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Part III: Best Second Tier Episodes of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'

The Klingon Way: A Matter of Honor

By Rich MonettiPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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Klingons at the Gate Photo by Cristiano Betta  

Photo by Cristiano Betta

Do you remember when we thought Klingons were completely soulless warmongers who loved to kill and oppress. Many of us even had reservations about allowing one to serve as an officer on the Enterprise. But you never really know a man until you walk in his shoes, and Gene Roddenberry reminded us of that when he placed Mr. Worf on the bridge.

"A Matter of Honor" gave us an even closer look and proved how easy it can be to misinterpret the cultural values of a society when weighed against your own.

Exchange Student

That said, how does one justify a chain of command that requires the first officer to assassinate his captain? Well, we don’t have these cultural exchange programs for nothing, and Riker walks right into it.

His honor and loyalty is immediately challenged by the second officer of the Klingon vessel. Luckily, Riker has been pre-schooled by Worf on chain of command conflicts such as these. But he still waits for the cue from his new captain before trying to clear up the discrepancy. “I would call it your first command decision,” Captain Kargan goads Riker.

So Riker does his due diligence and introduces Klag’s head to the command console. Of course, we would have been horrified with such behavior on the first five year mission, but even Jean Luc Picard’s evolved sensibilities would have a hard time giving this Klingon dance the benefit of the doubt.

Klingon vs Human Values

Who are we to judge, though? When issues of command are at stake in our culture, the situation is more likely to descend into back stabbing. Until winners emerge, the command structure could come to any ugly boil with so many end runs simmering below.

Conversely, the Klingon method immediately gets all issues out front and doesn't allow morale and discontent to fester around factions.

Once the moment is settled in this matter of honor, Klag’s acceptance of defeat is also telling. Klingons still dole out enough honor for the vanquished because knowing when to say when helps ensure the survival of their cultural values.

So who are savages? Even the assassination aspect comes to make sense for Riker. Without asking questions, Captain Kargan wants to destroy the Enterprise because he believes that their ally has infected the ship with a hull eating organism.

Riker quickly calls his captain on the irrational course of action and calls up Worf’s earlier advice. “When and if the captain becomes weak and unable to perform, it is expected that his honorable retirement should be assassinated by his first officer."

Riker restores Klingon honor.

But here Riker imposes his own values on the Klingon situation. Rather than killing his captain and taking command, Riker transports Kargan to the Enterprise and then gets the Picard to surrender. This allows the Enterprise to effect repairs and invalidate Kargan’s decision making.

Nonetheless, Riker must restore order because human values have left the situation dangling. Otherwise, Kargan would have died according to the rules and still had the honor of dying a warrior’s death.

So Riker takes one for the team when Kargan returns to the PAGH. The Klingon Captain orders Riker back his station, and the (intended) insubordinate refusal gives Kargan the opening he needs.

The blow to the face officially knocks Riker back to First Officer status, and while we’re not sure what will linger in Kargan, we know Riker has earned the honor of Klag.

“You understand the Klingons better than I thought,” Klag reaffirms...

How do you say kumbaya in Klingon. I love Klingons. Thanks for giving us the chance Gene.

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Author can be reached at [email protected]

star trek
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About the Creator

Rich Monetti

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