UNCUT - Reunion (TNG S4E7) | Star Trek Journey 188

this episode is a classic. i remember seeing it for the first time right before dinner in year 1990-something.

Slowly catching up after a holiday. Not quite true that we’ve never seen a main cast member kill in cold blood. Remmick said ‘we seek peaceful coexistence’ and Picard and Riker didn’t say a word then blew his head off in season 1. There was no indication he was a threat - they could have negotiated and tried to remove the parasite etc.

I think you're missing part of Worf's story arc. Worf never realized that the Klingon Empire has corruption. He still glorifies Klingons and everything that they are supposed to stand for. By accepting discommendation, he's agreeing with the council that covering up Duras is the right thing to do, to the point where he is willing to sacrifice himself and his own honor in order to protect their corruption. But even though this is painted as being "right" by Klingon standards, it's actually wrong by both Klingon standards and human standards. By human standards, the corruption should be exposed, and by Klingon standards, Duras deserves not only discommendation, but to die for forcing another to accept discommendation on his behalf, AND enjoying it. So is covering him up this really the honorable thing to do? Are they really "saving the empire" by doing this, or are they ultimately just protecting corrupt people for political reasons? Duras almost became the leader of the Kingon Empire, when they KNOW that Duras's father betrayed their people to the Romulans, and Duras will likely do the same thing. Do you really want that guy leading you? I think that is more dangerous than possibly starting a civil war, but still, no one in the council wants to expose Duras because it will come back on THEM. So part of Worf's arc centers on how far he is willing to let the Klingon Empire go. How much is he willing to sacrifice, tolerate, and cover up, all because he still believes it's for a noble cause? This episode raises the stakes in that regard. Worf was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and accept discommendation when he thought he would be the only one to suffer. It’s not that discommendation didn’t bother him, or that he was above it and unaffected; rather, he was willing to endure it and face the hardship like a true warrior allfor "the glory of the empire." This is why he doesn’t expect any human to understand the depth of his dishonor, or why it is necessary for him to go through it. This episode challenges his conclusions; is he willing to make others suffer as well? Is he willing to force his son into discommendation, or K'Ehleyr? K'Ehleyr is willing because she doesn’t care what the Klingons think of her, but Alexander would be a condemned outcast for life—all to protect Duras, who should not only be exposed by human standards, but killed by Klingon standards. Alexander further illustrates that forcing discommendation on the innocent is wrong, as is punishing the son for the Sins of the Father. Not taking the oath with K'Ehleyr or Accepting Alexander as his had nothing to do with "embarrassment." Worf's "embarrassed" by his human side and his human parents. This was about protection. He wanted them protected from the consequences of his actions just like he protected his brother Kurn. Discommendation is no joke. It just has no meaning aboard the Enterprise which was why Worf was chosen as the scapegoat. So what ultimately would make Worf break and do what is really "right" here, killing Duras? The episode takes it as far as it can go for him. Is he willing to protect Duras and the council's corruption even if it means letting Duras kill K'Ehleyr? The answer is obviously no. That was probably the only thing that would get him to kill Duras, and he does just that. But he's not ready to expose the council yet. What will it take before he stops covering up for them? What will it take before he acknowledges that this discommendation he accepted isn't noble at all? What will it take before he realizes that Klingons aren't always right? This is also why I think it was perfectly acceptable that the dialogue in Family was between Guinan and Worf's parents, not Worf and his parents. Worf is not at that point in his character development yet where he can say the things to his parents that Guinan can. He's still the proud stand-offish Klingon to them. He still values Klingon culture over human culture. He's still embarrassed by his human side, and glorifies the Klingon side. He loves his parents, but he's too proud to fully admit that to them yet, at least directly. I like that the "right" thing to do changes depending on whether or not you are viewing Worf's situation though a human lens, the ideal Klingon lens, or the actual Klingon lens. Was killing Duras "right?" was accepting discommendation "right?" depends on what lens you view it though. So far in Klingon matters, Worf has always chosen to view things in either a corrupt or an ideal Klingon way. Do you think will he ever get to the point where he chooses a human way instead? K'ehleyr embraced her human side and understood that sometimes Klingons are just dumb and maybe you shouldn't take all of their beliefs and rituals so seriously. Will Worf ever get to this point? How will Worf ultimately balance these views?

