Star Trek DS9 "By Inferno's Light" Worf fights Jem'Hadar

Word fights with a number of Jem'Hadar.
/ bizarrepower

[@MrJustonemorevoice]

"I cannot defeat this Klingon! I can only kill him." Whatever the writers were paid it wasn't enough.

[@LordElpme]

there were more than enough bad episodes to balance out their worth

[@dragosradudumitrescu]

Plus they "borrowed" this scene from "Cool Hand Luke".

[@timothy4664]

One of my favorite lines

[@Mourtzouphlos240]

@@dragosradudumitrescu Yeah. The writers said that they looked to classic movies for inspiration wrt episodes and characters. Odo and Quark for example are Rick and Louie from Casablanca if they switched jobs. In the Pale Moonlight was originally supposed to be based on All The President's Men where Jake finds out everything. The episode where Quark is an arms dealer has a scene lifted almost directly from The Third Man. Duet is The Man in the Glass Booth.

[@victorpradha9946]

@@LordElpme Different writers for different episodes. THIS usually explains the variance in quality from episode to episode and sometimes lapses in character continuity though DS9 maybe one of the best series in terms of attention to detail, and careful scrutiny of character presentation. For example, a character like Elim Garak would have easily been messed up big time across various season's episodes.

[@crisdes7260]

"i cannot defeat this klingon...i can only kill him..and that no longer holds my interest.." one of the greatest lines in all of Star Trek

[@blowme5258]

True

[@hagamapama]

I'm sure it made it into the song Martok commissioned.

[@PeoplecallmeLucifer]

@@hagamapama I mean Klingons would be the one to respect the jem'Hadar .... And hate the Vorta

[@hansolo631]

Yea. I wish they had let that Jemmy Hader survive too, he was good stuff

[@fatdaddyeddiejr]

The moment the Jem'Hadar First said those words. I knew he was a dead man. The Founders made the Jem'Hadar to fight and to kill for them. And if they weren't going to do that. What good were they to the Founders?

[@ianfranklin2216]

I've always believed that DS9 fleshed Worf so much more than TNG ever did. What an excellent episode this was.

[@scimbrelo]

You said it. Tbh it's basically what happens when writers respect you, I guess. It was cool how they provided really concrete and hard lessons that worf had to learn that we got to experience with him. Learning how to lead people from O'Brien, as an example. It's interesting because for a guy that's kinda stubborn he's very willing to listen to reason and learn and grow,even in TNG. TL Dr , worf good

[@FS2K4Pilot]

@@scimbrelo Don’t forget learning how to be a father.

[@titsbitchmcgee7502]

TNG had a very low view of klingons, while DS9 was more willing to explore positive aspects of their culture.

[@johnmoore7926]

DS9 did allow Wolf to act on things he wouldn't be able to do on TNG.

[@dmale79]

I agree however, TNG laid the framework. We wouldn't know anything about his father and his innocence and his brother. Or his son but, well we could have done without that. They just ruined that arc with lousy writing. That story arc would be something that would be successful in todays climate maybe. But not 30 years ago. Picards interaction with the Klingons was incredible writing. In fact Picard is why Gowron was still around in DS9. And without Gowron, who knows if Martok would wind up as the leader and make Worf the ambassador. Picards legacy extends beyond TNG. I know older generations will dispute this but I consider Jean-Luc Picard to be the greatest captain and character of the entire Star Trek universe.

[@LordProteus]

They couldn't save random Breen. RIP Random Breen, you were a hero. I wonder if the characters even remembered Random Breen's sacrifice...

[@NameCallingIsWeak]

". I wonder if the characters even remembered Random Breen's sacrifice..." Only youuuuuuuu ...

[@LillianMelody]

even if they dont we remember WE REMEMBER

[@yes4motivation]

@@LillianMelody everyone else moved on, but not us..... not us

[@HeavyJ713]

We shall write fanfiction and give them random Breen a name

[@889654]

Ironic since the Breen join the Dominion later on.

[@tbronzwaer]

My interpretation is that, until seeing Worf’s incredible resolve in combat, the Jem’Hadar couldn’t believe that any race could match their dedication to combat and victory. All other races seemed undisciplined and unworthy to them. The Klingons had the best reputation among the alpha-quadrant races - but the Jem’Hadar didn’t buy the hype, believing that no race could come close to their sense of loyalty and bravery. The fight was never about defeating worf physically; that could always be done simply by strength of numbers. It was about proving that any race other than the Jem’Hadar - even Klingons - would eventually break and give up. But Worf never did. When Ikat'ika realized this, and respected an alien for the first time, he was willing to give his life out of that respect.

