Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) A Matter of Honor (1989) User Reviews

I wanna see more adventures of a Klingon crew!

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 13 November 2014]

I have always thought that seeing a series or at least a few episodes of "Star Trek" from the viewpoint of a Klingon crew would be great. In other words, show the adventures of the Klingons as they explore space! It cannot consist only of killing everything they meet and could prove fascinating with its various possibilities. Much of my desire to see this was spurred on by "A Matter of Honor"--an interesting episode that briefly gives you a glimpse of what it would be like aboard such a vessel.

When the show begins, you learn that some new crew members from an exchange program are arriving. One looks just like Mordock from "Coming of Age" and this character is played by the same actor (John Putch). But, unlike Mordock, this guy is an arrogant know-it-all. In addition, an exchange program with the Klingons has been arranged and Riker volunteers to serve aboard one of their battle cruisers. Sadly, though, he is a series regular and you know this assignment probably will last no longer than the episode.

Watching Riker getting along with his new Klingon pals is priceless. What also is interesting is that Riker's new-found bromance with these folks is brought to a huge test when the captain of the vessel believes that they've been attacked by the Enterprise...and he plans on making an attack of his own. What is Riker to do?

This is one of the better shows of season two and helps to show that the series was improving as it progressed. Season one was a bit too cerebral and slow--season two was off to a better start. Well worth seeing and very exciting.

One of the best early TNG episodes.

[axlrhodes · 9/10 · 16 November 2021]

The dinner scenes are gold. I love it when Jonathan Frakes starts to exert his personality in TNG. Riker was short tempered and hard to like in Season One but he's turned a corner now. Good tension, great culture contrast between the Federation and Klingons.

William Riker of the Klingon vessel Pagh

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 31 May 2021]

Will Riker participates in an officer exchange program with the Klingons.

This is a very strong episode with some great insight into the Klingons and some superb character moments for Riker.

The story has an excellent premise and unfolds in a compelling way with some strong themes of the alienation individuals encounter when living in a racially and culturally different environment.

There is a strong build up to the exchange with a number of solid moments such as Riker and Picard on the phaser range, Riker sampling Klingon food and O'Brien in the transporter.

Riker's scenes on board the Pagh are all excellent and without going into detail, it is safe to say these are probably my favourite moments for this character in the franchise. These are also some good Klingon moments, although there are plenty more to come in TNG and Deep Space Nine.

There is a great sub-plot that mirrors what Riker is going through but in a very different way aboard Enterprise. Eventually the plots collide and we have a pretty cheer-worthy conclusion as Enterprise and Pagh hail each other.

All visuals are excellent with a great atmosphere aboard the Pagh. The makeup effects are some of the strongest examples in Star Trek and hold up against modern day filmmaking.

This episode very much belongs to Jonathan Frakes and the guest actors who play the Klingon warriors. Frakes portrays Riker as an action hero with an iron will and a sense of adventure to rival the best moments of Captain Kirk. Michael Dorn and Patrick Stewart also contribute well.

For me it's an 8.5/10, but I round upwards.

"One? Or Both?"

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 4 July 2012]

This Season Two High-Point is a coin with two heads: The A story, Riker with Klingon Captain Kargon in a Klingon Bird of Prey, The B Story: A Benzite, Ensign Mendon, who painfully learns how to Interact with Worf.

Riker takes Picards challenge of joining the Federation's "Officer Exchange Program"- And agrees to transfer to a Klingon Ship, "The Pagh." Meanwhile The Enterprise takes on one Exchange Officer: Ensign Mendon the Benzite. We met a Benzite in the Episode where Wesley Crusher competes to get into Starfleet, and a Benzite beat him in. At first Wesley thinks it is the same Benzite, but they are simply part of the same extended family, so they look the same (And can therefore use the Same Actor to play the part).

This is the first really good look we have of Klingon "Nutritional Choices"- And of Gagh, Klingon Serpent Worms. I'll eat Klingon food any day before I touch any Cardassian Food.

Christopher Latta is "Captain Kargon" of the Klingon Ship The Pagh, and every question he has for Riker is a Trick Question. But Riker knows enough about Worf to give Kargon the right answers: But as this episode progresses, knowing the right verbal answer is not enough, it has to be backed up with Force. Therefore, when Lt. Klag (Brian Thompson) challenges Riker, Riker has to beat the crap out of him. As Kargon explains, it is Riker's first "Command Decision."

Riker easily wins the respect and obedience of the Klingon Crew, even capturing the attention of two Female Klingon "CrewMen"-"One? Or Both?", he tells Klag. Meanwhile, Ensign Mendon (John Putch), who was so eager to please Captain Picard, is having trouble impressing WORF. Especially when he discovers a Metal-Eating Parasite devouring The Pagh's Hull. He initially keeps it to himself, but when sensors pick up the same gunk eating away at The Enterprise Hull, he tells The Bridge crew he had found the same substance on The Pagh.

