Birthright, part II

DVD, TNG S6 (Birthright, part II)

An episode devoted almost exclusively to Worf with only the briefest of appearances from most of the rest of the main cast. At first it is a bit of a disappointment if you were expecting DS9 to still be a part of the story or Data's dreams to continue, and the slow start doesn't do it any favours - it's basically a prisoner of war story, with Worf trapped within the compound, but it turns into something much more as we discover he's about the only person who isn't a prisoner: his mind is free while the other Klingons don't even know they are captive.

Worf's mind is not completely unbounded as he displays in his prejudices against the Romulans. Though the camp began as a prison for Klingon POW's, it developed into something of an experiment for the Romulan in charge, Tokath, who gave up his military career, took a Klingon wife and built a community around his own people and the Klingons, even going as far as taking a Klingon wife and having a child with her. In many ways he was a visionary and his dream of the two blood enemies living peacefully together is a great achievement. Then Worf comes along, also with strong ideas and ones that the Klingon blood is awakened by. Tokath and Worf are both men with strong ideals, and also, interestingly, both have strong prejudice. Ultimately it is Worf's way that wins over the young people because Klingon genes are strong and it's not in their nature to live without conflict or struggle. To be given food, to obey the rules and remain within boundaries was stifling them without their knowledge and Worf's fiery spirit woke theirs up.

The episode builds slowly as Worf gains the trust of some of the other Klingons, turning them towards the ways of their people and letting their hearts take over and guide them. Production values mean that we don't get to experience the hunt and they just melt off into the studio's jungle flora, but Toq's 'conversion' is very satisfying and a real coup for Worf as the young man was initially sceptical and buried in the ways he'd been taught, even preventing Worf from escaping. But Worf is an intelligent guide and one that knows exactly the right buttons to press to open the young man's eyes. By the time Toq's exhorting the others to sing a warrior's song and all the Klingons add their voice it's become truly uplifting. The story may have dragged to begin with, but it flourishes into a strong conclusion, showing Worf off as the great man he is. Not without flaws, his racial prejudice against Ba'el in what is a punchy reveal of her dual lineage, marks Worf as imperfect, struggling to overcome the hate he feels for the species that killed his Father. As in the two-parter of 'DS9' Season 5, where he went up against Jem'Hadar soldier after Jem'Hadar soldier in hand to hand combat, he will never yield or be defeated, he can only be killed.

The question remains whether Worf should have interfered. It was a successful attempt at peace between Romulans and Klingons and it's a tragedy that it had to remain a secret to preserve itself. There's no honour in lying and yet Worf tells Picard a huge porky pie when he says those that came back with him were from a crashed ship and that no one survived the Khitomer Massacre. He knows that Picard would understand what's going on, after all, the captain is someone that appreciates the Klingon ways better than most, so his formal report was just that, meant as the 'official' news to preserve the camp and avoid anyone else interfering.

It was a real surprise to see Dan Curry's name in the director's slot as I never realised he was a director, better known for his matte paintings and various other creative roles on the Trek series'. Alan Scarfe is suitably aloof as Tokath, his words tinged with menace and voice restrained, but powerful - a worthy adversary to fight over ideologies for Worf to contend with. He'd also been a baddie in 'Voyager' and possibly 'Enterprise' too. He was more than just an enemy because of his belief in the system he'd worked to create. He'd have made a fascinating study as a recurring character, someone like Garak who might reveal all kinds of secrets and depth. James Cromwell sadly doesn't get used properly, only appearing once in the background, other scenes featuring him cut.

The struggle with Ba'el trying to get Worf to accept her and knowing for the first time the life of a half-caste, just like many Trek characters, be they half-Borg, half-Cardassian or just caught between two cultures, was well played and gave the story added dimension. It's going to be tricky hiding her Romulan lineage if she wanted to fit in with other Klingons, but then again her ears weren't shown until that fateful moment. Either way, Worf has inspired her and the others to stand up for themselves and fight their battles, not to run and hide away from them, a valuable lesson for anyone to learn.

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