A Matter of Honor Totally Explained

Everything about A Matter Of Honor totally explained

"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. Commander Riker and Ensign Crusher greet the new arrivals where Wesley is surprised to meet an alien who looks exactly like Mordoc, a Benzite he trained with when he tried to gain entrance to Starfleet Academy on Relva VII. Wesley is mistaken however when the alien reveals his name is Ensign Mendon, stating he looks similar to Mordoc because they're from the same geostructure. Mendon seems eager to please, immediately expressing to Riker how thankful he's to for a chance to serve aboard the Enterprise.
   Afterward, Captain Picard informs Riker that Starfleet would like an officer to join the exchange program aboard an interested Klingon vessel. Riker says he wouldn't mind the assignment and Picard makes the arrangements. 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's expected that his "honorable retirement" be assisted by his first.
   Riker goes to Ten Forward where he's ordered up a feast of Klingon dishes to sample a bit of their culture. 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's merely a security precaution. On the bridge, Picard is signaled by Captain Kargan of the Pagh to have Riker transferred over. At the same time, 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.
   On the Pagh, Riker is taken to the darkly lit, haze-filled bridge to meet Kargan while the Klingon crew eye him suspiciously. Riker introduces himself as "Commander of the starship Enterprise", but Kargan corrects him; telling him he's Commander Riker, first officer of the Klingon Cruiser Pagh. Kargan states his ship is crewed by the finest warriors and although they're on a peaceful mission, they're prepared to go to battle instantly. He must count on every Klingon to loyally serve and die if needed. He asks Riker where his loyalties lie to which Riker responds that he's assigned to serve the Klingon ship and to obey Kargan's orders. A warrior named Lieutenant Klag physically challenges Riker's authority. Riker elbow jabs Klag in the chest and trips him onto the deck as Kargan simply sits back and watches. Riker knocks Klag out with a hand chop him in the back of the neck and the fight ends with an approving nod from Kargan.
   Back on the Enterprise, Worf alerts Captain Picard of an unknown substance on the port side dorsal fin and centers the abnormality on the main viewer. A strange rusty-brown spot is shown. Lt. Commander Data determines it to be a form of bacteria that's reacting with compounds in the ship's hull. Ensign Mendon steps up and indicates he'd 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's improper to report it until then. Annoyed, Picard states on a Federation ship it's his responsibility to bring to attention any possibility of danger. With a deflated ego, Mendon realizes his mistake.
   Meanwhile on the Pagh, Riker sits eating in the mess hall where Klag suggests he try some Gagh, but Riker sees the food is still moving. Klag laughs, asking if the Commander would like something "easier" and that he could have one of the two females breast feed him. Riker believes that he's already proven that he's no weakling, but Klag wonders how Riker would handle Klingon women. Riker innocently asks "One or both?". The Klingons howl with laughter and Vekma smacks Riker hard in the back as a sign of good will.
   On the Enterprise, Mendon has finished his analysis and confirms the organisms are eating some compounds of the hull, however the Pagh will be more susceptible as its hull contains more of the compounds. Data indicates at the rate of growth, the Pagh will have a hull breach in a matter of hours. Picard decides to advise them at once, where Data informs that the Pagh is on un-designated maneuvers in the Pheben system, and they may be difficult to find. Regardless, Picard says they must be warned and orders Data and Mendon 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's growing on the side of the bow. Riker admits that he's 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. Riker wonders where it came from, but 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 they 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.
   Soon, the tactical officer informs that the Enterprise is following them which arouses more suspicion from Kargan. In space, the Enterprise slows to impulse speed. 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 can't break a vow he swore in the past. Kargan gives an approving nod and tells Riker if he'd divulged those secrets he'd 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're 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'll 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's 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's 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.
   On the Pagh chaos ensues as Klag demands to know what is going on. Riker explains that as first officer, he's 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 that'll be destroyed, but Riker says if they do, then he'll die with them. Klag drops the cloak and the Bird of Prey appears menacingly before the Enterprise. With all the Pagh's weapons locked on the Enterprise, Picard calls the Klingons and tells them they're 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" as ordered.
   Kargan is returned to the Pagh where he angrily confronts Riker for tricking him. Riker relents the command chair, and following Klingon protocol, growls in challenge of his superior officer. Kargan roars with fury and strikes Riker in the face, sending him skidding across the deck. Klag rushes to help him but Riker gets up himself and looks Kargan deep in his eyes. Kargan says "Get off my ship!". Riker obeys; "Yes Captain." As he leaves, Klag responds "You understand Klingons better than I thought." Riker smiles; "Thank you my friend."
   In space, the Enterprise fires a beam that sterilizes the organisms on the Pagh's hull. Beaming back home, Riker thanks Worf for his "little toy" which came in handy. Riker goes to the bridge where he comments that his assignment must have been the shortest tour of duty in the history of Starfleet. Picard says it was "too long" actually and is glad to see his officer is back. Riker says he learned quite a bit, but noting the painful limp and swollen eye, Picard says; "Apparently not how to duck." Riker adds; "When not to duck would be more accurate."

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