The Way of the Warrior (episode)

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

When a Klingon fleet under General Martok arrives at the station ostensibly to protect the Alpha Quadrant from the Dominion, Sisko recruits Lieutenant Commander Worf to discover the Klingons' true intentions. (Season premiere)

Summary

Teaser

The Deep Space 9 crew hunts a Changeling through the station. Using wide-angle phaser sweep, Captain Benjamin Sisko and Major Kira Nerys chase the Changeling to the Promenade, where it suddenly resumes humanoid shape and grabs hold of Doctor Julian Bashir after emerging from the Promenade directory. It is Odo, and the chase was really just a surprise drill. Kira asks the computer how much time it took to catch Odo; three hours and twenty-seven minutes is the answer. "That's not good enough," Odo remarks, noting how any other Founder would have had a field day with the station in that length of time, culminating in Bashir's death. The staff is then dismissed with a warning to scan anything and everything next time, given the other Founders' increased proclivity for shapeshifting. Another random drill is scheduled, and an offer from Quark to take bets on how long the staff will take to catch Odo is rebuffed.

Kasidy Yates with Tholian silk — Sisko gives Kasidy Yates rare Tholian silk

That night, when Kasidy Yates joins Sisko for a romantic dinner, she remarks that there have been some changes on Deep Space 9. Firstly, Sisko has shaved his head, of which Yates approves. Secondly, there has been a lot of "maintenance" done on the station lately. Sisko is secretive, but hints that the crew is preparing a few "surprises" in case the Dominion decides to attack the station. The recent revelation that Changelings have infiltrated the Alpha Quadrant has caused a large amount of unrest, and the Cardassians have responded by sealing their borders. The couple present each other with gifts – Sisko gives Kasidy a garment made from rare Tholian silk, while Kasidy returns the gesture by handing Sisko a Pike City Pioneers baseball cap from Cestus III.

Their dinner is interrupted when the new Klingon flagship, the IKS Negh'Var, decloaks at the station. Its commander, General Martok, requests shore leave at Deep Space 9. After Sisko agrees, the DS9 crew is amazed when an entire armada of Klingon ships decloak around the station.

Act One

In Quark's, the Ferengi bartender nervously opines with O'Brien and Bashir that the Klingons who have arrived are awfully quiet. When Martok meets with Captain Sisko and Major Kira, he immediately wants them to use his d'k tahg to cut their palms, proving that they bleed and therefore are not Changelings. When the Klingon is satisfied that Sisko and Kira are really who they appear to be, Martok proclaims that the Klingon fleet will remain in Bajoran space to counter the inevitable Dominion attack.

The crew resumes regular duties, despite the fact that DS9's complement now includes countless Klingons. Kira and Jadzia Dax visit the holosuite, which recreates the Hoobishan Baths on Trill. Kira is distracted away from the holograms and unimpressed with them, admitting that she has never had much of an imagination. Odo and Garak have a quiet breakfast at the Replimat, where a worried Garak reveals that, since the destruction of the Obsidian Order, he has heard rumors of civil uprisings on Cardassia. Their meal is interrupted when a group of Klingons accosts Morn on the Promenade. Odo breaks up the altercation, but the lead Klingon, Drex, levels threats at both Garak and Odo. Odo tells the group of Klingons to leave the Promenade or be thrown in a holding cell.

Drex and his thugs later ambush and beat Garak in his tailor shop.

Act Two

As Bashir repairs the Cardassian's broken bones, he states his surprise that Garak isn't pressing charges. Garak, in his usual manner, brushes off the beating but is wondering why Klingons have become so hostile to Cardassians.

When Kasidy Yates' freighter, the Xhosa, sends out a distress call, Sisko and the crew of DS9 board the USS Defiant. After arriving at the Xhosa's coordinates, they discover that Commander Kaybok of the Klingon Bird-of-Prey IKS M'Char is searching all vessels exiting Bajoran space, including the Xhosa. When Sisko threatens Kaybok that the Defiant will open fire on the M'Char, the Klingon commander allows the Xhosa to break free of the M'Char's tractor beam.

Once the senior officers return to Deep Space 9, Martok meets with Sisko again in his office, slamming Kaybok's dagger into his desk. Kaybok has been executed as punishment for disobeying his orders. Sisko realizes that something must be done before the situation escalates out of control.

File:OBrien and Worf.png

"Chief. It has been a long time."

Remembering how Curzon once told him that the only people who can really handle Klingons are other Klingons, Sisko notifies Starfleet Command of the situation and Starfleet consequently dispatches Lieutenant Commander Worf to the station. Upon his arrival, Chief O'Brien welcomes his old crewmate aboard. Quark, however, upon seeing Worf, remarks "Just what this station needs. Another Klingon."

Act Three

Worf immediately goes to see Captain Sisko to introduce himself and report for duty. When he meets the captain, Sisko offers condolences for the loss of the USS Enterprise-D in battle, calling it a good ship. Worf thanks Sisko for his condolences, but is clearly not willing to talk about it. Sisko takes note of the fact that Worf had been on extended leave. Worf tells Sisko he had been at the Klingon Monastery on Boreth for a time. Sisko apologizes for interrupting Worf's leave, but Worf tells Sisko his leave was almost over. When Sisko asks where Worf will likely be assigned next, Worf tells Sisko that he has been considering resigning from Starfleet. When asked why, Worf explains that living among Humans has never been easy for him but it has become even harder for him since the Enterprise was destroyed and he is no longer sure of his place in Starfleet anymore. Sisko tells Worf if he doesn't want the assignment then he'll understand, but Worf tells Sisko that until he decides one way or the other about resigning he is going to do his duty. With that, Sisko gives Worf his assignment: find out what the Klingons are up to. Before Worf leaves, Sisko cautions him that he too once considered resigning from Starfleet, and now knows that would have been the wrong choice. He urges the Klingon to consider his decision carefully and Worf promises the captain he will keep that in mind.