Bruce Wayne didn't drag his parents out of a play. They watched the movie Mask of Zorro and finished it. Bruce's Guilt stems from him dancing around like an idiot and insisting on something trivial that was a non proximate cause of his parents exact position and time to get chilled. Similar principle, just incorrect details. I'll add more specifics later when I look them up to respond. There of course have been many different continuities where some minor details differ, and whether he was just dancing like a fool as he says or whether he asked for something trivial or whether he wasn't in anyway responsible so its a lot to research. But one element that is always consistent, they watch the film "The Mask of Zorro" and finish it and them coming out of theatre is just the patrons leaving the show like they normally wood, the only relevance of "The Mask of Zorro" is the vigilante connection and in some "cosmic DC" there's deeper meaning but its always them finishing the movie before leaving and heading to Park Row (later renamed Crime Alley in honor of the killings and reflecting its current rundown state) where they are murdered by Joe Chill (Or Jack Napier later Joker in the Burton Verse being the only exception I can think of)

When Worf identifies himself as the "son of Mogh" that is what serves as a "last name" for Klingons. Identifying your house, such as "House of Duras" also serves the same purpose.

You guys finally meet Gowron, the greatest FB meme warrior of all time...

I love watching it about 5 seconds ahead of you guys so I can look to see your reactions! This episode was a hoot.

I watched this twice. Second time I looked at your reactions more closely. Josh, it looked like your eyes were going to fly out of your head at one point. When you saw Kaylahr's death.

Pretty much the reaction I have now. Gave it an A for the same reason as Alex. When this first aired I was mad lol. It's such a good episode. I always thought Worf having a family in that way on board the ship would of been really cool.

You know an episode is well written when you wish it was more contrived so a great character doesn't have to die. I'm also sad that K'Ehleyr died, but I appreciate this episode's commitment to consequences.

Kehlar was pregnant BEFORE “Emissary”. She just kept it secret. She had gotten pregnant probably a year before that the last time they see each other off screen that is mentioned, because Alexander looks like he’s about 5 years old. Head canon. Alex and Josh… do you think thats reasonable?

Any character and therefore actor can return in the holodeck whenever the writers want them to. I'm sure Worf had several saved "calisthenics" programs with K'Ehleyr in them.

When something gets rated that high, I again feel like we expect to hear more about why it was great than what disappointed you, and it feels like this was 80% disappointment.

the music was outstanding

"You will die, slowly👁😁👁 Durraaasssss" Robert O'Reilly's performance as Gowron is such a meme. Definitely one of the more expressive klingons we've seen. The actor appeared briefly in the episode Manhunt as Scarface in the Dixon Hill program. Excellent episode. Tons of development for Worf and for the klingon political plotline. Great to see that bastard Duras "get the point" as one of the patron takes put it. Also great to see this level of energy and engagement in a reaction again. So aside from Crusher saying that the bomb was implanted in the arm of one of Duras' guards, and his father's dealings with the romulans, there's another clue pointing to him being the assassin. If the bomb's detonator is triggered by molecular decay, I assume once it's set the timer can't be easily changed or disarmed, and it's just down to the half life of whatever substance it uses. Duras was rather perturbed by Picard making him wait an hour, and was pretty insistent he make a decision after they confirmed K'Mpec was dead. It mat be the nature of the detonator required very precise timing and Picard's delays were getting in the way. We never get confirmation on who poisoned K'Mpec, and they throw some hints at Gowron possibly being responsible, but I think once we know Duras planted the bomb, we're meant to take that as a misdirect. Sucks to lose K'Ehleyr, but she got 2 fantastic episodes and made a lasting impact on fans. For a guest star, she made out pretty good in the end. Every time though when Duras walks in, I keep wishing she'd pull out a phaser. She's smart enough to know digging around in that kind of coverup was bound to piss someone off. As for why Worf merely got a reprimand for killing Duras, I'd say it was because as Picard said, the klingons considered it a legal duel, and also it happened on a klingon ship, where the federation has no jurisdiction. I guess it's kind of like an embassy, or how someone can't be charged for a crime if they take drugs that are illegal at home but legal in the place they're visiting. On top of that, with it being clear Duras was working with Romulans, if he became leader of the high council, it would be very, VERY bad for the federation. Starfleet was probably quite happy a threat like that was taken out with no diplomatic repercussions to speak of. Also, Duras murdered a federation citizen on starfleet's flagship. Starfleet would almost certainly have demanded he be extradited had Worf not killed him, which would no doubt be a lot more complicated than Duras being disposed of in a nice clean duel nobody will question. Worf's reprimand was for going AWOL and going around the chain of command to make a decision that could have major political consequences. In short, as glad as Starfleet was to see Duras dead, Worf was acting like a loose cannon, not a starfleet officer. It's a lapse in discipline a hierarchical organization like starfleet can't just ignore, even if they're fine with the end result. Finally, the family theme of S4 keeps going strong. Worf is a dad. I do feel bad for Alexander though, or Dorf I guess we're calling him now(funny that works out being a portmanteau of "Dorn" and "Worf"). He just watched his mom die and now his father is shipping him off to live with people he's never met. Still a touching moment at the end when Worf finally accepts him as his son..............right before shipping him off to the grandparents. Alexander's actor, Jon Steuer, didn't live a very long life. He ended up quitting acting at 12, started a band in 2003 that ended up breaking up 6 years later. After that he opened a vegan restaurant in Portland which closed in 2018 after he killed himself. He was only 33. Very sad story.

