Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season 1, Episode 20
Lieutenant Worf was a colorful part of The Next Generation cast, providing some alien intrigue and a symbol of how the passage of time had mostly healed the animosity between humanity and the Klingons. “Heart of Glory” is the first episode of the series that puts Worf center stage to flesh out his character, as well as formally introduce the Klingons to the world/time of The Next Generation. Its compelling writing and acting make it a standout in a mostly shaky first season.
When discussing Season 3’s “Sins of the Father,” I marveled at how the episode instantly creates a thematic template for the Klingon Empire that would endure throughout that entire era of Star Trek. But even at this early point “Heart of Glory” comes up with a pretty solid idea of who the Klingons are in this time. The evolution of the Klingon race throughout Trek is an interesting (and somewhat dizzying) thing to behold – in terms of their visual conception, their culture, and what they represent thematically.
That is to say, they’ve been all over the fucking place – from the goofy (and at times unfortunately brown-faced) loudmouths of The Original Series, to the more militaristic warriors of the TOS films, and eventually to ornate space orcs of the modern era (which technically predates TOS… gahhh).
What’s interesting about “Heart of Glory” is that it takes the villainous Klingons as previously featured in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock while pushing them forward into a different, more peaceful time of the TNG era. And it presents a couple different portraits of how they’re dealing with this peace-love-and-understanding galaxy of ours. In the greater context of the TNG-DS9 era, we can already see at this early point a culture in crisis about where it’s going and what its identity is supposed to be. All that is also channeled into Worf as he becomes an avatar of this cultural identity crisis. Given the general quality of Season 1 TNG, it’s some pretty remarkable storytelling and foreshadowing while being an entertaining episode on its own.
As the episode begins, the Enterprise receives a message from Starfleet about a recent battle in the Neutral Zone. Assuming Romulan involvement (who had not been formally introduced to the series and TNG era yet), the ship approaches the sector in question but only finds a Talarian freighter adrift in space. Worf reports possible life signs, and Riker leads an away team to investigate.
For some reason Picard wants to test out a Visual Acuity Transmitter, which would allow La Forge’s VISOR to be transmitted to the bridge. Doesn’t really seem like ideal timing to be futzing around with new tech and away team procedures, since Picard himself underlines that this is very probably a Romulan trap. Oh, and there are some survivors that need rescuing? But yeah, let’s put all that on hold so dad can fart around with his new Bluetooth camera; he’s been dying to find an excuse to use it since Christmas!
It eats up some time in an episode that has an interesting main story already, but it’s an interesting sequence, I guess. I get the feeling this was something that was intended to be a recurring part of the show (like the Enterprise’s saucer separation), but like a lot of things introduced in the early period of the series, wasn’t ever used again. Plus – as Picard immediately sees – the visual information La Forge receives from his VISOR is a garbled mess to anyone else who hasn’t had a lifetime of experience with the device. So the utility seems pretty minimal?
Picard is clearly fascinated by how Geordi sees the world (apparently androids glow to him!), and there’s some value in that. If only we could all see through each other’s eyes, man… Riker politely ushers this search and rescue mission along and they continue to explore the busted up interior of the freighter Batris (it’s like Tetris, but for bats).
They get closer to the lifeform readings as La Forge spots a weakening hull with his VISOR. Collapse is imminent in about… five minutes, he reports! The away team continues to explore pretty nonchalantly. LOL, uh, guys? Maybe speed things up to a brisk powerwalk here?
Beyond the ship’s glowing and leaking power core (protective gear, anyone? Nah? OK…), Data locates a chamber where the lifeforms are – Klingon lifeforms! The head Klingon introduces himself as Korris and Riker is like “Shut up you, we don’t have time for names.” But enough about his love life! One other Klingon is able-bodied and one is seriously injured. Korris picks him up and they run away from the leaking core to be transported.
On cue – you know, that five minute cue La Forge gave us four minutes and fifty eight seconds ago? – the freighter starts to break apart. Wait, whaaaaat? Who could have foreseen this??? C’mon Batris, I thought we had at least two or three more seconds to go before you blew your shit, here. This is outrageous, I demand to speak to the manager! I get the feeling that the Enterprise crew are the types to beam down to a restaurant five minutes before closing and are surprised when the wait staff isn’t happy to see them.