Worf ventures into Quark's, surprising the Ferengi by asking for prune juice over the traditional Klingon choice of blood wine. Chief O'Brien asks his old shipmate to join him and introduces him to Doctor Bashir and darts. Worf's first try at the sport ends up with him throwing the dart halfway through the board. Then Kira and Dax emerge from the holosuite, dressed in bright, colorful and extravagant medieval clothes arguing over the fact that Kira knocked out Sir Lancelot. Miles introduces Worf to the two, and while Kira is embarrassed and tries to explain the clothes, Dax is quite taken with him. Just then Drex starts to stir up trouble, so Worf decides it's the perfect time to make his first attempt at finding out what the Klingons are up to. He picks a fight with Drex and takes the warrior's d'k tahg. Drex's father, who happens to be General Martok, comes to Worf's quarters to demand the return of his son's "honor". There, Worf voices his disappointment in Martok for the general's dishonorable tactics of harassing personnel and ships, but Martok vows that it is all in the Alpha Quadrant's best interests.

Afterward, Worf vents his frustration on a tactical holosuite program. When Dax arrives, she challenges him to a battle with bat'leths. After a brief fight, Worf gains the upper hand and sweeps Dax off her feet. Dax rhetorically asks whether the simulation made Worf feel better. Worf is frustrated at the situation, noting that his contacts on the Klingon homeworld refuse to speak with him. Dax suggests that with so many Klingons on the station, surely one of them owes the House of Mogh a favor and might be willing to reveal the true reason they are there.

Worf invites an old family friend, Klingon officer Huraga, for a drink. When they consume a large quantity of bloodwine and become drunk, Worf presses Huraga for information. Owing Worf's father, Mogh, as Mogh had saved Huraga's House during their feud with the House of Duras, Huraga tells Worf all about the "glorious battle" that awaits them ahead.

What Worf learns disturbs him, so much that he hesitates to tell Sisko. Odo argues with Worf on the Promenade, and tells the Klingon that it is his duty to inform Sisko.

Martok-Changeling, 2372 — Martok in DS9's wardroom

Worf decides to tell Sisko the ominous truth – the Klingons are about to attack Cardassia. The rumors are true; the Central Command has been overthrown by civilian resistance. The Klingons are convinced that changeling infiltrators are responsible, although they have no hard proof. In the wardroom, Sisko confronts Martok and demands that the Klingons call off their attack. Martok hints that Chancellor Gowron will be told of Worf's involvement in uncovering news of the planned attack. Worf himself feels guilty that he has essentially betrayed the Klingon Empire. When Sisko points out that Starfleet will never support an unprovoked invasion and the attack will place the Federation-Klingon alliance in jeopardy, Martok claims he will return to his ship and consult with Gowron.

However, once Martok beams aboard his ship, he sends a message to the Klingon fleet, ordering them to begin their attack. The fleet cloaks and warps away from the station, heading straight for Cardassia Prime.

Act Four

The crew of DS9 meets in the wardroom. They are in a particularly nasty predicament: warning the Cardassians of the Klingon invasion is tantamount to betrayal and the Federation Council has decided not to get involved until they speak with Gowron, a decision supported by the Bajoran government. Besides, the Klingons may be correct that the Dominion was involved in the coup, since, as Odo points out, this is how the Founders would set about gaining control of Cardassia. Kira states that the Obsidian Order's destruction gave the Cardassian dissident movement the strength and momentum they needed to take over the government, with or without Dominion involvement. Worf points out that this is irrelevant — many Klingons in the Empire believe they have been at peace for too long. The looming Dominion threat has given them an excuse to attack and conquer. If the Klingons have returned to "the old ways" of conquest, Bajor, and potentially the Federation are at risk.

Sisko tries an unorthodox tactic – he invites Garak into the wardroom to measure the Starfleet captain for a new suit. As Garak works, the crew make sure the tailor overhears the fact that one-third of the Klingon military is currently heading into Cardassian space. Garak excuses himself, and immediately afterwards warns Gul Dukat. Busy fighting the civilian insurgency, the Cardassian Union is unprepared for a possible Klingon invasion.

Jadzia Dax, Kira Nerys, and Worf, 2372 — "*The peace treaty between the Federation and the Klingon Empire has ended.*"

When the Federation officially condemns the invasion, the Klingon Empire withdraws from the Khitomer Accords. The Federation-Klingon alliance is dissolved. Despite this however, a Klingon ship decloaks claiming to have Chancellor Gowron on board who wishes to speak with Worf.

Aboard the Klingon ship, Gowron happily greets Worf and tells him that despite everything he still considers him a friend. He then tells Worf why he is there; he wants him to leave Starfleet and join the Klingons in the battle.

