10 Star Trek Assassinations That Changed Everything

[@stream_gene]

I say it every time it pops up in a video, but 'In the Pale Moonlight' is a remarkable 45 mins of television. The stylistic choice of it being narrated as a log entry, the writing, the performances, and the sheer balls of it, my God, excellent!

[@chefdean7257]

Did ya know, Senator Vreenak is the actor that played old Owlman in Watchmen movie ?

[@terencewalker9215]

"In the pale moonlight" in my opinion is in the best 5 episodes of Trek ever

[@stream_gene]

​@@terencewalker9215 I gotta ask then, what are the other 4? For me Measure of a Man Far Beyond the Stars Yesterday's Enterprise Darmok In the Pale Moonlight But those are haaaaaard choices that took years of thinking lol

[@stream_gene]

@@chefdean7257 I did funnily enough, I love all these weird connections between films and tv, eg, the Romulan commander who helped the Enterprise-E against the Scimitar, the actress who played her played Dizzy in Starship Troopers lol

[@modernvisionscc]

Absolutely my favorite episode ever

[@jayburdification]

Gowron wasn’t assassinated or even murdered, he was killed during legal combat. Not much of a distinction, but it exists.

[@johnbrogan6583]

yes

[@sheafferw]

Yes not assassination

[@benwillems8584]

Agreed, though as Worf understood what challenging Gowron would lead to, it was a planned killing to remove him from power, even if the method was "legal"

[@jcbaker10]

I think Sean's point in the video is that the combat was planned, not spur of the moment passion. Hence, a planned killing for political purpose.

[@pauls478]

@@benwillems8584 - Gowron's death was schemed at, yes...but it's not really an assassination when the target (a) sees the fight coming, and (b) has an equal chance of killing his attacker in open combat.

[@Deltaflot1701]

As important to the story as Gowron's death was, I wouldn't call it an assasination. It was ritual combat between a challenger and the challenged, and everyone knew what they were getting themselves into.

[@Krahazik]

NOw the death of Warf's mate, which set off that challenge, is a different matter.

[@johndeltuvia7892]

@@Krahazik You're confusing the killing of Duras (also legitmate in Klingon law) with the killing of Gowron. Worf killed Duras for the death of K'Ehleyr while he was serving on the USS Enterprise 1701-D. Worf killed Gowron in ritual combat after accusing Gowron of cowardice. Gowron could have stood aside (technically), but he accepted the challenge to duel. This was while Worf was serving as Chief Tactical Officer on DS9. It is interesting that both deaths served the Federation, but Picard reprimanded Worf for his actions, while Sisko practically ordered Worf to challenge Gowron. Neither were assassinations. Both took place in full view of numerous Klingons, who stood aside as their culture demanded.

[@roberts.1050]

Thank you for saying that. This was not an assassination.... Taking off your restrictive closing and choosing weapons to square off in a fight to the death is not an assassination.

[@WardenWolf]

@@johndeltuvia7892 And Worf was one of the best Bat'leth duelists in the galaxy, having won multiple competitions. Gowron, on the other hand, had never shown his combat prowess onscreen and likely did not have time to maintain his skills while running the Empire. He was guaranteed to be rusty, at the very least. Sisko knew well what he was sending after Gowron.

[@Neruz_85]

@@roberts.1050 Assassination; "the act of deliberately killing someone especially a public figure, usually for money or for political reasons." or "murder by sudden or secret attack often for political reasons : the act or an instance of assassinating someone (such as a prominent political leader)". Just by the definition of the word it would not exclude the way Worf executed the act. Assassination does not need to be a secretive act performed from within the shadows.

[@paulroman3668]

By far, "Into the Pale Moonlight," is the best of trek. It was film excellence, from the log style filming, to the most amazing acting. The event itself changed everything in the trek universe, as well it made a permanent change for Trek mythos and ethic.

[@travisscottmiller2727]

"When the law stands in the way... OUTSOURCE!" I am going get that engraved and placed on a wall 🤣

[@benwillems8584]

That one made me blurt out a chortle

[@Raitdj]

I see Garak as thumbnail, i click like 😂

[@NeverLetOff]

Same

[@gohawks3571]

And now I'm here😂👍👍👍

[@metapoulpo2745]

For Gowron, i had the impression that Ezri Dax also made good arguments that decides worf's actions.

[@elweese]

I agree, I think what she said to Worf decided how he was going to act.

