Sins of the Father ( episode ) Worf is plunged head - first into the politics of the Klingon Empire when his deceased father is accused of treason . Summary . Teaser . The Klingon Commander Kurn is temporarily assigned to the as acting first officer as part of the Federation - Klingon Officer Exchange Program . Earlier , in 2365 , Commander and " Enterprise " First Officer William Riker served in a similar capacity aboard the . Kurn , in his new role , immediately tries to impose " Klingon - style " discipline aboard the Starfleet vessel , with Captain Jean - Luc Picard ' s full approval . The surprised crew find Kurn ' s method excessively harsh and draconian . Act One . When La Forge and Wesley complain privately to Riker in Ten Forward about this , he reminds them that Kurn simply has a different style of command and that Klingons believe in obedience and strict adherence to regulations . However , it is notable that the only person Kurn has " not " been giving a hard time is " " the one person who wouldn ' t really mind it " " : Worf . Kurn gives Worf easy assignments and praises him sarcastically for his efficiency during a minor navigational procedure on the bridge . Worf is angered at being patronized , but resists confronting a superior officer . While in a turbolift on his way to the captain ' s dining room , Riker tells Kurn it took him some getting used to Klingon culture while serving on the " Pagh " . He offers to assist Kurn with suggestions in working with the crew . Kurn respectfully declines the offer , reminding Riker that on a Klingon ship , he would be killed for such a " suggestion " . A special dinner is prepared at the captain ' s mess in honor of Kurn , who understands the honor and is prepared to sample some of the food , even though some of it is cooked — but he doesn ' t like it , and bluntly explains that it is too bland . La Forge observes that it seems to agree with Worf , earning Worf a contemptuous look from Kurn . After dinner , filled with rage , Worf goes to Kurn ' s quarters to demand an explanation . When the other expresses doubt of Worf ' s Klingon instincts , Worf erupts in a violent outburst . Kurn is pleased and says he ' s been testing Worf to see just how Klingon he was , revealing that he is really Worf ' s younger brother . Act Two . Kurn explains that when Mogh ' s family went to Khitomer , he had been left behind with their father ' s friend , Lorgh , and so escaped the massacre . Worf explains to Kurn that the Starfleet officer that rescued him was told by the Klingon High Command that he had no living relatives , believing that Kurn was with the family and therefore killed at Khitomer . After the massacre , Lorgh adopted Kurn as his son and kept him in his family . When Kurn reached the age of ascension he was told the truth about his bloodline . Kurn has sought Worf out because their father , Mogh , is accused of treason by the Klingon High Council . Supposedly , he had given the Romulans defense access codes allowing them to lower the shields of the Khitomer outpost just before the Romulan attack . Kurn had lived all these years , hiding his identity by masquerading as the son of Lorgh , but when he learned of the Council ' s action he came to Worf , asking him to challenge the judgment as Mogh ' s elder son . Picard says that since Worf is accused of a capital crime it would be better if he were standing at Worf ' s side as he made his challenge , rather than simply granting him shore leave . Picard commands Kurn to set course for the First City of the Klingon homeworld . Kurn is surprised ; he hadn ' t expected the " Enterprise " itself to change course . Now he respects Worf more deeply than ever . On the way home , Kurn asks Worf if he can be his Cha ' DIch , or ritual second ; while Worf is accused , he will not be allowed in any duels or fights . Worf agrees , and Kurn speaks the traditional words of acceptance : " " I accept with honor . May your enemies tremble before you . " " Then Worf surprises Kurn by telling him that he must not reveal his true bloodline . Kurn protests , and Worf reminds him that , on the " Enterprise " , Kurn is the superior officer , but on the Klingon homeworld , Worf is the elder brother , and Kurn must obey him . Once they arrive at Qo ' noS , Worf and Kurn beam down with Picard and Riker accompanying them . Worf pronounces his challenge before the Council and faces the accusations of Duras , the son of Mogh ' s greatest rival . Worf acknowledges that he is prepared to face the consequences with his very life if his challenge fails . " " I am Worf , son of Mogh . I have come to challenge the lies that have