After a suspenseful failed beam out attempt, Yar manages to get everyone off the Batris before the entire screen fills up with bat blocks. I mean, explodes.
In sickbay, Crusher tends to the critically injured Klingon while Picard greets the other two, Captain Korris and Lieutenant Konmel. Korris is played by Vaughn Armstrong in the first of many appearances across TNG, DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise. He always turns in a great performance and is very awesome here. As I’ve said before, it must be a fun acting challenge to play a Klingon. They’re so over the top, even in normal conversation, and the many actors who have portrayed Klingons all seem to relish how much they can chew the scenery and cut loose.
Armstrong is no different and at times devours the scenery in this episode. But he also imbues Korris with a charming and confident demeanor as he responds to Picard’s questions about their circumstances and how they came to be aboard a Talarian freighter that found itself in a battle in the Romulan Neutral Zone. According to Korris, they were passengers aboard the freighter when it was attacked by the Ferengi and unknowingly fled into the Neutral Zone. The Klingons took command at the captain’s request and despite their vastly inferior weapons, were able to outsmart and destroy their attackers.
Picard politely expresses some doubt about Korris’ yarn (and Worf expresses his doubt not so politely), but allows the Klingons time to rest and eat after their ordeal. Worf escorts the Klingons to quarters, while Picard notes the gaping holes in Korris’ story to Riker.
As the three Klingons sit down to a meal, Korris and Konmel josh Worf about his presence aboard a human vessel. Worf demands to know why they mock him, but they seem to just be feeling out his demeanor. Kurn would later do the same upon meeting Worf, pushing him in order to see how “Klingon” he really is. Again, there’s some nice consistency in Klingon behavior already laid out here. Dorn’s body language here is great, as he leans back and steeples his fingers with an unflinching gaze. In his own more reserved way, he’s also feeling out these Klingons.
Picard interrupts to tell them that their third companion is near death. In sickbay, Korris pries open the dying Klingons eyes as his life fades away. Upon the moment of his death, a slow rumbling gives way to a loud yell above as they pitch their heads back. Worf joins in, too.
Walking through the Enterprise corridors, Worf questions Korris about what really happened aboard the Batris. But Korris is again evasive, and instead questions Worf about how he came to be among humans. Origin story time!
Worf explains that after his family was killed in the Romulan attack on the Khitomer outpost, he was taken in by a human rescuer and raised by him and his wife on Galt, a farming colony. He and his brother entered Starfleet Academy, but only Worf remained. The framing of the scene is great, as Korris and Konmel stand close over Worf’s shoulder. They are now sympathetic to his life in isolation from other Klingons, and Korris speaks eloquently about the internal struggle Worf must have had with his aggressive, predatory instincts in a human society.
The script here is really great, and Korris’ words are fiery and poetic. Armstrong really goes for it and breathes such life into some already great lines to elevate it further. The makeup and wardrobe of the Klingons as seen here had been around for a bit already, but this episode is the first to really establish the violent, beating heart of them as a warrior race.
Korris says that rather than mock Worf, he salutes the strength required to suppress his instincts to fit in among humans. He speaks of how the Klingon-Federation peace is like a living death to natural warriors like them. And then the truth comes out – the three Klingons commandeered the freighter and left the crew behind to forge their own bloody destiny. It wasn’t a Ferengi ship they destroyed, but a Klingon one sent to capture them. Worf is understandably incensed by the truth, and Korris seems regretful that he had to kill them to avoid capture.
Inexplicably, Korris then asks Worf for a tour of the ship. And he agrees! “Hey, I’m a traitor who killed a bunch of people… can you show us the flight deck and gift shop?” Now that’s the head-scratching Season 1 TNG writing we all know and love…
Picard recounts to Riker and Data how crazy that whole Klingon screaming thing was, and Data informs him that the purpose of the death ritual is to warn the afterlife that a Klingon is about to arrive. Metal!
Meanwhile in Engineering, Worf shows these two traitors one of the most sensitive areas of the ship. Nothing bad will come of this in the episode’s climax, I’m sure. These guys can’t help but salivate over the destructive power of the Enterprise and the battles they could have with it. Just purely hypothetical battles, of course.
