TNG S6E23 "Rightful Heir" Review By AnswerMan

Horrible:Meh:Adequate:Good:Fantastic  -or- "Rightful Error"

Worf is having a crisis of conscience. He just isn't feeling connected to Klingon religion. Kahless hasn't appeared to him, and he's not even sure that he believes in Sto-vo-kor anymore. He's also missing duty shifts and setting dangerous fires in his quarters instead of using the holodeck like a civilized person. Since the senior staff of the Enterprise values Worf's belief system so much, Picard immediately gives Worf leave to head to the monastery at Boreth (same place the son of Voq and L'Rell is sent to in DISCO's "Point of Light") for as long as he needs to get back to his old Klingon self.

While chanting around a fire, Kahless does appear to Worf. The monk next to him runs off to tell the head monk, Koroth, rather than bowing down. He knows something is up. Worf is suspicious too, as this Kahless isn't just an apparition, he is in the flesh and intends to stick around. Doubtful that Kahless has actually returned, Worf challenges him to a fight. The fight ends in a draw, and with Kahless laughing and telling the room that they have lost their joy. He then leads them in a rousing chant of "USA! USA! USA!" Nah, just kidding. It was "We are Klingons," but same idea.

Naturally Kahless ends up being hosted on the Enterprise, because all that ship does is transport diplomats anyway. Gowron also hops a ride in order to use the opportunity to discredit the risen savior, since Gowron sees him with those crazy eyes of his as a threat to his power. Kahless takes a DNA test that proves he is identical to the original Kahless, and Worf is now officially on board with the theory that he is actually the returned prophet. However upon learning this, we get this glorious full-body eye roll from Riker:

Ain't nobody buying it. Remember that deep regard for Worf's belief system I told you about earlier? Ya, it's all bullshit. The senior staff is looking as hard for any way to prove that Kahless is an imposter as Gowron is. And they turn out to be right... kind of. The new Kahless is a clone created by Koroth. Somehow he was given Kahless's memories as well, and therefore the man didn't even know that he wasn't the real deal himself. Koroth makes the argument that for all they know, this is exactly how Kahless was supposed to return. He also makes a plea that the Klingons need Kahless, any Kahless, now more than ever. You know because, joy and USA! Deciding that it would be a shame to waste any incarnation of Kahless, Worf leads the negotiation to make him a figurehead, while Gowron remains in power.

Worf is bummed because he is back to having no faith, but Kahless tells him that it was the teachings of Kahless that were more important than the man. He says that if those teachings are adhered to, and since they have played such a prominent role in building Klingon society, that it doesn't really matter if Kahless ever returns. Which.... isn't all that helpful.

"Rightful Heir" is an Adequate episode of Trek. It presents a mystery, and answers it with a scientific explanation, which is what good sci-fi does. However, it brings up the issue of religious tolerance, and then stomps on it. Everyone is happy to accept Worf's beliefs and support him, until they figure out that he ACTUALLY BELIEVES this shit. Then it's all about proving him wrong. Same with Gowron. He claims to be down with Kahless, until Kahless actually returns and threatens his power structure. Then he is much more worried about maintaining his position than if ancient prophecy is true. The monks apparently don't really think Kahless is coming back either, so they decided to force the return themselves. And in the end, even Clone Kahless suggests that it's never going to happen. So the message is follow religion, but don't really believe it, I guess?

Published February 10, 2019