Reunion (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
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| Star Trek: TNG episode | |
| "Reunion" | |
 Picard meets with K'Ehleyr in "Reunion". |
|
| Episode no. | 81 |
|---|---|
| Prod. code | 181 |
| Airdate | November 05, 1990 |
| Writer(s) | Drew Deighan Thomas Perry Jo Perry Ronald D. Moore Brannon Braga |
| Director | Jonathan Frakes |
| Guest star(s) | Robert O'Reilly Suzie Plakson Charles Cooper Patrick Massett Jon Steuer April Grace Basil Wallace Michael Rider Mirron E. Willis |
| Year | 2367 |
| Stardate | 44246.3 |
| Episode chronology | |
| Previous | "Legacy" |
| Next | "Future Imperfect" |
"Reunion" is the seventh episode of the fourth season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. It was first broadcast on November 5, 1990 and has an average rating of 4.7/5 on the official Star Trek website (as of June 7th, 2007).
This episode marks the first appearance of Robert O'Reilly as the Klingon character Gowron and the second appearance of Suzie Plakson as K'Ehleyr, Worf's love interest. This episode also marks the deaths of three characters: K'Ehleyr; Duras, the son of a long-time rival of Worf's family (played by actor Patrick Massett); and Chancellor K'mpec (played by Charles Cooper).
In this installment of the series, the Captain of the Federation Starfleet starship USS Enterprise Jean-Luc Picard is called on to arbitrate a power struggle over the leadership of the Klingon Empire, while the ship's Chief of Security Lieutenant Worf is shocked to discover he has a son he wasn't aware of.
[edit] Plot
As the episode begins, the Enterprise is unexpectedly approached by a Klingon Vor'cha class battlecruiser. Captain Picard hails the vessel and is surprised when Ambassador K'Ehleyr responds. She requests permission to come aboard the Enterprise to discuss an “urgent matter”.
K’Ehleyr and Worf have had an ongoing relationship (as detailed in the earlier Next Generation episode "The Emissary"), so when Worf meets K’Ehleyr in the Transporter room he is shocked to see her accompanied by a small child. Putting two and two together it doesn’t take him long to realize that the boy is probably his son.
K’Ehleyr informs the senior staff that a power struggle over control of the Klingon Empire is about to ensue, which could lead to a civil war perhaps even involving the Federation. She tells Picard that his old ‘friend’ Chancellor K'mpec is aboard the battlecruiser and wishes to speak with him.
When Picard beams aboard the Klingon ship, K'mpec tells him that he has been poisoned and is dying. He adds that he doesn’t trust any of his fellow Klingons and requests that as an outside neutral party Picard act as his Arbiter of Succession, in effect deciding who is the best suited to be the next Chancellor. In addition he asks Picard to attempt to discover who his assassin is, as he is relatively sure it is one of the two aspirants for the throne and does not wish someone who acted with such dishonor to rule the Empire.
With much misgiving Picard agrees, and shortly thereafter is informed of K'mpec's death.
The two challengers arrive shortly, Gowron, a warrior Worf knows little about, and Duras. As depicted in "Sins of the Father", a third season episode of The Next Generation series, Duras' infamy is well known to Picard and Worf as he had attempted to frame Worf's father, Mogh, for the treasonous acts of his own father, as well as trying to have Worf executed.
Picard meets with the two aboard the battlecruiser and Duras tries to rush the proceedings along so he can quickly claim the throne, but Picard resists, saying that the Rite will take place according to Klingon tradition and law. Suddenly a blast wracks the assembly as a hidden bomb explodes!
Fortunately Picard and K’Ehleyr suffer only minor injuries, Picard decides to drag out the proceedings as long as possible while Enterprise officers perform forensic analysis in an attempt to establish responsibility for the attack. K’Ehleyr suggests Picard use the older form of the Succession ritual which requires a lengthy oral listing of each claimant's accomplishments and battles, perhaps taking hours or even days.
K’Ehleyr admits to Worf that he is the father of Alexander, the young boy she brought aboard, adding that she knew if Worf had been aware they had a son he would have insisted on a deeper relationship with her, one she wasn’t sure she wanted. She asks Worf to get closer to his son, but he refuses saying that to openly claim Alexander would result in the boy having to share Worf's dishonor.
Duras and Gowron are outraged at having to use the older format of the Rite, but grudgingly cooperate. Using the time thus bought to complete his investigation, ship's Chief Engineer Geordi LaForge discovers that the bomb used a molecular trigger, a device used only by the Romulans, an alien race who are blood enemies of the Klingons and hostile to the Federation as well. Chief Medical officer Beverly Crusher reports that the explosive device was implanted in the forearm of one of Duras’ bodyguards.
Meanwhile, K’Ehleyr's curiosity has been aroused and she attempts to find out more about Worf's discommendation. K’Ehleyr's access of the Klingon Information net is discovered by Duras. Going to her quarters he finds that she has discovered his father's complicity in the Khitomer massacre and silences her by killing her.
When Worf discovers the body he goes to Duras’ ship and claims the Klingon Right of Vengeance. Duras is surprised to find out that K’Ehleyr was Worf's mate, but agrees to fight and is killed just as Data and Riker arrive.
With the succession now settled by Worf's intervention, the new Chancellor Gowron takes his leave.
In Picard's ready room, Worf offers the defense that what he did was legal according to Klingon law, but Picard cuts him off by saying that the Federation's laws took precedence once Worf joined Starfleet. Picard tells his officer that he is disappointed with him and his heretofore exemplary record will now be marred by a formal reprimand concerning the incident.
As the episode ends, Worf, as Alexander's closest relative, assumes responsibility for the boy. He admits to Alexander that he is his father and adds he is sending Alexander off to Earth to live with Sergey and Helena Rozhenko, Worf's adoptive parents.
[edit] References
- Star Trek The Next Generation DVD set, volume 4, disk 2, selection 3.
[edit] External links
- Reunion article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki
- Reunion (Star Trek: The Next Generation) at StarTrek.com
