A Matter of Honor

ST episode
name = A Matter of Honor


series = TNG
ep_num = 34
prod_num = 134
date = February 6, 1989
writer = Burton Armus (teleplay)
Wanda M. Haight, Gregory W. Amos, Burton Armus (story)
director = Rob Bowman
guest = John Putch, Christopher Collins, Brian Thompson
stardate = 42506.5
year = 2365
prev = Unnatural Selection
next = The Measure of a Man

"A Matter of Honor" is the eighth episode of the second season of "" first broadcast on February 6, 1989. It is episode #34, production #134. The teleplay was written by Burton Armus, based on a story by Wanda M. Haigh, Gregory W. Amos and Burton Armus. It was directed by Rob Bowman.

Overview: Commander Riker is assigned to a Klingon vessel during an officer exchange program.

Plot

On stardate 42606.5, the USS "Enterprise" arrives at Starbase 179 to transfer a group of personnel assigned to an officer exchange program. Temporarily joining the "Enterprise" is Ensign Mendon, a Benzite who is eager to please.

Captain Picard informs his second–in–command, Commander Riker, that Starfleet would like an officer to join the exchange program aboard a Klingon vessel. Riker agrees to the assignment, and begins preparing. Riker talks to Lieutenant Worf about the details of Klingon protocol mentioning a rumor that one of the duties of the first officer is to assassinate the Captain. Worf confirms stating that if the captain becomes weak and unable to perform, it is expected that his "honorable retirement" be assisted by his first.

Soon the "Enterprise" meets up with the IKS "Pagh", an old Bird of Prey. Riker heads to the transporter but before he goes, Worf hands him a small transponder, mentioning that it is merely a security precaution. Ensign Mendon studies a strange spot on the port side of the Klingon ship's hull but doesn't bring it to Picard's attention.

Riker meets Kargan, the captain of the Klingon ship. When Riker's authority as new first officer is challenged, he is forced to attack his subordinate to prove his strength.

Back on the "Enterprise", Worf alerts Captain Picard of an unknown substance on their hull which is identified as a lifeform reacting with the hull. Ensign Mendon steps up and indicates he had found a similar spot on the Klingon vessel and Picard admonishes him for not informing anyone sooner. Mendon states his analysis wasn't completed and that aboard Benzite ships, it is improper to report it until then. The "Enterprise" then sets of to find the Klingon vessel to inform them of the problem, while the crew works to find a way to decontaminate the hull.

Back on the "Pagh", Kargan shows Riker a schematic of the ship and the brown spot that is growing on the side of the bow. Riker admits that he has never seen anything like it before and suggests corrosion or a meteor impact. Kargan replies their science station has determined it to be an organism eating the hull and in eight hours the entire ship will be compromised. Kargan harshly believes it came from the "Enterprise" and hands Riker a tactical report showing that the "Enterprise" conducted an intensive scan of the ship in that area. Kargan demands to know what type of weapon was used to damage the hull where Riker insists the "Enterprise" has no weapon that would cause damage like this. Riker asks why would attack with him on board, but Kargan says "why" is no longer important and they must respond. He orders to engage the cloaking device and sets a course to intercept the "Enterprise".

The ships eventually meet. Worf tries hailing the "Pagh", but gets no response with Data suggesting the "Pagh" is either cloaked or destroyed. On the "Pagh", Riker suggests the "Enterprise" may be here to help, but Kargan instead asks for the surest method of attack against the them. Riker refuses to divulge secrets of Starfleet stating he swore a vow to serve the Klingon ship but he cannot break a vow he swore in the past. Kargan gives an approving nod and tells Riker if he had divulged those secrets he would have labeled him a traitor and have him killed on the spot. On the "Enterprise", Mendon informs Picard that he found a way of cleaning off the organisms and Picard has him relay the procedures to the Klingons.

Back on the "Pagh" the communications officer informs Kargan that the "Enterprise" says they can clean the organisms off the hull where Riker says it's proof they are here to help, but Kargan stays the attack and has torpedoes readied to fire on his command. Back on the "Enterprise", Data indicates that a lack of debris must mean that the "Pagh" is cloaked and as a precaution, Picard orders Red Alert.

The Klingons detect the raise of shields where Riker indicates is standard procedure when entering a suspicious situation, but Kargan remains unconvinced. Riker then recommends they fire at 40,000 kilometers, it will reduce the "Enterprise's" response time. Kargan smiles seeing Riker is fulfilling his oath and tells Riker to give the firing order. Riker accepts, but states Kargan's reasons for forcing this attack are not valid. As the distance is approached, Riker withdraws the signaling device Worf gave him earlier and Kargan asks if it is a weapon. Riker hands it to him and he unwittingly triggers Riker's emergency signal which Worf picks up on his console.

Worf informs Picard who orders the shields to be dropped so Riker can beam back to the ship. On the "Pagh", there is a moment of stunned surprise when the "Enterprise" shields drop. Seeing his chance, Kargan orders to decloak. Suddenly, Kargan is beamed off his bridge and materializes on the "Enterprise" bridge. Kargan reacts with fury knowing Riker has tricked him. He withdraws his disruptor but Worf quickly hits him with a stun beam from his phaser knocking Kargan to the deck.

Riker explains to his crew that as first officer, he has relieved the Captain because he was acting in an irrational manner. Riker takes Kargan's place in the center chair and orders the ship to decloak. Klag fears they will be destroyed, but Riker says if they do, then he'll die with them. Klag drops the cloak and the Bird of Prey appears before the "Enterprise". With all the "Pagh's" weapons locked on the "Enterprise", Picard calls the Klingons and tells them they are here to assist. Picard then hears Riker respond with an order to lower shields and surrender. Picard then bears an odd smile and tells Worf to lower shields and "surrender".

The "Enterprise" cleans the Klingon ship, while Kargan is returned to the "Pagh" and orders Riker to leave.

External links

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