[@raphaelmerriman4901]

I'm very much of the opinion (and always have been) that there are two Ben Siskos. The first, Commander Sisko, was a victim of the turgid storylines. The second, Captain Sisko, coinciding with Avery Brooks shaving his head and growing a beard, was a genuine badass who gave the impression he would do whatever it took to achieve the right result, even if that trod the fine line (and occasionally crossed said line) running through the moral grey area of fighting a major war. Avery Brooks brought so much conviction to the role that you have to wonder, if anyone else had been cast as Sisko, would they have been as convincing during this seasons-long story arc? I think not.

[@G3rain1]

Trod the line? In some cases the dude sprinted across it without looking back.

[@Gilhelmi]

Captain Sisko is the finest wartime Captain Starfleet ever had. I would have followed him to Hell and back. He is the Point of the Spearhead. Captain Picard was the finest overall Captain. He is the one I would want to negotiate for peace. Of course, with the Enterprise-E to assist him. He is more the Pen of Peace. I love all the Captains in their own unique way....... but I need to catch up on modern Star Trek, I have only watched most of Lower Decks.

[@jfbeam]

When they allowed "Hawk" to run the show, it got interesting. (If you've never watched his earlier work, please do.)

[@RaymondBCrisp]

Garak was one of my favorite Star Trek characters, hands down. He was equally comfortable with fitting you for a nice outfit as he was at slitting your throat. Ruthless to the core and completely dispassionate about it. If someone needs to be killed, he won't bat an eye about it.

[@vgernyc]

“Why does everyone turn to me when it comes to assassins??? I am just a simple tailor and occasional gardener!” Garak

[@Aragorn7884]

*'In the Pale Moonlight'* is _my_ #1 😳🤯

[@cmbaz1140]

Peak StarTrek writing and acting.

[@SaulofTarsis]

indeed! no other even comes close...many others' results could have been achieved with the organic progression of the Dominion War. itPML establishes survival for Federation and sets stages for everything that follows. Dahj Asha is undone by horrible writing of ST:P and constant retcon in each of the three seasons...but that's different topic.

[@andrewkosmowski3985]

"Ol' Bugeyes himself"! Haha!

[@IanBourneMusic]

This video backs up my feelings that DS9 is easily the best version of Star Trek

[@merickful]

Agreed. Though I am ashamed that it took me years to realize this.

[@SharpYT97]

Still tied with voyager for me

[@amandavelvet5410]

Just what I was thinking seeing this.

[@LenaMellow]

Sisko was an excellent war time captain. He straddled the line: he was moral, he was practical, he was ruthless.

[@StevenHughes-hr5hp]

Not only that if he ever needed to go over the line all he had to do was get himself measured for a suit.

[@pathutchison7688]

I always loved the probable fact that Garak almost certainly used the bio-mimetic gel he got from Sisko to blow up the Romulan shuttle. That’s why no explosive was detected.

[@RayeKinezono]

I'm a simple person. I hear my favorite lines from "In The Pale Moonlight," I hit the like button. It cannot be overstated just how much I love that episode!

[@jacara1981]

Seriously, how many times does Worf have to save the whole Alpha quadrant before they give him his own series?

[@WardenWolf]

To be fair, that would just be him killing everything in his path.

[@DarthAzabrush]

Not as many as Rom.

[@FirstDan2000]

Star Trek: Worf.

[@Raitdj]

@@FirstDan2000 sounds good to me.

[@Gilhelmi]

I mean, technically Worf has been in the most Star Trek media since he was such a major character in multiple series. But yes, Star Trek: Worf would be amazing. Maybe we could see so of his time as the Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire.

[@binyominsilverman1592]

How did he leave out the assassination of Admiral Forrest which led to the rediscovery of Surak ending the Vulcan Andorian war.

[@elweese]

Was Admiral Forrest's death the main reason for that explosion or was he just collateral damage? Maybe that's why.

[@donaldstinnett5630]

Forrest wasn't singled out for assassination; he was one of the victims of the terrorist attack. There were others.

[@maesdejardin8648]

The assassination of Senator Vreelak saved so many lives it's ridiculous to think about. Even if you ignore the lives saved during the Dominion war, his death was the only reason the Federation offered any help when Romulus went supernova, even if Starfleet did drop the ball on that one.

[@kotlolish]

"The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few." ...And section 31 was probably happy at that kill.