[@thomasschulze6715]

I believe you are right with most of what you say. however, you forget that the Jem’Hadar was a first and honored elder. This means that he also cared for the troops under his command. I think by saying "i can not defeat this Klingon, al I can do is kill him" he tried to teach the younger Jem’Hadar that they cant defeat the Klingons, the only way to win would be to kill all of them!

[@udmbfckx2916]

Not only that, the Jem'Hadar tells his handler, before the fight, that he will never understand the "Barbaric sense of honor", even if the Jem'Hadar were made only to fight. He must have learned about meaning, even before this fight, which meant he had seen, fought and defeated other races who were fighting out of honor and pride, if not only survival. But Worf was the topper, the icing in the cake. Because if Worf was any indicator of his breed to this Jem'Hadar, it meant that ALL Klingons, Men, Women, Child and the Elderly would fight like this and there would be no sense (or honor?) in having a known outcome of a fight were the other opponent would ALWAYS lose and you would always win. Because even if you were made or bred for something, at least in biological terms, you will ultimately learn the meaning of a purpose, if you live long enough, sooner or later.

[@jokerinthebronx]

Amazing analogy from the true Trek fan. The other thing that was amazing here was Worf praising Garak. This was probably the first time in any of the series that a Klingon showed respect to a Cardassian. It didn't take place on a ship, but DS9 is one of the best series when it comes to acting and character stories. No doubt. How different races so far apart end up becoming allies and friends. This was a great episode.

[@mirekchance]

Klingons were the ultimate battle warriors. Maybe not alwayse the strongest, but they lived for the fight.

[@Mr5percenter]

Completely agree and well written

[@1monki]

Worf got hit so hard, he must have thought he was back on TNG...

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

And yet when Worf got his ass handed to him in TNG, it was to make his opponent badass. Here in DS9, he took a beating but HE was the one who came out looking badass! And that, m'thinks, is the main difference between Worf in TNG and Worf in DS9

[@jasonnewsham7724]

This was one of the few instants where I like the Jem’he’dar it showed that they were more then genetic killing machines

[@dontes5009]

Jem'he'dar were always great. It was the Vorta that were scum

[@johntrevy1]

@@dontes5009 Exactly, even Audio hated the Gotta but had a respect for the Jem'he'dar.

[@HamanKarn567]

I always found the characters like ometiklan and gerengenar awesome one off characters. I always wished the Jem hadar got their own reaccuring character like weyoun.

[@koshi6505]

@@johntrevy1 Audio is my favorite Foundling.

[@mackgiver875]

@@koshi6505 But for some reason he can never stay quiet :D

[@robertroth5197]

Great storytelling. Ironic that Worf's life is spared by an honorable Jem'Hadar -- who is summarily executed for his mercy. Damned fine writing.

[@MiguelAJeffery]

The writing is next level. I saw DS9 as a kid. Now as an adult, I realize how profound the writing is.

[@nicholashernandez4611]

Everyone is praising the dialogue, I’m just here amazed that the prosthetics held up so well.

[@Paul77ozee]

I never thought of that. Good call. 👍🏼

[@jerodast]

Haha, makeup people stepping out after every hit to touch up the blending. That's why it cuts to so many angles :)

[@IRMentat]

there's a reason trek focusses on belly hits and double-handed back-thumps. weirdly enough there's way more hand to hand in trek than star wars (costs less on a tv budget) but trek also throws a lot more people in prosthetics into fray and for the most part they and the wigs held up fairly well.

[@cypheron3030]

Love it when the Jem'hadar says:" Victory is life!" And when Worf says:"Today is a good day to die!"

[@tanyasoto1346]

Mandolorian comes in ...This is the Way

[@scottbauer71]

I have spoken

[@hobomike6935]

"Then you will die, BRAVER, than most."

[@jackroyaltea5034]

The battle of the catchphrases.

[@agm5424]

The Jaffa: "We die Free!"

[@jerodast]

"I...yield." "You *what*?" "I yield! I cannot defeat this Klingon. All I can do is kill him. And that no longer holds my interest." Legendary quote for "the honorable Jem'Hadar", as well as for Worf.

[@Kalydosos]

He wanted to defeat the mind not the body, most fights all styles are about that; at least with the people who know what they are doing anyway.

[@fjccommish]

This episode showed the Jem'Hadar as cowards. They kept fighting an opponent who fought fight after fight, had injury after injury.

