2.08 A Matter of Honor

Rating: 3.5

A new Starfleet officer exchange program places an arrogant Benzite named Mendon on the bridge of the Enterprise, while Riker volunteers to become the first Starfleet officer to serve aboard a Klingon Bird-of-Prey.

Comments

Having Riker serve on board the Pagh is a great way for him, Starfleet and us to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the Klingon culture.

Nits

When the Benzite first arrives on the ship, Wesley confuses him with Mordoch, the Benzite he competed against for a seat in the academy in Coming of Age. Wesley asks, "How do you tell each other apart?" How about that for a racist comment? Isn’t that the 24th century equivalent to "All you blacks/asians/whites look alike"?

It makes for great drama and plot points for the Benzite to constantly disobey regulations, but shouldn’t he have been very carefully taught and tested on Starfleet protocol before being allowed on the ship? The lack of training is endangering the lives of everyone.

This is a common Star Trek nit: Many of the Klingons have ugly sharp yellowish upper teeth, yet their lower teeth are even, clean and white (like a Hollywood actor’s teeth) J.

Memorable Moments

•    Riker’s clever little trick to beam the captain of the Pagh onto the bridge of the Enterprise, so he can save the ship. In fact, most of Riker’s moments on the Pagh are quite good, including the long scene in the mess hall.

Quotable Quotes

Klingon officer: They are inquisitive. They would like to know how you would endure.
Riker: What?
Klingon officer: Them.
Riker: One or both?