Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Redemption II (1991) User Reviews

Tasha had a daughter!

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 13 March 2010]

This season opener is the continuation of the last episode of season four; there is a civil war amongst the Klingons in which the rebels are being armed by the Romulans who see it as a way to destabilise the relationship between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. In order to stop these arms shipments Picard takes a fleet to the border. Here he has a confrontation with a Romulan that looks just like Tasha Yar; the Enterprise's security officer who died several years before. It turns out that she is Tasha's daughter Sela who was born after Tasha was sent in to the past and captured by Romulans. Sela may be Tasha's daughter but her loyalties are definitely with the Romulans. As most of Picard's fleet is made up of under-crewed ships straight out of space dock he has to put Enterprise officers in command of many of the ships, this leads to conflict on one where the senior officer objects to having Data in command as he believes an android might see crew as expendable in conflict. For the duration of the episode Worf is serving with the Klingons loyal to Chancellor Gowron although he is frustrated by the fact they seem to spend as much time fighting each other as their enemy.

This was a fairly exciting episode and it was good to see Denise Crosby again even if she was playing the daughter of her original character. This episode gave Data a chance to show he is capable of making difficult command decisions even when they are against the orders of Capt. Picard.

Nicely done

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 2 August 2021]

Starfleet looks to expose the Romulan interference in the Klingon internal conflict.

This is a good conclusion to a strong Klingon story with some decent character moments.

The plot is resolved in a fairly straightforward way that quickly reverts everything back to normal. For me the strongest threads of the plot involve Worf and Sela, whereas the minor conflict involving Data feels a bit unnecessary.

Worf has a number of excellent moments, particularly the very end and it feels like his character is having a solid arc spanning the entire series.

I like the concept of the antagonist Sela, which provides decent continuity from 'Yesterday's Enterprise' and is a plausible idea. The Duras sisters were also quite entertaining.

Visually it is solid, with some good space battle sequences and great make up for the Klingons and Romulans. The scenes of Klingons drinking and fighting are over the top but funny.

All actors are on form, particularly Michael Dorn, Patrick Stewart and Denise Crosby.

For me it is a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.

Captain Data.

[thevacinstaller · 8/10 · 30 March 2021]

I really enjoyed Carhart's performance as an insufferable commanding officer who treats Data like a toaster. He nailed it! I just wanted to smack the guy around. It's great seeing Captain 'Large and in-charge' Data doing his thing and conjuring up a very believable performance of anger.

Worf finally has the epiphany that it is okay to do his own thing and not be subservient to Klingon traditions/standards that he disagrees with.

Tasha's daughter Sela is a creative 'mind blown' piece of writing but I need a session with counselor Troi after learning that Tasha was raped by the Romulan Commander and then executed. Crosby puts in a good performance and it's nice to see her again. This is star trek --- the writers could pull some kind of time travel/parallel universe story from their butts and bring back Tasha Yar without having her be raped and executed though. But hey --- This kinda works too and is logical in a sad, sad way.

I am a big fan of the idea that time travel decisions do actually have a major impact on future events and it's nice to see the fallout of that decision in 'Yesterday's Enterprise' be presented here. This seems to be a under used plot mechanic in star trek --- probably due to the logical rabbit hole you could go down when analyzing such things.

Solid episode.

Sela!

[gritfrombray-1 · 10/10 · 7 May 2007]