So, after a berating from both Picard and Worf, Mendon figures out a way to clean the parasite off, and the Enterprise chases after The Pagh.

But Kargon finds the parasite before the Enterprise can warn him, and he wants to Blame the Enterprise. This puts Riker in a precarious position, he has to serve, fight and possibly die with the Klingon Crew, but on the other hand, he must assassinate Kargon if Kargon becomes inept: Which he DOES.

Riker's solution saves not only the Pagh and The Enterprise, which The Pagh would have surely fired on, but he also saves Captain Kargon's Honour.

As Riker-with-a-black-eye tells Picard: "It's (about knowing) when NOT to duck."

A CLASSIC

[fredblair · 10/10 · 8 September 2020]

This is amongst my favorites TNG episodes, as soon as RIker said he was willing to spend some time on the Klingon ship I thought he was nuts, and he really does show his gung ho fearless side in this episode. There are some brilliant and also hilarious moments between him and the klingons. And the ending is great.

My only gripe is that I'm not sure they really explained how both the enterprise and the klingon ship BOTH got infected with the hull bacteria but as there was quite a lot going on in this episode the science of this never before seen disease seemed a bit neglected and hurried as it was secondary to the other plot elements.

Given the greatness of this episode it could actually have benefitted from being made into a film instead and this wou;ld have allopwed time to properly explore all facets such as the hull bacteria, but hey ho.

A bridge between two worlds.

[russem31 · 14 April 2006]

ST:TNG:34 - "A Matter Of Honor" (Stardate: 42506.5) - this is the 8th episode to air of the 2nd season. This is a historic first in Star Trek - Riker takes part in an officer exchange program where he will be the first Starfleet Officer to serve on a Klingon starship - and to prepare, he dines on a Klingon dinner on the Ten Forward! Also, at the same time, Wesley meets someone who looks like his friend Mordock from the first season episode "Coming of Age" - Ensign Mendon (John Putch, who plays both Mordock and Mendon). You also get to see the Enterprise "firing range" at the beginning when Picard and Riker use their phasers to shoot at targets in the Holodeck.

Star Trek Gets Legs

[daveytaylor-99132 · 9/10 · 21 May 2021]

One of my fave episodes and signs that next gen was really going places.still stands up well .after all this time.theres klingons tension and some good humour in here.brilliant fun.enjoy.

Riker Studies Abroad

[Samuel-Shovel · 8/10 · 1 August 2019]

In "A Matter of Honor" the Enterprise participates in an officer exchange program where they received a Benzite science ensign and Riker becomes First Officer of a Klingon vessel. When the Pagh finds a small, corrosive hole in it's outer hull, the ship's captain blames the Enterprise. Riker denies culpability but is not trusted yet.

The Benzite Mendon discovers similar holes on the Enterprise and Pagh. He discovers what it is and how to fix it. Picard orders the Enterprise to turn around to warm the Pagh. Captain Kargan interprets this is a sign of attack and cloaks up, ready to destroy the Federation vessel if need be.

Riker tricks the Klingon captain into getting beamed aboard the Enterprise via an emergency locator he's holding. Riker takes control of the Pagh and communicates with Picard, ordering him to patch the hole. Everything is back to normal. Riker is tossed off the ship by Captain Kargan but Riker understands Klingon a bit more. And the Klingon crew now have more respect for the humans.

People say that Season 2 is where TNG really starts to take shape. This is the first episode of the season where I really feel that. We get a nice little plot here involving a multitude of gleep-glocks which is when I think Trek is at its best. We get another appearance from a Benzite and learn a bit more about their culture. (Still don't know what's up with their harmonica holder thing though). And we finally see some cooperation between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, old enemies but new allies.

Klingon culture has to walk a bit of a tightrope to be written successfully. If done without a steady hand, the Klingons come across looking a bit foolish and macho. I think the writers do a good job here of showing their honor-bound society without making their ways seem too outlandish. The idea of the first officer having to kill his superior when the leader is unfit is a cool concept. It reminds me of a pack of predators where everyone waits for the Alpha Male to become old and weak before making a power play. Here Riker uses his brain more than his brawn to pull off his successful coup.

What's the deal with Wes's fascination with the Benzite people? Everytime one of them comes on the show he tries to get all chummy with them like they're the new kid in class. He only does it with this race though?

In Klingon there is no word for physical assault.

[thevacinstaller · 8/10 · 8 March 2021]

Does anyone have a fanfic picture of a klingon warrior woman breastfeeding Riker? I'm... asking for a friend.

Mendon came a Klingon whisker away from igniting a klingon/federation war through cultural/procedural misunderstanding and I kept thinking about this throughout the episode.

