1.19 Heart of Glory

Rating: 3

The report of a battle in the neutral zone leads the Enterprise to rescue three Klingons, one badly injured, who are sharing a secret regarding their real mission.

Comments

This episode goes a long way toward building Worf’s character. We find out about the internal battle he must always fight between his warrior nature and his role in Starfleet.

Sometimes I find it amazing that Worf has been able to end up so well adjusted. His upbringing by humans is something akin to native Americans or Australian aboriginals being raised by European parents – oftentimes, the adopted child has had a difficult time adjusting, and suicide rates are high.

Nits

Picard seems very unprofessional to keep asking Geordi for more kewl sight effects, when the away team is aboard a damaged ship and time is of the essence.

When Geordi’s "signal overloads", he says, "I’m surprised it lasted this long." Just after that, there is an audible "Oap" sound, which possibly was a fragment of something Picard said, that was not completely cut out in post-production.

When the second security guard kills Komal, he fires while on one knee. Korris bursts from the cell and fires at the security guard, who is suddenly standing with his phaser dropped to his side.

The model of the Klingon battle cruiser is very poor  and when flying, it bobs a little, almost like it is suspended by strings.

It was a mistake to show such extreme close-ups of the Klingon makeup, especially the nose prosthetics, because they look very plastic.

Memorable Moments

•    Some of the dialogue among the Klingons (in particular, that of Korris and quoted below) is exceptional.

•    Of course, the Klingon Death Howl is memorable.

Quotable Quotes

"Get the hypospray!"
– Dr Crusher (This isn’t a particularly great line, but I have included it because it was used repeatedly in a NextGen promo segment when the show aired in New York, and it has a sentimental value to me)

Crusher: Is there any special arrangement you would like for the body?
Korris: It is only an empty shell now; please treat it as such.

Korris: So…when the night was still and quiet…and the sound of the blood rushing through your veins filled your ears…the only way to silence it was to slip out into the night…and like the hunter that spawned you, join in the struggle of life and death. You were unable -
Komal: - and those around you did not understand – you frightened them.
Korris: They shunned you…cursed you, called you vile names and you knew not why. Even now, do you know why you are driven? Why you cannot…relent or repent or confess or abstain. How could you know? There have been no other Klingons to lead you to this knowledge.

"I was just being polite, sir."
– Worf, explaining his ‘Thank you’ to the Klingon commander who wishes him to join his crew.