The first part of this episode was good and set it up for this brilliant conclusion. Early in this we see Picard and several members of Starfleet deciding to block the supply of weapons from the Romulans to the Duras. The fleet is dispersed along the border and tachyon beams are used to detect the enemy ships. We see Data in his first command and an insubordinate first officer. The corker of a moment is when Sela reveals herself and Picard and co are amazed how much she looks like their late comrade, Tasha Yar. Commander Sela announces she is the daughter of Tasha Yar. When it is revealed that Tasha was aboard the Enterprise C when it was captured 24 years ago, Picard listens incredulously and Sela reveals it was him who sent her there. Guinan reveals some of the back story and Picard listens on in earnest. Plans do not change and we get to see some brilliant Data character stuff when the Romulans attempt to run the blockade by disabling the tachyon net near Data's ship. The android disobeys orders and plugs the gap and reveals the Romulan ships, much to the disgust of Sela, and surprise of Data's insubordinate first officer. Data later submits himself for disobeying orders, Picard reassures him that he acted correctly and compliments his actions. Later, Worf declines to execute Duras's son and Picard happily accepts his request to return to duty. Trivia buffs should know that Denise Crosby conceived the story of Sela and the writers jumped on the idea!

The Klingon Civil War continues.

[russem31 · 24 April 2006]

ST:TNG:101 - "Redemption, Part II" (Stardate: 45020.4) - this is the 1st episode of the 5th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This is another cliffhanger episode (which began with the 4th season closer, "Redepemption, Part I".

This episode climaxes the story arc that began in "The Sins Of The Father" , where Worf accepted dis-commendation, being branded a traitor so that the Klingon Empire will not fall in Civil War, and continued in "Reunion".

Now, Gowron has reinstated Worf's honor, and Worf decides to resign from Starfleet so he can help his Klingon brothers in the Civil War, under Gowron's side.

In the meantime, Picard concocts a plan with Starfleet to prevent the Romulans from resupplying the Duras family with weapons, by getting together 20 Starfleet ships and making a net to detect even cloaked Romulan ships. Riker is in command of the Excalibur and Data faces his ultimate test by commanding his own ship (butting heads with Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hobson, his first officer who doesn't believe that an android should command a Starship).

This episode also brings to full circle what happened in "Yesterday's Enterprise" by introducing Commander Sela, the Romulan daughter of Tasha Yar (who went with the Enterprise C back in time and was one of the survivors of a pivotal Romulan attack 24 years before which led to peace with the Federation and the Klingons). Only Guinan is aware of this, which she convinces Picard that Sela is actually Tasha's daughter, however illogical that may sound.

How will the Klingon Civil War end? What will happen to Worf? Who is Commander Sela? And can Data command his own Starship? Find out in this exciting episode.

One of the all Time best and better than part 1

[nicofreezer · 10/10 · 25 November 2021]

Rédemption part 2 is an Amazing TV épisode , everything star trek is is in this one, Federation Klingons Romulian, honor, suspence, Data beeing a Captain with an asshole first officer, Picard and the return of Tasha ( her daughter) Incredible that this épisode is linked to Season 3 " Yesterday enterprise" !

Only thing i would have wish is a role for Riker, but his Time was on " the best of both worlds"

My 5th 10/10 since the beggining of the show, and four of them have Data as the main character of as a very important part of the episode.

A Worthy Conclusion

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 30 August 2014]

As Episode One ended we see the face of Tasha Yar, but it turns out that this is actually Tasha's daughter. This birth took place when the Romulans were taken with her has a small child and decided to make her the only survivor of one of their ruthless raids. She watched as her mother was killed (interesting because she appears in the first two seasons). Sela, the daughter, felt her mother was a traitor and hardened her heart, becoming the commander of a Romulan flagship. She is determined to destroy the alliance between the Federation and the Klingons and, using cloaking devices, continues to channel weapons to the Duras led faction. Even though Picard cannot intervene, he can set up a blockade, using Tacheon beams to recognize a cloaked ship. He may not be able to go to war with the Romulans, but he can make life miserable for the Klingons who are totally dependent. Sela has to toe the line because the Romulans continually claim innocence in all their dealings (they are a lot like the Soviet Union). Twenty Federation ships are sent to the border and maintain position. Riker and LaForge are on one ship and Data request another from Picard who acquiesces. While on board his ship, the first officer becomes insubordinate and tries to resist orders at every juncture. At one point Data must threaten him with removal from the bridge. This "racist" or "xenophobic" element adds to the interest. A chess game begins between Picard and Sela who have actually had discussions on board the Enterprise. Another carefully rendered episode, leading off the new season.