[@maesdejardin8648]

@@kotlolish Sloan in the turbolift: "But, I was about to murder him in a plot to draw them into the war" And, can we give a madlad round of applause to Worf, for installing Kahless as Emperor, and both Gowron and Martok as Chancellor? No one Klingon has directed the empire more than the son of Mogh, not even Kahless the Unforgettable. And, it's hilarious because he's basically just a Klingon weeb, cosplaying what he thinks a true Klingon is, and somehow nailed it better than the rest of the Empire.

[@Kind_Heart214]

I've watched Ds9 like 150 times,im definitely watching this.

[@cmbaz1140]

Only 150 ?

[@jlevogiani2012]

No, no no! Sisko did _not_ "order" Worf to kill Gowron, and I don't think Worf himself had decided on that course of action until the moment his challenge came. To say that Sisko ordered it just by pointing out that Gowron is squandering resources, well, you may as well say that Ezri Dax "ordered" Gowron's assassination when she pointed out to Worf that there hasn't been an honourable Chancellor in possibly centuries.

[@gabriellautzenheiser3021]

I can't say no to Garak. He appears in the thumbnail, best believe I'm gonna watch the video, no matter what it is

[@swampfaye]

ditto. Literally why I clicked on the thumbnail.

[@paulleckner8235]

He looks quite similar to the zodiac killer that San Francisco Police Department dirty Harry Callahan had to kill.

[@songyani3992]

When you think about it, if the essentially entire Romulan political upper class hadn’t been assassinated by Shinzon in 2379, the Supernova that destroyed Romulus wouldn’t have caused so much destruction due to political dysfunction by the power vacuum. Perhaps Romulan Empire would still be intact albeit not on Romulus any more

[@ringo1029384756]

And the second time Worf had a direct hand in changing the course of Klingon affairs.

[@charlesbrentner4611]

I wonder if Worf giving power to Martok rather than seizing the power himself might be the answer to Kaless's prophesy that Worf would do something that no other Klingon had done.

[@RyogaHabiki]

Objection - Gowron wasn't assassinated. He agreed to duel Worf. This would turn out to be a grave mistake and his last mistake.

[@rbrought]

One of the assassinations was that of Tuvix so Voyager could make it back and survive long enough in the Delta Quadrant to make a bunch of changes in that whole area to include the Borg, all the different groups they ran into and everything Janeway has a hand in later.

[@michaelbabiuk8758]

When is an assassinations not called an assassination? I give you -- Edith Keeler

[@nweasels]

I still suspect that in the case of Vreenek, the Tal Shiar did ultimately figure it out, and were legitimately impressed that a star fleet officer would have the guile and fortitude to use their own methodology against them.

[@TK199999]

Its funny, what Garak and Sisko did to Senator Vrenak basically follows 'Inter Arma Silent Legos'.

[@Oohcnap]

Like others have commented, I dont think Gowron dying is considered an assassination. He was killed lawfully according to Klingon culture. Sure Worf was influenced to challenge Gowron but it's still fair game if you ask any klingon

[@ScorpiusZA.]

8:06 - Okay, I hadn't seen ST Picard yet - but what did I just hear? Data is a machine. An advanced one, but a machine nonetheless. What limbo??? That is pure ridiculousness. Then later? Data's daughter? Lal was originally that daughter. But because Data use his brain as a template. But there is nothing left to copy… for a new one considering he was atomised when the Scimitar exploded. I've been very out of Star Trek these last few years - just not enough time, but I get the feeling I haven't missed much.

[@arashimifune2853]

"In Pale Moonlight" should have been #1. No one ever messed the Romulans up like Garak and Sisko did.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodNitpicker]

Yeah but if it had been, we would’ve all been sitting there screaming at the video through the other nine, saying yeah but what about in the pale moonlight?! Lol

[@ulphil08]

Was Gorkon assassinated because he didn't see 5 lights? HAHAHAHAHA

[@elweese]

David Warner was an incredible actor.

[@twocvbloke]

Never make enemies of the Sisko... :P

[@phgamer4393]

it really is amazing how the noble star fleet gets quite involved in international affairs.

[@redfox222]

There is an automatic UP if you quote and highlight "In the pale Moonlight!!!" 👍

[@CrackedCandy]

3:04 that was a perfect bargain. Good job guys.

[@mikehall962]

What about the Borg queen in First Contact?

[@demariushenderson1802]

Technically, Future Admiral Janeway assassinated the Borg. The repercussions from that event, meant that the Borg were no longer a near unstoppable galactic threat.

[@mezzaros5534]

I'm surprised Vreenek was at #8. If it wasn't for his death the Federation and it's allies would have ended.