A Klingon ship approaches the Enterprise, and Picard speaks to its commander, K’nera. Picard reports the three survivors they rescued, and K’nera informs him that Korris is a criminal and a renegade that destroyed the ship sent to apprehend them. He demands that they be turned over to him when his ship comes into transporter range. Picard orders Yar to find and arrest the Klingons.
Korris casually mentions how badass of a battleship the Enterprise is when it’s separated from its saucer. Which somehow doesn’t raise any alarm bells with Worf – y’know, these self-proclaimed killers and starship thieves salivating over your vessel? I’m sure they’re just making small talk, man.
Yar and her security team intercept the Klingons, and a brief standoff occurs. A little girl, endowed with the worst timing possible, darts out of a turbolift and is lifted up by Korris. Yar thinks they have a hostage situation but then Korris – who almost seems offended – puts her down and she scampers away. Maybe he just likes being unpredictable? “You think I’m going to try and steal your ship? Well, just for that maybe I’ll join the staff and be the most upstanding pencil-pusher you’ve ever seen! See how you like that; you don’t know me!”
Despite Korris’ pleas to Worf to help them escape, he obviously doesn’t betray his oath to Starfleet and they’re placed in a holding cell. Worf guffaws to Yar that Klingons would ever take hostages, but as is proven not only in this episode but many others – Worf is a textual expert of his own people, but not an experienced one.
Returning to the bridge, Worf learns from Picard the truth about Korris’ Krew, and realizes their inevitable execution. Picard is firm in their fate, but expresses his sympathy to Worf and his conflicted feelings. Which is mighty generous of him, and Worf appreciates it.
K’nera’s ship has reached them, and he asks for the prisoners to be transferred. Worf asks to speak directly to him, and begs him for an alternative to death for Korris – even if it means marooning them on a planet. K’nera seems sympathetic (addressing Worf as a brother, even) but is steadfast in his duty, and in upholding the peaceful alliance between the Federation and Klingon Empire. The dialogue is great, and they both clearly respect the passionate zeal of Korris, if not his dangerious rebellion. It’s a credit to Armstrong’s performance that he seems like the kind of charismatic and passionate guy that others would respect and follow. And perhaps that’s exactly why the Klingon Empire wants this guy dead and out of the way.
Meanwhile, under the not-watchful eye of the security guards, Korris and Konmel assemble a phaser weapon with pieces hidden throughout their uniforms. It’s so badass. Korris uses another hidden device to deactivate the forcefield. Probably shoulda frisked these dudes, eh?
They bust out of the holding cell, killing two guards in the process. Konmel takes three phaser hits before he finally goes down, leaving Korris armed and on his own. He makes his way to the upper level of Main Engineering (gee, good thing he was shown how to get there…) and points his weapon at the warp core. Picard tries to reason with him, but Korris refuses to speak to anyone other than Worf, who he identifies as “his countryman.” I love how Korris speaks and how Armstrong plays him. Like all Klingons, he’s operatic and bombastic and probably also got down on some Shakespeare in his spare time.
Picard and Worf go down to Engineering. Yar wants to give Korris time to cool down, but Worf believes he will maintain the standoff only so long before he just destroys the ship. But yeah, he would never take a little girl hostage. He’ll kill her, her family, her home, and every single one of her friends. But take her hostage? Nah, that would be a total dick move.
🚨🚨SARCASM!🚨🚨
Picard agrees with Worf, who journeys up to meet Korris face to face. Korris is overjoyed to see Worf, and pleads that the two of them be allowed to take command of the ship’s battle bridge to fulfill their own personal mission of glory. Worf refuses and draws his weapon. Telling Korris he looks for battles in the wrong place, he speaks of the challenge of overcoming the weaknesses from within. Indeed, Korris is a warrior of a different time – a man without a country. Instead of accepting that and adapting to a new way of life he has chosen to be stuck in the past and is willing to destroy anyone who gets in his way. He has the passion and bloodlust that is characteristic of Klingons, but none of the duty or honor – the things that Worf holds dear. It also contrasts with K’nera, another honorable officer who carries out his duty despite not feeling great about it.