Act Five

Despite wanting to return to his people and knowing that he owes the Chancellor much for restoring his honor and giving Kurn a seat on the Klingon High Council, Worf refuses, telling Gowron that he will not break his oath to Starfleet, nor will he support an unwarranted attack. Enraged, Gowron warns Worf that if he refuses then the House of Mogh will be stripped of all its assets, Kurn will be removed from the High Council and Worf himself will be exiled from the Klingon Empire and left with nothing. When Worf replies he'll still have his honor, Gowron simply says "So be it".

Later, Worf sits in Quark's deep in thought and is joined by O'Brien. After reminiscing over saving Captain Picard from the Borg, and how Worf knew they would succeed despite the overwhelming odds, he says he has decided to resign. O'Brien tries to convince him otherwise, assuring Worf that Starfleet is sure to build another Enterprise soon, but as far as Worf is concerned, the ship and life he knew are gone. As he cannot return to Boreth and feeling that his son is much happier living on Earth, Worf decides to apply for a commission with a distant cruiser fleet in the Nyberrite Alliance. Believing that he is a liability to Captain Sisko's dealing with the Klingons, he asks Sisko to accept his resignation, but Sisko refuses – Starfleet needs Worf more than ever before. Indeed, word soon arrives that the Klingons have broken through the Cardassian fleet.

Sisko contacts the new Cardassian government, the Detapa Council, only to see the face of Dukat. Apparently, Dukat switched sides when it was clear that the coup would succeed. Sisko devises a plan: if Dukat can get the Council on a ship and rendezvous with the Defiant, they can seek refuge on Deep Space 9. Since the Klingons will execute all government officials in their invasion of Cardassia, Dukat agrees. Worf points out that if Martok is correct, and members of the Detapa Council have been replaced by Changelings, then the Defiant will help them escape. Sisko considers it a risk worth taking. Knowing the Klingons may end up attacking the station, he orders the new weapons systems be checked and a partial evacuation of the civilian population. On his way to the airlock, Sisko runs into Kasidy who is just arriving. The two muse how lousy their timing has been, but share their first kiss.

Sisko, Dax, Bashir, and Worf take the cloaked Defiant toward the rendezvous point. Worf admits he feels strange being on a Federation starship with a cloaking device, but Sisko assures him he'll get used to it. Bashir reminds Sisko that their agreement with the Romulans regarding the cloaking device strictly forbids its use in the Alpha Quadrant. Sisko is aware of this, but also knows there are probably countless Klingon ships between them and Dukat and he wants to make it in one piece. In response, Bashir tells Sisko he will not say anything if he doesn't, to which Sisko replies with a subtle wink.

Later, the Defiant comes across a debris field of Cardassian ships destroyed by the Klingon invaders. Although there may be survivors, the only way to find out is decloaking the Defiant to use the main sensors. Worf advises against it, warning there is probably Klingon ships cloaked and lying in wait. When Bashir argues that it doesn't sound very honorable, Worf replied that to Klingons, in war there is nothing more honorable than winning. Despite the chance of survivors and over Bashir's objection, Sisko knows making the rendezvous is more important and decides not to take the risk.

When the Defiant arrives at the coordinates, they find three Klingon Birds-of-Prey are in the vicinity and are attacking the Cardassian cruiser Prakesh.

Act Six

When the Klingons ignore the Defiant's hails and fire the first shot, the starship targets the lead Bird-of-Prey and seriously damages its engines. With the Prakesh's shields, weapons and engines obliterated, Sisko is left with no choice but to drop the Defiant's shields and transport Dukat and the Council off their impaired vessel, but also decides to err on the side of caution and orders that they undergo blood screenings. Sisko gambles that the Defiant's ablative armor will be sufficient against the Birds-of-Prey's attacks. The Defiant begins firing at will and destroys the second Klingon vessel in the process.

Prakesh explodes — The *Prakesh*, battered and damaged by continuous attacks, finally explodes

When a larger Vor'cha-class battle cruiser joins the melee, Worf uses his tactical experience and suggests the use of a modulated tractor beam to deflect some of the Klingon disruptor fire. The Defiant crew is successful in rescuing all the Detapa Council members, although the Defiant's cloaking device has been damaged. The Defiant flies to maximum warp as the Prakesh explodes, and two Klingon vessels follow the starship. Meanwhile, Doctor Bashir has examined all the Council members, including Dukat, and determined that no one aboard is a Changeling.

The Defiant successfully reaches Deep Space 9, where O'Brien detects the pursuing Klingon ships. As the starship approaches the station, the crew detect several dozen Klingon ships. O'Brien had requested reinforcements from Starfleet Command, but the relief task force, under command of Admiral Hastur, had not yet reached the station. Sisko makes the decision to sound battle stations.

Act Seven

The crew man the battle stations, preparing for the Klingons to attack, while civilians are evacuated off the Promenade (including a reluctant Quark, who wanted to defend his bar with his disruptor pistol, only to find that Rom has cannibalized it for replicator repair). The Detapa Council are sequestered away by Dukat and, unexpectedly, Garak, who raises a Cardassian disruptor to fight alongside Dukat.

Martok and Gowron hail the station and offer an ultimatum – surrender the Cardassian officials, or the Klingons will take the Council members by force. Even when Sisko tells the two Klingons that the councilors have been given blood screenings, Martok and Gowron remain determined to conquer Cardassia. Gowron urges Sisko to surrender, claiming the old station is as defenseless as an old Grishnar cat, to which Sisko confidently replies, "I assure you, this old cat may not be as toothless as you think." Due to the Dominion threat, Deep Space 9 has been given some major tactical upgrades – the station is now equipped with more than 5,000 photon torpedoes ready to fire.

