Overall Rating: 4.8
You know that old saying...what was that again? Character assassination in service of a really overdone plot concept using a really...really boring script is...awesome or dreadful? I get those two mixed up.
Plot Synopsis:
A full recap may be found at the DS9 Encyclopedia & Lexicon.
The Skinny:
The DS9 writers may have still been coming to terms with how Worf should be written...and Kor, for that matter. But I still get to pan the episode for being completely inconsistent with the Worf we all know and love from Star Trek: The Next Generation. The Worf from TNG and from later DS9 episodes eschews power and control and has no desire for anything more than a simple warrior's life. The Worf we know is too tied up in honor and loyalty and service to have his mind warped by a sword, no matter how significant the history behind it. Unless we're to believe that the spirit of Kahless really does fill the blade with a lust for power that can alter a man's personality (which would be a really lame story)...I must assume the writers were trying to make a statement about the temptation toward evil deeds with the promise of absolute power...not that such a statement hasn't been made about four hundred thirty eight trillion times in sci fi before. Sorry, but Worf is the LAST person I'd expect to get that excited over a sword. Even if he could be tempted (which is possible), he's smart enough to know that it takes more than a sword to rule the Klingon Empire.
I also get to pan this episode as being really boring and pointless. If I could be persuaded that the Emperor really could unite the factions on the Klingon home world with a sword, I might give a tiny rat's patootie what happens to it...but I don't buy it, they didn't sell it, and the store of logic doesn't carry it. And who's to say clone-Kahless would lead the empire with wisdom anyway? In any event, the script is routinely written, full of conceptual holes and frankly, not very interesting.
Writing: 2.5
Wake me up when the credits roll, sweetie...I'm feeling a bit soporific.
Acting: 6.0
Michael Dorn was a bit off his game, and I've seen John Colicos give us a better rendition of Kor...but the acting is not objectionable...just ordinary.
Message: 6.0
If there's a message at all...it's a tired one. There's not much to get aggravated with, but there's nothing to write home about either.
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