50 Best Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 2, Episode 8 Quotes

Lt. Klag: You understand the Klingons better than I thought, Commander.

- You should have killed me.
- I don't want your command.
- But you tricked me to get it.
- Either way, you can have it back.
- Then return to your station.

[last lines]
Commander William T. Riker: You come from a very brave and unique people. I'm glad you're with us on the Enterprise.
Lieutenant: Thank you, Commander. And... welcome home.

- O'brien: Good luck, commander.
- Riker: Thanks, o'brien.
- I wouldn't want to go. why?
- Heh. You're not afraid, are you?
- No, I'm not.
- I would be.
- Uh, ready, sir.
- Energize.

- Like you,
- I have a mother and a father.
- They look like me. I look like them.
- Are they still alive?
- My mother lives.
- And my father was killed in battle at tranome sar.
- And your father?
- My father...?

Captain: Exactly where are your loyalties, Commander?
Commander William T. Riker: I'm afraid I still don't understand, sir.
Captain: This ship is equipped with our best weapons and our finest warriors. Although we're on a peaceful mission, we're ready to go into battle instantly. I know I can count on every Klingon warrior in this crew to serve and die in that battle. So I ask you again, Commander Riker: where are your loyalties?

- Get him off my ship.
- Yes, captain.
- You understand the klingons better than I thought, commander.
- Thank you, my friend.

Ensign: Soon we'll get things running perfectly.

- That is the way of things.
- He's your father.
- Klingons do not express feeling the way you do.
- Perhaps you should.
- We would not know how.
- Yesterday I did not know how to eat gagh.

- It wasn'tjust luck. I requested it.
- I know I can be of great help to the ship.
- Yes, of course.
- If you'll just follow Mr. Crusher.
- Yes, sir.
- Picard [over intercom]: Commander riker, report to the phaser range, please.
- On my way.

- What is important is our response to this attack.
- Engage cloaking device.
- Change course to intercept the enterprise.
- What do you intend to do, captain?
- Intend? There's only one response.
- I intend to attack the enterprise and destroy it.

- I will die with this crew.
- But I will not break my oath of loyalty to starfleet.
- If you had told those secrets about the enterprise,
- I would have labeled you a traitor and killed you where you stood.
- But instead you will die with us.
- You will die like a klingon.

- Uh, it's still moving.
- Gagh is always best when served live.
- Would you like something easier?
- Easier?
- Yes.
- If klingon food is too strong for you, perhaps we could get one of the females to breast-feed you.

- and I failed.
- I can never recover from that.
- Mendon, it was a mistake.
- You didn't put the organism on the hull.
- You discovered it.
- You were trying to analyze it and messed up on protocol a little.

Commander William T. Riker: [presenting himself to Captain Kargan] Commander William Riker of the Starship Enterprise.
Captain: That is incorrect.
Commander William T. Riker: I don't understand.
Captain: You are Commander William Riker, First Officer of the Klingon cruiser the Pagh.

[after questioning Riker's status as his commanding officer, Lieutenant Klag gets a thrashing from the former]
Commander William T. Riker: My oath is between Captain Kargan and myself. Your only concern is with how you obey my orders. Or do you prefer the rank of prisoner to that of lieutenant?
Lt. Klag: [subdued] I will take your orders.

[Riker has returned from the Pagh]
Commander William T. Riker: That might've been one of the shortest assignments in the history of Starfleet.
Captain: Wrong, Number One. It was almost the longest. Well done.
Commander William T. Riker: Thank you. Actually, I learned quite a bit.
Captain: [referring to Riker's battered face] Apparently not when to duck.
Commander William T. Riker: When *not* to duck would be more accurate.

- We know so little about them.
- There really is so much to learn.
- This is a great opportunity.
- I envy you, Mr. Riker.
- Pulaski: Ah.
- Ah.
- Yeah, thank you.

- Screen off.
- Mendon: Not very hospitable, are they?
- That is not your concern.
- Observe your station, ensign mendon.
- Didn't mean to offend you.
- Yet.

Captain: You should have killed me.
Commander William T. Riker: I don't want your command.
Captain: But you tricked me to get it.
Commander William T. Riker: Either way you can have it back.
Captain: ...Then return to your station.
[Riker glances a Klag and stays where he is. Kargan hits him. Klag checks on Riker]
Captain: Get him off my ship!
Lt. Klag: Yes, Captain.
[to Riker]
Lt. Klag: You understand the Klingons better than I thought, Commander.
Commander William T. Riker: Thank you, my friend.

