Redemption

DVD, TNG S4 (Redemption)

The preceding season's cliffhanger had left the writers in a difficult position by dint of being the best episode of the series - how could they possibly live up to such an ending? Looking at the series it's clear that the second best seam to mine after the Borg, were the Klingons, the most revered race in Trekdom. Already there had been a move towards the weighty politics of the Empire, with Picard becoming integral to the choosing of K'mpec's successor and by Worf's covering up of the truth behind the Khitomer Massacre to prevent the very thing that threatens the peace of the quadrant: civil war. With the Romulans backing the opponents of rightful heir to power, Gowron, it mixed the right elements to prevent colossal disappointment from taking hold, doing its best to use these favoured aspects of Trek to craft a worthy successor to 'The Best of Both Worlds' cliffhanger.

It didn't succeed, of course, as very few cliffhangers can live up to that tale of Picard kidnapped by the Borg, but it is still a tale worth watching and has a fantastic final sequence of events in which Worf resigns his commission to stand with Gowron against the Duras family, and what looks like Tasha Yar comes out of the shadows to be revealed as the mysterious Romulan of 'The Mind's Eye'! Yar had never been forgotten since her early departure and death in Season 1, being mentioned several times a season (or seen in the form of Data's precious holo-message), eventually returning in one of the most convoluted resurrections to be seen in Trek. It's fitting to the character and actress that the writers could come up with her appearance once again, in a connection to 'Yesterday's Enterprise' that still fries brains today. What appeared to be the face of Tasha in the final scene has as much narrative punch as you could hope for in an end of season cliffhanger.

Much of the episode doesn't reach the same level of drama, with much talk of Klingon politics, divided loyalties and some weak space action that looks painfully slow and creaky compared to later 'DS9' episodes or, of course, the films, limited as they were by the technology of the time. But if the constraints are accepted the performances still come through, and the characters carry our greatest sympathy - Picard who is involved to a degree in the Rite of Succession, but can't step over the boundary and drag the Federation in to support one side or the other thanks to the Prime Directive, and Worf, whose main concern of restoring the family honour is at odds with his duties as a Starfleet officer. I always find it a little bit hard to swallow that the Klingons would ever have allowed Picard into their private rituals, but it does show the stature he carries in the Empire (much as Kirk was considered a worthy adversary, and Sisko, a respected ally), and elevates him to almost legendary status above being a mere ship's Captain.

Worf's inner conflict between his Klingon heritage and human upbringing has always been there (a mirror of Spock's own duality, and later, Odo's situation with his people), but he's always kept it in check and almost always chose the Starfleet way (except when he fought and killed Duras). Slowly, as time moved on, he became more enamoured by the Klingon side and his personal quest for, yes, as the title states, 'redemption'. It's quite a shock when he chooses to leave the Enterprise and fight for Gowron, but very effective and affecting when members of the crew line the corridor from the turbolift to the transporter room, his friends there to see him off in full Starfleet style. Seeing the other characters in the transporter room reminds you that they aren't well served - Beverly, Deanna and Geordi don't have a line in the episode! Crucially you're so busy following the Klingon soap opera that they aren't really missed, but I imagine it might have been a bit disappointing at the time not to see the others better integrated into what was their last episode of the season.

Many things of note occur, including a typically perverse scene with Guinan who comes to the phaser range (not seen since Season 2?) to help Worf understand what he wants to do. It doesn't have the power of some of her scenes (such as 'The Best of Both Worlds' where she gives reassurance to Picard on the eve of battle), but as usual her unique brand of insight helps the person who is in a quandary. The Klingon homeworld is visited once again, as well as the High Council Chamber (and we actually get to see it lit with a green glow in the matte painting instead of the usual red, perhaps as a subtle gesture to indicate the Romulan involvement), which is as imposing and impressive as ever. There are also the first appearances of the Duras sisters, Lursa and B'Etor, though they don't look or sound as confident and slick as we see them in later episodes. Worf's brother Kurn makes himself useful and Toral would go on to plague the 'DS9' crew in 'The Sword of Kahless'. The Klingon regalia is as grand and ancient as ever, and it's pleasing to see inspiration taken from the films in the form of Gowron's spinning command chair and Worf's reference to kellicams as a measure of distance!

Picard deals admirably with all parties, he and Worf carrying the episode along on their shoulders with support from Gowron. The ongoing saga of the Klingons unfolds a chunk at a time and this is a solid and enjoyable end to a strong season which had fully found its footing and had begun to push the envelope, ever so slowly and cautiously, but it had definitely begun and would see the series' middle age remembered as probably its best time.

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