Summary for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
Once More Unto the Breach

Season 7, Episode 7

Guest Stars:
John Colicos as "Kor"
J.G. Hertzler as "Martok"
Neil Vipond
Nancy Youngblut
Blake Lindsley

Written by: Ronald D. Moore

Events:
The episode opens at Quark's, with Miles and Julian arguing over the legend of Davy Crockett at the Alamo. Miles is arguing against the idea that Davy Crockett surrendered, believing Crockett died defending the Alamo. Julian believes Crockett surrendered and was immediately executed by Santa Ana.

Worf interrupts with the best line from the scene: "You are both wrong. The only real question is whether you believe in the legend of Davy Crockett or not. If you do then there should be no doubt in your mind that he died a hero's death. If you do not believe in the legend then he was just a man and it does not matter how he died."

Thus the tone for the episode is set.

Worf leaves Quark's and the scene cuts to Worf's quarters where he receives an unexpected visitor, the legendary Kor.

Kor tells Worf he'd heard about Jadzia. Worf tells Kor she died "a warrior" and Kor states "I expected nothing less." They drink a toast of bloodwine to absent comrades and Kor recognizes the vintage with nothing more than a sip from the tankard.

They settle into their chairs and Kor asks Worf how the war goes for him. Worf admits he's had a few victories, crediting luck for his success.

Best lines from the scene:
Kor: "The Way of the Warrior is not a humble path. Show some pride in your accomplishments."
Worf: "I will try."

Worf asks Kor how the war goes for him and Kor admits he has not found an opportunity to participate in the war. Worf is amazed, claiming that Kor's reputation as a Da'har master and the Klingon who held the Kouma Pass against Tanag should have gained him a command. Kor admits his reputation also includes a "certain ruthlessness" towards his opponents and that he has made enemies in his "single-minded devotion" to his own ambitions. This is why Kor has come to Worf. No one will give him a command and he hopes Worf can change this. He wants to end his life as he's lived it: "as a Warrior".

The scene cuts to Martok's quarters where Durok, Martok's aide de camp, has many reports and repair requests awaiting Martok's attention.

Martok isn't pleased with all this paperwork. Durok isn't pleased with Martok's attitude. Fortunately for both, Worf enters the scene, thus freeing the two antagonists from each other's company.

As soon as Durok leaves Martok delivers the best line of the scene:
"It's a pity Sisko frowns on summary executions."

Worf begins to mention Kor's difficulties and Martok becomes enraged, claiming he will not give Kor a ship in his fleet and telling Worf that Kor is not welcome in his house. Before Worf can continue, Martok orders Worf out of his room "before I forget we are brothers".

Worf leaves, stunned and perplexed.

The episode cuts to the opening credits and commercials.

When the episode returns Martok and Ben are discussing a new battle plan. Martok proposes to take a fleet of 5 Klingon birds of prey to Traka V to hit the Cardassian star base, and then move on to hit the Menora shipyards and the Jem'Hadar breeding facility on Seba II as well as the supply depots in the Borias cluster.

Ben comments it would take half the Ninth fleet just to destroy the base at Traka V but Martok is cunning. He intends to hit it hard enough to throw them off balance and then proceed to raise havoc behind the enemy lines. Ben compares this to a cavalry raid. Ben offers to send the Defiant, but Martok believes it is wiser to keep it at DS9 to prevent the Dominion from trying its own "cavalry raid". He also thinks it wise to keep the Defiant and a dozen star ships available for the return of the Klingon raiding party, just in case they are pursued by the Dominion/Cardassian forces. The thought makes both warriors smile with glee.

The scene cuts to a bird of prey docked at the ring of DS9. An officer is updating Martok on the battle readiness of the Ch'Tang as they approach the bridge. There Worf awaits Martok, and when he is given the chance he once again raises the topic of Kor. At the mention of the name Martok bellows "Clear the bridge!" and all but he and Worf leave.

Worf explains Kor's problem and that he only asks for the opportunity to die as a Klingon warrior. Martok provides the best line of the scene: "I would not give that man the gnawed bones of my last meal much less a command of a ship."

When Worf asks why, pointing out there is no blood feud between their two houses, Martok explains that Martok's family has served fifteen generations in the armies of the Klingon Empire and that it had been his father's wish that Martok be an officer.

