“Redemption II” is episode one of season five of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
In the season four finale, “Redemption”, Worf resigned his commission as a Starfleet officer. This episode opens with him aboard Kern’s Bird of Prey which is being attacked by two others. Worf thinks they must withdraw but Kern lures them close to the system’s star and activates warp, engulfing them in an explosion of plasma.
The Enterprise is at Starbase 234 and Captain Picard is speaking to Admiral Shanthi. There have been three major engagements in the last two weeks, all won by ships loyal to the Duras family. The admiral says it’s not their concern; a civil war is by definition an internal matter of the Empire. Picard agrees, but if the Romulans are involved, it is their concern. The Romulans have consistently worked against the Federation-Klingon alliance, and the Duras family has been conspiring with them. It’s odd that Duras’s family fields such an overpowering force that they can outmatch Gowron at almost every turn.
Admiral Shanthi suggests good leadership; the captain thinks it’s Romulan aid. The Romulans have taken enormous risks in the past to gain advantage over the Federation and it’s unlikely they would stand by and watch. The Federation could stop the flow of supplies by positioning a fleet on the Romulan-Klingon border and expose any ships that tried to cross. Geordi has designed something to defeat the Romulan cloaking device. The admiral will clear this with the Federation Council, but the captain should assemble his fleet.
Easier said than done. Riker, Geordi and Data re in the captain’s ready room. Starfleet is short of ships in this sector; only a dozen are in range. There are others in spacedock for repairs or still under construction. These are taken as well. Captain Picard assigns Riker the Excalibur, with Geordi serving as his first officer. Data remains behind to ask a question. Namely, why not assign him a ship? Unless it’s not the time for an android to command a ship. Picard assigns him the Sutherland.
Kern is drinking with another officer he introduces to Worf as the commander of the squadron that tried to kill them. The capital city is neutral ground. Worf doesn’t seem to get the idea of drinki9ng with one’s enemies, but Kern talks him into having some fun. The Duras sisters are watching. Worf is not like his brother but he tries to be. They plan to make him an offer he will find appealing.
Data arrives on the Sutherland and takes command. Lt. Commander Hobson requests a transfer; he doesn’t think he would make Data a good first officer. Not that he wouldn’t make a good first officer; he wouldn’t be a good one for Data. Because he doesn’t think an android can command a starship. Data understands his concerns. Request denied.
In the previous episode it was revealed that the Romulan commander, Sela, is an almost spitting image of Tasha Yar. B’Etor is currently complaining the Romulan fleet is late; they need the supplies. Sela is informed that the Federation fleet is heading for the border. Toral asks what this means; Sela orders the boy kept quiet. She wants her officer to return to Romulus and get all the ships to arrive at the rendezvous. Lursa thinks the Federation lack enough ships to wage war; Starfleet must be bluffing.
Gowron is being briefed about the Duras still having supplies despite their bases being destroyed. Kern thinks they must have help. Another Klingon thinks they must have better leaders and challenges Gowron. Worf does not think this is the time to fight amongst themselves. The other Klingons do and Gowron kills the challenger as Worf tries to intervene and stop the fight.
The Federation ships approach the border and deploy. On the Sutherland, Data objects – rightfully – to Hanson giving orders without asking him. Even though Data would give the same orders. On a Romulan ship, Sela realises the tachyon net Starfleet’s ships have deployed will detect them, even if cloaked. She wants them to work a way to pass; meanwhile, she will convince Captain Picard to leave.
Sela’s ship decloaks in front of the Enterprise and hails them. To say they are surprised to see Sela is an understatement. Sela says Tasha Yar was her mother and tells them to leave the border in 20 hours, or else.
Despite the confusion caused by Sela’s appearance – and, it seems, Guinan remembers, sort of, some of the events of “Yesterday’s Enterprise” – the fleet is going to remain on station. They need evidence of Romulan involvement, for such would undermine the Duras family’s position with their allies.