This is TNG at its best. A Matter of Honor is an excellent concept that is executed to near perfection. Riker’s character really comes into his own in this episode, and even better? We get the Klingons.

It isn’t just that the Klingons are a cool race — but their values and culture and way of life are so unique, we are forced to open our minds and try to find ways to accept them. The cross-cultural theme of acceptance and understanding is done brilliantly — meaning it is there, we can see it and understand it, but it isn’t preached to us. In that sense, A Matter of Honor is successful where Loud as a Whisper was not.

Riker’s emotionally, physically and psychologically intense tour on board the Klingon ship is preceded by some necessary light-hearted scenes, including his “feast” whereby he samples some of the Klingon’s “more palatable” cuisine selections. The scene is so well done, that we hardly register the presence of Pulaski, let alone have time to be annoyed by her.

The tour itself is a journey for Riker, and us. And as Riker learns from, and finds ways to accept and be accepted by, the Klingons, so do we, the audience gain respect for both Riker and his new shipmates. Humor is well-placed (Riker fending off the flirtatious advances of two Klingon females is priceless) and serves the plot by becoming a source commonality for Riker and the Klingons. We all discover that, no matter your culture, there are common values and hopes and desires. It is a valuable, profound lesson that is presented not as a speech, but rather through the actions of the characters.

There are two relatively minor criticisms. The Benzite, Mendon, begins the episode as a rather annoying character. True to the spirit of the episode, he (eventually) learns the way of doing things on the Enterprise, and the crew learn about his ways as well. Unfortunately, his actions lead to the conflict between the Pagh and the Enterprise. And it is the Klingon commander’s complete irrationality that is the real criticism of the episode. It’s necessary to advance the plot, but it isn’t completely plausible either.

Of course, that is a minor criticism for the episode, and it allows Riker to demonstrate his skills as a strategist and thinker by having the captain removed, taking command of the Pagh, and effectively forcing the “surrender” of the Enterprise — a scene that plays out exceptionally well on-screen.

A Matter of Honor is a classic episode that is simply a cut above the rest. It’s packed with action and humor and a sensibility that demonstrates the need for understanding across cultures.

Topics: Klingons
Filed under: TNG Reviews