TOS really only had one alien race with an actual culture and that was the Vulcans. Sins of the Father is TNG starting to expand the culture of the Klingons and this episode is a big part of that. As far as I can tell this is the episode that introduced the Klingon high council and Klingon politics in general and it does a really good job of it. It also finally digs a bit deeper into Worf showing him to be both a true Klingon and what it means for him to be a true Klingon. I think it is a safe assumption that the Klingon obsession with honor is based on the Japanese samurai and this new direction makes the Klingon empire both more interesting and potentially more dangerous, even as an ally.
The episode begins with Klingon commander Kurn reporting for duty as part of the officer exchange program Riker participated in last season. This time a Klingon first officer will serve as first officer aboard the Enterprise and it looks like it is going to be a rough ride. Kurn can't stop barking at Wesley (can't really fault him there), makes life hell for Geordi by inspecting engineering in the middle of maintenance and generally seems ready to start a fight with Riker at all times. They have a dinner in his honor and Kurn can barely eat the food. He also continuously insults Worf by suggesting he is not a real Klingon. Worf finally confronts Kurn in his quarters and just as Worf is about to start a fight with him Kurn calms things down by admitting Worf really is a Klingon at heart, and not only that, Kurn is Worf's younger brother.
Kurn has sought out Worf because their father, Mogh, has been accused of giving the defense codes to the Romulans allowing the Khitomer massacre to take place. Worf has no choice but to return to the Klingon homeworld and convince the High Council of his fathers innocence or face execution if he fails. Picard insists on taking the Enterprise there and standing with Worf at the trial. Kurn becomes Worf's Cha'Dich, a second who will fight for him in the trial if necessary. They arrive and are greeted coldly by the council. At the first intermission the head of the council pulls Worf aside and tells him to leave and the procedure will be dropped, Worf of course refuses. Meanwhile Duras meets with Kurn and tries to kill him when he refuses to give up as well. Kurn is badly hurt by Dr. Crusher manages to save his life. Now Picard must serve as Cha'Dich to Worf.
While the trial continues Riker leads an effort to uncover the truth about the massacre and discovers that there was another survivor, the woman who took care of Worf, and not only that, she is living in the Capital. Picard gets an intermission and goes to find her. At first she refuses to help by finally after Picard is ambushed outside her house she agrees to help. As soon as she walks into the trial the head of the council recognizes her and calls for a closed session. In private he admits that Mogh was innocent and that it was Duras' father who was the traitor, but Duras is part of a powerful family and such an admission would destroy the council and plunge them into civil war. Picard refuses to let them execute Worf when they know the charges are false, but Worf agrees to be disgraced if it will save the Empire and they will spare Kurn's life. The council agrees and Worf leaves both the hero and a disgrace.
Review: Season 3 really delivers on solid episodes and this one is no exception. Patrick Stewart delivers a powerful performance and Michael Dorn is great as well. This is an episode they are proud to reference over and over as Trek continues to expand the roll of the Klingons.
8 out of 10
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