[@BrettR1962]

"Old Bug Eyes". That was funny.

[@KevinPSmith-fk5eb]

I would not call them all assassinations. Gowron and Worf had a fight or duel to the death. Not an assassination or murder

[@Krahazik]

Agreed, now the killing of Warf's mate which set off that challenge is another story.

[@ZappaBlues]

I have no doubt there are more 'incidents' that Garak was involved in that could be expounded on ...

[@nateh8syou]

Worf killing duras and gowron and installing the following high chancellor shows to me that the house of mogh is the true power in the Empire

[@matthewjay660]

Gowron was not assassinated. He was killed honorably in glorious combat by Worf, Son of Mogh.

[@silversonic1]

Worf put Gowron in power. Worf took that power away. He also paved the way for the clone of Kahless to be installed as Emperor, though it was merely a title. Anybody who claims Worf isn't at least the second most important Klingon ever clearly hasn't had the urge to learn Klingon as a means to write an opera about him. (Kahless still has the number one spot due to being worshiped by the entire Empire. Also, no... I still don't know the language.)

[@annieworroll4373]

I'm not entirely sure Gowron should count as an assassination. It was a proper challenge in line with Klingon law done by a Starfleet officer with dispensation to do so, so it wouldn't be out of line on the Federation side of things either.

[@ChrundleTGreat]

Totally agree. It was mutual combat

[@firstname4337]

Worf killed Gowron because of Ezri's talk about honor

[@supaklaw]

"You should have killed me when you had the chance... you won't get another!" ::It's Always Sunny in Philadephia Font:: WORF GETS ANOTHER CHANCE

[@jonathanencarnacion8184]

Seán, you do a pretty good impression of Garak!

[@Zabuchi25]

the Enterprise-E didnt 'happen to be in the area" they were in that area because of B-4

[@frankharr9466]

Good list.

[@lloroshastar6347]

I still think Vreenak was the most noteworthy assassination because it changed the course of the biggest war in the Alpha Quadrant's history. It was like Stalingrad and US intervention in WW2, the two events that turned the tide in that war. You could argue that the Breen cancelled out the Romulan's, but really once the Breen weapon was no longer an issue (which happened shortly after their introduction to the war) the Breen armada wasn't as big a boost to the Dominion any longer, and so the advantage the Romulan's gave was almost all but revived. The Breen joining the Dominion was like a last gasp, and the Cardassian rebellion just sped up the inevitable end of the war. I don't think any other assassination listed here (and I agree that Gowron doesn't class as an assassination) is as significant in terms of how effective it was in changing events in Star Trek.

[@willadeefriesland5107]

Worf. Emperor maker. The SECOND most important StarFleet officer...

[@Herowebcomics]

Yeah,Garak has been an important part of assassinations for who knows how long! And those Klingons are ridiculous! 😐

[@magnificus8581]

Gowron being killed in battle is not an assassination

[@tomwilson2804]

I think that Vreenak should have been #1 because it is likely the thing that changed the entire tide of the war. Had the Romulans not joined the war, it is likely that there would be nothing for Gowron to squander.

[@privatename5788]

How important does someone have to be before they are considered assassinated, as opposed to simply murdered?

[@augiegirl1]

It’s so interesting to see Sisko slowly accept Klingon beliefs & traditions, after threatening to charge Worf with murder for performing the Mauk-to’Var ritual with Kurn in “Sons of Mogh”.

[@fresmarco78]

imma jump on the Gowron wasnt assassinated bandwagon it was full illegal ritualized combat

[@swampfaye]

Sisko is the most realistic Military commander in the entire Starfleet.

[@kchortu]

Technically Worf's duel with Gowron was not assassination but rather a legitimate way under Klingon law to install a new high consular.

[@stephenblowers8457]

Yes but one of those involved in Chancelor Gorkans death was Siskos grandfather.

[@philly83]

The perfect thumbnail for this video

[@marcins5183]

I would say that whatever future Janeway did to the Borg Queen should be on top of that list!

[@meanmutton]

Vreenek should have been #1. That was so amazing, best DS9 episode ever.

[@DoctorX17]

Gowron has the best face, lol

[@josephbrown6906]

Gowron's death wasn't an assassination. It wouldn't be seen as such in Klingon culture, nor should we consider it as such. Gowron lost a fair fight and died because of it. The challenge was completely legal according to Klingon law.

[@heatheradams4221]

Old bug eyes... that was funny.