Tactics: [about the two female Klingons on board the Pagh] They are inquisitive. They would like to know how you would endure.
Commander William T. Riker: Endure what?
Lt. Klag: Them.
Commander William T. Riker: [looks at the women] One or both?

- I demand to be beamed back aboard my vessel!
- Transporter chief, prepare to beam captain kargan back aboard the pagh.
- O'brien [over intercom]: Aye, sir.
- Captain riker, we can carry out your repairs immediately.
- Thank you, captain picard.

- And then I will instruct you in enterprise etiquette.
- Ri ker: First officer's personal log.
- [Have been aboard the pagh a short time, but long enough to be impressed with the abilities and single-mindedness of the klingons.
- Klingon 1: Mm.

- That's a wonderful method of maintaining a constant control factor over defensive shields, but I'm sure there's a way to improve response time.
- Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt you.
- Just thought I could be of some help.
- However, I am correct in what I said.

- I'm just your average everyday human being who happens to be a commander.
- Now, what were your orders?
- To escort you to the captain.
- Proceed.
- Yes, commander.

Captain: [on seeing Riker indulge in a variety of Klingon dishes] I'm familiar with the practice of the feast before the transfer - I've done it dozens of times - however, I usually made more palatable choices.

Commander William T. Riker: It is different.
Lieutenant: Many things will be different.

Commander William T. Riker: After this tour, I may have some worthy questions.
Lt. Klag: Questions about what? About our future? Our future is honor. Our present is serving this ship.

- should be assisted by his first.
- Your second officer will assassinate you for the same reasons.
- That method of attrition must take a little getting used to.
- The klingon system has operated successfully for centuries.
- It is different.
- Many things will be different.

- Damn. Sorry, number one.
- What was that?
- I said I wouldn't mind the assignment, sir.
- Any particular reason?
- Because nobody's ever done it before.
- Well, I'll inform starbase of your acceptance.
- They'll contact the klingon vessel, make the arrangements.

Doctor: I've never heard of a Klingon starving to death on his own vessel, but you might.
Commander William T. Riker: Not if I weaken first.
Doctor: I know all about that. Their beliefs are rather brutal, but usually, what kills us kills them.
Commander William T. Riker: Well, that's certainly good to know.

- I have relieved captain kargan.
- He was acting in an irrational manner.
- I'm your captain now.
- Kargan: Where am I?
- You're on board the starship enterprise.
- Arr, riker has no honor.

[Captain Kargan has demanded from Riker to reveal the secrets of the Enterprise to him, which Riker refuses]
Commander William T. Riker: I will obey your orders, I will serve this ship as First Officer, and, in an attack against the Enterprise, I will die with this crew, but I will not break my oath of loyalty to Starfleet.
Captain: If you had told those secrets about the Enterprise, I would have labeled you a traitor and killed you where you stood, but instead you will die with us. You'll die like a Klingon.

Ensign: I imagine my methods must seem foolish to you.
Wesley: They're... different, but that's what this exchange program is all about. You learn the way we do things and take that information back to your Command. It's up to them to decide which is better.
Ensign: You're right. I'll do it your way. I'll work even harder than I did before. And I'll succeed brilliantly!

[Captain Kargan intends to attack the Enterprise]
Commander William T. Riker: I recommend you don't fire until you're within 40,000 kilometers.
Lt. Klag: Why?
Commander William T. Riker: It will cut down their response time.
Lt. Klag: You are honoring your promise to serve us?
Commander William T. Riker: Would you do less?

- there should be a 12-centimeter opening in the klingon hull at this time.
- Signal them at once. They could be unaware of their danger.
- They may need our help.
- Aye, sir.
- Change course to intercept.
Wesley: Aye, sir.
- It will take some time to locate them, sir.
- They are on undesignated maneuvers in the pheben system.

- You will report your observations to lieutenant worf.
- I beg your pardon, captain.
- I just wanted to impress upon you...
- No need to apologize, ensign.
- We should have explained it better to you at your indoctrination.
- Ensign mendon...
- You may impress me.