[@jerodast]

That's your definition of cowardice. The Klingons would probably agree. But the Jem'Hadar are not Klingons. They fight for dominance, to impose the will of the Founders. They will fight the weak with no hesitation. Just as they will fight the strong.

[@fjccommish]

So they're cowards at heart. It's one thing to fight to win - fight against strong or weak. But the fights depicted in this episode were ridiculous.

[@jerodast]

I mean, you can call them whatever you want, but I don't know why you're bothering. They're operating on a completely different value system with completely different motives than your human definition of "cowardice" was designed for.

[@K-11609]

"Victory is Life" "Today is a good day to die" One bred to fight One born to, but both are honorable

[@aztn19]

Poetic 🤙🏾😎

[@mikek0135]

No, the Gem'Hadar are without honor.

[@beaut-ful-d-saster]

I love how when Worf praised Garak, Garak accepted it for exactly what it was instead of trying to deflect it or dismiss it like he normally would. It was a real moment of personal growth for Garak. He was honest, AND he accepted praise when he normally would have pushed Worf away.

[@stewartmcminn7773]

They both shared a personal experience of whst they hide. Garak saw a broken Worf and Worf saw a scared Garak.

[@Ardelanin]

also before that in the episode he praises Garak for facing his own fears by going back into the box despite his claustrophobia, because his friends need him to.

[@E.OrthodoxMHNIN]

Garak was an amazing character.

[@scimbrelo]

Worf knew that Garak laid everything out 100% to get the crew out just like Worf did, even if they had different jobs to specifically do. Beautiful pair of episodes, this is one of my most favorite Trek moments specifically. Series of moments, perhaps. There's not too many visceral and effective portrayals of group sacrifice (specifically in my own narrow scope of understanding and preferences,I fully expect & respect people to have different vantage points) on TV/movies that really hit me, but I think this, and similarly, the "thirteen!" Scene in Rome stand resonate.

[@scimbrelo]

I forgot if I wrote it in that messy blurb but also yes Garak is an incredible character. You could basically put him in any show and it would be better. Such a distinct and, ironically, honest portrayal of a dishonest defensive manipulator (💘)

[@shiningarmor2838]

"Victory is life!" "Today is a good day to die!" "Catch phrase!" *cut soundtrack

[@Jamhael1]

*jazz music stops

[@protoknight25]

And years later, free guy happens…

[@OpenMawProductions]

I like how the Breen is just sitting there... Just chillin'

[@jerodast]

@LordGroyper Oh my god I almost missed it haha. Thank you for catching it :)

[@GameslordXY]

@LordGroyper ?

[@daydodog]

Don't turn your back

[@2cwldys701]

we just vibin

[@OpenMawProductions]

@LordGroyper Two years later, i'm still proud of that one.

[@fryfry377]

This scene actually does a pretty good job demonstrating how both Worf and the Jem'Hadar 1st are different from the molds of their respective Star Trek species. Worf won't stay down not because of the external honor bestowed by other Klingons ('honor' had been satisfied), but because of his internal sense honor which tells him it would be wrong to. The Jem Hadar won't kill Worf, not because he was ordered not to, ('obedience brings victory'), but because he actually *understands* why Worf fights. It's a sense that he, himself, may have honed on the battlefield even though it was not programmed into him and, imo, why the Jem'Hadar are more than the sum of their parts.

[@InspectorBus]

Well said, friend

[@mightybluespider]

This comment is too good for KZbin comments section

[@NestorCaster]

It’s deserves a subreddit page

[@subclangor]

Beautiful.

[@K-11609]

It honestly makes me wish more of the Jem’Hadar broke out of their programming and there be a B plot during the Dominion War about open rebellion in the Jem’Hadar. I know they had subplots regarding something similar, but never anything spanning more than an episode or two.

[@millerjohn619]

"Garak you did well." Worf's way of telling him he has honor. A true compliment from this Klingon!

[@varianschirmer9375]

Come a long way from brawling in an access junction in "Broken Link", when Worf interrupted Garak trying to hotwire Defiant's weapons systems while Sisko, Odo & Bashir were on the Founders planet.

[@chrismc410]

They also said there was no greater enemy than one's own fear. Took a brave man to face them.

[@TechnoMageB5]

"There is no greater honor than victory." Garak did his part, and Worf acknowledged that.

[@mikedocherty6160]

"Enough Klingon....You have proven your worth"

[@NormAppleton]

Do not use that search term at xhamster.