I'm a Riker fan (and not just because of the beard of power) and he delivers in this episode by going all in on becoming the Klingon first officer. The cultural quirks of the klingons always makes me chuckle ----- Riker's subordinate lamenting his father's old age and the grave dishonor of dying of natural causes and the Klingon woman finding Riker unattractive but still likely to mate with him anyhow.

The theme of misunderstandings having potential disaster effects is the major takeaway from this show and is prominent in future star trek series.

The Klingons are like that one drunk friend you have who always get you into trouble or decides to pick a fight with you over something ridiculous because they are completely out of it.

It's a fun time to explore this warrior culture's inconsistent interpretation of honor and duty.

Riker is great in this episode. I've always liked Riker but let's be honest ---- It's the beard. It changes everything. If you give Frakes good material to work with her delivers a great performance. He was all in on this episode and it shows and works.

Riker truly comes alive here... plus Klingons!

[bwalker-73751 · 9/10 · 16 November 2021]

Season two really picks up the quality in a big way. Great episode, excellently directed by Rob Bowman (I love little things like Mendon's fingers on the console), that really gives Riker some much needed character work. Plus we get a big delve into the way Klingons operate. A and B plots pull in the same direction and we get a neat little ending. This is more like the TNG we all came to know and love.

How Could They Keep the Klingons Under Control?

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 6 August 2014]

The Federation has encouraged its starships to participate in an "exchange" program. As part of a multi-cultural thing, a group of aliens comes on board the Enterprise. They are eager, and one in particular, a Benzite, like the one who beat Wesley out of a position at the Academy, becomes a bit of a nuisance. A combination of scientific ability and sycophancy make this character intriguing. Like his predecessor, his existence requires him to breath vapors emanating from a tray under his chin. When Picard talks to Number One, asking if he could suggest a crewman to go on board a Klingon ship for the exchange, Riker quickly jumps at the chance. Worf helps prepare him a bit and there is a scene of the Commander eating all manner of Klingon food, including a bowl of worms. It's interesting that not only are these guys the bad boys of the universe, but they eat absolutely nothing conventional (as far as the crew goes). Because they are disgusting, their food must be also. Anyway, Riker must face off against the aggressive, dangerous Klingons to gain status on the ship. Because of his rank in Starfleet, he assumes his same role on board the new ship. There is trouble, of course, because these warlike characters see him as trying to subvert their ship. They will not listen to reason and Riker must act. These Klingon episode always make me wonder how they managed to do rudimentary things on a day to day basis if they spend so much time killing an maiming each other. This "dying with honor" thing still involves dying, a seemingly counterproductive activity. The episode does a good job of showing us the ship, and Riker is a worthy match for its crew.

Things are picking up for TNG

[bjornfranke · 8/10 · 3 February 2019]

First excellent TNG episode. Things would only get better fir The show. Klingons!

One Or Both?

[anarchistica · 7/10 · 24 March 2020]

This is a fun episode with a memorable line. The Klingons are given several centimeters of depth, but at least they're not as stiff as Worf. This episode is also memorable for having Riker meet a female alien and not have sex with her.

Despite Mordock being called the first Benzite in Starfleet, another one has apparently entered the Academy before him and graduated. He's also really eager to impress the Captain, but for some reason not capable of reading the manual on procedure and etiquette. Surely the writers could have come up with some plausible reason for this.

Still, a nice change of pace and entertaining throughout.

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

[celineduchain · 5/10 · 2 January 2022]

The Second Season of Star Trek the Next Generation has often been downplayed due to multiple production and writing staff problems, and several major cast changes. Although of mixed quality, it does contain some outstanding and brilliant episodes. Senior Trekker is extremely grateful to all those people who worked so hard under difficult circumstances to keep it on our screens.

This is the memorable episode where Riker volunteers for an exchange posting on a Klingon ship and shows how tough he is by (1) eating worms, (2) offering to have sex with two female crewmembers at a time and (3) settling a dispute with another officer with his fists. The story moves along well, with a suitable space-parasite hazard to threaten both ships and necessitate them working together, if not exactly cooperating.

It wears well.

Jonathan Frakes is not the most convincing macho-man on screen but he more than makes up for his lack of apparent toughness with energy, enthusiasm and impeccable comedic timing. A much tougher-looking actor appears in the role of Klingon First Officer, Klag, though. Brian Thompson returned to Star Trek time and time again, in all sorts of alien roles but, despite his towering height and impressively muscular physique, is reputed to be something of a pussycat in real life.

(Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5)

Winning the respect of your subordinates by beating them up.

[amusinghandle · 8/10 · 7 January 2024]

What we need is a TNG Riker mini-series of him hanging out on alien ships as the first officer ---- the material practically writes itself.

Shortly after growing the historic beard, Riker actually developed a personality and we get to see that on full display in this delightful episode.