Martok was recommended and passed his tests, and required the simple formality of being approved by the Oversight Council. Kor, who sat on that council, objected because of the lowly birth of Martok's family. Kor's house descends from the Imperial Family and he could not see allowing someone from the Kata lowlands to serve as an officer.

Kor's disapproval meant Martok could not even serve as a soldier in the army. Martok spent five years as a civilian labourer, cleaning the officer's mess for General Shavang's flagship until the day the Romulans tried to board the ship, at which time Martok earned a battlefield commission, but too late for his father to enjoy the accomplishment of the son. According to Martok, Kor would have stripped him of that as well.

Not having known this, Worf had used his own authority to appoint Kor an officer of the Ninth Fleet. Martok permits this but makes it clear he views Kor as Worf's responsibility, that Martok wants "nothing to do with him".

[a brief aside: Worf looks incredibly similar to a Frankenstein monster in this scene, thanks to the lighting and the makeup. He's quite a sight.]

The scene cuts to the repli-mat where Kor and Ezri are reminiscing over old times (raiding a Duke's harem together is one of Kurzon's favourite memories).

Worf walks into the scene and looks to turn around when Ezri excuses herself to return to duty. Worf takes a seat to talk to Kor about the latest developments.

He explains that Martok refuses to give him a command. Then he explains why. Kor doesn't recall the event, and Worf criticizes him for not approving Martok's application.

Kor points out that he and Worf both descend from noble houses, and that nobility still counts for something amongst Klingons. Worf has assigned him Third Officer on Martok's command ship. Kor takes this in stride and thanks Worf for his assistance.

As Worf begins to leave, Kor calls to him, asking him to repeat the name of the ship Kor is to report to. Worf does so and Kor reassures him he'll be there.

The scene cuts to an exterior shot of the topside of DS9, where the Klingon ships fly by while two Federation cruisers hold position on the underside of the station (an impressive sight, and no, I don't know the class of the Federation cruisers ;-)

On the bridge of the Ch'Tang the operations officer reports all stations ready and all crew aboard. Martok gives instructions to his helm for departure and Kor appears on the bridge to report for duty. Martok says nothing and Worf tells him to take his station.

The Klingon raiding party gets underway, cloaking almost immediately.

Kor is greeted with awe by the crew ("The Da'har Master" breathes the woman at the helm), much to Martok's chagrin.

Best lines of the scene:
Durok: "Kor! Here! On our ship! "
Martok: "Don't you have something to do?"
Durok: "No."
Martok : "Then -find- something!"

Durok moves to the Third Officer's position to shake hands with Kor and to tell him it is an honour to have him amongst the crew. The operations officer does likewise. Meanwhile Martok simmers.

Meanwhile, at Quark's, Ezri and Nerys are discussing Kor. Ezri is exasperated that she is constantly compared to Dax's previous hosts (her eyes look like Jadzia's, she smiles like Kurzon). Nerys asks if joined Trills expect to go through this phase, reassuring Ezri this will pass. Ezri agrees and points out Dax has gone through this with the past five hosts.

Then Ezri compliments Nerys for her counseling ability, suggesting she might do well as a counselor and teasing that they should switch jobs.

Best lines of the scene:
Nerys: "Oh yeah. People would love bringing their problems to me. 'You dreamt about what? You're crazy. Now get out of my office. Next patient.'"

Ezri starts talking about the dreams she has experienced since seeing Kor again. She wishes she could be out there with him, sharing good times again. Quark walks up towards the table and overhears a portion of this discussion. Nerys looks up and notices Quark. Ezri stops and Nerys asks Quark if he needs something. Quark delivers the drinks and says he doesn't need anything.

When he departs Ezri asks Nerys for her professional assessment. Nerys obliges by declaring Ezri is "crazy" ;-).

Meanwhile, Quark returns to the bar as Odo walks in. Odo asks him what is wrong and Quark explains that he just overheard Ezri longing to return to Worf (obviously Quark assumed the portion of the conversation he heard referred to Worf and not Kor).