Nevertheless, Gowron declares "heghlu'meh qaq jajvam", "Today is a good day to die!", Kahless' battle cry. The Klingon fleet begins their attack.

Act Eight

File:Battle ds9 station.jpg

DS9 fires its new armaments

When the Klingon fleet enters weapons range, DS9 unleashes several volleys of the station's new armaments. With multiple phaser banks and telescoping photon launchers, the station destroys ship after ship. Furious, Gowron orders the Negh'Var to fire its cannons directly at DS9's shield generators. The station's defensive systems fail and Klingon boarding parties beam into Ops, the Promenade, and the Cardassians' quarters. After a series of firefights and fierce hand-to-hand combat, the DS9 crew manage to regain control of the situation. An injured O'Brien restores the shields and Dax announces the arrival of the Starfleet reinforcements, lead by the USS Venture. Gowron has little choice but to retreat. He parts with one final threat: "You have sided against us in battle. And this we do not forgive… or forget." (See also: First Battle of Deep Space 9)

Worf, 2372 — Worf wears a red Starfleet uniform

As the Klingons retreat and the Venture arrives, life on the station returns to normal. Quark reopens the bar, much to the delight of Morn, and Garak returns to his tailor shop. As Worf packs up his belongings, Sisko arrives with his discharge papers wanting him to look them over before he sends them to Starfleet and makes his resignation official. Sisko tells Worf that he also considered leaving Starfleet after the death of his wife, believing that once he took off the uniform the pain would go away. But he soon realized that the pain would only end up catching up to him, and the only way he could beat it was to face it. In the end, he knows what he is and what he will always be – a Starfleet officer. Worf finally realizes that resigning from Starfleet won't help him move on from the destruction of the Enterprise and decides to stay in the service. Sisko offers to speak with the captain of the Venture to see if he has a position for him. Worf, however, instead requests a posting on Deep Space 9.

Worf later reports for duty in ops, taking the post of strategic operations officer and wearing a red Starfleet uniform. The rest of the senior staff congratulate him on his new posting, as Worf confides to O'Brien that he looks forward to new challenges in the command division. Sisko reports that Dukat and the rest of the Detapa Council returned to Cardassia Prime safely and have sent thanks, although everyone knows Dukat will end up taking most of the credit. The news is not all good however, as the Klingons are continuing to remain near DS9. They have refused to abandon several Cardassian colonies they seized and have started fortifying their positions. Sisko tells his crew that they also won't be backing down, but will be staying right where they are – aboard Deep Space 9.

Log entries

Captain's log, Deep Space 9, 2372

Memorable quotes

"I didn't know you spoke Klingon."
"Oh, you'd be surprised at the things you can learn when you're doing alterations."

- Odo and Garak, with a quip as he casually disregards his service in the Obsidian Order

"Ah, but I dealt them several cutting remarks which, no doubt, did severe damage to their egos"
"This isn't funny."
"I'm serious, doctor. Thanks to your administrations I'm almost completely healed! But the damage I did to them will last a lifetime…"

- Garak and Julian Bashir, at the infirmary, after Garak was assaulted by Klingons in his shop

"The longer the Klingons are here, the worse things are going to get. Whatever you decide to do, you'd better do it soon."
"Curzon told me once that in the long run the only people who can really handle the Klingons, are Klingons. Get me Starfleet Command."

- Jadzia Dax and Benjamin Sisko, before the latter requests for Worf

"I was sorry to hear about the Enterprise. She was a good ship."

- Benjamin Sisko, to Worf about the loss of the USS Enterprise-D

"Let me guess, Klingon blood wine."
"Prune juice. Chilled."
(laughs) "Prune juice!" (stops laughing when Worf glares at him) "If you say so."

- Quark and Worf, upon their first meeting

"Well, what did the Federation Council say?"
"They've decided to condemn the Klingon invasion. In response, Gowron has expelled all Federation citizens from the Klingon Empire and recalled his ambassadors from the Federation."
"You're saying he cut off diplomatic relations?"
"He's done more than that. The Klingons have withdrawn from the Khitomer Accords. The peace treaty between the Federation and the Klingon Empire has ended."

- O'Brien, Sisko and Kira, on the destruction of the alliance between the Federation and the Klingon Empire

"You forget, I am not only a Klingon warrior; I am a Starfleet officer, and Starfleet deserves an explanation!"
"They will get one soon enough. Until then, know this: My mission will determine the fate of the Klingon Empire. Interfere, and you risk destroying us all!"

- Worf and Martok

"Nice hat."

- Worf, on first meeting Kira and Jadzia

"I'm sure there's more than one Klingon who thinks that slaying a changeling would be worthy of a song or two."
"Doctor, if a Klingon were to kill me, I'd expect nothing less than an entire opera on the subject."

- Bashir and Odo

"The Klingons?!? First it was the Cardassians… then it was the Dominion… now it's the Klingons! How's a Ferengi supposed to make an honest living in a place like this?"