Why was Worf not punished harsher for his actions by Picard or Starfleet? Well, Picard was put in the unenviable position of choosing the LEADER of the Klingon people out of two challengers. No matter which choice he makes, there would be accusations of Federation interference and bias. This was an impossible situation for Picard, and for the Federation. But then along comes Worf with his Klingon revenge ritual that the Klingons respect, and he kills one of the challengers. Impossible situation solved in a way the Klingons won't question, Picard doesn't have to make that impossible choice and the Federation gets to claim neutrality. Worf isn't punished further because he solved their problem. they have to go trough the motions a bit, but both Picard and the Federation are probably relieved to be out of that situation.

I enjoyed watching with you gentlemen. I’m heartbroken every time. Worf is a terrible father. The actors who played K’mpec and Gowron were great!

I think the whole point of her death is so Worf fucks Duras up. He was a pussy ass villain who can only kill a woman and thinks he’s fit to lead.. Not only did he get his revenge and defeat his rival, but set his people on the right path..

Hey, you never know, Suzie Plakson can always return as Dr. Selar 🖖

I always thought it was quite the bad father move to send away your child the day after you meet him and the day you tell him he's your son, on the day his mother died.

This is one I have been waiting for you guys to watch for a while now. It's one of my faves for sure. Suzie Plakson is always so phenomenal, and the interesting Klingon stuff going on. This one gets me emotional when Kheylar dies, and when Worf is talking to Alexander. There is another one coming up soon I can't wait for you guys to see!

I'll be calling Alexander Dorf from now on.

Don't worry. This episode will have consequences on many levels.

Well, now that she's dead, there's nothing they can do to ruin her in the future. The quit while you're ahead approach.

You are interested how the Federation and the Klingons "got together"? I was too. Do you think we will see that?

One thing I think about Worf's character is on some level, I see him as still sort of an immature person who's still figuring himself out. He sometimes is sort of naive, like how he kind of tells Picard, "What? That's what Klingons allow me to do! I didn't do anything wrong."

the Klingon story changes and progresses it was a stepping stone in that. And because herr character was successful is exactly why she could be used like that in the story

as long as the death is written well and it's absolutely earned bring it on

thought the writing and her death was absolutely earned here

This is in my top 10 every time! Great reaction guys. Your surprise like 5-6 times is just priceless!!!😎

K'mpec died and he was still fat until the end! First time we see the awesome Klingon Vor'cha attack cruiser

R.I.P. Jon Paul Steuer (1984–2018)

I just said the Night Stalker movie was your best reaction, I stand corrected. The is my favorite reaction so far, great stuff guys.

yes i am your father now excuse me i must go to the store for some milk

Sorry, Westeros, but no one plays the Game of Thrones quite like the Klingons,

Your reaction of Worf killing Duras was the same as mine the first time I saw it (and several subsequent times): "Did that just happen?!"

I loooove Gowron's stare of death "As will I." at Duras, once the mode of detonator was revealed.

I've always thought it was funny that K'Ehleyr waited to ask Picard about Worf's discommendation on her way out the door with the door wide open. LOL

I've been looking forward to your reaction to this one, and this was a lot of fun to watch with you. It is frustrating to me to see the term ‘fridging’ being brought up in the comments to describe K’Ehleyr’s death. Fridging usually implies poor writing and/or misogyny, and I think both are uncalled for here. I love this episode. I think it was well executed and interesting, and it serves not only as a good follow up to past events, but it is also sets up multiple future events as well.

Been looking forward to this reaction and it didn’t disappoint! Even though I’ve seen this episode dozens of times, watching it with you guys brought back all the tension I felt when seeing it for the first time!

19:50 The Klingon painstiks.

8:45 Josh has the most captivated look frozen on his face. LOL!

when i first saw this i really questioned, how many years had past since season 2, or was it Klingon kids have a really fast growth period from new born

I'll never get over how long it took Crusher to get to the quarters.

I think this was rhe first episode to show a batleth.

The soap opera level on this ep is at 11… but so well earned! And you can tell in your reaction ! Soooo gooood!