The scene cuts to the Klingon mess hall, where Martok is regaling the crew with his story of how they destroyed a relay station on Felton Prime. As the crew drink a toast to their general, Kor walks in. All stand and gaze in awe as the operations officer welcomes the "Da'har Master" to their mess hall. Kor smiles broadly and reassures him he is but the Third Officer and expects no special treatment.

Martok seethes and Worf, noticing this, tries to distract the General with a question about the attack plan for the starbase at Traka V. Martok plans on sending two birds of prey to attack the base with a single strafing run and they will leave the system. Meanwhile, the remaining ships will be cloaked, awaiting the damage control teams appearance to repair the damage. When this occurs these three ships will attack the station, hoping to catch the damage control teams as well as the station unawares.

Kor approves, since it is the tactic he and Kang used to take the Federation outpost on Caleb IV. The crew are eager to hear his version of the battle and Kor is happy to oblige them. He commanded the first division from a D5 cruiser while Kang commanded the second division. Kor explains that "in those days" the cloaking device was new technology and that only a handful of Klingons knew how it worked. Before the battle, Kor took the cloak apart and reassembled it "with my bare hands" for three days, so as to know how it worked.

While Kor tells his tale Martok noisily leaves the mess hall.

The scene cuts to Martok's quarters on the Ch'Tang where Worf is reassuring Martok that the crew is not at fault for their reaction towards Kor, saying they are not used to serving with a legend.

Their conversation is interrupted when the operations officer signals their arrival. Martok calls out "Defense Condition 1" (it appears to be the Klingon equivalent to "Battle Stations") and he and Worf head for the bridge. The scene cuts to a hallway where Kor is trying to remember where he's supposed to be. The helmswomen crosses his path and he demands to know where she is going. She tells him she's going to the bridge, which reminds Kor where he is supposed to be. He snaps "Report to your station!" and under his breath reminds himself to "concentrate."

The episode cuts to commercials.

When the show returns we follow two birds of prey in from space on their strafing run of a ground-based station. Seems Traka V is a rocky ice planet.

The two Klingon ships succeed in blowing up part of the installation and then leave the planet. On the far side of the planet in spacedock are three Cardassian cruisers, two of which pursue the attacking Klingons. One of the Klingon ships is blown away while the other escapes while being pursued by the Cardassians.

The remainder of the ships close on the base while still cloaked. Two defense stations of the base were destroyed and soon the primary shield grid is dropped to facilitate damage control.

Martok seizes the opportunity and all three Klingon vessels decloak and begin their attack. Meanwhile the base starts firing back and carnage ensues. The bridge is rattled with weapons fire and electrical sparks fly everywhere. Martok gives the order to "Fire torpedoes" and to lay in the escape course, as we notice Worf is down and out. Then we notice Martok is down and dazed.

Being Third Officer, Kor takes command and orders continuous fire and to bring the ships around for another pass. The crew instantly obeys. Martok croaks "No, only one pass," but goes unheard by the crew.

The operations officer reports that one of the ships has just lost its captain and first officer and Kor orders them to continue firing and to open a channel to Kang.

The operations officer questions the order and Kor tells her to send a message that the Federation outpost on Caleb IV will be taken within an hour.

Worf starts to regain consciousness and the operations officer tells Kor that Kang has been dead for years. Kor orders they prepare a boarding party to take the base and the helm reminds him the garrison on Traka V numbers 10,000.

Martok begins to regain his voice, ordering the ship out of the system. Worf, realizing what is going on, starts to rise while Martok pulls his dagger. Kor is quite gone, reveling in the idea of capturing Caleb IV all over again. Martok throws his dagger and Worf manages to catch it by the handle before it can strike Kor.

With a backhand he decks Kor and orders the Ch'Tang to break off and retreat. Martok takes his chair and orders the cloak be engaged, as Kor rises to his feet. The operations officer announces no pursuit from Traka V and Martok orders they set course for the rendezvous point with the first Klingon ship and then on to the Menora shipyard. He then orders Worf to get Kor off the bridge.

Kor has returned to his station and, looking at Worf, realizes what he has done and departs the bridge.

The show breaks for commercials.

When we return we see Ezri entering Quark's. Jake is seated at the bar and Ezri passes him to consider what she'll have. Before she can order a drink from Quark he interrupts her to tell her that she should give up Worf and not pursue anything further with him. That Worf has done nothing to earn her attentions. That she is young and beautiful and deserves to live her own life rather than inherit the love Worf gave Jadzia.