been spoken of my father ! " " , he defiantly states to the High Council . Act Three . Duras accuses Worf of forsaking his heritage for the Federation , but Picard tells the council that Worf has served under his command with distinction , earning Picard ' s admiration and respect . Appealing to the council ' s better natures , Picard says he trusts their wisdom will guide them to clear Worf ' s family name and return him to duty . Chancellor K ' mpec notes the trust of a commanding officer is admirable and notes it for the record . Duras testifies that a transmission of access codes went out from the outpost to the Romulan vessels which allowed them to dismantle the outposts ' shields . Thousands of Klingons died on Khitomer , including Duras ' father . Duras calls Mogh a traitor and because Worf has brought this challenge , Duras calls him a traitor as well , backhanding Worf in the traditions of their people . Duras then rips Worf ' s baldric off of him , telling Worf he is unworthy to wear the emblems of their people . Worf tells Duras " " it is a good day to die , but the day is not yet over . " " During a recess of the council , K ' mpec meets with Worf and tries to persuade him into abandoning his challenge . Worf reacts with shock and dismay at this seemingly un - Klingon request , even though he understands that K ' mpec ' s personal affection for Mogh may be influencing the request . Kurn has received a note to meet someone in an isolated corridor ; it is Duras . Duras reveals that he knows Kurn ' s true bloodline and tries to blackmail him into turning against Worf . Kurn refuses , and Duras ' assassins attack and seriously wound him . Act Four . Although Beverly Crusher reassures Worf that Kurn ' s wounds are not life - threatening , Worf tells her she should have let him die because he ' ll be executed anyway – now that someone knows he is Worf ' s brother , Kurn will share Worf ' s fate if the challenge is unsuccessful . Worf asks Picard to be his Cha ' DIch . Picard demurs , but Worf insists that there is no one better qualified . Picard pleases Worf by reciting the same traditional acceptance , in Klingon . Surprised by Worf ' s new Cha ' DIch , Duras questions Picard ' s validity as Cha ' DIch but Picard tells Duras that he ' s not here to command , to which Duras responds that he has to fight as well , which isn ' t something that is taught by Starfleet . Picard defiantly tells Duras that he is welcome to test that assumption at his leisure . The " Enterprise " crew , on Picard ' s orders , are investigating the Khitomer massacre on their own . The was the first ship on the scene of the disaster ; Data contacts Starfleet for copies of the " Intrepid " s logs . Meanwhile , La Forge and Data have gotten into the Klingon Central information net and discovered that the Klingons recently captured a Romulan ship with information about Khitomer in the ship ' s logs and that ' s how they found out about the treachery . Upon comparing the information in the Klingon archives with the " Intrepid " logs , La Forge and Data discover that there is a discrepancy in the transmissions . The evidence which supported Mogh ' s guilt was faked . Another survivor of the Khitomer Massacre , a woman named Kahlest , is found . Picard is told about this by Riker during the second Council session and asks Worf , who says that Kahlest was his nurse and that he thought she had died . Picard tells Worf he must find her and bring her before the Council . Worf recommends that he not go alone , as it is too dangerous . Picard tells him , " " Hey , I ' m your Cha ' DIch . " " Act Five . Using a cloak and keeping the hood up , Picard journeys into the Old City and finds Kahlest ' s home . Kahlest says she considers her life over after Khitomer and she is waiting to die . Picard tries to persuade Kahlest to accompany him back to the High Council chamber , telling her that the family that she once served proudly needs her again . She refuses , and Picard starts to leave . Just outside Kahlest ' s door , he is ambushed by Duras ' assassins . He manages to overcome one , Kahlest emerges from her home , and throws a knife , killing the other . Kahlest now agrees to accompany Picard back to the High Council for the purpose of testifying for Worf . She also reveals that K ' mpec was once romantically interested in her , but she wasn ' t attracted to him ; he was too fat . Just as K ' mpec is about to pronounce judgment on Worf , Picard enters with Kahlest . In a private session , Picard demands that she be allowed to testify in open council in accordance with Klingon law . Duras is almost hysterically against it . K ' mpec silences him by asking him if he would really kill an old woman to cover his dishonor . With that one statement , Picard sees that the whole Council proceeding is a farce : a frame - up to save Duras , not Worf , from disgrace . K ' mpec tells Kahlest she is free to go , adding , " " It is good to see you again " " , to which she responds , " " You are still fat , K ' mpec . " " K ' mpec privately explains the truth . When Klingons captured the Romulan ship with the records , they learned of the treachery behind the Khitomer Massacre ; this soon became common knowledge , and " someone " had to answer for that treachery . Fortunately , only the Council knew who transmitted his code : not Mogh , but Ja ' rod : Duras ' father . K ' mpec says the Duras family was too powerful and to expose him would likely split the Empire and cause a civil war . In order to avoid that , they decided to use Mogh as a scapegoat , believing that Worf , since he was in Starfleet , would not challenge the judgment . None of them realized that Kurn was Mogh ' s second child . But now things have progressed too far , and both sons of Mogh must die . Outraged , Picard says that Worf ' s challenge has succeeded , and refuses to hand Worf or Kurn over for execution . When K ' mpec threatens to end the alliance with the Federation because of Picard ' s defiance , Picard shoots back that their alliance is not based on lies . If they must protect their secrets , then so be it but Picard will not allow the needless sacrifice of these two men . Worf speaks up and volunteers to die for the sake of the Klingon Empire . Picard begins to object but Worf tells his Cha ' DIch to be silent . Worf asks for Kurn ' s life to be spared . Duras rejects this , as Kurn ' s honor would then demand revenge . Worf then offers to accept discommendation if Kurn will be allowed to live . K ' mpec tells Worf that doing so would be the same as admitting his father ' s guilt . Worf simply says " " So be it . " " K ' mpec states that Worf ' s heart is truly Klingon , and commands that this will never be spoken of again to anyone . Before they proceed , Worf calls Duras the son of a traitor and backhands him as tradition demands . Kurn is heartbroken by Worf ' s decision , telling Picard that he was ready to die for Worf . Picard tells Kurn that he must live in order to restore the honor of Mogh ' s family : " " There will be another day , commander . Do not forget what he does here today . Do not let your children forget . " " Picard and Kurn join Worf in the middle of the council chambers and the council members gather in a circle around Worf . Worf says the ritual words , " " tlhIH ghIj jIHyoj " " ( " " I fear your judgment " " ) ; K ' mpec replies , " " biHnuch ! " " ( " " Coward ! " " ) , and one by one , the Council members cross their arms and turn their backs ( turning to their right ) on him in ritual ostracism . Worf softly tells Kurn that he must do it also . Almost on the verge of tears , Kurn very reluctantly complies , but instead of turning to his right , he turns to his left . The whole assembly having turned their backs , Worf and Picard leave the Council Chamber and return to the " Enterprise " . Memorable quotes . " " One does not patronize a Klingon warrior . " " " " Do you wish to SPEAK , Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher ? " " " " I imagine it must be very difficult for you to work with a crew that is so different . I would be happy to guide you in that regard , if it would be helpful . " " " " No Commander , it wouldn ' t . " " " " This is not a Klingon ship , sir . " " " " No Commander , it is not . If it " were " a Klingon ship , I would ' ve killed you for offering your suggestion . " " " " How long has this bird been dead ? It appears to have been lying in the sun for quite some time . " " " " Well it ' s not dead , it ' s been replicated . And you do understand that we cook most of our foods . . . " " " " Ah yes , I was told to prepare for that . I shall try some of your burned replicated bird meat . " " " " I never kill anyone at the supper table , Mr . La Forge . " " " " I am Klingon ! If you doubt it , a demonstration can be arranged . " " " " That is a response of a Klingon . The response I would expect from my older brother . " " " " Will you grant my leave , Captain ? " " " " No – if I understand correctly , a Starfleet officer , a respected member of my crew , could be charged with a capital crime . Your actions on this matter will reflect on this ship , and on the Federation – therefore , it seems only appropriate that your captain should be at your side while you make your challenge . . . I ' m sure you would do no less for me . " " " " I am Worf , son of Mogh . I have come to challenge the lies that have been spoken of my father ! " " " " I should ' ve known . Worf was right . It is a good day to die . " " " " The time has not yet come . It does not have to come for many turns . I know who you are , Kurn , son of Mogh . " " " " What ? ! " " " " It was a wise choice to hide your family name . Do not err now by embracing it again , for you only embrace death . " " " " We shall see . " " " " Worf has made a choice and he will die for it . But you can still be safe . Let him stand alone . " " " " He is my brother ! I will not betray him ! ! " " " " Then you will die for him ! ! " " " " Are you adjusting to your new environment , Commander ? " " " " I find the constraints a bit difficult to conform to . Just a short while ago I had to stop myself from killing Commander Riker . " " " " For many turns , the truth about Khitomer has been dormant . Unknown . Now the truth has been revealed . The traitor , Mogh , sent the defense access codes to the Romulan patrol ships , allowing them to destroy the outpost . Thousands died on Khitomer ! My father died on Khitomer ! Their deaths must be avenged . Your father was a traitor . By posing this challenge , you are a traitor ! You will not wear the emblems of our people . You are a fool , and your challenge can only result in a fool ' s death . " " " " It is a good day to die , Duras , but the day is not yet over . " " " " This is not your world , Human . You do not command here . " " " " I ' m not here to command . " " " " Then you must be ready to fight . Something Starfleet does not teach you . " " " " You may test that assumption at your convenience . " " " " My appreciation , madam . " " " " This " Ha ' DIbaH " should ' ve been fed to the dogs ! " " " " You are brave , " cha ' DIch " . Worf chose well . " " " " K ' mpec would remember Kalest . I caught his eye back then . But he was too fat . " " " " It is good to see you again . " " " " You are still fat , K ' mpec . " " " " You admit the truth , and yet you expect him to accept punishment ? What does this say of an empire who holds honor so dear ? " " " " The empire will not be destroyed for one family ' s honor . " " " " Unacceptable , K ' mpec ! " " " You " have no say in this , cha ' DIch ! " " " " I speak now as the captain of the USS " Enterprise " and Lieutenant Worf ' s commanding officer ! You will not execute a member of my crew , nor will I turn his brother over to you ! " " " " This is not the Federation , Picard . If you defy an order of the High Council , the alliance with the Federation could fall to dust . " " " " The alliance with the Federation is not based on lies , K ' mpec . Protect your secrets if you must , but you will not sacrifice these men . " " " " The cha ' DIch will be silent ! " " " You " are the son of a traitor . " " Background information . Remastered version . The episode was one of three selected for inclusion in the " " sampler disc intended as a preview of the remastering process for " The Next Generation " . Amongst the adaptations required to bring the episode up to high - definition quality included a restaging of the opening shot as a digital matte painting , and a new image of Qo ' noS by Max Gabl ( as the original was output directly to videotape using , and did not exist as a film element ) . One complication arose with this episode : thirteen seconds of the original film negative – the first part of the scene in Act Four where Crusher and Riker discuss the discovery of the additional survivor , Kahlest – could not be located . As a result , this sequence had to be upgraded from the standard definition master tape . On 11 April 2012 director Robert Meyer Burnett confirmed that the missing thirteen seconds were located and will be included in the TNG Season 3 Blu - ray , and a preview of the fully - restored scene was included in the TNG Season 1 Blu - ray bonus features . Links and references . References . 2345 ; 2346 ; 2366 ; Age of Ascension ; captain ' s mess ; Caspian Sea ; caviar ; " cha ' DIch " ; chief medical officer ; discommendation ; Earth ; Federation ; First City ; gesture ; " ghojmoK " ; Great Hall ; House of Duras ; ; Ja ' rod ; Khitomer ; kilometer ; Klingon Bird - of - Prey ; Klingon Central information net ; Klingon Defense Force ; Klingon High Command ; Klingon High Council ; Klingon Imperial Empire ; Klingonese ; " kut ' luch " ; Lorgh ; " Mek ' ba " ; " A Midsummer Night ' s Dream " ; Mogh ; Officer Exchange Program ; Old Quarter ; ; " qhonDoq " ; Qo ' noS ; Romulan ; Romulan patrol ship ; ; Starbase 24 ; turkey ; year