I really wish that instead of deciding to write wrap up episodes for individual characters they had just focused on interesting stories like the first half of this season. It hadn't be decided that Worf would end up on DS9 at this point I suspect so they decided his story and that of his son need some sweet conclusion. So they decided to have his son travel back in time from the future to either toughen himself up or die? And the conclusion is that Worf just needs to show Alexander he cares more? Really? I am looking forward to the notes on this one after my write up and maybe even looking up some other reviews. It just seems like such a mess that has at its core a cool idea.
The episode opens with Worf in his quarters practicing giving a speech to Alexander about going through the Rite of Ascension. Instead Alexander bursts in followed by a friend who hits Worf with a water balloon. After some bristling Worf calms down enough to give Alexander the speech but Alexander bluntly tells him he doesn't want to become a warrior. At a briefing in the observation lounge Picard notices Worf is distracted and afterwards asks what's going on. Worf tells him about Alexander so Picard offers to drop them off for a local Klingon festival so Alexander can get in touch with his roots. It seems to be working as Alexander follows his father into a ritual mock bat'leth duel and seems to be having a good time. After the two are walking alone in a dark alley when they are attacked by a group of Klingons. Worf is doing pretty well but there are a lot of enemies. Suddenly another Klingon rushes in and helps defeat the thugs. He reveals he is K'mtar, a loyal bodyguard to the house of Mogh.
They return to the Enterprise and Riker insists they investigate the attack. The dagger belongs to the house of Duras so of course Lursa and B'Etor are suspects. Riker contacts Quark on DS9 for information on the sisters and in exchange for a good bit of money Quark gives them the lead they need. Meanwhile K'mtar has convinced Worf to let him help get Alexander up to speed on the path of the warrior. He talks Alexander into training on the holodeck with him. Alexander does well at the fighting up to the point where he is supposed to kill his virtual opponent but he refuses and leaves. Riker has successfully tracked the sister to a mining/smuggling operation and after some explosive trickery to reveal their cloaked ship.
The sisters agree to meet with them and when they are shown the dagger they admit it is from their family, but something is wrong. It includes the symbol for a son that Lursa is pregnant with, but no one else knows and they certainly haven't added him to the family crest yet. Worf rushes back to his quarters since this means there is something wrong with K'mtar. He finds K'mtar preparing to kill Alexander and wrestles the weapon away from him at which point K'mtar reveals he is actually Alexander from 40 years in the future. He followed a path of peace and things were going well until he announced no more retribution killing and then watched his father be killed in front of him. He regrets not being more of a warrior and has returned to toughen himself up or kill himself to save his father. Worf tells him it doesn't matter since he has already changed Worf and gives him a hug. The episode concludes with Worf training with young Alexander and tell him to take a break and that he supports him whatever path he follows.
Review: Certainly not as bad as the Wesley wrap up episode, but knowing that we get a lot more Worf makes this final conclusion of the story of his son a little premature. Despite having Klingons and an assassination attempt this episode is still way too bland to be great.
5 out of 10
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