When he's finished Ezri reassures him that she has no intention of pursuing Worf. That she still cares about him and probably always will but that they've moved on with their lives. Then she delivers the best line of the scene:
Ezri: "And I'd also like to say that what you just did was one of the kindest, dearest, and for you, one of the most embarrassing things I have ever heard."

She kisses the lower lobe of his ear and tells him "You're a real sweetheart."

She orders a Moscow Mule.

Quark, with a big grin on his face, returns to where Jake is sitting to mix the drink and provides still more best lines for this scene:
Quark: "Did you hear that? She called me 'sweetheart'."
Jake: "Yeah? So?"
Quark: "She loves me."
Jake : "Whaat?"
Quark : "Sweetheart."
Jake: "You're certifiable, you do realize that?"
Quark: "She loves me."

The scene cuts to the Ch'Tang's mess hall where Kor is eating his meal alone. Martok, the operations officer, and Durok enter while Martok discusses the inexperience of one of his captains.

The conversation changes as Martok suggests they try a more challenging target. He suggests the base on Caleb IV (obviously mocking Kor). The operations officer laughs, while Durok and Kor sit stony-faced. Durok tries to excuse himself but Martok won't dismiss him. Meanwhile the helmswoman enters the mess hall.

Martok continues to mock Kor, along with the help of the two Klingon bridge officers until finally Kor stands to leave.

Martok orders him to speak, as in his mocking Martok has been asking him questions.

With dignity and an awareness that his time has past, Kor delivers the best line of the show:
Kor: "Savor the fruit of life, my young friends. It has a sweet taste when it is fresh from the vine. But don't live too long. The taste turns bitter after a time."

After Kor departs Martok angrily thrusts Kor's unfinished meal to the floor, his revenge thwarted by the nobility of his target.

The scene cuts to Martok's quarters where Martok sits, staring at the ceiling. Worf enters to report on the new personnel roster. Kor has been removed from the roster. Martok tells Worf of how he has hungered for revenge against Kor for 30 years and that now that Martok has had his moment he took no joy from it.

Martok asks Worf what will become of Kor, and Worf says he plans on talking to Gowron to find an assignment planet-side for Kor. Martok says he too will have a word with Gowron.

Their discussion is interrupted by the operations officer announcing a number of ships have been detected. He and Worf head to the bridge. Upon arriving they learn that ten Jem'Hadar ships are gaining on them from the rear. The lead ship is using a tachyon scan to penetrate the cloak.

The show cuts to commercials.

When the show returns they are two hours and twelve minutes away from being within the firing range of the Jem'Hadar. The Defiant and 7 Federation starships await them in the Calandra sector and the Klingons will take 3 hours and 45 minutes to get there.

Worf points out that if they can get the Jem'Hadar to drop out of warp for ten minutes they will not be able to overtake the Klingons before they arrive in the Callandra sector.

Martok asks how this might be done and Worf suggests an inverse graviton burst, which would disrupt the Jem'Hadar's warp field. The operations officer points out that they'd need a massive amount of power to affect ten ships and Worf suggests that diverting warp power from a bird of prey to the deflector dish could do it. The operations officer points out they could re-initialize their warp core in two minutes. Worf suggests he could engage them in battle just long enough to distract them and allow the remaining Klingon vessels to escape. He proposes using a crew of six volunteers on one of the birds of prey to accomplish the mission and Martok agrees.

Standing behind Martok and Worf, listening to the conversation, is Durok.

Down in Kor's quarters Durok enters, bringing in a plate of food. Kor announces he isn't hungry and Durok announces the food is for himself.

They talk of the simplicity of the old days and how much the "children" on board the ship have missed of the glory of the older days. When these preliminaries are finished Durok explains their situation regarding the Jem'Hadar pursuit. He shows Kor the plan Worf has devised.

Kor reviews the plan and announces it can be done if certain modifications are made. Durok allows that this might be so but states it would take a Klingon with three times Worf's experience to do it. A Klingon who was certain of his abilities. Kor responds by saying no man would accept such a job unless he was certain. A meaningful look is exchanged and Durok announces it has been an honour serving with Kor, son of Draynar. Durok leaves Kor to consider the possibilities.