- Quark, exasperated before the Klingon attack on DS9

"Come on, Quark, move it along. You should be in the emergency shelter by now."
"I'm not going to any emergency shelter. This is my bar. And I'm going to defend it."
"Really? And how do you plan to do that?"
"With this."
"You're going to hit them with a box?"
"No, this is my disruptor pistol. The one I used to carry in the old days, when I was serving on that Ferengi freighter."
"I thought you were the ship's cook."
"That's right, and every member of that crew thought he was a food critic. If the Klingons try to get through these doors, I'll be ready for them."
(reads note in the empty box) "'Dear Quark, Used parts from your disruptor to fix the replicators. Will return them soon. Rom.'"
"I will kill him!"
"With what?"

- Odo and Quark

"Who would've thought that the two of us would be fighting, side by side?"
"Just remember when you fire that thing, you're aiming it at a Klingon."
"I'll try to keep that in mind."

- Garak and Dukat, on the upcoming battle

"I find this hand-to-hand combat really quite distasteful. "
"I suppose you prefer the simplicity of an interrogation chamber."
"You have to admit, it's much more civilized."

- Garak and Dukat, during the fight with the Klingons

"This is exactly what the Founders want: Klingon against Cardassian! Federation against Klingon! The more we fight each other, the weaker we'll get, and the less chance we have against the Dominion!"

- Benjamin Sisko

"Kahless himself said, 'Destroying an empire to win a war is no victory…'"
"…and ending a battle to save an empire is no defeat."

- Worf and Gowron

"I do not intend to hand victory to the Dominion. But let your people know that the Klingon Empire will remember what has happened here. You have sided against us in battle, and this we do not forgive… or forget!"

- Gowron

"I finally realized that it wasn't Starfleet that I wanted to get away from: I was trying to escape the pain I felt after my wife's death. I thought I could take the uniform, wrap it around that pain, and toss them both away. But it doesn't work like that. Running may help, for a little while—but sooner or later the pain catches up with you, and the only way to get rid of it is to stand your ground and face it."

- Sisko

"Looks like the Klingons are here to stay."
"Maybe they are, but so are we."

- Kira and Sisko

Background information

Season 4 introduced several changes to I AM ERROR. These included a new title sequence, new credits, and promotions for several characters. For more information, please see DS9 Season 4.

Story and script

At the end of season 3, the writers had planned on doing a "Changelings on Earth" storyline, which would end on a cliff-hanger. However, Paramount said that they didn't want a cliff-hanger ending, forcing the writers to go in a different direction. This not only necessitated a rethinking of the end of the third season, but also a rethinking of the opening of the fourth. The "Changelings on Earth" two-parter was molded into the fourth season episodes "Homefront" and "Paradise Lost", while the rethinking of the end of season 3 produced "The Adversary", a show which left things very open-ended as to how the series was to proceed. Falling ratings had led to the studio giving the producers a mandate to do "something" to shake up the series. Initially, there was some discussion about having the Vulcans leave the United Federation of Planets. However, Ira Steven Behr found himself returning to the episode "The Die is Cast", specifically the line spoken by the Founder; "after today the only threat remaining to us from the Alpha Quadrant are the Klingons and the Federation. And I doubt either of them will be a threat for much longer". Behr discussed the line with Ronald D. Moore, who had written it. Behr commented to Moore, "Maybe we're making a mistake. Maybe the Vulcans should not be the ones leaving the Federation. Maybe it's the Klingons who should break off diplomatic relations. That might bring more heat to it." Behr then pitched a Klingon arc to Rick Berman, who loved the idea. Behr and Berman then brought up the idea to the producers, who liked it, but wanted another element. In response, Berman suggested using the opportunity to bring in the popular Worf as a main character. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, pp. 250, 255-256; Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages, p. 100)
Michael Dorn summarizes this episode by saying "the Klingons had finally gone nuts, basically." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 259)
It is later revealed in "Apocalypse Rising" and further elaborated in "In Purgatory's Shadow" that Martok was a Changeling during the time that this episode is set. However, Martok cuts his hand early in the episode and we clearly see that it bleeds, which would usually indicate that the person isn't a Changeling. This suggests that the Changelings had found a way around the test. This is likely when one considers that this is a popular ritual for Klingons and the possibility of changeling infiltration would only stand to encourage the practice, hence, to ensure infiltration, the Changelings would have to find a way around it. On the other hand, the Martok Changeling may have specifically chose his palm to cut as he may have been hiding a blood pack in that area of his humanoid shape. In fact, in the episode "Paradise Lost" when the Federation implements similar screenings on Earth, Sisko's father is able to suggest off the top of his head a method by which this could be easily accomplished by a resourceful changeling.
The scene between Garak and Quark in which they discuss root beer was added late in production because the episode was coming up a minute or two short. Armin Shimerman and Andrew Robinson wanted to play the scene with an obvious layer of subtext, but director James L. Conway felt it should be played exclusively for laughs. In the end, Ira Steven Behr came down on the subtext side of the debate, saying of the scene "it was never meant as a joke. It was two aliens giving their individual viewpoints about what it was like to live under the Federation. They have serious problems with the whole Federation philosophy, and the fact that it's such a behemoth organization. But at the same time… even though they question the giant, they want the giant on their side when they're in trouble." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 261)
According to Ronald D. Moore, when the show was finished it was actually too long, and there was some discussion about whether to cut the root beer scene. Moore fought for it to remain, as it was his favorite scene in the episode. It was almost cut again when the episode was cut into two parts for syndication. He noted, "A great scene. Andy and Armin played it so well, and it's one of the stand-out moments of the season, if not the series. That's always what DS9 is good at, these characters." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 105)
An unfilmed or deleted portion of the scene between Kira and O'Brien where they discuss upgrades to the station saw O'Brien reveal he and Bashir are participating in a holosuite program based on the Battle of Britain, which would be officially mentioned in "Homefront". In the scene, Kira seeks O'Brien's advice on how to enjoy the holosuite programs, referring to an earlier scene with Kira and Dax, where Kira expressed unease in the holographic Hoobishan Baths. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion - A Series Guide and Script Library)

