesn't like it whereas Worf is gobbling his plate up. When Geordi leaves to get another dish, we see in the distance a Yridian watching Worf.

Back on the ''Enterprise'', Data detects a power drain in the starboard EPS conduits, suggesting someone is accessing the computer's bio-imaging systems in sickbay. He goes to sickbay and finds DS9's chief medical officer, Dr. Julian Bashir, who's studying a strange device found in the Gamma Quadrant; he thinks it's a medical scanner, but DS9's computers aren't up to the task of determining what it is yet. Data suggests taking it to Engineering, where Geordi could assist him.

On DS9, the Yridian finally approaches Worf, introducing himself as Jaglom Shrek, a broker of information. He tells him that his father, Mogh, didn't die at Khitomer, but is alive in a Romulan prison colony. Worf refuses to believe it, calling him a liar, and storms off. But apparently, he can't get it off his mind, as in private, he smashes a table in his quarters. Troi comes in, asking what's bothering him. Worf explains what he'd heard, saying he doesn't believe it because if he were alive, it would dishonor his family line for three generations, affecting even Alexander.

In Engineering, Bashir becomes intrigued by Data, asking about the miscellaneous features that make him seem more human, such as his hair and the appearance of breathing. Powering up the device, Bashir detects an overload inside, and Data is struck by an energy discharge. Data finds himself walking down a corridor, hearing a loud clanging sound. He sees a blacksmith hammering a piece of metal. He turns arounds and reveals himself to be Dr. Noonien Soong, but as a younger man. Data awakens, unable to understand the "vision" he experienced.

Later, in Ten Forward, Data struggles to find meaning in his vision, asking Worf – who had had a similar experience as a boy – for advice. Worf tells him that nothing is more important than receiving a vision of his father, and that no matter what he has done, he must find him. Through talking to Data, Worf realizes what he must do.

Worf returns to DS9, finding Shrek and "convincing" him to take him to the colony. Meanwhile, Data talks to Picard about his vision, noting how he's examined some of the symbolism as interpreted in various cultures, but Picard urges him to stop and look at it from his personal perspective, seeing what it means to Data himself. Data returns to his quarters, starting to paint images from his vision.

Worf explains the real purpose of the Qa'vaks: these spears are used in The Hunt, a ritual which tells Klingons where they came from. He sighs, [[ReversePsychology and says perhaps Toq is too young to master the skill.]] Toq cannot resist this challenge. His first throw is strong, but inaccurate. Worf suggests Toq aim along his arm, and that works. Worf suggests they go on the ritual hunt, and Toq agrees, but protests that Worf is not allowed to leave the compound.

In his Captain's Log, Picard mentions receiving a cryptic message by Worf requesting the ''Enterprise'' to rendezvous with a Warbird along the border of the Neutral Zone, adding that they'll be taking passengers.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Many fans were upset that Data's dreams weren't explored any further in part 2. The writers would make up for this in season 7's "Phantasms".

The next morning, Worf apologizes to Ba'el about his reaction.

Worf returns to DS9, finding Shrek and "convincing" him to take him to the colony. Meanwhile, Data talks to Picard about his vision, noting how he's examined some of the symbolism as interpreted in various cultures, but Picard urges him to stop and look at it from his personal perspective, seeing what it means to Data himself. Data returns to his quarters, starting to paint images from his vision.