History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E17SinsOfTheFather

* SurpriseWitness: Kahlest -- in truth she doesn't know anything, but Picard is able to use her as a bluff to force the Council to reveal the truth.
* YouLookFamiliar: Charles Cooper (K'mpec) previously played the drunken Klingon general in ''Film/StarTrekVTheFinalFrontier''.

* DeceasedFallGuyGambit: Duras' (and ultimately K'mpec's as well) plan.

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Worf is shocked when K'mpec catches him alone and urges him to drop his challenge, due to the implication that Worf should put his own well-being above his family's honor. Arguably a subversion, as this is the first of many examples to come, both in TNG and [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine DS9]], that show how cheap honor really is to most Klingon politicians, and how Worf hews closer to Klingon ideals than many Klingons who were raised in the Empire.

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Worf is shocked when K'mpec catches him alone and urges him to drop his challenge, due to the implication that Worf should put his own well-being above his family's honor. Arguably a subversion, as this is the first of many examples to come, both in TNG and [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine DS9]], that show how cheap honor really is to most Klingon politicians.

* BatmanGambit : It was ''Duras''' father who aided the Romulans.

* DeceasedFallGuyGambit: Duras' plan.

* HalfwayPlotSwitch: The episode begins with Kurn serving as the Enterprise's new Klingon exchange officer which serves as a follow-up to a previous episode where Commander Riker was the exchange officer on a Klingon ship. However, this plot is completely abandoned at the end of the first act to act as a transition for the REAL plot of the episode.

''Sins of The Father'' contains examples of:

* DownerEnding: The politics of the situation force Worf to be publically dishonored even though everyone knows what really happened, and he has to satisfy himself with slapping Duras. For the moment, anyway, as Ron Moore had always planned to continue the story later.

* TakeThatScrappy : Delivered by Kurn:
-->''"DO YOU WISH TO '''''SPEAK''''' Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher?"''
** Arguably even more awesome than the famous "SHUT UP, WESLEY!" from "Datalore".

->"''DO YOU WISH TO '''SPEAK!!''' Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher?''"

-->''"DO YOU WISH TO '''''SPEAK''''' acting ensign Wesley Crusher?"''

Captains Log Stardate 43865.2: The ''USS Enterprise'' rendezvous with a Klingon cruiser to take on a Klingon commander, Kurn, who has been temporarily assigned to the ''Enterprise'' as acting first officer as part of the Federation-Klingon Officer Exchange Program. (Earlier, on Stardate 42506.5, Commander and Enterprise First Officer William Riker served in a similar capacity aboard the ''IKS Pagh''.) Kurn immediately tries to impose "Klingon-style" discipline aboard the Starfleet vessel, with Captain Jean-Luc Picard's full approval. The surprised crew find Kurn's methods excessively harsh and draconian.

This is the first episode in the Worf-Duras story arc and shows how true Worf is to Klingon ideals - truer than most other Klingons, in fact.

Captains Log Stardate 43865.2
The USS Enterprise rendezvous with a Klingon cruiser to take on a Klingon commander, Kurn, who has been temporarily assigned to the ''Enterprise'' as acting first officer as part of the Federation-Klingon Officer Exchange Program. (Earlier, on Stardate 42506.5, Commander and Enterprise First Officer William Riker served in a similar capacity aboard the ''IKS Pagh''.) Kurn immediately tries to impose "Klingon-style" discipline aboard the Starfleet vessel, with Captain Jean-Luc Picard's full approval. The surprised crew find Kurn's methods excessively harsh and draconian.

->''"DO YOU WISH TO '''''SPEAK''''' acting ensign Wesley Crusher?"''

The USS Enterprise rendezvous with a Klingon Cruiser to take on a Klingon Commander Kurn who has been temporarily assigned to the Enterprise as acting first officer as part of the Federation-Klingon Officer Exchange Program. (Earlier, on Stardate 42506.5, Commander and Enterprise First Officer William Riker served in a similar capacity aboard the ''IKS Pagh''.) Kurn immediately tries to impose "Klingon-style" discipline aboard the Starfleet vessel, with Captain Jean-Luc Picard's full approval. The surprised crew find Kurn's methods excessively harsh and draconian.

Kurn has sought Worf out because their father, Mogh, is accused of treason by the Klingon High Council. Supposedly, he had lowered the shields of the Khitomer outpost just before the Romulan attack. Kurn had lived all these years, hiding his identity by masquerading as the son of Lorgh but when he learned of the Council's action he came to Worf, asking him to challenge the judgment as Mogh's elder son.

Picard says that since Worf is accused of a capital crime [[{{AFatherToHisMen}} it would be better if he were standing at Worf's side as he made his challenge]], rather than simply granting him shore leave. Picard commands Kurn to set course for the Klingon homeworld. Kurn is surprised; he hadn't expected the Enterprise itself to change course. Now he respects Worf more deeply than ever.

In Ten Forward, Kurn asks Worf if he can be his Cha'DIch, or ritual second; while Worf is accused, he will not be allowed in any duels or fights. Worf accepts, although he tells Kurn that he must not reveal his true bloodline, reminding Kurn that while on the Enterprise it's proper for Worf to obey Kurn; but in Council, Kurn will have to obey Worf, who is older.

->''"it is a good day to die Duras, but the day is not yet over."''

During a recess of the council K'mpec meets with Worf and tries to persuade him into abandoning his challenge. Worf reacts with shock and dismay at this seemingly un-Klingon request, even though he understands that K'mpec's personal affection for Mogh may be influencing the request.

