- Riker's delight at being offered a command of the USS Ares turns to frustration when the man sent to prepare him for his mission is his estranged father; Worf's behavior leads Wesley to delve into Klingon tradition.
- When Riker is offered the command of the the USS Aries he and Picard are pleased. They are stopping at Starbase Montgomery where they are taking a civilian on board to brief Riker on his new assignment. When it turns out to be Riker's father -they haven't seen each other for some 15 years - it seems he knows Dr. Pulaski with whom he obviously at one time had a serious relationship. It takes a physical encounter for father and son to solve their issues. Worf meanwhile has been quite irascible lately and it's left to Wesley Crusher to figure out what he needs. While at the base, the crew is also taking advantage of the facilities to have the engines looked at.—garykmcd
- Due to his exemplary record as flag ship first officer, Commander William T. Riker is offered his own command, aboard a far more modest starship, but in a largely explored intergalactic sector. His mood turns from pensive to ire when he notices the Federation official invited to brief him is none other than his always indisposed, nearly-always-absent father Kyle, who also turns out to be ship medical chief Pulaski's once love. Wesley studiously works out that Worf's worse-than-normal-Klingon mood stems from the frustration of missing out on a virility-transition ritual, so he enlists data and Geordi to enact it on the Holodeck. A martial arts duel helps the Rikers deal with past and truth.—KGF Vissers
- When Riker is offered the command of the USS Ares, he and Picard are pleased. Riker has 12 hours to think it over and make his decision. They are stopping at star base Montgomery where they are taking a civilian on board to brief Riker on his new assignment. Ares has been tasked with travelling to the Vega-Omicron sector and search for evidence of alien life. This mission will be long and arduous. Vega-Omicron is months away at full warp and there is no guarantee that they will find anything there. The civilian turns out to be Riker's father Kyle (Mitchell Ryan). They haven't seen each other for some 15 years. It seems the Kyle knows Dr. Pulaski with whom he obviously at one time had a serious relationship. Riker is not happy to see Kyle and leaves him to return to his normal ship duties.
Worf meanwhile has been quite irascible lately and it's left for Wesley Crusher to figure out what he needs. Worf tells Riker that he would like to join him on his new command ship. Worf needs a true combat mission to achieve a hero's death. Wesley finally figures that it is the 10th anniversary of Worf's Age of Ascension. They day is spent celebrating with Klingon friends, which he doesn't have. Work is feeling culturally and socially isolated. Wesley, Data and Geordi decide to throw him a Klingon party on the Holodeck.
While at the base, the crew is also taking advantage of the facilities to have the engines looked at. Geordi is not pleased with the prospect as he feels he can take care of the issue by himself. finally, the star base team is not able to find anything and suggests a solution that Geordi had recommended at the beginning.
Riker is completely cold towards Kyle. Kyle says that staying in touch wasn't his strong suit. And he came to the Enterprise as Riker would be gone for a long time if he accepted this mission. Riker still doesn't want to engage in any conversation with Kyle and leaves. Pulaski introduces Kyle to Deanna. Deanna confronts Kyle and asks him to reconsider why he is so competitive with his own son. Kyle is proud of Riker but covets his successes. Deanna tells Kyle that Riker values honesty ever everything else. Pulaski tells Riker that both Kyle and she used to love each other, but Kyle ruled out marriage as Kyle wanted to focus his attention on Riker. The first officer of the Ares is commander Flaherty and he speaks 40 languages.
Riker needs more time to make his decision, as the Ares a relatively insignificant ship, but it will be his own command. Riker says his goodbye to Deanna. She cries, and they hug. Kyle is leaving and challenges Riker to a fight before he leaves. Riker asks him to come to the gym on level 12. It takes a physical encounter for father and son to solve their issues. They have been having Anbo-Jitsu matches since Riker was 8, and Riker has never beaten Kyle at this. The competitors are blind and must fight with their instincts. Riker beats Kyle this time. Riker always blamed Kyle for his mother's death. But Kyle says that Riker was too young and by the time Kyle wanted to talk, it had been too long, and a wall had come up between them. The distance between them grew from that point on.
Deanna takes Worf to the surprise party thrown by the group for him. But the ceremony is very painful and uses Klingon pain sticks on Worf, which he must endure and get to the end of the line, to prove his strength. Worf makes it and is very thankful to his friends despite the extreme pain. Riker decides to stay on board the Enterprise.
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