Rather than heed any of this, a furious Korris accuses Worf of being no Klingon. Armstrong swings for the fences here, and he looks like a crazed, caged animal. His eyes are bloodshot and is practically foaming at the mouth. He’s awesome. “Perhaps not,” Worf coolly says before phasering Korris in the chest. He promptly falls through the glass floor (???) and lands with a violent crash down below. Worf holds his eyes open as the life drains from his body and lets out a mighty Klingon howl. Hey afterlife, a real dickhead is on his way! Get the whoopie cushions.
Picard informs K’nera that the prisoners are dead, who only asks Worf how they died. “They died well,” Worf responds. K’nera urges Worf to consider serving with them once his tour of duty aboard the Enterprise is done – he feels they could learn a lot from him, and vice versa. Like, this guy is the nicest Klingon to Worf out of everyone in the universe (until he meets Martok, that is). That’s cool but also kind of sad.
Worf graciously accepts the compliment, but affirms to Picard and the bridge crew that he’s totally satisfied aboard the Enterprise. For realsies! Picard replies that the bridge wouldn’t be the same without him. I mean, yeah – who else would you constantly shoot down the suggestions of? We need ya, buddy. 🥰
“Heart of Glory” is a really solid episode in a not-at-all solid season. Using an amazing guest actor, it re-introduces the Klingons as both the villains and uneasy allies they would consistently be throughout the entirety of both The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. And it gives the important backstory of Worf and define the ever-present conflict that lives in his heart as he struggles between two differing peoples. The Next Generation depicted a mostly civilized galaxy during a peaceful time. Despite the tranquility that suggests, there will be plenty of conflict concerning how to navigate that from without and within.
Stray Observations:
- It’s not stated at all, but why were Korris and his Komrades renegades? They destroyed a Klingon ship that was ordered to bring them in, but why was it sent in the first place? Are these guys just deserters or what? I think if you just want to go fuck off and do your thing, it would be pretty easy to in the big, wide galaxy of the 24th century? We see plenty of sad aliens in the background all the time grinding out depressing, shitty lives. Seems like a critical story detail that doesn’t get fleshed out.
- One of my favorite TNG tropes: Data forcing open (or close) a set of frozen doors with his bare hands. Kinda makes you think of how many other crews encounter the same thing and end up being totally screwed because none of their people have crazy android strength. I mean, Vulcans are pretty strong I guess, but that’s like diet android strength…
- We’ll see La Forge’s POV again in Season 4’s “The Mind’s Eye,” where it looks totally different than here. And Soran will bug his VISOR in Star Trek Generations, except there it just provides a regular camera feed for the Duras sisters. No crazy psychedelic colors or anything. Geordi… I think people are just fucking with you, man.
- There was like one other instance of a Starfleet away team wearing a camera to record a mission. Which seems way easier and a better idea than what they do here…
- OK Picard, the reason why you can’t tell that’s Data is because that is clearly not actually Brent Spiner. Maybe it’s like a They Live situation, and Geordi’s VISOR replaces all the actors with their stuntpeople.
- Season 1 TNG really loved these crazy camera angles. I’m kinda sad they stopped shooting the bridge crew this way.
- I love the reaction of this random medical lady after the scream-a-thon.
- The bridge display of K’nera’s ship is pretty wacky. I love the giant floating logos. I feel like he should have a 900 number at the bottom so you can get warrior’s advice for $3/minute. Also, what’s with all the smoke? Do Klingons suffocate if they’re not constantly breathing in incense?
- What’s up with this room? It’s crazy looking. Seems like a holdover from the 70’s/early 80’s era of Trek. Equipped with burnt orange bulkheads and a conversation pit where things can get really interesting and weird if you’re, like, open-minded man…
- Eventually the Enterprise will get a real, more useful brig set. Cuz this thing is not it, man. Oh, the prisoners put together a weapon in a room without a direct line of sight from the outside and you didn’t notice? Also, your back is to them the whole time? *thumbs up*
- I always loved Korris falling through the floor because it’s just a totally metal shot. Of course, it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. Like, if anyone trips and falls up there they’re just going right down to bottom level? Or even the one below that, too? Imagine some poor Wile E. Coyote crewman just falling through all 20 decks to the bottom of the warp core.