Really good episode and loved your reaction.

Not sure where Alex got that Worf had grown beyond or moved passed being excommunicated....? It's what consumes him 24/7 ever since it happened lol

It's heavily implied that Duras poisoned K'mpec, both to protect his/their secret as well as take power over the Empire. It's also confirmed that the bomb was implanted in the arm of Duras' guy. Nk double crossing or bait/switch to Gowron... Duras *was* the asshole.

Alex and my dad are on the same wavelength with this one- to this day he won't watch it again because of K'Ehleyr.

It's simple - Alex wants Worf to kill Duras, but also wants him to feel bad about it.

Great reaction. One for the Best of collection

We all know what K'Ehleyr would have done with the information that she uncovered. To hell with what happens to the Empire, she would shout the truth that Worf was innocent. If she hadn't died, Worf would have had no reason to kill Duras (Think about the repercussions if Worf only thought that K'Ehlyar was dead and still killed Duras.) Try to write an ending to this story without K'Ehlyar dying. Without Worf killing Duras. Would you simply have Gowron kill Duras to take the seat? How weak would that have felt?

The score for this and her previous episode is dope

In my opinion, this caps off one of the greatest ever episodic runs of Trek until mid to late Deep Space 9. Still some great stuff to come in Season 4, but that mid-Season 3 to early-Season 4 ride up until ep 7 is absolute peak TNG.

You know its good Alex and Josh in the bargaining phase of grief. TNG the stakes are real. Can favorites die.. yup. Makes the show mean more. Its legit sad that we lose someone we actually care about.

You've met Gowron. Congratulations. 😏😏😏

Robert O'Reilly was great. And this episode does continue the season of family episodes. I love episodes where you get this excited. If Worf had killed Duras and Khylar had survived, Worf would have been kicked out of Starfleet and the Klingon Empire would have had no choice but to bring him up on charges. It would have completely ruined Worf's character. But because it happened this way, because she died, Worf got vengeance under Klingon rules and Starfleet had no choice but to accept the result, even if they didn't like it.

I wonder if Alexander will be their new favorite guest star :P

DAMN now I have to wait until I get home. But this is one hell of an episode. I thought this was incredible. We've all been waiting for your reaction to this. BTW - I've always said Gowron's eyes look like he's left in his contact lenses for too long.

I really would love to hear the guys theorize on what they think will happen next in this particular storyline. In the meantime, Alex did a good job making a case for the A and I loved seeing Josh grin like a madman for the first half of the episode.

With regards to Worf dealing with the whole being a traitor thing and how it would pass to Alexander... I think that he was fine accepting that fate for himself. That was his choice. Now his choice is affecting someone else, and that's why I think he has trepidation.

Always remember, from the time he was a child, Worf, deep in his heart, wants to be the most Klingon Klingon who ever Klingon'd. That means he found the most hierarchical structure available to him on Earth -- Starfleet -- and, day-to-day, expresses his Klingon-ness by serving dutifully and ensuring that he and his crew are always prepared for battle should it find them. But the -second- other Klingons are involved, he will slot himself firmly into the most traditional, ritualistic groove he can and all of his actions will come from that core place. "I killed him. I recognize it was wrong. Punish me as you will."? Not going to happen because that's not how he sees it. "I killed him, as was my right. My family, and K'Ehleyr's honor have been championed, although I, in my discommendation, cannot fully avenge them. Still, some satisfaction may be found, as someone as dishonorable as Duras did not deserve to die by the hand of anyone worthy of name." That's closer to how he sees it.

I absolutely love these Kingon Political Intrigue episodes... particularly because one usually would not think "political intrigue" when you think "klingon."

No Dr. Crusher said it was Duris man that had the bomb

It’s interesting how many people think that episodic means no continuity…thats really not the case for most shows from that era…outside of pure sitcoms maybe. Episodic really is just about NOT telling only one single plot stretched over a short season (what we used to call a mini series)

While I do think the death of K'Ehleyr was well executed, I totally agree that I wanted her to stick around. There was so much you could do with her and Worf and a potential son.

fun fact, the Bat'leth was originally spelled Bat'telh (pronouned Batt-elth)

Been waiting for this one. Your reactions were great and pretty much what I expected!

What was the point? In my mind there were two. 1) Duras needed tangible crimes of his own in order to justify Worf's vengeance -- in a purely "one of our 'Good Guys' has to outright kill somebody" sense. And 2) since this is the season where they really start leaning in and testing if the continuity can support minor serialization, some crumbs needed to be lain down for the near future. Sorry fellas, as Picard said, "We all admired K'Ehleyr."

