When Worf fails to report
for duty, Riker goes to his quarters to investigate,
finding the Klingon entranced in a ceremonial ritual,
oblivious to everything and everyone until Riker's
interruption. Concerned because of Worf's developing
pattern of sub-par performance, Picard visits him in his
quarters. Worf explains that his recent experience in
the Carraya sector — from which he brought back some
Klingon children — has left him empty inside. He has
been trying to summon a vision of Kahless — the greatest
of Klingon warriors, who united his people many
centuries ago, and promised to one day return and lead
them again. Picard grants him leave to visit the planet
Boreth, where the Followers of Kahless wait for their
leader's return. Worf attempts his ritual again in the
ceremonial lava caves. This time, however, a sudden
swirl of smoke and light reveals Kahless. Kahless is
real — and he has returned!
Worf and the other Klingons, stunned and amazed, follow
Kahless into the temple. Koroth doubts it is truly the
legend returned, but Kahless then tells them the story
of how the Klingon bat'leth sword was forged — a secret
that was kept only with the High Clerics in order for
them to verify Kahless's existence if he ever came back.
This is proof enough for all present except Worf, who
later scans Kahless with a tricorder, only to see that
the being really is a Klingon.
Kahless and Worf talk
privately about the new empire that will form, but Worf
discovers some flaws in his hero — Kahless doesn't
remember the taste of Klingon Warnog, or what existence
is like in the Klingon afterlife known as Sto-Vo-Kor.
Later, Worf and Gowron argue over the situation, with
Gowron refusing to believe this is nothing more than an
elaborate ploy by Koroth and his allies to seize power
over the empire, but Worf implores him to open his heart
and have faith that this is true. Only Worf's
intervention stops Gowron from killing the warrior, but
the moment has put doubt in the minds of all.
His heart filled with
anger, Worf threatens Koroth later, making him reveal
the truth. He and Torin used an organic sample of the
original Kahless to create a clone, one in which they
imprinted "memories" so even the clone would believe.
But Koroth says they still need Kahless — in any form —
to help bring together an empire that suffers under
Gowron's corruption. Much to Koroth's objection, Worf
reveals the truth about Kahless to Gowron, but also
expresses the sentiment that their people need a moral
leader, someone in whom the Klingons want to believe, to
put their faith, and around whom they can rally. Worf
suggests that the clone Kahless be made Emperor. Gowron
would continue to run the High Council, but Kahless
would guide the people and help return them to the
honorable ways of long ago. Gowron is given no choice
but to go along with this plan. A new era begins, but
Worf is still feeling empty, until the clone Kahless
tells him it doesn't matter whether or not the original
returns, as long as they remember the words he left
behind and follow his teachings. |
 |
Production: 249
Season: 6 Episode: 23
Original Air Date: 05.17.1993
Stardate: 46852.2 |
 |
|
 |
Patrick Stewart as
Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes as William Riker
Brent Spiner as Data
LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Worf
Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi |
 |
|
 |
|
|
Alan Oppenheimer as Koroth
Norman Snow as Torin
Charles Esten as Divok
Robert O'Reilly as Gowron
Kevin Conway as Kahless |
 |
|
 |
| When the Enterprise was
initially being designed for Next Generation, the
producers conveniently located a transporter room
directly off the main bridge. Gene Roddenberry nixed the
idea, saying he wanted the characters to have
conversations in the turbolifts before/after embarking
on a mission. |
|
Click this link to view the
complete script in a TXT format
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Rightful Heir"
#40276-249
Story by
James Brooks
Teleplay by
Ronald D. Moore
Directed by
Rick Kolbe
THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
Copyright 1992 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.
FINAL DRAFT
MARCH 8, 1993
STAR TREK: "Rightful Heir" - 03/08/93 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Rightful Heir"
CAST
PICARD DIVOK
RIKER GOWRON
DATA KAHLESS
BEVERLY KOROTH
TROI TORIN
WORF VOICES (O.C.)
GEORDI CROWD
KLINGON VOICE
COMPUTER VOICE
Non-Speaking Non-Speaking
N.D. CREWMEBERS N.D. KLINGONS
TWO N.D. SECURITY
STAR TREK: "Rightful Heir" - 03/08/93 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Rightful Heir"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
MAIN BRIDGE
CORRIDOR BORETH
READY ROOM
OBSERVATION LOUNGE KLINGON SHIP
SHUTTLE BAY
TRANSPORTER ROOM
SICKBAY
WORF'S QUARTERS
KAHLESS' QUARTERS
HOLODECK/TEMPLE
BORETH
LAVA CAVE
TEMPLE
WORF'S CHAMBERS
STAR TREK: "Rightful Heir" - 03/09/93 - PRONUNCIATION
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Rightful Heir"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
ALWANIR al-WAH-ner
GARIMAN GARY-man
CARRAYA car-EYE-ah
DIVOK DE-vok
KOROTH KO-roth
MOLOR MO-lor
KRI'STAT KRE-stat
LUSOR loo-SOR
BAT'LETH BAT-leth
BORETH BOR-reth
GOWRON GOW-ron
BORTAS BOR-tas
QUIN'LAT KWIN-lat
WARNOG WAR-nog
KAHLESS KAY-less
MOGH MOG
Q'APLA k-PLAH
Click this link to view the
complete script in a TXT format |