Production

Both Gary Hutzel and Glenn Neufeld were assigned to this episode as co-visual effects supervisors. Usually, they did alternating episodes, but due to the level of effects needed for this show, it was felt that the talents of both men were required. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 263)
During the battle sequences between the Federation and Klingon fleets, the effects department used Playmates toys, Ertl model kits and Hallmark Bird-of-Prey Christmas ornaments in the background in an effort to keep production costs down. When one of the toy ships was required to explode, special effects manager Gary Monak filled it with explosives and party glitter. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, pp. 263-265)
Dennis Madalone enjoyed filming the battle scenes between the crew in Ops and the Klingon boarding parties. Madalone commented: "That was one of my most enjoyable fights because on one side of the room Michael Dorn was taking out two or three guys, and Nana Visitor was taking out a couple of Klingons, and being stabbed. She's such a handy actress with fight scenes. She really sold that whole plate. I remember Dax taking out a whole bunch of Klingons. The director gave me free reign to create and make things look busy". ("Flashback: The Way of the Warrior", Star Trek Magazine, issue 127)
The Holographic skull fighter in the holosuite was originally played by stunt coordinator Dennis Madalone. Madalone took a hit in his eye in the fight scene with Michael Dorn and stunt actor Tom Morga took over for him. So both stuntmen are present in the final aired version of the fight scene. (Information provided by Dennis Madalone)
In the fight scenes between the Klingons and the Bajorans/Starfleet only a few stuntmen appeared. They were "re-used" and most of them were shot twice or three times and appeared in the next scene in a different place.(Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 263)

Klingon Battleship concept art — Proposed design for a Klingon battleship by John Eaves

As his first task on Deep Space Nine, illustrator John Eaves, who was hired during the hiatus between season three and season four, was assigned to design several new Klingon ships which would first be seen in this episode. Eaves drew a number of concepts, based upon existing models, but with numerous surface alterations. Ultimately however, none of his proposed designs were seen in the episode, as, due to budgetary constraints, the producers decided to use regular Klingon ships for the battle scenes (apart from the IKS Negh'Var, which, originally intended for the one-time-only appearance in TNG: "All Good Things...", was hurriedly brought back from the opening leg of the Star Trek: The Exhibition tour in Scotland.). (Deep Space Nine Sketchbook: John Eaves, DS9 Season 4 DVD special features) Eaves' work was not in vain however, as his discarded design later served as the basis for the 22nd century Klingon Bird-of-Prey in the series I AM ERROR.[1][2]
In one scene, a security officer played by stunt actress Leslie Hoffman answers "Thanks." The voice was added in the post production and is not Hoffman's voice. (Information provided by Leslie Hoffman)
Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko) does not appear in this episode. This is the only season premiere from which he is absent.
The new TR-590 Medical Tricorder X appears for the first time in this episode after the new regular tricorder had already been introduced in VOY: "Initiations".