[@CaptainJellyBS]

What

[@dannyeaton5784]

@@NormAppleton brb

[@bobpage6597]

"You fight because that is what you are designed to do. All that motivates him is some barbaric sense of honour!" "And that is something YOU will never understand......." A glimmer of understanding from the Jem'Hadar. He respects Worf's code, admires his continued defiance even in the face of certain defeat. The fact he refused to kill him in the end......he was a true warrior! Enemies may fight eachother in battle, but that doesn't mean they cannot have respect for eachother, there are numerous examples in the past two world wars! Isn't that ironic? Fighting your enemy while at the same time admiring his ability to fight!

[@robdeskrd]

You know your worth when your enemies praise your architecture of aggression

[@SVSky]

This is a theme throughout all of the history of conflict. Look at how the British treated the Red Baron after he was shot down.

[@NestorCaster]

One also might say, that’s when one thing that beautiful about open war, that as you fight, you see the resolve of your enemy and that will tell you just how much you actually need to defeat them, or battle them to a draw... and may in fact just show, a mutual sense of life and willingness to die, which can be the exact thing that makes peace with them, the best thing possible.

[@kronoscamron7412]

absolutely. a worthy foe should always be respected. warriors understand this more than anyone.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

@@SVSky Or the Japanese destroyer captain who saluted the US destroyer Johnston as she sank during the battle off Samar.

[@Psiros]

All of the best Jem'hadar characters have only one appearance (they either die or carry on, but are no long referenced).

[@odalvarado]

i know, this guy needs his own novel

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

Well, they already have a short lifespan, so...

[@dashuhn5036]

They die. Always.

[@sephservant]

To be fair, the only bad ones we spent a decent amount of time with were those petty, stupid Saturday-morning-cartoon-henchmen Jem'Hadar in "One Little Ship. "

[@hansolo631]

Can't really make a recurring anti-hero character with one of them as they can't function away from the Vorta for longer than an episode due to their addiction

[@kukenballe7063]

No Star Trek fight scene is complete without the two-hand punches

[@tradtke101]

It might make sense given the different physiologies of klingons and so forth. It's hard enough to punch a human into submission without breaking your bare hand... if they've got super hard bones, then maybe the two hand punch is your best bet?

[@nobodyspecial9097]

I think it would have been awesome if they had saved that Jem'Hadar and he joined the crew. His interactions with the crew and learning more about Jem'Hadar Culture would have been wonderful.

[@GoranXII]

Depends if they could replicate Ketracel White, or whatever the stuff was called.

[@tenhirankei]

Probably he would have waited for the best opportunity, forced the crew into a section of the runabout which he sealed and then returned with them as prisoners. Or died in the attempt.

[@Escap1st7]

There were rogue Jem-Hadar in the series later on.

[@lucianfrostbane]

@@Escap1st7 but only one who managed to survive without the White

[@martinm.1967]

@@Escap1st7 not later on.... before

[@oneproudbrowncoat]

I love imagining the song Keedara wrote in praise of Worf's bravery, especially the stanza describing the courage of Garak. "Tirelessly did he labor, nor deigned to shirk, Entombed alive within the very walls. No ally did he have, in the dark. Alone he battled in his heart, Against a foe that had no blood to shed, Wrestling the demons of his mind."

[@orbitalbutt6757]

Usually KZbin commentators attempts at poetry are abhorrent but that was pretty good. Well done. Reminds me of a verse out of The Remembrance written by the Clans from BattleTech.

[@hagamapama]

I imagine that after the war, when peace was established between the Federation and the Dominion, that the Empok Nor station was transformed into a battle arena where young Jem'Hadar and Klingons went to test their mettle against each other, both thinking that facing each other regularly in ritual combat will make their race stronger. A mix of Jem'hadar elders and Klingon priests would keep things orderly between bouts, and Vorta and Imperial bureaucrats would watch the fighters for signs of talent and potential while the Ferengi took bets on who'd win any given fight.

[@glenndallas7171]

I love this. I can imagine the Klingons embracing the Jem'Hadar as a fellow warrior race, and the Jem'Hadar learning much from the Klingons.

[@hagamapama]

@@glenndallas7171 I bet there's fan fiction. If not, maybe I need to clean the rust off my pen

[@mikewilliams9069]

no, the jem hadar suqq at fighting as we've seen. took seven of them just to take down one klingon

[@mackgiver875]

0:25 This exchange shows why the Jem'Hadar are such excellent soldiers and villains. They are born and bred to be warriors, but they still understand the concept of Klingon honor better than the Vorta or even the Founders ever will. The DS9 writers did a good job fleshing them out.

