“Heart of Glory” is episode twenty of season one of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Starfleet has asked the Enterprise to investigate a disturbance in the Neutral Zone. According to Worf, there are reports of a battle but no information on who might have been involved. Data says that there are no reports of Federation vessels in the area. Could it be the Ferengi? It’s a little out of their territory. Picard doesn’t feel that it’s necessary to separate the saucer section yet. The weapons do not match any known Ferengi design; Data suggests they could be Romulan. It seems the Romulans have not been around in some time.
A damaged ship is detecting; drifting, life support failing and pretty much everything else broken. There’s no trace of another vessel but, if there is a Romulan ship present, it could be cloaked. Picard orders that Starfleet be informed that they are entering the Neutral Zone. The ship is Talarian, a cargo vessel. Worf has possibly detected lifesigns but there’s too much clutter to know for certain. The captain orders Riker to lead an away team, and he selects Geordi and Data. Picard asks Geordi if they are close enough to use the visual acuity transmitter. They can try. Picard, and Riker, also are uncertain about this whole setup.
The transmitter mentioned transmits what Geordi sees through his VISOR, but it only has a range of a few kilometres. Once aboard, the Enterprise gets what Geordi sees and the captain asks what a shape is. That’s Commander Riker. Geordi gets all the data simultaneously; as to how he copes with it – practice. Data is giving off an aura; because he’s an android, according to Geordi. The impression given that he thought everyone saw Data like that. Riker interrupts the discussion; they are, after all, on a mission.
The freighter is a mess and lifesigns are coming from the far side of engineering. According to Data, all the routes are equally dangerous. According the Geordi, the skin of the ship is losing structural integrity. He estimates 5 minutes or less until it goes. The Enterprise loses his VISOR transmission due to signal overload. The lifesigns are clearer and Data says he should make his way alone as the heat and toxic gasses will have less effect. Then comes back because the door to the compartment is jammed. Using a phaser would cause an explosion so Data forces the door open. Inside are three Klingons. Unexpected occupants to say the least.
The leader introduces himself as Commander Korris (Vaughn Armstrong) and also introduces Lieutenant Konmel. The third is in poor shape and isn’t introduced. The ship is falling to pieces and Picard orders Tasha to go to the transporter room to beam them out. The first attempt fails; the second, as the ship explodes, succeeds. The injured Klingon is going to be taken to sickbay and Captain Picard is going to head there. Worf wants to come with.
Dr Crusher is working on the third Klingon as Korris introduces himself. They were passengers on the freighter when they were attacked without warning by a Ferengi cruiser. Worf states that the weapons were not Ferengi. Korris asks who Worf is, and if he’s a member of the crew. Then states that Worf is correct. The weapons were Klingon but the vessel was Ferengi. Korris took over command with the permission of the captain and suckered the Ferengi in, destroying them with some seriously dated weaponry after duping them into lowering their shields. Korris would like to rest and Picard asks Worf to show them to their quarters. Both Riker and Picard still thing something is up,
When Worf shows the Klingons to their quarters, Korris tries to wind him up, suggesting he has become tame and docile. Yes; he is trying to anger Worf to see if it is still possible. However, the third Klingon isn’t doing so well and the other two are summoned to sickbay as he dies.
Worf reveals more about his past; not much about it has been known until now. How he was raised by humans and how he came to join Starfleet. Worf hasn’t been around many Klingons and Korris tries to use this. For, as Captain Picard suspects, there is something else going on.