The Way of the Warrior (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Way of the Warrior" is a feature-length episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
. It is the season premiere of the fourth season and marks the arrival of Worf as a permanent crew member aboard Deep Space Nine. The first half of the episode has an average rating of 4.7/5 making it one of the most popular shows in the Star Trek franchise, with the second half holding an average rating of 4.6/5 as of July 23, 2008. This episode was also showcased in the 2006 special edition release Star Trek: Fan Collective - Klingon.
s who have arrived to help Starfleet
fight the Dominion
. They are led by General Martok
, who is not being open with Captain Sisko
about the Klingons' plans and motives. While on the station, Martok's troops commit several questionable acts, including attacking the Cardassian
tailor Elim Garak
, and searching ships without warrants in Bajoran
space. Sisko calls on the one officer in Starfleet who has perhaps the most experience in dealing with Klingons: Worf
.
Worf mingles amongst the Klingons on the station and eventually extracts some information. Despite having to inform on his own people to follow orders, he delivers the information to Sisko. The Klingons are planning to attack Cardassia. They believe that the Cardassian
government has been infiltrated by the Dominion. They have no proof of this and Sisko tries to convince General Martok it is a bad idea. Martok rejects his pleas and leads the Klingon fleet toward Cardassia.
When Garak
notifies Dukat
of the impending attack on his world, the Cardassians are able to scrape together a defense. The Federation
condemns the attack on Cardassia, and the Klingons promptly withdraw from the Khitomer Accords, the peace treaty between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Chancellor Gowron
, leader of the Klingon Empire, arrives at the station and asks Worf to join him in the invasion of Cardassia. When Worf refuses, Gowron issues an ultimatum: he may join the Klingons, or be a dishonorable traitor to his people.
Worf chooses to perform his duty as a Starfleet officer. Gowron declares Worf's family dishonored, and ejects his brother Kurn from the Klingon High Council. When Worf tries to put in his resignation from Starfleet Sisko refuses to grant it. So Worf joins the Deep Space Nine crew aboard the Defiant
as they head off to come between the Klingons and the Cardassians.
The Defiant pulls up to the battle zone and fights the Klingon ships while attempting to rescue the Cardassians, taking damage to several decks, and their cloaking device. Successful in beaming the Cardassian council from its crippled ship, they leave the battle zone as the Cardassian ship explodes. They race back to Deep Space Nine
as a fleet of Klingon ships arrives, armed and ready to destroy the station. General Martok demands the Cardassian council be handed over, but they have been tested and proved not to be Changelings. Enraged, the Klingons open fire on Deep Space Nine.
The station, which has been recently armed with improved weapons including 5000 photon torpedoes which the Klingons think is a bluff, defends itself well but still takes heavy damage. Klingon warriors beam aboard and attack the crew at Ops with bat'leths. Losses are great on both sides. When several Starfleet vessels arrive, Sisko argues with Gowron that this situation is the best their mutual enemy, the Dominion, could hope for. With the most powerful Alpha Quadrant forces at war with each other, the Dominion will be free to sweep in and take over. A furious Gowron agrees and the Klingons stand down, but not before warning Sisko; "You have sided against us in battle, and this, we do not forgive - or forget!"
The Klingons still refuse to give up the Cardassian territories they acquired in battle, meaning they intend to stay right where they are for the time being. With much work to do in the near future, Worf agrees to stay on Deep Space Nine.
as a paper back novel in October 1995. The adaptation was written by Diane Carey
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
. It is the season premiere of the fourth season and marks the arrival of Worf as a permanent crew member aboard Deep Space Nine. The first half of the episode has an average rating of 4.7/5 making it one of the most popular shows in the Star Trek franchise, with the second half holding an average rating of 4.6/5 as of July 23, 2008. This episode was also showcased in the 2006 special edition release Star Trek: Fan Collective - Klingon.
Plot
The station is full of KlingonKlingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
s who have arrived to help Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
fight the Dominion
Dominion (Star Trek)
In the Star Trek universe, the Dominion is a ruthless and militaristic Gamma Quadrant state consisting of many different races. The Dominion wages war on the United Federation of Planets and its allies in the late 24th century, acting as an antagonist in the TV show Star Trek: Deep Space...
. They are led by General Martok
Martok
Martok is a recurring character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, played by actor J. G. Hertzler.-Overview:Little backstory is given regarding the early life of Martok, except for a brief history sketched by himself in the Deep Space Nine episode "Once More Unto the Breach"...
, who is not being open with Captain Sisko
Benjamin Sisko
Benjamin Lafayette Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, is the main character of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Early life and career:...
about the Klingons' plans and motives. While on the station, Martok's troops commit several questionable acts, including attacking the Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
tailor Elim Garak
Elim Garak
Elim Garak is a fictional character from the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in which he is portrayed by Andrew J. Robinson. In the series, Garak is an exiled spy from the Cardassian empire and a former member of a prestigious Cardassian intelligence group called the Obsidian Order...
, and searching ships without warrants in Bajoran
Bajoran
In the Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Bajorans are a humanoid extraterrestrial species native to the planet Bajor. They were first introduced in the 1991 episode "Ensign Ro" of Star Trek: The Next Generation and subsequently also featured in episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and...
space. Sisko calls on the one officer in Starfleet who has perhaps the most experience in dealing with Klingons: Worf
Worf
Worf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...