[Riker is in the Klingon Mess Hall, eating with about a dozen Klingons]
Tactics: Commander, you're not eating very much.
Cmdr. William Riker: I'm not that hungry.
Second: Is the food all right, Commander?
Cmdr. William Riker: It's delicious. The pipius claw was excellent. I also enjoyed this bregitlung.
Vekma: And the rokeg blood pie?
Cmdr. William Riker: Delicious.
Second: Good. Then you'll also enjoy this.
[Klag passes Riker a bowl of live worms]
Cmdr. William Riker: Isn't that gagh?
Second: Very good. You did some research on our nutritional choices.
Cmdr. William Riker: Yes, but...
[Riker looks at the moving worms]
Cmdr. William Riker: *sigh* it's still moving.
Second: [incredulous] Gagh is always best when served live.

[Riker is caught off guard when offered with a dish of live gagh]
Lt. Klag: Would you like something easier?
Commander William T. Riker: Easier?
Lt. Klag: Yes. If Klingon food is too strong for you, perhaps we could get one of the females to... breast-feed you.

- Transporter, prepare to beam commander riker aboard the pagh.
- O'brien [over intercom]: Acknowledged, captain.
- Mr. Data, you have the bridge.
- Data: Aye, sir.

Captain: We know so little about them; there really is so much to learn. This is a great opportunity. I envy you, Mr. Riker.

- My oath is between captain kargan and myself.
- Your only concern is with how you obey my orders.
- Or do you prefer the rank of prisoner to that of lieutenant?
- I will take your orders.
- And you, commander riker, obey my orders.
- Of course, captain kargan.

- to serve and die in that battle.
- So I ask you again, commander riker, where are your loyalties?
- I've been assigned to serve this ship and to obey your orders.
- And I will do exactly that.
- Will you take an oath to that effect?
- | just did.

Ensign: [Mendon intercepts Picard just as he's about to enter a turbolift] Sir, I'm Ensign Mendon. I just wanted to tell you how pleased I am to be aboard the Enterprise.
Captain: [a little distracted] Yes, of course. Uh... good to have you on board.
Ensign: [Picard moves to leave but Mendon isn't finished] If you have a few minutes I've noticed a few procedural changes which might speed up operations on the Bridge. I pick things up very fast.
Captain: Yes, of course you do. You have an excellent record, Ensign; however, here on the Enterprise we use the chain of command. You will report your observations to Lt. Worf.
Ensign: [a little embarrassed] I beg your pardon, Captain. I just wanted to impress upon you...
Captain: No need to apologize, Ensign... we should have explained it better to you at your indoctrination.
[Picard leaves for the turbolift]
Lieutenant: [Worf, who has heard the whole conversation with increasing irritation, sidles over to Mendon] Ensign Mendon. You may impress ME.
[Worf returns to the Tactical station, and Mendon looks quite humbled]

- it would be more than a marginal improvement.
- I'll have to mention this to the captain.
- He is open to some astute observations, isn't he?
- I've never known the captain not to listen to one of his officers.
- Mendon: Outstanding.
- Soon we'll get things running perfectly.

- You may live long enough to learn about us.
Vekma: Mm, he is not very attractive, but I will have him.
- Klingon 3: They are inquisitive.
- They would like to know how you would endure.
- Endure what?

- Establish position 090, Mark 345 at 27,000 kilometers.
- Hailing frequencies.
- Open.
- Starbase 179, this is the enterprise.
- Woman [over intercom]: Enterprise, this is starbase 179.
- We are ready for transfer on your Mark.
- Thank you. Data, you have the bridge.
- Ensign crusher, you're with me.

Wesley: [about Mordock, from 'Coming of Age'] It's a friend of mine. You look just like him.
Ensign: We are from the same geo-structure. Naturally we look alike.
Wesley: How do you tell each other apart?
Ensign: [considers this] We just do.

- I'll work even harder than I did before.
- And I'll succeed brilliantly.
- What is the status?
- Unchanged.
- The rate of increase continues.
- Commander riker, check the organism growth with engineering.

Commander William T. Riker: It's been my understanding that one of the duties of the first officer of the Klingon vessel is to assassinate his captain?
Lieutenant: Yes, sir.
Commander William T. Riker: Wouldn't that bring about chaos?
Lieutenant: Of course not. See, when and if the captain becomes weak or unable to perform, it is expected that his honorable retirement should be assisted by his First. Your second officer will assassinate you for the same reasons.