Redemption ( episode ) Picard balances his Federation and Klingon duties as new Klingon Chancellor Gowron faces a civil war . Worf and his brother Kurn fight to regain their father ' s honor . ( " Season finale " ) Summary . Teaser . Captain Picard takes the to Qo ' noS so that he may fulfill his role as the Klingon Arbiter of Succession . En route , he advises Worf to take this opportunity to clear his father ' s name and regain his family honor . At first Worf feels that it is not yet time , but Picard reminds him that while patience is a Human virtue , this situation demands a Klingon response . Worf does admit to Picard that he ' s getting tired of the dishonor . Just then , the " Enterprise " is unexpectedly contacted by the Klingon vessel , which is a surprise since no escort was scheduled . It ' s Gowron , who tells Picard that they will have to move quickly to prevent a Klingon civil war . Act One . Once on board , Gowron tells Picard in the ship ' s observation lounge that the House of Duras has massed a large fleet and are preparing to move against him . Although Duras died in disgrace and his family should share in that , Gowron says the Duras family ' s corruption is too widespread – honor will soon have no meaning . Duras ' sisters , Lursa and B ' Etor , have somehow arranged a challenge to Gowron ' s claim to the leadership . He has no idea how they will take power because women are not allowed to serve on the Council . However he notes that most of the Council is loyal to Duras ' family . Gowron asks for Federation aid , but Picard tells him he will only act according to Klingon law . Gowron tells him he fears that will not be enough . Later , Picard requests that Worf escort Gowron to the transporter room . As Gowron is leaving , Worf approaches him and explains that he is not a traitor , but accepted discommendation to protect the Empire . When Gowron asks how , Worf tells him the truth about how it was Duras ' father who betrayed their people to the Romulan s at the Khitomer Massacre and not Mogh . Gowron asks if there is proof , Worf says there is , and goes on to explain about Duras ' family being so powerful that if he had been exposed it would have split the Empire so the Council chose to blame Mogh , long dead , his only known son far away , serving in Starfleet ( they hadn ' t known about Kurn ) . The dual revelation of Duras ' duplicity and the council ' s complicity in the ensuing coverup upsets Gowron . Worf requests that Gowron take the opportunity presented by the deaths of both K ' mpec and Duras to restore Worf ' s honor . Gowron expresses his gratitude to Worf for killing Duras ( something he couldn ' t do previously due to his perception of Worf as a traitor ) , but he also replies that the majority of the Council is still loyal to the Duras family and that he himself must have the support of the Council – so he can ' t risk exposing them either . Gowron tells Worf that he accepted this dishonor for the good of the Empire and so now he must live with that decision like a Klingon . Worf vents steam on the phaser range , practicing at level 14 . As he is about to begin , the doors open , and Guinan walks in . She claims she came because Ten Forward was slow today , so she thought she ' d get in some target practice . They inspect their phaser s , and begin . Guinan asks Worf why she never hears him laugh , and he replies that Klingons do not laugh . Not so , according to her . Guinan points out that Alexander laughs . Worf angrily replies that he is merely a child and part Human . Using a bit of logic , she gets him to admit that perhaps he doesn ' t feel like other Klingons ( meanwhile , he misses several targets but Guinan doesn ' t miss once ) . Talking further about Alexander and his difficulty adjusting to life on Earth , Guinan makes Worf realize that there are some things about what it means to be Klingon that he is just learning now . Shortly thereafter , Worf approaches Picard and asks for a leave of absence , which Picard grants , wishing him " Qapla ' " , victory , and good luck . Act Two . Worf meets with Kurn on Kurn ' s ship , the , and tells him that Gowron has refused to restore their honor . Kurn says that if the Duras family doesn ' t kill Gowron , Kurn intends to . He tells Worf he has the support of four squadron commanders in key sectors , that he wants to sweep away the old council and put a new one in its place . Kurn tries to get Worf to join him and that together , they can restore their family honor and bring justice to the Empire . Worf refuses and tells Kurn that since Gowron has