“A Matter of Honor” is episode eight of season two of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise is approaching Starbase 179 and Commander Riker informs the captain before hailing the starbase to be ready for transfer on his mark. He leaves the bridge with Wesley and Data contacts the starbase to tell them they are ready to commence transfer.
In the transporter room, four Starfleet crew in blue materialise and Riker says that anyone on the exchange programme should fellow Wesley. One is a Benzite, who Wesley mistakes for Mordock, the Benzite he met in “Coming of Age”. The Benzite corrects him; he is Mendon, but he and Mordock share the same geostructure, so naturally look alike (and are played by the same actor). As to how they can tell each other apart – they just do. Mendon requested this duty as he knows he can be of great help to the ship. Chief O’Brien and Riker share a look as Mendon leaves, then Captain Picard calls Riker to the phasor range.
The captain asks Riker’s feelings on the officer exchange programme. Riker says that Mendon is eager to please. A Benzite trait, according to the captain. He was wondering if an officer from the Enterprise might participate. Riker says it’s probably a good idea. According to Captain Picard, there’s a Klingon vessel in the area. No Federation officer has ever served on a Klingon vessel and it might prove beneficial. Having Worf onboard has been. The captain will ask for a volunteer. Riker volunteers. The reason? No-one has ever done it before.
Worf is telling Riker about Klingons as they head to a rendezvous. One duty of the first officer – Riker, in this case – is to assassinate the captain. Does that not cause chaos? No, according to Worf. If a captain becomes weak and unable to perform, his honourable retirement is assisted by the first officer. The second officer will try to assassinate Riker for the same reasons. The system has operated successfully for centuries. Mendon, meanwhile, is wandering the bridge, making comments.
Riker is eating when Dr Pulaski joins him and asks what he’s eating. Klingon delicacies. Pulaski is concerned that Riker might starve to death, but usually what kills humans kills Klingons. The captain joins them; feats before transfers are common but usually, they have more palatable choices. Apparently, these are the most palatable Klingon dishes.
Before Riker leaves, Worf gives him an emergency transponder as a security precaution to ensure Riker’s return to the ship. Sentiment? Efficiency, commander. The captain of the Pagh hails the Enterprise and tells them that Riker is to beam onboard immediately. Mendon makes a comment to Worf, then says he didn’t mean to offend him. He didn’t. Yet. Mendon is scanning the Klingon ship and discovers a lifeform on its hull, and scans deeper. Riker is beamed across and the Pagh leaves. Mendon speaks to Picard as he leaves the bridge; the captain says they have a chain of command and it’s Mendon should report to Worf. It’s their fault for not explaining it better.
The Pagh is rather more functional than the Enterprise. Riker is escorted to the bridge and Captain Kargan. Kargan explains that Riker is now the first officer of a Klingon cruiser. They are at peace but are ready for battle at any moment. He can count on any Klingon officer to die. Riker says he will serve and obey. Will he take an oath to that? He just did. The second officer, Klag, challenges Riker. Who takes him down pretty quickly.
Worf has detected an unknown substance on the Enterprise. Mendon has already located it. It’s a rare form of subatomic bacteria. It grows quickly and is eating the hull. Mendon mentions that he noticed the same bacteria when he did a scan of the Pagh. No; he didn’t inform anyone as he hadn’t done a full analysis. It would be inappropriate to report until then. That’s Benzite procedure. This is not a Benzite ship; Federation procedures are different. Captain Picard is not that happy. Nor is Worf.
Mendon is not getting on that well aboard the Enterprise, so Wesley gives him some encouragement. Riker, on the other hand, is doing better aboard the Pagh, especially with Klag. Taking Klag down quickly got him the second officer’s respect it seems. He’s also able to handle the hazing of the other crew as well. However, the bacteria on both sips causes a problem.