The second part and mostly satisfying conclusion to the Klingon war for succession.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 20 November 2014]

In the previous episode, the evil and honorless family of Duras has brought forth some pipsqueak to challenge for leadership of the Klingons. However, Gowron has the clear title and it's up to Picard to designate him so they can declare his succession. However, Picard is in a bad position--as the faction supporting the pretender are likely led by the Romulans who are seeking a chance to divide the Empire from the Federation. When the episode ends, Gowron is made leader--and the war for succession begins. In this war, Worf throws in his support for Gowron with the promise that his family honor will be restored. And, in the final (and really STUPID) final scene, you learn that indeed the Romulans are masterminding all this.

As a result of his divided loyalties to the Empire and Federation, Worf must choose whether to follow Gowron or remain a Federation officer. Picard rightfully cannot allow the Federation to become involved in the civil war--and Worf's resignation is pretty much a given. But Picard is NOT behind doing nothing and tries to create a blockade to keep Romulan ships away from Klingon space.

During his time serving aboard a Klingon ship, Worf has a real eye- opening experience watching the stupidity and wastefulness of the Klingons. They'd rather spend all their time punching each other in the face and drinking instead of creating any real strategy. This, combined with Romulan help, explains why Gowron is doing so badly in this civil war. Eventually, the Duras sisters kidnap him and propose Worf changes sides--and considering what idiots he's serving with, the offer seems pretty good!

At the same time, Data, Riker and LaForge are given temporary command of ships that all are helping enforce the blockade. Data has the most trouble, as his first officer is insubordinate and I really, really wanted Data to handle it the way a Klingon officer should! And, overall, Data does an amazing job as Captain of his first ship.

And, for the REALLY dumb plot, Tasha Yar's daughter, Sela, is in charge of the Romulan interventions in the civil war. Picard arranges to meet with her and they snarl and posture a lot...especially Sela.

So what's to come of all these plots? And what's the final outcome of the war? Well, see the show and see all these questions answered.

Normally I love Klingon episodes and there is a lot of action in this one--which I love. I also love how Worf's naiveté about his fellow Klingons is exposed. But, I hated how Denise Crosby was re-introduced into the show. It seemed incredibly contrived and silly. I just wish that the writers had instead made her character Tasha Yar interesting in the first place instead of trying to reinvent her with a bizarro Moe Howard blonde wig and a ridiculous back story. Well done but clearly flawed.

Mike Hagerty is a piece of Baktag

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 11 September 2013]

Two things happen in the Teaser of this Episode: Worf is now Kurn's Tactical Officer and Kurn gets creative in blowing up the ships of a "piece of Baktag" (Translated as "Crud" but meaning something more derogatory), Commander Larg (Mike Hagerty who was also a piece of Baktag in the 7th Season Episode "Thine Own Self")- And Picard, knowing Starfleet cannot directly intervene in the Klingon Civil War, is not prevented from setting up a Blockade - So nobody else can interfere.

The Romulan Commander who had been hidden in the Shadows during "The Mind's Eye" now steps forward and is revealed to be Sela - Tasha Yar's daughter, a leftover from the Alternate Timeline of "yesterday's Enterprise". The only Romulan with Blonde Hair, but still every bit Romulan.

It was she who has been giving unwarranted help to the Duras Sisters in their war against the valid leader of the Klingon High Council - Gowron.

Picard sets up an ad hock fleet of 23 Starships and they have found a way to spread a net across the border of the Romulan Neutral Zone. And Data has been given command of one of these ships. But his Second in Command, Timothy Carhart, does not have the confidence in Data that Picard had given.

The Duras Sisters had dredged up an offspring of Duras to be a Proxy Leader of the Council, but this boy has won no battles or has earned any personal glory for himself, so Picard had rejected his claim, giving Lursa and Be'Tor just the excuse they needed to start firing Disruptors all over the place. And with the help of Sela, they appear to be kicking Gowron's Sa'Hut.