Reception

Robert Hewitt Wolfe enjoyed the action of this episode, which he noted "appeals to the thirteen-year-old boy in all of us". But he thought the episode had achieved much more than this. He commented, "What makes me proud about this episode is that we managed to find the time to do something nice for every character on the series. Everybody got a moment or two that was very true to their characters; that was fun and exciting, and we used it as a chance to showcase all of our characters, not just introduce a new one." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 105)
Wolfe elaborated on his comments that: "I thought it was a very satisfying story. I thought it was attention grabbing. I hope it served its purpose in bringing back some of the TNG fans to the show, to make its case that DS9 was something really special. That it really deserved attention. I thought it did a great job. More to the point, it didn't ignore our already rich, established characters to do that. Every character in there had a great moment – an action sequence or a couple of action moments of their own, so we didn't just make it a Worf show. It was a really a situation of bringing Worf in, but not surrendering the show to a new character. When a lot of shows are in the process of bringing in a new character, there's always a danger of slighting the characters that are already established. I was happy that DS9 didn't become the Worf show. We just had this great new element in addition to all the other great characters. It didn't just have a wholesale change. The truth of DS9 is, we had a great ensemble cast. Michael Piller created all these terrific characters. My biggest concern about bringing on Worf, wasn't so much servicing Worf – Michael Dorn's a great guy and a terrific actor and Worf is a great character. My concern was protecting what we had done in the previous seasons. 'Way of the Warrior' did that, bringing in a new, great character to our family without throwing out all the wonderful things that had been done up to that point". ("Flashback: The Way of the Warrior", Star Trek Magazine, issue 127)
Ira Behr similarly noted, "I thought it was a real strong opening to the season. It had all the typical Deep Space Nine elements: It had action, comedy, relationships, and it was actually kind of fun." Behr also was impressed by the direction of Jim Conway. He noted, "I thought the scene at the end between Sisko and Worf was as finely an enacted scene as you're going to find in the franchise. I would point to that scene for anyone who has any doubts about Sisko. I thought he was strong, understanding and told it like it was. I was very proud of that scene and I'm proud of that episode." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 105)
Alexander Siddig commented: "That was a landmark for the fans and the actors, because we met Michael Dorn for the first time on our show. We all got a chance to work with Michael on that one, which was great fun. Once we got going with Worf being there and settled down to to doing it, we realized it wasn't going to be such a nightmare and that everything was probably going to be terrific. We all enjoyed that one and I particularly liked Chief O'Brien's line about his liking the look of Worf in red. It was such an unusual line and made me think that maybe O'Brien has a new sartorial eye that we never noticed before". (The Official Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Magazine issue 15, p. 24)
Ronald D. Moore believed that Sisko's new appearance (which debuted in this episode) added a great deal to the scene where Sisko is in the wardroom with Worf and Martok. "It's a tense scene, and they're looking at each other but you get the impression that Avery is the guy in the room you've got to worry about. Sisko, suddenly, is the most threatening presence and the guy who is just going to kick your ass. There are two Klingons with him, and he's just blowing them away. I think it's really given him an edgy presence, which is great." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 102)
James L. Conway was in the running to direct the next Star Trek film, Star Trek: First Contact. He commented: "I knew that I’d be up for the movie and be pitched to (then-Paramount boss) Sherry Lansing. So, for me, that two-hour episode was sort of an audition. It turned out spectacular, and that gave me confidence to go in and give a whole long pitch about how I’d do the movie. It was very intimidating. But in my mind I had to prove to Rick Berman and Sherry that I could do this. So I put everything I possibly could into “Way of the Warrior.” It was a two-hour, sixteen days, two eight-day weeks. And it turned out great. So, for me, it was a lot of fun for a lot of reasons". [3]
Author Una McCormack commented: "I started watching with “The Way of the Warrior”, and I think that’s quite a good place to come into DS9; it’s a very slick episode, the show has a new surety of touch. You feel immediately immersed in this quite detailed and rich milieu. That season keeps that up, so I felt that I was watching a well-imagined show with plenty going on that I could learn about and discover. It didn't feel cardboard, it felt as if it had depth". [4]
In Star Trek 101, Terry J. Erdmann and Paula M. Block list "The Way of the Warrior" as being one of the "Ten Essential Episodes" from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Cinefantastique ranked "The Way of the Warrior" as the second best episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. (Cinefantastique, Vol. 32, No. 4/5, p. 97)

Continuity

This episode contains many references to other episodes of Deep Space Nine as well as I AM ERROR:
Garak and Odo having breakfast together is something that Odo suggested they should do in the third season episode "The Die is Cast".
There are numerous references to the destruction of the Obsidian Order. The Order was destroyed in the Battle of the Omarion Nebula, which also occurred in the third season episode "The Die is Cast".
Sisko's claim that the communications array in the Gamma Quadrant hasn't detected any Dominion ship movements near the wormhole is a reference to the third season episode "Destiny", in which the communications array is deployed.
Worf's claim to Dax that he has even tried to contact Emperor Kahless is a reference to the TNG episode "Rightful Heir", in which a clone of the historical Kahless is installed as a kind of spiritual adviser for the Klingon populace.
During the conversation between Worf and O'Brien at Quark's, the latter mentions the holodecks not working right; this is a reference to the episodes "The Big Goodbye" and "Elementary, Dear Data". Two other holodeck havoc episodes were "Ship in a Bottle" and "Emergence", neither of which Chief O'Brien was present for.
The various mentions of the destruction of the USS Enterprise-D refer to the film Star Trek Generations.
The Cardassian Dissident Movement which takes over control of Cardassia Prime from the Central Command was first introduced in the second season episode "Profit and Loss", while it was showing to be gathering momentum in the third season episode "Second Skin".
Chancellor Gowron's restoration of Worf's family took place in the TNG episode "Redemption II".
O'Brien and Worf's conversation about saving Jean-Luc Picard from the Borg is a reference to the TNG episode episode "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II".
When Bashir points out to Sisko that they aren't supposed to be using the cloaking device in the Alpha Quadrant, it is a reference to the episodes "The Search, Part I" (where the cloaking device was introduced) and "Defiant" (when the rule about not using it in the Alpha Quadrant was revealed).
The animosity between Garak and Dukat which is seen several times throughout the episode was first alluded to in the second season episode "Cardassians" and then again in the third season episode "Civil Defense".
When the Klingons scan Deep Space 9 after Sisko refuses to turn over the Detapa Council, the weapons Starfleet had installed are dismissed by General Martok as "duranium shadows and thoron fields" in reference to DS9: "Emissary", where Kira and O'Brien used duranium shadows and thoron fields to mask the lack of weapons on the station from several Cardassian ships. In the novelization of the episode, this was expanded upon by having the Klingon attack on Garak serving the additional purpose of acquiring information on the station's defenses, but Garak, having guessed their plans, had deliberately provoked them into going after him and had subsequently provided them with out-of-date information on the station to lull them into a false sense of security.
Quark comments that Worf only drinks prune juice, a reference to "Yesterday's Enterprise".
Sisko's line of dialogue in this episode about the Defiant, "Looks like we're going to find out just how much of a pounding this ship can take," was later paid homage to in ENT: "Twilight". In that episode, Charles Tucker III – commanding officer of Enterprise NX-01 in an alternate timeline – states, "I think we’re going to find out how much of a beating these new shields can take." ("Twilight" audio commentary, ENT Season 3 Blu-ray special features)
Sisko orders the weapons to be fired in volleys, beginning with even-numbered photon launchers, then odd-numbered ones, then phasers, before finally ordering all weapons to fire at will. Also, the weapons array isn't activated until the Klingons have already attacked. In "Call to Arms", it is shown Sisko has learned to think ahead; the weapons array is already activated when the Dominion attacks, and orders all weapons to fire immediately.
This is the first episode where Sisko is bald, a look that he will maintain for the remainder of the series.
Worf previously visited Deep Space Nine in TNG: "Birthright, Part I".