The Klingon officers are all performed wonderfully in this episode with a specific nod to the unstable captain and Riker's BFF who warmed up to Riker after a proper ass kicking.

The Mendon plot is solid as well and it manages to tie-in to the general theme of cultural quirks/misunderstandings and Riker's plot and I am a big fan of both plots complimenting one another.

Set design is great --- Klingon ship looks and feels alien.

Heck, we even have some interesting cinematography in contrast to the barely alive cinematography of S1 that felt like it was done by a local news camera person.

Ultimately, this is Riker's episode. He was clearly having fun with this one and it shows.

Great pacing and several belly laughs.

Star Trek at its best and most idealistic

[MiraTheOwl · 9/10 · 4 April 2023]

Star Trek episodes centred around a convincing process of reconciliation and/or bonding among races are always a guaranteed win for me; those among them that involve relations between humans and Klingons, a species with a nearly incompatible moral system, are certainly the most ambitious of these. It would have been so easy and predictable for the a-plot, centred around Riker as an exchange commander on a Klingon ship, to consist of him stumbling around committing one faux pas after another struggling to keep his hosts happy. Instead the premise is played completely straight: Riker performs outstandingly as a Klingon commander while retaining his human principles and the Klingons' respect for him by the end feels completely deserved.

Philosophically, episodes like this one do however bring up the contentious subject of cultural relativism. By any acceptable human standard, the Klingon Empire is a ruthless and savage kratocracy. If it were a human society then it would hardly warrant any more normal courtesy than, for example, Nazi Germany, but the fact that it's an alien society muddles the issue: maybe the Klingons are just so fundamentally different as a species that their current society really is the most fit for them. Future episodes do suggest that they are more receptive to kindness and compassion as a species than their society allows, but for now that all lies in the future and when it happens it comes about precisely through their positive experiences with humans. For the time being, this is just a hopeful tale about the prospects of lasting peace and mutual understanding between mankind and a species that served more or less as one-dimensional villains in the original series.

"You may live long enough to learn about us."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 25 October 2023]

Just as a previous episode titled 'The Schizoid Man' pretty much belonged to Brent Spiner, this one allows Jonathan Frakes to shine in his role as Commander Will Riker, volunteering to engage in an officer exchange program with a Klingon vessel called The Pagh. It gets pretty tense when in a strange twist of circumstance, the Enterprise attempts to repair damage to the Klingon ship which is mistakenly taken for an attack by Klingon Captain Kargan (Christopher Collins). It was through the effort of another exchange officer aboard the Enterprise that the deterioration in the hull was even noticed, which also affected the Federation vessel. The Benzite Ensign Mendon (John Putch), following the practice of his alien race, got himself into Dutch with Captain Picard when he failed to notify command of his discovery until he had it thoroughly analyzed. It took Ensign Crusher (Wil Wheaton) to break Mendon out of his funk, helping him understand that mistakes were part of his training as a future officer.

The episode offers compelling insight into the mind and workings of Klingon officers and subordinates. The typical practice of becoming a captain didn't entail promotion to the rank, but the murder of the commanding officer when he was deemed too weak, either physically or mentally, to lead any further. In his assignment as First Officer on The Pagh, Riker had to demonstrate his fortitude by forcing Klingon Second Officer Klag (Brian Thompson) into submission. Earning his chops in that manner, Riker earned a level of respect from Klag, that later helped him foil Kargan's attempted attack on the Enterprise.

My main question mark with the story was how Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) managed to figure out that Riker's demand of a surrender at the behest of Kargan was a ruse. Not that Picard would question Riker's loyalty, but in that situation, it wasn't readily apparent what might have been going on. I guess Picard knew his First Officer shouldn't be questioned about his trustworthiness, but still, it seemed like a touchy situation. In hindsight, it might have been Lieutenant Worf's (Michael Dorn) offer of the transponder device to Riker that alerted Picard and his crew of impending trouble. In which case, all's well that ends well.

A Klingon tradition

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 6 December 2018]

There's a cultural exchange program going on with Star Fleet and the Enterprise welcomes several new crew members including some alien races on board. One of them is played by John Putch and apparently one of the characteristics of these folks is an overeagerness to please. For Worf who is in charge of Putch that amounts to butt-kissing something that Klingons find loathsome.

But there are bigger problems. Commander Riker is sent aboard a Klingon vessel and he is serving under a captain played by Christopher Collins who is a belligerent sort. Getting a few pointers in Klingon culture from Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes learns that assassination is a tradition from a subordinate if one things the superior officer isn't doing the job.

I'm an agreement with another reviewer because I can't see how that would lead to anything but chaos. Still when a rust like virus infects the Enterprise and the Klingon ship Frakes uses some Klingon rules to save both ships as Collins is hell bent on a fight with the Enterprise.

I'll tell you one thing. After observing the Klingon Mess Hall scene I'm never having them cater anything.