The scene cuts to a hallway, where Worf walks towards a transporter chamber. Kor calls to him and Worf stops. Kor tells him that he looks forward to seeing Worf at the Gates of Sto-vo-kor, and as Worf proceeds on his mission Kor asks if he would like to convey any message to Jadzia and stuns him with a tranquilizer from Sick Bay.

Kneeling over Worf's prone body Kor tells Worf:
"When I reach the Halls of the Hallowed Dead I will find your beloved and remind her that her husband is a noble warrior and that he still loves no one but her. Goodbye my friend. Live well."

Stepping into the transporter Kor activates it, and his last recorded words are: "Long Live the Empire."

How easy it is for me to cry over this scene (and even now, months later).

Kor's ship uncloaks and alters course to intercept the approaching Jem'Hadar.

The scene cuts to Martok's bridge where Durok approaches with a bottle of bloodwine. Martok is surprised, asking him "On the bridge?"

Durok delivers the following advice: "If they succeed you can drink to their courage. If they fail you can still drink to their courage."

The operations officer starts reporting the progress of the rearguard action. The graviton burst is successful. All of the Jem'Hadar ships are affected and Kor's ship engages them in battle. Martok says "Die well, Worf." and lowers his head. Worf walks onto the bridge, announcing this is not his day to die.

Martok is bewildered and then realizes Kor has taken command of the rearguard. He demands to know how the battle goes, and the operations officer announces they are nearing the edge of sensor range but that the enemy formation has collapsed and that Kor is taking heavy damage. Then the sensors lose contact.

Martok: "One ship...against ten. It doesn't seem possible."
Worf: "He will succeed. He is Kor...the Da'har Master."

Minutes pass and the operations officer announces: "He's done it. The Jem'Hadar have run out of time."

Martok demands to know how and Worf responds:

"Does it matter?"

Martok takes the bottle from Durok and drinks a toast to Kor, the Da'har Master. Durok then begins singing a Klingon dirge for the glorious dead. The operations officer picks up the song while the bottle is passed from one officer to the next, even to Durok. All except Martok join in the song.

End of episode.

Personal reflections:
This is an episode destined to be yet another Trek classic. One that should be locked away safely along with TOS' "Errand of Mercy", "The Trouble With Tribbles", "Day of the Dove" and DS9's "Blood Oath", "The Sword of Kahless", and "Trials and Tribble-ations".

These episodes, along with "Once More Unto the Breach," cover the very best Klingon story arc Trek has ever produced. It took 31 years to be told from start to finish.

John Colicos (a Canadian, btw) gives us a scintillating portrayal of the youth and old age of Kor, the Da'Har master, Conqueror of Organia, witness to the formation of the Organian Peace Treaty, and the last surviving Klingon to go toe to toe with the legendary Captain James Tiberius Kirk. No matter how many Klingons are born to fight and rule there will never be another who can replace Kor.

The awe that greets him when he first meets his crewmates on the Ch'Tang is richly deserved and one can see the power of his presence in all that he does in this episode. Even in ignominy he has the power to shut the mouths of his persecutors and shame their efforts to laugh at him.

His ending, like that of Davy Crockett, is shrouded in mystery. We do not witness his last and greatest battle. That he succeeded in his mission to delay the Jem'Hadar is obvious. We may never know how many of his enemies he managed to destroy before his end. And this writer freely wept when it became obvious that Kor wouldn't pull off some miracle and rendezvous with the fleet despite the overwhelming odds against him. Tears still come easily at the thought of his heroism and bravery as he defended his comrades from certain doom.

He died as he had lived: as a Warrior and a Legend. Songs of the Da'Har Master will resound through countless ages of Klingon history. His immortality assured.

And no doubt he will be greeted warmly by his former comrades in Sto-vo-kor:

Koloth, who died storming the enclosure of the Albino.

Kang, who died after killing the Albino and avenging the death of his child.

Jadzia, who died defending the Orb of the Prophets from a Pah Wraith.

And now, amongst them, the greatest of them all:

Kor

May he never be forgotten.

Thanks for your attention.



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