[@gerble36]

They understand it better then most Klingons actually. Most Klingons I have seen over the course of Star Trek aren't honourable at all. They talk the talk just fine, but skirt around in less then honourable ways. Jaded and corrupt from a society long stretched into politics and power struggles. Very few Klingons are truly honour bound, and Worf having idolized the very culture from afar growing up may be among the most honour bound Kilingons currently alive. Unjaded and uncorrupted from current Klingon culture and affairs, gives him a good take on what honour really is.

[@pwnmeisterage]

@@gerble36 We are usually shown the klingon villains. The klingon thugs who are brutish, rude, low, cheap, and dirty. The klingon politicians who are insidiously self-interested and manipulative vipers. They have no honour. But we are also shown klingon leaders and klingon warriors who will never sully themselves fighting for unworthy causes or against unworthy opponents. They do not claim honour. Yet they live and die with honour.

[@friendcomputer2293]

One of the very few times Garak told the plain truth.

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

You know what's fun about the whole exchange of creeds between the jem'hadar and Worf? On the surface they are completely different, "Victory is *life*" and "Today is a good day to *die.*" One is about achieving victory or death for someone else while the other is about personal glory before a noble end. And yet each is about going into battle with the knowledge that one might die, and that death is to accepted rather than feared. In that sense, deep down each creed is about fighting for the right to survive but at the same time accepting that the possibility of death looms before you. In that light, they are both incredibly alike. And we see this play out exactly when the jem'hadar spares Worf in recognition of his warrior spirit. Damn, the writing on this show was just so good!

[@vulkanofnocturne]

The last quote from the Jem'Hadar shows that their species can create a culture distinct from the Vorta (if not the Founders, yet). He actually disobeys the Vorta for one by not killing him, but he states it within terms a Jem'Hadar would understand. 'I cannot defeat him... only kill him...' so he sees a difference between life and victory for others, if not himself (Victory is life). Also "...You have proven your worth!" surely this would contradict the maxim 'Victory is life' as well, as Worf is clearly not winning. If the Jem'Hardar were freed from the Dominian they could definetly create there own culture based on honour and merit.

[@mardus_ee]

The idea was, that this particular Jem'Hadar had expected Worf to declare his opponent victorious ("Victory is life!"). As Worf, being on his last strength, refused to do so, then this Jem'Hadar found no more purpose in fighting. I'd admit, that the Jem'Hadar may have also expressed warrior's compassion: As Worf did not declare that Jem'Hadar victorious, the Jem'Hadar yielded the victory (and hence, life) to Worf. Because had the Jem'Hadar killed Worf, then it would have been a kill, but not victory.

[@AdmiralKarelia]

Jem'Hadar may be slaves to the Dominion, but they're not without their own opinions. We see the Jem'Hadar express disgust in the Vorta numerous times over the course of the show. The First sees an earnest warrior in Worf, while he sees the Vorta as a cowardly cretin forcing others to fight for his own amusement. Were it not for their involvement in the Dominion, the Jem'Hadar and Klingons would likely hold a lot of respect for one another.

[@michaelgreenwood3413]

@@AdmiralKarelia In STO, given Odo's the new leader of the Dominion, they get the chance. It's not uncommon to see a lot of Jem'Hadar ships in Klingon Space.

[@victorpradha9946]

Absent the manipulation and exploitation by the Vorta and the Founders, the Jem'Hadar would have likely evolved into a fearsome but honorable race of warriors.

[@hagamapama]

@@michaelgreenwood3413 I imagine that the Jem'Hadar and Klingons would enjoy ritual combat with each other, with each growing in skill and respect for the other as time advances.

[@fortesfortunaiuvat]

"You should see the other guy."

[@HitBoxMaster]

That small smile at 2:47 shows his respect towards worth. Shows that the Jem Hadar aren't just senseless killing machines. They have a sense of honor and duty just as strong as the Klingons

[@panickedpaladin3966]

This would be the climax of a legendary Klingon opera.

[@Raziel21]

Scenes like this are why it saddens me that many Trekkies still treat this amazing show like the redheaded stepchild.

[@philiphunn194]

Agreed. It's my favourite Trek of all time.

[@MrJohn49g]

Say what you want about Worf he can take a ass kicking and still come back for more.

[@Romulan2469]

That's all he could ever do. Worf was the Enterprise chief punching bag for aliens of the galaxy.

