Back in 2013, we featured several exclusive cuts of deleted footage from episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation – TrekCore’s features even inspired the research team at CBS to include high definition restorations of lost footage on the last several TNG Blu-ray releases – and now we’re back with a brand-new look into the classic Season 3 episode “Sins of the Father“!
This tape of “Sins of the Father” is dated February 5, 1990, and like the other VHS recordings in this series, it contains an early, unfinished copy of the episode, with missing visual effects, music, and voice-over audio.
In addition to several scenes featuring slightly different camera angles, this “Cut 4” also includes ten additional scenes cut from the broadcast version of the episode! We’ve been provided a copy of the original VHS transfer, and we’re happy to share an exclusive cut-down package highlighting the six most prominent deleted scenes – in proper context with the finished episode – along with a scene-by-scene breakdown!
1. TEASER, SCENES 03 – 04
Our take: This extended version of Kurn’s arrival to the Enterprise doesn’t add much to the overall plot of the episode, but it does serve to highlight the differences between Starfleet and Klingon command styles.
It also shows us why Kurn was so annoyed at Wesley’s delay to get the ship moving – he actually had to ask the Acting Ensign twice.
2. ACT TWO, SCENES 14 – 15
Our take: Another short addition to the show – Worf’s uncontrolled outburst towards Picard; Kurn proudly orders Wesley to take the Enterprise to Qo’nos, and the Acting Ensign swiftly complies.
It’s not much, but it’s nice to some emotional extensions to the scenes.
3. ACT TWO, SCENE 20
Our take: This scene is a very interesting one: it’s the viewer’s first visit to Qo’nos – the Klingon homeworld – and it’s obviously Riker and Picard’s first visit as well.
“There was a time when just being here would’ve meant a death sentence.”
That line, from writer Ronald D. Moore, is one that really calls back to the Klingon Empire of the Original Series – one at war with the Federation. It’s a reference that we would have loved to remain in the episode. It also gives explanation to why Riker beams down, does nothing, and then returns to the ship in the final cut.
The second part of the scene, where Worf tells Picard to head back to the ship when the proceedings get underway, also serve to explain why he and Riker seem to just disappear when things start heating up.
4. ACT THREE, SCENE 24
Our take: Picard and Riker beam back up to the ship. Again, this short cut was probably made for time’s sake, but it does fill in some continuity gaps.
5. ACT THREE, SCENES 36A – C
Our take: Now this footage is something that would have been a GREAT addition to the final episode. We learn that the Enterprise has been denied access to the Klingon planetary internet – on Duras’ orders – so Geordi decides to just hack the system!
It’s a funny bit of dialogue – in a fairly dark episode – and it shows a side of by-the-book La Forge that we almost never get to see. The Klingon “information net” comes into play later in the episode when the crew searches for Kahlest’s address in the First City.
6. ACT THREE, SCENE 37
Our take: An extension of Duras’ offer of protection to Kurn – promising to keep his relationship to Worf secret and offering up the command of a ship.
We can only imagine that these cuts were made for time – it’s pretty tempting offer, and it shows that Duras was willing to go to great lengths to turn Kurn against Worf.
7. ACT FOUR, SCENE 47
Our take: In this extension to Picard’s introduction as Cha’DIch, Duras puts out a lot of bluster to block him from assuming the role – until K’mpec shoots him down in front of the rest of the High Council.
He may be ready to fight, but he still respects the authority of the Chancellor.
8. ACT FIVE, SCENES 57 – 60
Our take: These added sections to Picard’s visit with Kahlest clear up some of the logistical questions about the Khitomer attack – Worf and Kahlest were separated from Mogh and Worf’s mother, so it explains a bit why they survived but Worf’s parents didn’t.
The cut-down section of their post-fight conversation was probably a good edit. Saying that K’mpec wanted to sleep with Kahlest lays his desires on a little thick, where “I caught his eye back then” works as a much more subtle bit of innuendo.
9. ACT FIVE, SCENES 61 – 63
Our take: This is a BIG cut: Kahlest actually announces Mogh’s innocence right on the floor of the High Council chambers! Instead of K’mpec and Duras just covering up her testimony, as seen in the final cut of the episode, this makes it look like the entire High Council – and observers of the court – work together to completely ignore her claims.
The second half also raises some interesting questions: how would Picard protect Kurn from the wrath of the High Council, should his relationship to Worf become public knowledge?
10. ACT FIVE, SCENE 64A
Our take: This brief conversation between Kurn and Worf feels like something that was cut to minimize the serialized nature of the Worf-vs-Duras storyline: Kurn predicts that Worf will one day return to beat the charges against him; Worf promises that Kurn will be standing with him on their day of victory.
It’s a lovely moment – and one that would have fit in perfectly with the final version of the episode – but it doesn’t work for a show that was struggling to stay as standalone as possible.
In the meantime, we’re eager to hear your feedback about this newly-recovered footage cut from “Sins of the Father”, so tell us your thoughts in the comments below!It may have taken us a while, but our TNG workprint project is back in business — and yes, there’s still more to come!