.
Worf mingles amongst the Klingons on the station and eventually extracts some information. Despite having to inform on his own people to follow orders, he delivers the information to Sisko. The Klingons are planning to attack Cardassia. They believe that the Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
government has been infiltrated by the Dominion. They have no proof of this and Sisko tries to convince General Martok it is a bad idea. Martok rejects his pleas and leads the Klingon fleet toward Cardassia.
When Garak
Elim Garak
Elim Garak is a fictional character from the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in which he is portrayed by Andrew J. Robinson. In the series, Garak is an exiled spy from the Cardassian empire and a former member of a prestigious Cardassian intelligence group called the Obsidian Order...
notifies Dukat
Dukat (Star Trek)
Gul Dukat is the main antagonist of the fictional television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is a member of the fictional Cardassian species, and leader in the Cardassian Union. At times he is an enemy, whilst at others an ally of the series' protagonist Benjamin Sisko. He was played by actor...
of the impending attack on his world, the Cardassians are able to scrape together a defense. The Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
condemns the attack on Cardassia, and the Klingons promptly withdraw from the Khitomer Accords, the peace treaty between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Chancellor Gowron
Gowron
Gowron is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe. Portrayed by Robert O'Reilly and featured in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine...
, leader of the Klingon Empire, arrives at the station and asks Worf to join him in the invasion of Cardassia. When Worf refuses, Gowron issues an ultimatum: he may join the Klingons, or be a dishonorable traitor to his people.
Worf chooses to perform his duty as a Starfleet officer. Gowron declares Worf's family dishonored, and ejects his brother Kurn from the Klingon High Council. When Worf tries to put in his resignation from Starfleet Sisko refuses to grant it. So Worf joins the Deep Space Nine crew aboard the Defiant
USS Defiant
The USS Defiant is a fictional starship in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the feature film Star Trek: First Contact...
as they head off to come between the Klingons and the Cardassians.
The Defiant pulls up to the battle zone and fights the Klingon ships while attempting to rescue the Cardassians, taking damage to several decks, and their cloaking device. Successful in beaming the Cardassian council from its crippled ship, they leave the battle zone as the Cardassian ship explodes. They race back to Deep Space Nine
Deep Space Nine (space station)
Deep Space Nine is a fictitious space station, and is the eponymous primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It serves as a base for the exploration of the Gamma Quadrant via the Bajoran wormhole, and is a hub of trade and travel for the sector's denizens...
as a fleet of Klingon ships arrives, armed and ready to destroy the station. General Martok demands the Cardassian council be handed over, but they have been tested and proved not to be Changelings. Enraged, the Klingons open fire on Deep Space Nine.
The station, which has been recently armed with improved weapons including 5000 photon torpedoes which the Klingons think is a bluff, defends itself well but still takes heavy damage. Klingon warriors beam aboard and attack the crew at Ops with bat'leths. Losses are great on both sides. When several Starfleet vessels arrive, Sisko argues with Gowron that this situation is the best their mutual enemy, the Dominion, could hope for. With the most powerful Alpha Quadrant forces at war with each other, the Dominion will be free to sweep in and take over. A furious Gowron agrees and the Klingons stand down, but not before warning Sisko; "You have sided against us in battle, and this, we do not forgive - or forget!"
The Klingons still refuse to give up the Cardassian territories they acquired in battle, meaning they intend to stay right where they are for the time being. With much work to do in the near future, Worf agrees to stay on Deep Space Nine.
Arc significance
- Following the destruction of the Obsidian Order (cf. "The Die is Cast"), the Cardassians have sealed their borders. It is later revealed that the Cardassian Dissident Movement (cf. "Profit and Loss" and "Second Skin") has taken over the government.
- Dukat has 'switched sides' and is now the chief military advisor to the Detapa Council.
- The Klingon Empire invades Cardassia, claiming that the civilian coup d'état has been engineered by the Dominion. The Federation condems the invasion, and consequently Gowron withdraws from the Kithomer Accords, putting an end to decades of peace between the Federation and the Klingons.
- Sisko helps protect the Detapa Council from the Klingons, and is able to prove (via blood tests) that they have not been replaced by Changelings. Nevertheless, the Klingons refuse to give up the colonies they seized during the invasion.
- Due to the ongoing Klingon threat, Worf comes aboard and is made Chief of Strategic Operations.
- Prior to this episode Jadzia Dax is promoted to Lieutenant Commander
- The Battle is later referred to as The First Battle of Deep Space Nine.
Novelization
This episode was published by Pocket BooksPocket Books
Pocket Books is a division of Simon & Schuster that primarily publishes paperback books.- History :Pocket produced the first mass-market, pocket-sized paperback books in America in early 1939 and revolutionized the publishing industry...
as a paper back novel in October 1995. The adaptation was written by Diane Carey
Diane Carey
Diane Carey is primarily a science fiction author best known for her work in the Star Trek franchise. She has been the lead-off writer for two Star Trek spin-off book series: Star Trek The Next Generation with Star Trek: Ghost Ship, and the novelization of the Star Trek: Enterprise pilot, Broken...