Klingon translations

The script provides the following translations:
- Drex's insult to Odo: "Does your mother let you talk to adult men?"
- Martok, delivering Kaybok's d'k tahg to Sisko: "For you."
- Dax's quip to Worf: "Yeah, but I'm a lot better looking than he was."
- Huraga's drinking song^file info: "And the blood was ankle deep / And the River Skral ran crimson red / On the day above all days / When Kahless slew evil Molor dead."
- Martok and Gowron, in battle: "They fight like Klingons!" "Then they can die like Klingons! Destroy their shields! Prepare boarding parties!" "I understand. All ships, concentrate fire on their shield generators."
- Martok, near the end of battle: "But Gowron, victory is near."
- Gowron, right before the battle:"Today is a good day to die.", as explicitly translated by Worf. Note however, this is different than previous Klingon versions of the phrase, which are usually stated as "Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam", instead of "CHEGH-chew jaj-VAM jaj-KAK!" as in this episode.

Episode cuts

This season premiere was initially aired as a single, two-hour long, feature-length episode, the second of three examples of its kind in the series, the first being "Emissary" and the third being "What You Leave Behind". In repeat showings, however, the episode was edited into two one-hour parts. The following scenes were cut for time:
- Dax and Kira in the baths holoprogram
- Bashir and O'Brien eating sand peas at Quark's, while Quark mentions the quiet Klingons
- Odo and Quark discussing Quark's intention to defend his bar and the discovery of the missing disruptor pistol

Other

This episode is the first of only three feature length episodes in the Star Trek series that are not series pilots or finales. The second is the Voyager fifth season episode "Dark Frontier" and the third is the Voyager seventh season episode "Flesh and Blood".
The episode is dedicated to the memory of Gregg Duffy Long and Ronald W. Smith.
Worf previously wore a red command division uniform through the first season of The Next Generation when he served as a junior command officer, but switched to gold and the operations division when he became head of security on the Enterprise in the second season. Near the end of this episode, Worf transfers back to the command division, becomes DS9's new Strategic Operations Officer and the Defiant's executive officer, and again dons a red uniform.
Quark mentions that his cousin Gaila sells weapons. This forms the basis of the season five episode "Business as Usual", where Gaila (played by Josh Pais) appears. Gaila also appears in the season six episode "The Magnificent Ferengi".

Way of the Warrior promo art — CIC Video's promotional artwork

In this episode, while on the bridge of the Defiant, Worf comments that he has never been on a Federation ship with a cloaking device. However, in TNG: "The Pegasus", he was aboard the Enterprise-D as it engaged the experimental cloaking device.
The footage of the USS Venture and other starships docked and traveling past Deep Space 9 was subsequently reused in "Doctor Bashir, I Presume" and "Sacrifice of Angels".
The Klingon drinking song established herein can also be heard in two I AM ERROR episodes: The Doctor and Seven of Nine sing it in "Barge of the Dead", and Neelix sings the song's first two lines in "Prophecy".
This episode was adapted by Diane Carey in the novelization The Way of the Warrior.
Among the items from this episode which were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay was one of the swimming trunks worn by one of the holographic Trill. The trunks were later re-used and worn by background actor David Polk in the I AM ERROR episode "Inside Man". [5]
A special piece of promotional artwork (pictured) was created to advertise the episode in the UK. The artwork was used as the cover of the CIC Video VHS release, in addition to advertisements for the new season.
In a scene at Quark's Bar, Worf begins a fight with Drex, son of General Martok by striking Drex with the back of his hand. In "Apocalypse Rising" Worf explains that striking a Klingon with the back of your hand is a challenge to a fight to the death.

Apocrypha

At one point in this episode, Martok says to Sisko and Kira: "The blood will tell." In 2007, the comic book series Star Trek: Klingons - Blood Will Tell was released.
The Star Trek: The Lost Era novel The Art of the Impossible depicts the Betreka Nebula Incident, which began an eighteen year conflict between the Klingon Empire and the Cardassian Union. In the novel, the conflict takes place from 2328 to 2346.

Remastering information

Remastered scenes of "The Way of the Warrior" are to be featured in the documentary What We Left Behind.

Awards

This episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects.

Video and DVD releases

UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 4.1, catalog number VHR 4203, 26 February 1996

This volume features a special case sleeve – a gatefold showcasing the promotional art for the episode, as well as background covering the events between series, such as the closing of the Cardassian borders, and increased belligerence on the part of the Klingons.

As part of the US VHS collection Star Trek - The Greatest Battles: 3 April 1997
As part of the UK VHS collection Star Trek - Greatest Battles: 16 November 1998
As part of the DS9 Season 4 DVD collection
As part of the Star Trek: Fan Collective - Klingon collection

Links and references

Starring

Avery Brooks as Captain Sisko

Also starring

Guest stars

Previous episode:
"The Adversary"

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Season 4

Next episode:
"The Visitor"

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