A bit of trivia on the side. I think this is the first appearance of a Klingon Vorcha class starship.

I knew when you guys saw this episode you'd have a strong reaction to it. Still, you excrded my expectations.

The only thing wrong with this great episode is that Worf faces no punishment for this. A deliberate act of Murder by not only a Federation Citizen but a Starfleet officer. And that deliberate murder was to one of the Key political leaders of a foreign nation. There excuse that the Klingons see nothing wrong with this is utterly irrelevant. It's illegal to kill in the Federation. He is on active duty in Starfleet and deserts to kill someone. He would be tried as a murderer and he would absolutely be cashiered out of Starfleet. The episode is great, but the ending with Worf is a complete joke.

For me a Great episode - world building, character drama, continuity so much to love. And adore the fact we never get told who killed K’mpec Worf goes full Klingon at the end too and love the ambiguity of his actions. By Klingons standards he’s in the clear and a perfect Klingon…

Alex - "Death is so final in this world." Yesterday's Enterprise - "Hold my beer."

Ever since seeing your reaction to her first appearance I have been waiting for this.

Sadly, K'Ehleyr had to be killed so that Duras could be. That entire sequence from the door to her quarters opening to the blade sticking out of Duras' chest are burnt into my mind, powerful stuff. I'm seeing a lot of comments here that are VERY sure of themselves re: who poisoned K'mpec - for the record that was NOT definitively proven in-universe and people are still debating that issue 30 years later.

Fridging women characters for male development was prevalent in this era of television/movies. This is at least one of the better versions of the trope.

Its wild that Worf commits murder and simply gets a reprimand on his record…as if he was late for work too many times

Frakes is very good at directing tearjerkers. Would you like to see what he does with some other type of episode?

1:26:28 Who sits on the "Klingon throne" at the end is less obvious. But, since Duras is dead, it's very apparent it will be Gowron.

1:23L48 Never once did I suspect Worf would choose to miss Duras in his final move. Vengence SHALL be his!!

One thing to mention because you asked about it, klingons don't have a surname as much as they state their father and the house they belong to, usually an ancestor of renown.. hence worf is worf son of mogh. Alexander would be alexander son of worf of the house of mogh.

The Dorf thing is super funny to me, there's a character named Dorf in *my* favorite television series (Classic Doctor Who) and that story takes place in 2379, whereas this one is in 2367.

I would argue that Worf did not murder Duras. It was a duel. A sanctioned, legal battle where two men enter and one man leaves. "Murder" was what Duras did to K'mpec.

This is one that's been waiting in the wings for awhile. There's a couple more sleeper hits like this yet to come, but this one, on a personal level, knowing your affection for that Season 2 chestnut. This was a long time coming. I think they got just about everything out of Kehy'ler's return that you possibly could. R.I.P. to the ridged-head space queen.

1:09:02 In that same vein, Picard's statement “Klingon tradition may hold the son responsible for his father's sin. I cannot, Worf. Treason was his father's crime.” is really odd. It's an inappropriate application of human values to a very Klingon matter.

Another excellent reaction. However, it should be stressed that the episode makes very clear that Duras is responsible for both key deaths.

Yep, TA had the proper reaction. lol

56:30 Wrong, Alex (and Josh)! They DID say! Once Beverly figures out that the bomb was in someone's forearm, Riker asks, and she states "Duras's man." 100% not ambiguous.

51:18 It's okay, Josh, it's okay. Just let it all out! 😭

I am so glad that you remained spoiler free from this.

45:46 Yeah, you're tear ranking them alright.

Were you talking to me? ... no, My son is always named DORF.

This one broke my heart... Alex is now able to pronounce my name.

The sex scoreboard update Riker 6 Troi 3 Data 1 Picard 1 Worf 1 can't give a +1 since it is a repeat but we have PROOF of the first time. Jordy 1 + 1 I Broccoli 2 i Honorable mentions for ep specific Josh and Alex +1 - I can't prove what happened but I am sure "something" happened in the following moments K'Lar (yes I know spelling) appears on the screen Alexander appears on transporter Director reveal I was not there in the room but I am sure some form of excitement explosion happened (clarification - not with each other I mean a self-accidental... you know)

4:50 LOL! "Dorf!"

3:09 I have literally been waiting to see this moment on your faces for years.

1:49 Nice freak-out. 😆

Family names are more related to the paternal parent. Worf, son of Moag, or from the House of Moag, for example.

Been waiting on this one! Space Opera!

LFG. This is the one i've been waiting for.

And... begin S3 Tasha Yar Level freak out in 3... 2... 1...

Look, and always remember

Just have one thing to say .... "WORF!"

Epic