[@easygrin1127]

ye I feel as if Michael Down demanded they treat his character better after all the times old men woman and whoever needed to show how though he was by kicking the bleeding shit out of Worf

[@Romulan2469]

Agreed. I never liked the Worf character all that much. He was simple, predictable and annoying in every episode. If only they hadn't killed off Tasha Yar. Now that was a tough chick who could kick ass verbally and physically, who had intelligence and was incredibly beautiful.

[@easygrin1127]

Romulan2469 ye in ds9 he had a bit too much power. And a had a plot convenient Kah'less said saying in every flinging episode I like his Brother Kurn much better they really did wrong on him. If they weren't going to bring him back they should of atleast let him go out like a true warrior

[@exorbis9880]

Spoken like a true Romulan.

[@dillonallen4495]

I've always liked how the Jem'Hadar tells the Vorta that he would never understand honor. It's cool how the Jem'Hadar, although created artificially and programmed, still have a genuine sense and understand of honor. It's one of the primary things that drive them. They don't have much personality necessarily, but they aren't just drones. Very cool scene. And even cooler that the Jem'Hadar respects Worf.

[@philiphunn194]

The scene where Dax tells a Jem'Hadar her age is priceless. He's just told her he's eight while virtually beaming with pride before asking how old she is, and she says she "stopped counting at three hundred". The look of utter shock on his little face is wonderful.

[@dillonallen4495]

@@philiphunn194 haha agreed, he was both surprised and impressed

[@philiphunn194]

@@dillonallen4495 And very gentlemanly when he told her she didn't look it, too.

[@Evilanious]

I like to imagine that that Breen opposed the dominion and was kidnapped and replaced similar to Martok. Whatever his exact story, his presence suggests that quite early in the story the dominion was already actively trying to bring the breen under their influence. Meanwhile the Federation has to scramble for knowledge of breen tech and customs, years after this scene, and after the breen join the dominion war against them.

[@AshPrimeDCFC]

RIP Ikat'ika. Another amazing Jem'Hadar character.

[@danielhaire6677]

If Worf had been at full strength, this wouldn't have been a beating but a battle that would have caused Heaven and Hell to quake in fear.

[@HunhowsShadowStalker]

The pits of Grethor and the battlefields of Sto'vo'kor would fill the galaxy with the sounds of triumphant war chants.

[@tanyasoto1346]

Jem'haDar: Victory is life Klingons: Today is a good day to die Mandalorian: This is the Way

[@calebwalters1869]

YESSS! Awesome.

[@ironheadgaming6270]

Orks: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!

[@Perknare]

Yautja: *Roars*

[@Jamhael1]

Humans: "Till Välhall!"

[@cotillion]

Amazing episode in an amazing series... those were the days

[@chrissyclark7836]

There is a custom amongst Jemhadar, which for some curious reason cannot be removed from the ranks. A Jemhadar will always ask a Klingon his name before engaging in battle. When asked about this by a founder a Jemhadar was said to respond..."He might say Worf."

[@BezoRazo]

Probably my favorite Jem'Hdar of them all. I was actually sorry to see him go.

[@sonofmogh]

This First, and Third Remat'a'klan from "Rocks and Shoals" were standouts for me.

[@3Rayfire]

Can't forget Ometi'klan.

[@michaelgreenwood3413]

And Dukan'rex (the one the crew found in that stasis chamber), Especially when he shows up as an Honored First in Star Trek Online.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

I love the contrast between Ikat’Ika saying “Victory is life”, and Worf saying “Today is a good day to die.”

[@AtlasBlizzard]

One of my favorite DS9 episodes. The writing and acting is spotless, and that's saying something considering the show's overall quality.

[@willerwin3201]

I love that DS9 humanized its equivalent of stormtroopers, showing that they were tragic slaves, not bloodthirsty monsters.

[@justinbriley2531]

not doubting Worf's honor, but he understood his role in the plan wasnt to win, but to keep the focus on him, to buy Garek as much time as possible.

[@davidallbaugh6858]

Perhaps both Garak's and Worf's finest episode.

[@beezzarro]

Can you imagine, now that we've been spoiled with so many amazing fight choreographers in recent years, what these shows would look like with that kind of fight choreo?

[@toqkaizogou1636]

7+ years of getting the shit kicked out of him on the Enterprise prepared Worf for this moment.

[@johnmoore7926]

One of the greatest episodes of DS9.

[@danieljames9322]

As much as I love ALL Star Trek. I have to say DS9 was the best written.

