‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘Rightful Heir’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is definitely safe to say, that mankind has a complicated relationship with religion and faith. For there is a large segment of the population, that no longer believes that faith and religion are crucial to humanity’s survival as a species. While there are others who firmly believe we are doomed without faith and that the Bible, and the Koran and other such teachings, go beyond gospel and providing direction. In that, they are blueprints for how to live and a guide as to how our world will end and well… the distrust exhibited by both sides regarding the other side’s beliefs… is what creates the complicated relationship in question. One that will not be resolved anytime soon since both sides are dug in deep.
 
But the constant back and forth between everyday folks and true believers, is intriguing enough to inspire creative minds everywhere to ponder upon what our world would look like if we found common ground or if one side was able to prove their point and it just so happens… that the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, takes the time to examine, specifically, what would happen if the faithful were ‘correct’ and Jesus Christ were to return to our modern world to fulfill his destiny and complete his teachings, and what could bring about common ground. A feat that ‘Rightful Heir’ accomplished, in the most unique and inoffensive manner possible… by instead bringing the Klingon equivalent of Jesus into the 24th Century in a supremely surprisingly manner.

Because at first, this episode appeared as though it was going to head in a vastly different direction storytelling wise. Since Worf has a crisis of faith in this tale after coming to question his beliefs in Kahless and the prophecy surrounding him. Which in turn leads him to Boreth to find said faith and well, that’s when Kahless reappears and shakes the Empire up. Since the divide we experience now takes hold within the Empire, making it clear that chaos would ensue if one side’s truth came to light because of the combative nature of tis endless debate. But that aside, that chaos forces Worf to figure out how to create common ground, especially when he comes to discover that the indomitable Kahless… is in fact, a clone, one created to give faith to an Empire of Klingons that have lost their way and that’s really when this episode takes on a powerful new light.

Because… let’s be honest… the answer that nothing would go right if Jesus were to reappear or if God were proven to be truly in our imaginations, is too easy. We know that. Instead, this is where the story uses the clone of Kahless to ask that second question. In that, what would it take for us to find that common ground or potentially see people leave religion and its toxic nature behind, and well… it would require us to truly embrace the best parts of humanity and abide by them, so that a world free of suffering and cruelty exists. Since faith is designed to give us hope in a world where that lacks sometimes and well, while we are a long way from accomplishing that… it is nice to see a story make a recommendation of harmony, especially when the world is currently ablaze with awful man-made crises.

However, we would be foolish to not point out, that this story also offers up a cautionary warning as well. Because what the monks of Boreth do here, is fringe extremist behavior. Which serves as a reminder to us… to keep an eye on such matters and perhaps engage better when fringe religious groups make a push to make their beliefs a reality, since being ignored can be just as powerful a motivator as being challenged. If anything, this is just a deep episode when all is said and done. Since it really explores some powerful concepts regarding religion and its place in our modern world and it is handled in such a savvy and brilliant manner, that it doesn’t offend, nor does it feel awkward. It just stays with you and tasks us to work harder toward a better world and you really can’t ask for much more than that from the Star Trek Universe. Until next time.

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