On Qo'noS, Worf and Kurn drink 'Iw HIq (Bloodwine) with Mike Hagerty (Larg) and bump foreheads. In The Capital City of the Klingon Homeworld, all are warriors, equal. Kurn knows how to respect his enemy, but Worf is too worried about Stabilizers- Until Kurn smacks him in the forehead a few times. Lursa and Be'Tor watch this exchange in the shadows and make plots.

This is the ultimate test for Data - And his lack of emotion makes him the best Captain to deal with Carhart's Anti-Android prejudice. It also makes him the best Captain to deal with Sela, who has decided to make him the target of her counterstrike. Data uses this against Sela in a way she could not have predicted, and she slits her own throat in the process, defeating herself and her plans for a Romulan-Klingon alliance.

At least she knew when to quit. But this is not the last we will see of her, we will see her again, but not soon.

I had to have the same compassion for Toral (JD Cullum) as Worf did - After all he was just a kid, being used by his Aunts - And they leave him there to suffer the punishment they deserve. Toral is only a minor irritant for Worf, who meets him again in the Gamma Quadrant in Deep Space Nine.

This second half of a two-parter sets Gowron (Bobby O'Reilly) firmly on the Klingon Throne until the end of Deep Space Nine- And it shows that even as Klingons revere personal honor, they will still accept corruption in their highest levels of Government, putting up with it "For the Good of the Empire". It takes Ezri Dax convincing Worf of this before a change can be made- And this also happens in Deep Space Nine.

But all of the groundwork for this has been set in this wonderful episode which joins Season 4 and 5 of Next Generation.

Good episode but more simple solutions

[quidam-brujah · 8/10 · 27 June 2021]

The Federation starships create a 'net' to find cloaked Romulan ships. No explanation for why the Romulans, who are aware of it, couldn't just go around the 'net' as space is really big and there no celestial objects (stars, planets, asteroid field, nebula, etc) in the way.

A familiar face

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 28 May 2019]

Denise Crosby returns to TNG as the Romulan daughter of Tasha Yar who has a mission to supply the Duras clan with weaponry in the Klingon Civil War. She's a resourceful foe for Patrick Stewart.

I never quite bought the whole business of how she became Tasha Yar's daughter and was introduced in the series. Still this is an exciting episode.

Captain Picard proposes a blockade plan and this is accepted by Star Fleet as their way of intervening and yet not intervening in the Klingon's internal war. As for Crosby and the Romulans their whole effort depends on secrecy.

Some of senior staff of the Enterprise go to other ships and that includes Data. An android has never been given command of a starship before, but despite some doubts among his human crew Brent Spiner actually saves the day. You have to see how.

A nicely done story, but the Duras clan ain't finished by a long shot.

Data shows some initiative

[SipteaHighTea · 10/10 · 13 May 2007]

I far as I can see Data show some initiative when the Federation net was disrupted by the Romulans. If every officer and/or sergeant was squash every time he/she show any initiative in respond to changes in a combat situation, then we have no one above the rank or private/second lieutenant. The German Army and Waffen SS of World War II would not have last for six years, if their men were not allow to take advantage of a favorable combat situation or react positively to an unfavorable combat situation. The same can be said for the Israeli Army or any other army. Look at how many times Captain Kirk had to take the initiative. At his court-martial, they read off Captain Kirk's decorations including the highest award that Starfleet gave which shows his ability to react to combat situations. In the movie, Wrath of Khan, Captain Kirk explain to the female Vulcan officer how he took the initiative to change the Starfleet program so that he would win. In the end, he got a commendation for original thinking.

If Captain Kirk or Commander Riker were in the same situation, they would have probably done the same thing as Commander Data would have done.

Very good but..................Attention to detail

[mikerowerush-49063 · 6/10 · 10 June 2020]

The revelation that Sela is Tasha yar's daughter makes no sense at all.....Tasha was in lost in an alternate timeline when the Enterprise C fought with the Romulans at Nerendra III....If Tasha was wooed by a Romulan then had a baby,the baby would have been born in the alternate timeline and could NOT possibly show up in the present timeline-it simply makes no sense....and I've spent 25 years trying to work it out-it does not compute.

Too Convoluted

[zombiemockingbird · 5/10 · 8 April 2023]

I usually really like the Klingon episodes, but this one, and its predecessor, were just too complex for me. I guess. Might have understood more if I hadn't fallen asleep during half of the first one, but the tangled plotlines bored me. And what is the obsession with Tasha Yar? The whole daughter story line was ridiculous, and I doubt she would be commanding a Romulan ship. Yar's character was one-dimensional and boring to begin with, and Denise Crosby played the part like she was made of wood. I have nothing against her; I've never seen or heard of her except in TNG, I just don't think she's a very good actress. From what I understand, she chose to leave the show in the first place, so why does she keep coming back? Overall, this story was too long, drawn-out and boring, and the actual plot was too muddy to be interesting.

Worf Rejects True Klingonism

[Samuel-Shovel · 9/10 · 26 February 2020]

In "Redemption II" with the Klingon civil war threatening to ruin the Federation's relationship with the Empire, Picard proposes that Star Fleet take action. Under the suspicion that the Romulans are aiding the Duras family in the battle, Picard sets up a blockade of ships to stop any Romulan supply runs, even if they're cloaked. Picard comes face to face with the daughter of Tasha Yar, a Romulan Commander in charge of this whole proxy war.

Meanwhile Word tries to keep his faction United as internal strife threatens to splinter his side of the civil war.

This episode is so dense with plot that I just realized my synopsis doesn't even talk about Data's whole subplot involving him captaining his own ship with a reluctant crew. I really enjoyed all these storylines and how they all tie together in the end, complete with a nice bow.

My only eye-roll moment was when Data's first officer calls him captain for the first time. That was pretty saccharine. But beyond that, this episode is a pretty stellar conclusion to a great season finale.

REVIEW 2022

[iamirwar · 10/10 · 10 September 2022]

Both Captain Picard and Lieutenant Worf must decide where their priorities lie as the Klingon Empire descends into civil war. This is an end-of-season episode, a two-parter that will be resolved with its second part in Season Five, but I am already anticipating a strong episode. Qapla.

PART ONE: Lursa and B'etor are back and they've brought the son of Duras with them. In what should have been a cake-walk for Gowron and his succession to the high seat of power, it would appear that the two sisters are about to throw a Spaniard in the works. A paternity test perhaps?

PART TWO: We could take several TNG stories that follow a Klingon arc. This arc will continue through TNG and into DS9, so these stories are essential viewing for any TNG or DS9 aficionado.

Part Two and the Federation tactic of locating cloaked Romulan warbirds was clearly inspired by the British blockade of Germany during the First World War and their later use of radar during the Second World War.

Episodes that form part of the TNG Klingon arc... A Matter of Honour (Season II) Sins Of The Father (Season III) Reunion (Season IV) Redemption, Pt I & II, and also (Season IV & V) Yesterday's Enterprise (Season III) and The Mind's Eye (season IV)

I have always wondered about Klingon women. Are their cleavage real, or simply part of their costume?

Much as I liked the Borg menace, I believe the Klingon's and their story arc were the best of the entire Star Trek franchise.

This Episodes Clue: The Sword In The Stone.

MikeRowerush.....

[jimball-29618 · 9/10 · 5 July 2021]

The Enterprise C was in the alternate timeline once they came through the rift. They went back to the original timeline with Tasha. It was then altered somewhat, but neither you or I can know how that altered the original timeline.

