Sigh.

I really, really liked the final scene of “Rules of Engagement.” Really liked it. Sadly, the journey was so utterly contrived and nearly nonsensical that the destination was almost not worth the effort. As it is, the whole farce (and let’s be honest, this was quite farcical), just smacks of writers trying too hard to create courtroom drama. The result is an episode which, for nearly forty minutes, is just plain ridiculous. Fortunately, it finds a measure of redemption … otherwise, it’d be held entirely in contempt.

The episode opens with a dream sequence in which Worf sees dead bodies (he sees dead people) on board the Defiant — both human and Klingon. He awakes inside Odo’s holding cell. Odo informs Worf that he has “a big day” ahead of him. And soon we’re introduced to the reason why: Worf is on trial for extradition to the Klingon Empire because, while commanding the Defiant in battle, Worf fired upon and destroyed a Klingon transport ship carrying 441 souls. (Incidentally, in a sign of how overcooked the episode is, Odo tells Worf that he has a big day, but the proceeding lasts all of one minute, before the judge adjourns for the next day.)

It’s up to Sisko to defend Worf against the allegations made by the Klingon advocate, who wants to “put Worf’s heart on trial.” The advocate seems to think that by proving what was going on in Worf’s mind, he should have to stand trial within the Klingon Empire. Nevermind that the advocate’s whole argument centers on the fact that Worf was just acting like a Klingon … in which case, why would there need to be a criminal trial within the Klingon Empire?

The argument simply makes no sense. Nor does it seem possible to *prove* Worf’s motivations in the heat of battle. It’s not like Worf committed a premeditated crime. Self-defense is a perfectly reasonable motive. And nothing that the advocate does *proves* that Worf was acting for any reason other than self-defense.

The closest the advocate gets is suggesting that Worf “had something to prove” when he engaged the Klingon fleet in battle (the Defiant was protecting a supply convoy and was attacked). But this still doesn’t prove negligence on Worf’s part. Besides, it’s highly implausible that a Vulcan judge would see the logic of such an argument.

Worse yet, along the way, the advocate presents, as evidence, a fantasy battle program that Worf uses, O’Brien’s opinion that Worf didn’t have to fire as quickly on the transport, and Quark’s anecdote that Worf “hoped” the Klingons would attack the convoy. Each of these is so ridiculously speculative that it’s difficult to imagine any court of law — especially with a presiding Vulcan judge — admitting them as evidence.

The cumulative effect is pile contrivance upon contrivance until the episode overly burdened with melodramatic moments.

And then there is the choice of direction — of showing flashbacks and having characters, in the flashback, talking to the advocate. I’ll give some credit for the attempt at creativity, but I’m forced to take it away (and then some) for how stupid it plays out on screen.

Do not forget the nick-of-time revelation from Odo (just before the judge was to, presumably, judge against Worf) that — surprise! — there were no passengers on board the ship, afterall. Nothing like a neat-and-tidy resolution … but wait, how is that neat and tidy again? If Worf was on trial for what was in his heart, if the facts of the case didn’t matter to the advocate’s argument, shouldn’t the conviction stand regardless of whether or not a real crime was committed? You see, then, the fundamental flaw of the episode: Either Worf’s heart was on trial, or it wasn’t — the premise cannot simply be tossed aside for narrative expediency.

Fortunately, there is a scene to deal with the issue, even if the court has, inexplicably, decided to ignore it. Sisko visit Worf’s quarters. Worf admits that part of him enjoyed the battle against the Klingons (really? Worf enjoyed battle?). And Sisko takes the opportunity to hit Worf hard for Worf’s motivations and actions. It’s a nice contrast to the paternal approach one might have expected from Picard in such a situation. More to the point, Sisko is right. Worf did let his emotions override his judgment. And while this was clearly not enough to make Worf guilty of anything, it demonstrates a very hard lesson Worf must learn as he continues to take on more responsibilities of command.

For its final scene, at least, “Rules of Engagement” is … well … engaging. The rest of the episode? Not so much.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine