New Ground

DVD, TNG S5 (New Ground)

The backdrop of a possible new form of warp propulsion without the use of engines, is only there to provide a framework in which to keep Worf busy as he confronts his most challenging adversary yet: his young son. Until the end in which the wave becomes a major threat to the ship, and specifically to Alexander, it's just one other thing keeping Worf from interacting consistently with him, and imparting the love and guidance needed. The episode title is very apt, as some difficult, and certainly new ground for Worf, is covered - obedience to parents, the behaviour of children, the responsibilities of parenting and pitfalls therein are all tough ground. Worf can take on so many situations, but the personal has always been a little more painful for him than most, and it shows. Deanna helps him see that he's still got some degree of anger and frustration at the death of his mate and Alexander's Mother, K'Ehleyr - it seems vengeance on his enemy, Duras, didn't end the pain, which is a lesson in itself. Though Klingon views are fascinating, they're being watched by humans and judged by human standards, and while we might have cheered Worf on in the dual, we knew it was wrong to seek revenge.

It is heartening to see Worf's crewmates be so understanding, from Deanna's advice, to Picard's understanding, and Riker's staunch assistance in the rescue - I'm not sure we've seen the two burly figures taking on a physical task together since Season 3's 'The Hunted' and they certainly looked formidable charging down corridors. Perhaps they should have used that pairing more often? It was also nice to see Worf's training programme, another Season 3 throwback, only this time we get to see the setting on novice, with the tiny Klingon boy fighting the skull-faced opponent. Notice how at that level of difficulty the computer enemy allows the participant to get up rather than attacking full on.

We also get to hear a little more Klingon lore as Worf reveals the statue of two muscular Klingons wrestling, which he keeps in his quarters, is the well-known Kahless fighting his (lesser known) brother Morath, although sneakily they'd never sported ridges before. Appropriately in a story about a new form of propulsion, Zefram Cochrane is name-checked again. Other connections (or not), are that I thought the name of the planet they were visiting was called Bellana (very suitable for a Klingon-centric story!), though it was actually Bilana III. And the Corvan Gilvos would be seen again in 'DS9' as a pet Quark has during his very short reign as Grand Nagus in Season 1's 'The Nagus.' I also thought Dr. Ja'Dar looked rather like a Grazerite, as represented by the Federation President in 'DS9' Season 4.

As intriguing as this new soliton wave technology was, it was never going to replace warp drive as not only would Geordi be out of a job, but the series would be rather less exciting. I noticed one seemingly major flaw with the idea: if a ship is riding a wave, how do they change course, or turn a corner? As I said, that part of the story only existed to hang Worf's personal problems on. They could very well have killed off Alexander (played here for the first time by Brian Bonsall), as they did his Mother, but this time they decided the time was right to do something different. I have to admit to preferring the warrior persona of Worf, rather than his fatherly one, but the episode remains compelling in small ways, helped by the exciting finale, and wonderful scene with Worf's adopted Mother, Helena Rozhenko, who is just as good as last time she appeared. It would have been nice to see Sergei too (he's got all the diagrams!), but the importance of Worf's decision is the main thing, putting him into a new era for his character that would last to the end of the series, until he joined 'DS9' and began another era.

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