"I hope we know what we are doing."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 9 February 2024]

A certain suspension of disbelief is required to proceed with this story when the character of Sela (Denise Crosby) is introduced as the daughter of former Enterprise security chief, Natasha Yar. In the mind bending third season episode 'Yesterday's Enterprise', Yar was beamed aboard the Enterprise-C and returned to a timeline twenty three years prior in order to restore some meaning to her death in the first season episode, 'Skin of Evil'. If one accepts Sela's explanation as to her origin, then one has to consider that Natasha Yar existed as a child AND an adult at the same time, having survived a Romulan attack that destroyed the Enterprise-C. This is why time travel stories can give you a headache.

Nevertheless, this was a fairly exciting story in which Captain Picard enlists Federation assistance in leading a twenty-four strong armada to blockade the Romulans from resupplying Klingon insurgents bent on usurping Gowron's (Robert O'Reilly) new position as leader of the High Council. I was genuinely surprised by the name of one of the ships joining Picard's group, the Tian An Men. Without referencing the name, the Tiananmen Massacre occurred on June 3rd, 1989, when the Chinese government put down a lengthy student demonstration via martial law. So that was an interesting nod to a pro-freedom movement that at the time was only two years old when the show aired.

It was interesting to see Data (Brent Spiner) provide the heavy lift for the Federation by stopping three Romulan ships via a tachyon array that allowed the cloaked Romulan ships to be located. Rather than risking a major confrontation with the Federation, Commander Sela decided to stand down without delivering the needed supplies to the Duras aligned rebels, thereby bringing an end to the confrontation. With his and his brother Kurn's (Tony Todd) honor restored, Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) decides against killing usurper Toral (JD Cullum), who looked rather incompetent to me, and would only have served as a pawn for the deceased Duras's sisters if their faction had been successful.

A Senior Trekker writes..................

[celineduchain · 5/10 · 6 February 2022]

The Fifth Season of TNG contains some remarkably strong episodes while continuing to push the boundaries of what could be achieved within an episodic television format. It is notable for the tragic loss of creator, Gene Roddenberry, who died on 24th October 1991 at the age of 70. His influence upon the positive depiction of humanity and diversity in Science Fiction endures to this day. Senior Trekker continues to score all episodes with a 5.

This rousing Klingon/Romulan conflict concludes with the the threat of full-on war against the Federation averted at the last minute. Modern audiences may be a little surprised by the minimal amount of computer-game style space battles seen on the screen. That sort of stuff was very expensive and difficult to produce back then, meaning that the tension had to be built up by the quality of the scripts, the direction and the acting. Maybe it wasn't actually Art with a capital A but it was certainly artistry and is fully deserving of its continuing sound reputation.

Earlier in the episode we had a brief glimpse of the traditional Klingon victory celebration, complete with fights, roaring laughter, back-slapping and blood-wine spilling, Look too closely and you can see that not very much is actually going on but the IDEA was very skilfully conveyed. So much so that cosplay Klingons became very popular in the 1990's, with honour guards turning up at press events all over the world.

Robert O'Reilly, Tony Todd and the scheming sisters are back to delight us on the Klingon side while Denise Crosby makes a welcome return as the Human/Romulan daughter of Tasha Yar. The writers had to jump through a few hoops with the storyline in order to get her involved but the results are splendid as she gives us an unexpectedly chilling villain.

Data's turn at a leadership, when ordered to take command of the Sutherland, proves to be more difficult when Lt Hobson challenges his every decision because of a distrust of androids. Timothy Carhart makes a convincingly irritating sceptic in the role and it's a shame we never saw him return to Star Trek. Neither did the highly respected theatrical actor, director and teacher, Fran Bennett, who played Admiral Shanthi. Star Trek must have been gaining quite a reputation within the business to be able to attract such varied talent away from their usual employment on detective and medical shows.

Not a great episode...

[Davidd418 · 5/10 · 13 August 2022]

Why is the first episode of every season so bad? There are to many errors and timeline mistakes in this episode. Still engaging and a decent ending but not as good as some of the previous episodes.