[@mikedocherty6160]

As an Amateur martial artist, I cant tell you how many times I have channeled, Worf.

[@TTony-tu6dm]

It was here that the Jem Hadar realized that in facing Klingons and Humans they were facing something they had never dealt with before

[@greyofpta5305]

I love how the Breen is like, "Hmf. Look at these nerds." 0:53

[@carlbradley4872]

LOVE Worf in this, and appreciate many of the comments in this thread, but I have a slightly different take on the Jem'Hadar yielding. Yes, he was showing both respect for Worf AND a distain for his 'masters', but it goes deeper than that. This is a man DESIGNED to obey and fight, he wasn't just indoctrinated he was literally CREATED for it. His yielding is a fascinating leap forward in evolution for the heretofore lab-made minds of the Jem'Hadar. Of all the great curiosities Star Trek has always tried to investigate, GROWTH is among the most important. This is a wonderful portrayal of that.

[@LizardClone2]

"Victory is Life" "Today is a good day to die" That, my friends, is what is known as "Game recognizes Game".

[@JeanLucCaptain]

I love the Worf and Jem'hadar are practically having a warrior bromance here😂

[@teejaylecapois9741]

Worf deserves his own series and I want Michael Dorn in the role.

[@MrGrownman455]

One of the best and few hand to hand combat in all of Star Trek.

[@Edd25164605]

I never understood why the Dominion just left the runabout in orbit. Surrey it would either be commandeered or destroyed

[@kingleech16]

No matter how far away in the future or the galaxy, there is always some lazy bugger who refuses to police up his AO.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

It was brought up later in the episode "Inquisition" where Section 31 makes the same remark, and this is evidence that Bashir was a double agent in disguise.

[@johntrevy1]

Edd25164605 The truth is that the Vorta were arrogant AF.

[@jerryadamsjr2201]

Loved this episode. Word and Garak gave up there respect for each other. Another episode I like was Seige of AR-558. Shows how humans can get grimey too. Especially what Quark told Nog about humans. Nog lost his leg too.

[@Zero8880]

I really wish that Jem’hadar first would have lived to become a recurring character. A budding friendship between he and Worf would have been interesting. But we still got Martok and Worf so I guess I can’t complain

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Would've been a neat turn of events if the transporter lock grabbed onto him as well and beamed into the shuttlecraft.

[@raphaelalexandreyensen6291]

Kinda would have liked to see that as a battlefield rivalry, akin to Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen

[@robjackson5245]

This show was 💯 🔥💯 🔥💯 🔥💯 🔥💯 🔥💯 on the strength

[@gsofficial]

the breen on the bench is my favorite part of this

[@dawolf856]

Great episode. Great ! Especially loved when Worf and Garack acknowledged each other with thanks.

[@hangemhighhilton]

*Jem'Hadar enters stage* "Victory is LIFE!" *Worf enters stage* "Today IS a good day to die!" Announcer: "Ready!? FIGHT!" That was some dope-ass Killer Instinct/Mortal Kombat shit!

[@wilm3864]

2:20 - I love how Worf earns his enemy's respect

[@herculesrockefeller-kt3nk]

Best sequence in any Star Trek series or movie ever!!!

[@craig061002]

"Worf! Honor has been satisfied! Stay down!" Hell no! I'm a true Klingon. We don't lose! We Die!! I like his "its better to burnout than fade away mentality."

[@mysterytrain3]

"My, my--Hey, hey."

[@3Rayfire]

The Good ole Kurgan.

[@B20C0]

You know someone is a badass fighter in Star Trek when they use both hands for a punch :D

[@tassadro]

worf is the ultimate badass. he takes it and still keeps coming for more.

[@WeirdErnie]

Goddamn, I miss this show! Such great character growth and storytelling.

[@AP-jl3rs]

I always wished there was an episode of the kilngons and jem'hadar fighting on a planet similar to the SR episode

[@hagamapama]

I have a bit of mental fanon that says that after the war the Klingons, Ferengi and Dominion rebuilt Empok Nor and used its promanade as a battle arena. Klingons, Jem'Hadar, and occasionally brave and reckless members of other races like Romulans, Cardassians, Humans, etc would go there to hone their fighting ability, There a team of Vorta and a clan of Klingon priests kept order in the matches and enforced the rules of ritual combat while the Ferengi handled the betting and concessions

[@Daehawk]

The honorable Jem's always got killed or lost. I wonder if any served aboard the Enterprise J?