[@cesarnieves6884]

I guess Garak din't consider Vreenek's body guards important enough to mention.

[@STSWB5SG1FAN]

I don't think you can call #1 an assassination. Worf killed Gorwron in a straight up honorable fight, assassins usually (actually always) operate from the shadows. If Worf had poisoned him, or shot him then that would be an assassination.

[@Malrottian]

I think it's more the fact that it was under direct orders for the furtherance of a political goal rather than the method chosen which makes it an assassination.

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

Glory to your channel!

[@SlimThrull]

I was really expecting Gorkon to be number one.

[@ryanhau1073]

When I saw this on my feed, thought it was released based on a current event, but then noticed it was released 7 months ago

[@georgedrury2976]

I never picked up on the Section 31-esque Sisko part of the Gowron assassination. The order of some of these are questionable, probably because you need to appeal to a younger audience, but you did a great job.

[@colex201]

Gowron's death was not an assassination, that lacks HONOR which Worf is super obsessed with...

[@lloroshastar6347]

"When law stands in the way, outsource!" - I'll remember that one.

[@Deadxman616]

it never been cannon that mirror kirk died by spock

[@Nostalgic-Mechanic]

The assassination that changed the most was the assassination of Star Trek itself in 2009... that changed Star Trek up to this day.

[@Sephiroth144]

WAS Gorkon's Death a big deal? Wasn't he already planning on working closer with the Federation, pushed faster due to Praxis? Like, I remember his daughter saying she wanted to continue his plans

[@jacquesantoine3410]

How is the heck is Vreenek not #1

[@mentor397]

That big hat looks a lot like Crocker's hat in Fairly Oddparents - Abracatstrophe.

[@Kippy8472]

What about the most important person in the galaxy? Miles O'brien. He almost died many times, visionary from ds9 comes to mind.

[@scotts918]

Sisko would make a badass Section 31 operative

[@jimslancio]

His "In The Pale Moonlight" scheme either called him to Section 31's attention, or proved he already was an operative.

[@tommytwotacos8106]

I have a hard time defining a death in open man to man combat as "murder"

[@bskorupk]

In the Thumbnail there are only 8 phaser-beams on Garak... where are the other two?

[@alanfisher3848]

Those poor Romulan guards always get forgotten about In The Pale Moonlight

[@irri4662]

Old bug eyes himself. 🤣oh I'm an eyeist.👽

[@Lordoftheapes79]

Worf is Khaless reborn.

[@richardgadberry8398]

"You don't want to be vaporized because you need a body, the disruptor ruined your clothing, the knife was too savage, the nerve gas smelled bad, hanging took too long, and poison… What was wrong with poison?"

[@Martial-Mat]

I despised Sisko for his pompous reaction to Garak killing Vreenek. Not only was it ridiculously high-minded, placing his own discomfort above billions of lives, but it was hypocritical. In fact, have you considered do a "Ten most hypocritical moments by Star Trek "good" characters" video? Janeway, Picard, Janeway, Phlox, Janeway, Sisko, Janeway, and Odo should do for starters.

[@tlouiseallen9302]

Don’t forget Admiral Janeway 😁😉🖖🏼

[@Martial-Mat]

@@tlouiseallen9302 Phew, thanks! 😁

[@Martial-Mat]

@@paulcairns3246 She was in the resistance at the time, and they were occupiers, not civilians.

[@poil8351]

Well being klingon chancellor was pretty dangerous. Gorkon Kempec Gowron.

[@sasamichan]

I had an idea for a tier list : Ranking Sar Trek Probes by least o most dangerous V'ger Whale Probe Nomad M-5 m which I think was more a computer technically Kataan probe other probes what ones were he biggest threat? he least threat?

[@warlock12uk]

Old bug eyes, indeed...

[@spezial-m9146]

Why are there examples of the Picard show on the list when is is clearly not StarTrek??

[@NewExile]

Not so much an assassination, but the entire silver blood crew's death, followed by the reveal that we'd been following ghosts all season, set back the Voyager crew by a good season or two - the original Voyager crew had never gotten their hands on, much less installed, a transwarp drive, so their ETA back to Earth was still around 90 years.

[@cortezpaschal1913]

Gowron's death is essentially just a common, ritualistic change of power...not an assassination. Gorkon should have been number one. Top 3 at least

[@AnthonySmith-te2be]

Worf had more influence in alpha sector politics than anyone is willing to admit

[@christopherg2347]

"I made you a chancelor, I can unmake you." - Worf to Martok, the unsaid subtext.