Although Beverly Crusher reassures Worf that Kurn's wounds are not life-threatening, Worf tells her she should have let him die because he'll be executed anyway. Worf asks Picard to be his Cha'DIch. Picard demurs, but Worf insists that there is no one better qualified. Picard accepts and recites the traditional Klingon words which mean "I accept with honor. May your enemies tremble before you."

The Enterprise crew, on Picard's orders, are investigating the Khitomer massacre on their own. The USS Intrepid was the first ship on the scene of the disaster; Data contacts Starfleet for copies of the logs. Meanwhile, La Forge and Data have gotten into the Klingon central information net and discovered that the Klingons recently captured a Romulan ship with information about Khitomer in the ship's logs and that's how they found out about the treachery.

Upon comparing the information in the Klingon archives with the Intrepid logs, La Forge and Data discover that there is a discrepancy in the transmissions. The evidence which supported Mogh's guilt was faked. Another survivor of the Khitomer Massacre, a woman named Kahlest, is found. Picard is told about this during the second Council session and asks Worf, who says that Kahlest was his nurse and that he thought she had died.

Just as K'mpec is about to pronounce judgment on Worf, Picard enters with Kahlest. In a private session, Picard demands that she be allowed to testify in open council in accordance with Klingon law. Duras is almost hysterically against it. K'mpec silences him by asking him if he would really kill an old woman to cover his dishonor. K'mpec's statement makes it clear that the dishonor rests not on Worf but on Duras; Kahlest is free to go. K'mpec makes another small play for Kahlest; "It is good to see you again." She responds, [[{{DeadpanSnarker}} "You're still fat."]]

K'mpec privately explains the truth. When Klingons captured the Romulan ship with the records, they learned of the treachery behind the Khitomer Massacre; this soon became common knowledge, and someone had to answer for that treachery. Fortunately, only the Council knew who transmitted his code: not Mogh, but Ja'rod: Duras' father. K'mpec says the Duras family was too powerful [[{{ForTheGreaterGood}} and to expose him would likely split the Empire and cause a civil war.]] In order to avoid that, they decided to use Mogh as a scapegoat, believing that Worf, since he was in Starfleet, would not challenge the judgment. None of them realized that Kurn was Mogh's second child. Picard says this means Worf's challenge was successful.[[{{PatrickStewartSpeech}} He refuses to hand Worf and Kurn over for execution.]] When K'mpec threatens to end the alliance with the Federation because of Picard's defiance, Picard reminds him that their alliance is not based on lies. If they must protect their secrets, then so be it but Picard will not allow the needless sacrifice of these two men.

Worf speaks up and says he'll volunteer to die for the sake of the Klingon Empire. Picard objects, but Worf tells his Cha'DIch to be silent. Worf asks for Kurn's life to be spared. Duras rejects this, as Kurn's honor would then demand revenge. Worf then offers to accept discommendation if Kurn will be allowed to live. K'mpec tells Worf that doing so would be the same as admitting his father's guilt. Worf simply says "So be it." K'mpec states that Worf's heart is truly Klingon, and commands that this will never be spoken of again to anyone. Before they proceed, Worf calls Duras the son of a traitor and backhands him as tradition demands.

Kurn is heartbroken by Worf's decision, telling Picard that he was ready to die for Worf. Picard tells Kurn that he must live in order to restore the honor of Mogh's family. Picard tells Kurn that there will be another day. "Do not forget what he does here today. Do not let your children forget." Picard and Kurn join Worf in the middle of the council chambers and the council members gather in a circle around Worf. Worf says the ritual words, "tlhIH ghIj jIHyoj" ("I fear your judgment"); K'mpec replies, "biHnuch!" ("Coward!"), and one by one, the Council members cross their arms and turn their backs on him in ritual ostracism. Worf softly tells Kurn that he must do it also. Almost on the verge of tears, Kurn very reluctantly complies. The whole assembly having turned their backs, Worf and Picard leave the Council Chamber and return to the Enterprise.

* AFatherToHisMen : Picard is ''not'' going to simply stand by when his officer is facing a charge of Treason
* BadAss : Picard and Worf practically ooze this trope here and win even K'mpec's respect
* BatmanGambit : It was Duras' father who aided the Romulans
* BerserkButton : Kurn pushes Worf's to get a ''Klingon'' response
* TakeThatScrappy : Delivered by Kurn
-->''"DO YOU WISH TO '''''SPEAK''''' acting ensign Wesley Crusher"''

This is the first episode in the Worf-Duras story arc and shows how true Worf is to Klingon ideals.

The USS Enterprise rendezvous with a Klingon Cruiser to take on a Klingon Commander Kurn who has been temporarily assigned to the Enterprise as acting first officer as part of the Federation-Klingon Officer Exchange Program. Earlier, in Stardate 42506.5, Commander and Enterprise First Officer William Riker served in a similar capacity aboard the IKS Pagh. Kurn, in his new role immediately tries to impose "Klingon-style" discipline aboard the Starfleet vessel, with Captain Jean-Luc Picard's full approval. The surprised crew find Kurn's method excessively harsh and draconian.

After dinner, filled with rage, Worf goes to Kurn's quarters to demand an explanation. When the other expresses doubt of Worf's Klingon instincts to which Worf responds ''Klingon'' style. Kurn is pleased and says he's been testing Worf to see just how Klingon he was, revealing that he is really Worf's ''younger brother.''

->''"DO YOU WISH TO '''''SPEAK''''' acting ensign Wesley Crusher"''

This is the first episode in the Worf-Duras story arc and shows hoe true Worf is to Klingon ideals.

**->''"DO YOU WISH TO '''''SPEAK''''' acting ensign Wesley Crusher"''

This is the first episode in the Worf-Duras story arc and shows hoe true Worf is to Klingon ideals