Star Trek The Next Generation
S3E17
· Sins of the Father

Picard's Pledge — Starfleet Stands With Worf

Worf arrives in Picard's ready room reeling: the Klingon High Council has accused his dead father Mogh of treason in the Khitomer massacre, a charge that would dishonor his line and cost him his life. Worf demands leave to clear the family name; Picard refuses. By insisting he will stand at Worf's side, the captain reframes the crisis from a private Klingon matter to a Starfleet responsibility, escalating the stakes and committing the ship—and the Federation's honor—to Worf's fight. The scene is a turning point: Picard's personal pledge both protects his officer and guarantees interstellar confrontation, while revealing the moral reciprocity that binds captain and crew.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Picard learns Worf's father is accused of aiding Romulans in the Khitomer massacre and expresses concern over the timing and source of the accusation.

concern to incredulous

Worf reveals the dire consequences of the accusation, including the execution he faces if he fails to clear his father's name, and requests leave to address the charge.

determination to tension

Picard refuses Worf's leave, declaring that as Worf's captain, he will stand by him during the challenge, emphasizing Starfleet's support.

tension to resolve

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain
 primary

Calmly concerned with undercurrent of resolve — protective of his officer while conscious of larger institutional stakes.

Picard listens intently, weighs Worf's plea, then refuses leave. He reframes the dispute as a matter of Starfleet honor and personally pledges to stand with Worf, converting private obligation into command responsibility.

Goals in this moment
  • • Protect the welfare and reputation of a Starfleet officer under his command
  • • Prevent a unilateral absence that could expose the ship or Federation to diplomatic damage
  • • Assert Starfleet's moral authority and bind the ship to due process
Active beliefs
  • • A captain must defend and stand by her crew when their honor and lives are at stake
  • • The actions of a Starfleet officer reflect on the ship and the Federation and therefore cannot be treated as purely private
  • • Personal loyalty and institutional duty are mutually reinforcing obligations
Character traits
measured authority protective institutionally minded diplomatic decisive
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey
Worf
Lieutenant, Chief of Security / Tactical Officer
 primary

Distressed and determined — grief and indignation beneath disciplined composure, willing to accept mortal risk to clear his family's name.

Worf reports the charge that his late father aided the Romulan Khitomer attack, insists the allegation is false, explains the Klingon cost (disgrace and execution), and formally requests leave to answer the accusation in person.

Goals in this moment
  • • Obtain leave to travel to Klingon High Council proceedings and clear his father's name
  • • Protect family honor and prevent seven generations of disgrace
  • • Fulfill Klingon obligations that bind family responsibility with personal accountability
Active beliefs
  • • Klingon custom requires familial responsibility and ritual challenge to defend honor
  • • Duras's accusation is politically motivated and false
  • • If he fails to answer the charge personally, his family (and he) will suffer extreme penalties including execution
Character traits
honorable formal resolute grief-tinged stoic
Follow Worf's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Khitomer Outpost

Khitomer Outpost is referenced as the historic site of the Romulan attack and alleged treason; it functions narratively as the origin of Worf's crisis and the physical locus of the evidence and ritual consequences he must face.

Atmosphere Haunted and scarred in recollection — a place of old blood, ruin, and unresolved political …
Function Catalyst location: the crime scene whose past wounds trigger the present political and personal conflict.
Symbolism Represents past trauma that refuses to stay buried; a cultural wound that if reopened will …
Access Remote and politically charged site; access likely controlled or contested by Klingon authorities and influenced …
Ruined ramparts and blasted watchtowers evoking past violence Scorched earth and the lingering smell of smoke and blood as sensory markers of atrocity

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 2
Character Continuity

"Picard's initial refusal to let Worf face the challenge alone in the Ready Room foreshadows his eventual acceptance of the role as Worf's cha'DIch, demonstrating his unwavering support."

Cha'DIch Oath — Picard Binds Himself to Worf
S3E17 · Sins of the Father
Character Continuity

"Picard's initial refusal to let Worf face the challenge alone in the Ready Room foreshadows his eventual acceptance of the role as Worf's cha'DIch, demonstrating his unwavering support."

Picard Becomes Worf's cha'DIch — A Public Bond Against the Council
S3E17 · Sins of the Father

Key Dialogue

"PICARD: "What are the allegations, Worf?""
"WORF: "My father is accused of aiding and abetting the Romulan attack on the Khitomer outpost.""
"PICARD: "No. (beat, personal) If I understand correctly, a Starfleet officer, a respected member of my crew could stand accused of a capital crime. Your actions in this matter reflect on this ship and the Federation. Therefore, it seems only appropriate for your captain to be at your side as you make your challenge, Lieutenant. I'm sure you would do no less for me.""