This episode begins where the previous one ended; with Worf being captured by the Romulans. He soon learns that this is a rather unusual prison; the Klingons don't consider themselves to be prisoners and live in harmony with their Romulan guards in fact we later learn that some of the younger members of the society are of mixed Romulan/Klingon parentage. Worf is horrified to see these Klingons living so peacefully with the Romulans so sets about teaching them about their warrior heritage and Klingon honour. As he continues to destabilise the community Tokath, the senior Romulan, gives him an ultimatum; start living by the communities rules or face execution.
This, the second of a two part story, is rather strange; the first part had two distinct plot strands but this episode just follows one of them; there is no further mention of Data's visions and we never learn what the device Dr Bashir was investigating actually was he doesn't even feature in this episode. Worf's plot thread is interesting but goes in an uncomfortable direction; Worf discovers a small, peaceful community where long-time enemies the Romulans and Klingons live in harmony and the youngsters have never looked on Romulans as enemies instead of leaving them to live in peace he sets about lecturing then on how they should hate Romulans. Given that Star Trek has preached racial tolerance from its early days it is odd seeing a major character not only preaching hatred but it seems as though we are meant to think it is good that he is teaching the youth of this society to reclaim their warrior heritage. On the plus side the cast do a solid job; I've always liked Michael Dorn's Worf and it is nice to see him very much carry an episode while the rest of the main cast are hardly seen. Overall a very mixed episode; some good moments but also some uncomfortable themes.
This, the second of a two part story, is rather strange; the first part had two distinct plot strands but this episode just follows one of them; there is no further mention of Data's visions and we never learn what the device Dr Bashir was investigating actually was he doesn't even feature in this episode. Worf's plot thread is interesting but goes in an uncomfortable direction; Worf discovers a small, peaceful community where long-time enemies the Romulans and Klingons live in harmony and the youngsters have never looked on Romulans as enemies instead of leaving them to live in peace he sets about lecturing then on how they should hate Romulans. Given that Star Trek has preached racial tolerance from its early days it is odd seeing a major character not only preaching hatred but it seems as though we are meant to think it is good that he is teaching the youth of this society to reclaim their warrior heritage. On the plus side the cast do a solid job; I've always liked Michael Dorn's Worf and it is nice to see him very much carry an episode while the rest of the main cast are hardly seen. Overall a very mixed episode; some good moments but also some uncomfortable themes.