Rightful Heir
 | This article consists almost entirely of a plot summary. (July 2013) |
| "Rightful Heir" | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek: The Next Generation episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 6 Episode 23 |
| Directed by | Winrich Kolbe |
| Story by | James E. Brooks |
| Teleplay by | Ronald D. Moore |
| Featured music | Jay Chattaway |
| Production code | 249 |
| Original air date | May 17, 1993 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
Rightful Heir is the 149th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the 23rd episode of the sixth season.
Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, Lieutenant Worf suffers a crisis of faith which leads him to an encounter with the seemingly resurrected messiah of ancient Klingon religious beliefs. He soon finds himself caught between supporting the religious figure and the more secular leader of the conventional Klingon political power structure.
Plot
As the episode begins, Lt. Worf fails to report to his bridge duty station, and Chief Operations Officer Lt. Commander Data and First Officer Commander William Riker become concerned. Riker finds Worf's quarters filled with incense and burning candles while his chief of security sits before a small fire nearby in a trance-like state. A repentant Worf explains to Captain Picard that he was attempting to reconnect with his Klingon spiritual beliefs by performing a Klingon ritual in an attempt to summon a vision of Kahless, the original messianic warrior who founded the Klingon Empire. Picard responds to Worf's crisis of faith by suggesting he immerse himself in Klingon culture and grants him leave to journey to the Temple of Boreth, the core of Klingon beliefs concerning Kahless and where he is prophesied to return.
After ten days of doubt-filled rituals, Worf sees what he thinks is a vision of Kahless, however, he soon discovers it is an actual being. Kahless proves his identity to Worf and the Boreth priests by reciting how he created the bat'leth, a story only passed down word of mouth by the high priesthood specifically to confirm the return of Kahless. Worf brings the prospective spiritual leader to the Enterprise, but is troubled that Kahless does not remember how Klingon warnog tastes or what Sto-Vo-Kor, the Klingon afterlife, is like.
Klingon Chancellor Gowron arrives, saying he has a test which will indisputably prove if Kahless is genuine. Gowron is displeased with the prophet's return, convinced he is an imposter foisted by the priests to gain power and could incite a civil war. Gowron requests that the Federation genetically test the sacred dagger he brought which was stained with the blood of the original Kahless in antiquity, but is disappointed when the test indicates a match.
Gowron provokes a D'k tahg duel with Kahless and wins, leaving a dispirited Worf to ponder how the supposed "greatest warrior of all" could be beaten. Worf demands an explanation from Koroth, the High Priest of the Boreth Temple, who disconsolately replies that Kahless is not a resurrection, only a clone of the original with the stories of scripture implanted in his memories, offering the rationale that the legend of Kahless' return did not specify the exact manner. He adds that such a legend is desperately needed to rally the people's faith and guide them. Data advises the uncertain Worf that once during a crisis of his own, he made the leap of faith to "assume that he was a person", and thus could grow beyond the sum of his programming.
Gowron is outraged when Worf tells him the truth and prepares to execute the clone and priests. Worf tells Gowron he has decided to support Kahless, explaining that he has made a leap of faith as Data once did, adding that the clone's origins do not matter. He suggests the Klingon High Council appoint Kahless to the ceremonial position of Emperor; while only a figurehead, he might be able to unite the Klingon people. In conclusion, Worf observes that while not the "true" Kahless, this man is at least the "Rightful Heir" to Kahless; opposing him might lead to civil war. Seeing the wisdom of cooperation, Gowron offers his devotion. Departing soon after for the Klingon homeworld Qo'noS, Kahless notes the troubled demeanor of the "Son of Mogh" and reassures him that the personal belief systems espoused by Kahless made the ancient Klingons what they were, the man was not important; even if the real Kahless never returned it might not matter, as his spirit lives within the hearts of all true Klingons.
Broadcast
"Rightful Heir" was originally released in broadcast syndication on May 15, 1993. It received Nielsen ratings of 10.6 percent, placing it in third place in its timeslot. This was part of a brief decline in ratings towards the end of the season; "Suspicions", the episode broadcast prior, received ratings of 11.3 percent. The episode broadcast after "Rightful Heir", "Second Chances", received a rating of 9.7 percent.[1]
Reception
In 2017, Io9 noted "Rightful Heir" for being one of the weirdest TNG adventures, with Worf helping to install a Kahless clone as Emperor of the Klingons.[2]
Medium.com ranked this the 68th best episode Star Trek: The Next Generation in 2017.[3] They point out this episode focuses on the Klingon Worf, who has crisis of faith in the Klingon religious figure Khaless.[3] He is given a leave of absence, and heads off to a Klingon monestary of sorts, where there are lots of sweaty meditation around campfires.[3] To Worf's surprise Khaless returns, but it turns out to be clone, triggering an issue for the Klingon Empire.[3] This means an appearance by the character Gowron, whom they praised for this presentation of being a politician.[3]
See also
- The Sword of Kahless (November 20, 1995)
References
- ^ "Star Trek: The Next Generation Nielsen Ratings – Seasons 5–6". TrekNation. Archived from the original on October 5, 2000. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ^ Whitbrook, James. "The 15 Weirdest Missions Star Trek: The Next Generation Boldly Went On". io9. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ^ a b c d e Andrew (2019-09-21). "Ranking All The Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes (Part 5)". Medium. Retrieved 2020-01-24.