Going in I remember being kinda disappointed with this episode the first time I saw it. This time I enjoyed it a bit more, but that was at least partly because I knew roughly how it ended. Kahless is both not quite a fraud, but also not quite the real thing and this ambiguity that bothered me so much as a kid is also clearly what is still bothering Worf at the end of the episode. I am pretty sure the fate of Kahless gets dealt with in a later episode, but I also am pretty sure I will have to wait for DS9 for that. TNG has one more season left, but it does already feel a bit like it is wrapping up. I don't really remember very many episodes between here and All Good Things which is kinda odd since this was when I was most loyally watching. Hopefully there are a few hidden gems waiting for me!
The episode opens with Worf not showing up for duty on the bridge. Riker heads to his quarters with a security team and finds him sitting alone with fire and candles everywhere meditating. Next we see Picard come to his quarters and express how disappointed he is that Worf has neglected his duties. But rather than discipline him he sends him on a retreat to the Klingon spiritual center to try and get himself back in shape to serve with honor once again. Worf heads to Boreth, a Klingon monastery prophesied to be the place where Kahless will return from the afterlife. Worf spends Days meditating and while he sees others having visions he is left without. As he is preparing to give up and leave the high priest Koroth joins him and reminds him of the story of Kahless' promise to return one day Boreth Worf decides to give it another go. In the middle of intense meditation Worf suddenly gets what he desired, Kahless appears before him, but when he reaches out to touch him instead of finding it be just a vision he finds Kahless has returned as flesh and blood!
The other Klingons have no problem accepting Kahless as what he appears to be. He knows all the ancient stories including those only told to the priests. He even allows Worf to scan him with a tricorder which proves that he is Klingon but still doesn't convince Worf. Finally Worf confronts him in front of the other Klingons and Kahless responds as one would expect, by pulling out his bat'leth and engaging Worf in hand to hand combat. After a few minutes of combat Kahless stops and get everyone chanting, "we are Klingons," but Worf still holds back. They are taken aboard the Enterprise and Gowron shows up very unhappy about the situation. He has brought a dagger the is supposed to have the blood of Kahless on it and when Dr. Crusher analyses it she finds it to be a perfect match with the man standing before them and Worf finally allows himself to believe.
But Gowron still doesn't buy it and first challenges Kahless' memory and when that is found wanting pulls out his knife and they fight. Worf is forced to step in and save Kahless, but this only proves to most of the Klingons that their greatest warrior of all time does not stand before them. This also convinces Worf who finally gets Koroth to admit that this Kahless is a clone with implanted memories. But Worf also learns that several of Gowrons own men have refused to let go and are waiting for Kahless to come lead them. In the final confrontation Worf is able to convince all of them including Gowron to give this Kahless the symbolic title of emperor to allow him to work to restore Klingon virtue while Gowron maintains political power. This satisfies all but Worf who still feels his faith has been found lacking.
Review: This is an interesting episode for all the questions it raises about the nature of faith and identity. It wouldn't have been very Trek to have this end up being the real Kahless (well, maybe very TOSy, but not TNGy). Fun to watch but not a perfect episode by any means.
6 out of 10
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