completed the Rite of Succession , he is the rightful leader of the Empire . Kurn is outraged that Worf would support someone who wouldn ' t clear their family name . Worf tells Kurn that one cannot regain honor by acting dishonorably . He reminds Kurn that he is older , and Kurn must listen to him . Worf ' s idea is that the House of Mogh will support Gowron , but not yet ; they will wait until Gowron is surrounded by his enemies , and then they will offer him their support and the price will be the restoration of their family name . Kurn doesn ' t know if the other squadron commanders will go along with this , but will try to convince them . The " Enterprise " arrives at Qo ' noS , and , as Picard is about to complete the Rite of Succession and install Gowron , Lursa and B ' Etor interrupt and ask to speak to the council . The interim leader , K ' Tal , allows them to speak . Lursa tells the council that they have discovered that Duras had a son . They present Toral , the illegitimate son of Duras . Gowron says that it is outrageous as Duras had no mate . Even if he can be proved Duras ' son by genetic scan , he is illegitimate so cannot rule the High Council . K ' Tal interrupts and says that the Arbiter will have to consider his validity and with that , the council session comes to a close with still no leader installed . In their chambers on the homeworld , Lursa and B ' Etor talk quietly with Movar , a Romulan general , about Toral ' s claim to the leadership . Toral thinks it would be simpler to kill Picard , but B ' Etor cuffs him roughly , saying they don ' t want the Federation as their enemy . From behind her , a deep , cool woman ' s voice is heard from the shadows : " " At least not yet . But when the time is right . . . we will deal with the Federation . . . and Captain Picard . " " Act Three . Kurn has been able to convince three of the squadron commanders to follow him and that the Duras family has the support of seven squadrons but that most of the fleet has yet to decide whose banner they will follow . Worf tells Kurn that Gowron is nearly out of options and that soon he will have no choice but to embrace their offer . Worf wants to use information in the " Enterprise " s computer bank s about the Khitomer massacre to prove that the facts were altered and has Data gather the needed information . Picard sternly reminds Worf that using information in their ship ' s computer banks to affect political change on his home planet is a compromise of Starfleet ' s core principles . Worf asks Picard not to tie his hands now , and the captain admits he ' s in a similar situation – although he will follow his role as arbiter according to Klingon law , he knows that allowing the Duras family to control the council would have grave repercussions both the Klingon Empire and the Federation . He agrees to make the Khitomer files available to " anyone " who wants them , to Worf , to the Duras family , to the Klingon High Council , anyone – but that is all he can do . Picard gets a personal transmission from Qo ' noS . It turns out that Lursa and B ' Etor have invited him to their home . Serving him some Earl Grey tea , they try to convince him to judge in favor of Toral . Picard says he will have to see if it ' s within Klingon law . But he knows what they are planning – if he supports Toral , the sisters will gain control of the Council and Gowron will be killed . But if not , he ' ll be accused of serving Federation interest in Klingon matters and use it as a rallying cry for war which , if won by the Duras , would end the Klingon - Federation alliance . Picard tells the women that " " they have manipulated the circumstances with the skill of a Romulan " , " but they ' ll have to wait for his decision at high - sun tomorrow , thanking them for the tea . The next day , Picard reminds the Council of the law in which the son shares in the honors or crimes of his father . Toral is Duras ' son , proven by a genetic scan . But Picard can find no precedent in Klingon law to accept as leader an inexperienced youth . Picard reaffirms Gowron to be the next Chancellor . Then , just as Picard predicted , Toral makes a blustering speech ; " " Does the Federation dictate Klingon destiny , or do we ? Follow me , and I will show you honor ! " " Almost the entire council stand with Toral and the Duras sisters . Gowron accuses them of ignoring Klingon law and warns quietly , " " Then go . Your blood will paint the way to the future ! " " The Klingon Civil War has officially begun . Act Four . Shortly thereafter , aboard Gowron ' s ship , the " Bortas " , Worf comes to Gowron and offers him his support as planned . Gowron thinks this is merely the support of one dishonored Klingon , but Worf explains about Kurn and his allied squadrons . Gowron , who is just now hearing that Kurn is Worf ' s brother , notes that Kurn has opposed him in the past ; but Worf says Kurn must obey him as he ' s older . Gowron says that four squadrons isn ' t enough , they must have Federation support . He knows that Picard will listen to Worf if he requests support , and Starfleet Command will listen to Picard ' s recommendation . Worf tells Gowron that they will not intervene and he can ' t ask them for any more help . Gowron accuses Worf of boldly coming to him and demanding his honor be returned , but when it comes time to fight , he hides behind his uniform . Gowron asks Worf if he is a " Human " coward or if he is truly a warrior , hearing the cry to battle , calling him to glory . Before Worf can answer , the " Bortas " is attacked by two Birds - of - Prey . When Gowron ' s weapons officer is killed , Worf assumes the station . Back on " Enterprise " , Picard orders a Red alert . Meanwhile on the " Bortas " , Gowron orders a distress signal sent . The " Enterprise " gets the " Bortas " distress call , but Picard orders that Ensign Reel take the " Enterprise " out of the battle area , despite Riker ' s objections and the knowledge that Worf is on board . If they help the " Bortas " , they would drag the Federation into the Klingon Civil War . Back on the " Bortas " , the disruptor s finally come online . Gowron commands Worf to lock on target , but Worf says the enemy will detect the lock and it would be better to pretend to be helpless . The enemy will try to board the ship and then Worf can aim and fire disruptors manually when they lower the shields . Gowron approves and Worf is successful in destroying one of the ships , although the other one is able to raise its shields in time . Just before the " Bortas " is disabled , Kurn ' s ship arrives , decloaks and drives the other Bird - of - Prey off . Gowron tells Kurn to meet him and Worf in the Great Hall and then advises " Enterprise " that their delegation is welcome to attend his installation as leader . In the Great Hall , the Rite of Succession is finally finished . Picard puts the Chancellor ' s cloak over Gowron and the fragments of the Council that remain , along with Worf and Kurn , swear their loyalty to him . Gowron calls Worf to him and tells him that he and Kurn fought as warriors and proved that their heart s are truly Klingon . Then Gowron restores Worf ' s family name and honor to him , all while Worf has his hand gripped around Gowron ' s " d ' k tahg " , his blood covering the blade . Act Five . Gowron again comes to Picard , asking for the Federation to intervene with the rebellion per the Treaty of Alliance . Worf even pleads with Picard to help , citing that they both know the Duras family has conspired with Romulans in the past and if they should be victorious in the war , they will surely form a new Klingon - Romulan alliance , causing a fundamental shift of power in the quadrant . Picard says it ' s an internal matter and interference would be against the Prime Directive . Picard then recalls Worf to duty , as the " Enterprise " will have to leave the sector . Worf then asks Picard for an extended leave of absence to serve with the Klingons . Picard denies the request , telling Worf that his obligations as a Starfleet officer are incompatible with remaining on board a Klingon ship during a time of war . Worf decides then to resign his commission as a Starfleet officer , to the shock of Riker and Picard . Picard comes to Worf ' s quarters while he packs and asks Worf if he ' s certain he ' s making the right decision . Worf says that while he ' s spent most of his life around Humans and respects them , in the end , he is Klingon – his heart is of that world and he does hear the cry of the warrior . He belongs with his people . Picard says Worf took the best qualities of Humanity and made them part of himself , and that Worf ' s training and experience as a Starfleet tactical officer will be a great asset to Gowron ' s loyalist forces . En route to the transporter room , Worf is surprised to see the entire hallway lined with " Enterprise " personnel forming an honor guard . Once in the transporter room , the entire senior staff is there to see him off . Picard then bids Worf farewell Klingon style , " " Qapla ' ! " " . Worf simply responds by telling all " " Goodbye " " and is beamed off the " Enterprise " . Meanwhile , Duras ' sisters and their Romulan conspirators delight in the news of the withdrawal of the " Enterprise " . A blond woman wearing a Romulan uniform who is the spitting image of the slain Natasha Yar then emerges from the shadows , telling them not to celebrate just yet : TO BE CONTINUED . . . Memorable quotes . " " I must speak with you , Picard . We will have to move quickly if we are to be successful . " " " " Successful ? " " " " Yes . . . in preventing a Klingon civil war . " " " " Honor will soon have no meaning . " " " " I ' ve been told that patience is sometimes a more effective weapon than the sword . " " " " Patience is a Human virtue . . . one that I ' m glad to see you ' ve taken to heart . But doesn ' t this situation require a more . . . " Klingon " response ? " " " " I would speak with you . " " " " I do not hear the words of traitors . " " " " I am " not " a traitor . " " " " You admitted your guilt . " " " " I accepted discommendation to " protect " the Empire . " " " " Protect it ? How ? " " " " It was Duras ' s father who betrayed our people to the Romulans , not mine . " " " " Duras ? There is proof of this ? " " " " There is . " " " " Worf , you killed Duras . I consider that no small favor . But what you ask is impossible . " " " " But after your installation . . . " " " " The grasp of Duras reaches up from the grave ! I must have the support of the council . . . to survive ! You chose to accept this disgrace , for the good of the Empire . Now you must live with your decision . Like a Klingon ! " " " " I practice at level 14 . " " " " Mmm , guess I could come down to that level for a while . Begin program . " " " " Good game . Don ' t feel bad , I was doing this long before you were born . " " " " We cannot regain our honor by acting dishonorably ! " " " " Do we want the Federation as our enemy ? " " " " No . " " " " At least not yet . But when the time is right , we " will " deal with the Federation . . . and Captain Picard . " " " " This is not a threat , captain . Just an unfortunate truth . " " " " So why be our enemy , when you can be our friend ? " " " " You have manipulated the circumstances with the skill . . . of a " Romulan . " " " My decision will be announced at high sun tomorrow . Excellent tea . Good day , ladies . " " " " Does the Federation dictate Klingon destiny ? Or do we ? Follow me , and I will show you honor ! " " " " Follow him , and you reject all Klingon law ! Can you not see what you are doing ? Are you blind to what they represent ? ! Then go ! Your blood will paint the way to the future . " " " " What are you , Worf ? Do you tremble and quake with fear at the approach of combat , hoping to talk your way out of a fight like a Human ? Or do you hear the cry of the warrior , calling you to battle , calling you to glory like a Klingon ? " " " " It ' s begun . " " " " You both fought as warriors . You have proven your hearts are Klingon ! I return your family honor . I give you back that which was wrongly taken from you . Let your name be spoken once again . You are Worf , son of Mogh . " " " " I order you to return to duty at once . " " " " Then I resign my commission as a Starfleet officer . " " " " I was rescued from Khitomer by Humans . Raised and loved by Human parents . I spent most of my life around Humans . Fought beside them . But I " was " born a Klingon . My heart is of that world . I " do " hear the cry of the warrior . I belong with my people . " " " " You took the best qualities of Humanity and made them part of " you " . The result was a man who I was proud to call one of my officers . " " " " We should not discount Jean - Luc Picard yet . He is Human . And Humans have a way of showing up when you least expect them . " " Links and references . References . Arbiter of Succession ; bedchamber ; Beta Thoridar ; bloodline ; ; cha ' DIch ; civil war ; commission ; conflict of interest ; discommendation ; distress call ; Earl Grey tea ; Earth ; escort ; family name ; Federation ; fleet commander ; genetic scan ; harlot ; ; heir ; heredity ; House of Duras ; illegitimate son ; kellicam ; Khitomer ; Khitomer Massacre ; Klingon ; Klingon Civil War ; Klingon High Council ; Klingon law ; Klingonese ; leave of absence ; Mempa sector ; Mogh ; Number one ; outpost station ; petition ; phaser range ; Qo ' noS ; ready room ; red alert ; Rite of Succession ; Romulan ; Romulan Neutral Zone ; ; ; ; squadron ; squadron commander ; Starbase 24 ; Starfleet ; Starfleet Command ; sword ; tactical report ; target practice ; tea ; tongue ; treason ; Treaty of Alliance ; turbolift ; warp coil ; weapons officer