[@oldtwinsna8347]

They cannot be trusted. They have animal-like reactions to fight and survive. They would require genetic manipulation to change their minds, and that would make them augments, so would be forbidden to serve.

[@Phoenix-214]

They already _are_ augments if you think about it. They're genetically-modified supersoldiers who have likely changed beyond recognition from whatever species they were originally derived from.

[@michaelgreenwood3413]

Well, in STO, after a lot of hijinks, the Dominion allies with the Federation and Empire.

[@literallyanangrymoose7717]

The scene where Worf earns a Jem'Hadar's respect.

[@Okiedog1]

Perfect timing on Garak's part!

[@philp1398]

One of my favorite moments in all of Star Trek!

[@MadAnthonyI]

The Klingons are like Viking Samurai !

[@LillianMelody]

i love the jemhadar that presented like mindless warriors but what no no one even the dominion realizes id the jemhadar don't fight because there created to they fight because they choose to and i think that this code of honor shown in this and other jemhadar heavy episodes really show that

[@LADYBUGS_MOVIE_REVIEWS]

I love that Garak said he wished his Dad was in that enclosed space instead of him

[@rorus9530]

One of the best scenes from ds9 imo.

[@JamesCarmichael]

That guy was Skullface in MGSV The Phantom Pain.

[@TheRealmDrifter]

Such a lust for Ketracel-white... Whooooooo?!

[@JamesCarmichael]

TheRealmDrifter Pwahaha.

[@daiujin]

James Carmichael yep it’s James Horan

[@johntrevy1]

Jem'he'dar leader to a captured Nog: "How does it feel to play the traitor? No more academy training, you are a real soldier now cadet"

[@BrotherDerrick3X]

@@daiujin the Jem'hadar First was Grayson from the Highlander season 1.

[@rayzermaniac5218]

It is a shame that we didn't get more Jem'hadar like this.

[@rctecopyright]

Worf: "I ain't hear no bell"

[@chrisclark8633]

I wonder if those jem'hadar would of been eager to fight data if he was there after all he is a worthy opponent lol

[@mmaphilosophytheologyscien4578]

People forget Worf had fought and beat 5 of them earlier and was quite injured already.

[@TheCharlesJackson]

This episode explores something you'd think would be left to fan fic: two warrior races battling it out to see who's the real number 1. Just awesome.

[@keithallver2450]

Two warrior races with very different origins. Klingons evolved into what they are. The Jem,Hdar were genetically engineered.

[@TheCharlesJackson]

@@keithallver2450 absolutely. My money is always on the Klingon 😎

[@keithgolden77]

Has anyone ever noticed that "today is a good day to die" and " victory is life" mean pretty much the same thing? Good day to die, honor in death in battle, jem'hadar "victory is life" they gain their life in death

[@MedalionDS9]

Genetically programmed Fighting Instinct versus a cultivated one through tradition and personal honor and Will

[@teleportedbreadfor3days]

Worf, the ultimate Klingon, never gave up, nor does he. And that's a fraction of a fraction of why he's so awesome, why he's the best.

[@robjackson5245]

And one time I saw "DS9" in reruns right after its run ended, in 1999, I was in Lake George, NY, 2000, and no it was a UPN affiliate, not The WB.

[@Piriatehat]

I wonder what Worf thought of the Jem'Hadar he fought before beaming to the roundabout besides an enemy

[@brucekaraus7330]

Still waiting to hear that Klingon opera about the Klingon warrior and the Cardassian spy and the Doctor that bound wounds!

[@YD-uq5fi]

I wish I could see that Vorta get killed.

[@SheldonAdama17]

Random thought: I wonder if that random Breen was an important figure in the Breen gov’t replaced by a shapeshifter… then said shapeshifter eventually played a role in starting the Dominion-Breen alliance.

[@DavidNicholson101]

When Worf said the Klingon Empire will never yield, he meant it.

[@Redshirt434]

You'd almost think Worf was buying them time to finish the transponder, even if it meant Ika'tika would kill him.

[@flankspeed]

Star Trek martial arts academy: *TWO FIST BETTER THAN ONE FIST.* *HERE ENDETH THE TRAINING COURSE*

[@asaltycrewman8725]

“I cannot defeat this Klingon. All I can do is kill him” *HONOUR INTENSIFIES 💪😫🤘*

[@stephenrose8300]

Worf is the Shaft of the Star Trek Universe.

[@robertdahammer4850]

Prune juice was what gave Worf the stamina needed for this fight :)