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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
S4.E17
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  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Rules of Engagement

  • Episode aired Apr 8, 1996
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 46m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Drama
When Worf destroys a civilian shuttle during an engagement with the Klingons, an extradition hearing is held to see if he must face charges.When Worf destroys a civilian shuttle during an engagement with the Klingons, an extradition hearing is held to see if he must face charges.When Worf destroys a civilian shuttle during an engagement with the Klingons, an extradition hearing is held to see if he must face charges.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • LeVar Burton
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry(based upon "Star Trek" created by)
    • Rick Berman
    • Michael Piller
  • Stars
    • Avery Brooks
    • Rene Auberjonois
    • Michael Dorn
Top credits
  • Director
    • LeVar Burton
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry(based upon "Star Trek" created by)
    • Rick Berman
    • Michael Piller
  • Stars
    • Avery Brooks
    • Rene Auberjonois
    • Michael Dorn
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 9User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos18

    Avery Brooks in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Michael Dorn, Colm Meaney, and Avery Brooks in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Michael Dorn and Colm Meaney in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Ron Canada in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Michael Dorn and Avery Brooks in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Michael Dorn and Avery Brooks in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Terry Farrell in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Terry Farrell in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Avery Brooks and Ron Canada in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Deborah Strang in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Avery Brooks
    Avery Brooks
    • Capt. Benjamin Siskoas Capt. Benjamin Sisko
    Rene Auberjonois
    Rene Auberjonois
    • Odoas Odo
    Michael Dorn
    Michael Dorn
    • Lt. Cmdr. Worfas Lt. Cmdr. Worf
    Terry Farrell
    Terry Farrell
    • Lt. Cmdr. Jadzia Daxas Lt. Cmdr. Jadzia Dax
    Cirroc Lofton
    Cirroc Lofton
    • Jake Siskoas Jake Sisko
    • (credit only)
    Colm Meaney
    Colm Meaney
    • Chief Miles O'Brienas Chief Miles O'Brien
    Armin Shimerman
    Armin Shimerman
    • Quarkas Quark
    Alexander Siddig
    Alexander Siddig
    • Doctor Bashiras Doctor Bashir
    Nana Visitor
    Nana Visitor
    • Major Kiraas Major Kira
    Ron Canada
    Ron Canada
    • Ch'Pokas Ch'Pok
    Deborah Strang
    Deborah Strang
    • Admiral T'Laraas Admiral T'Lara
    Christopher Michael
    Christopher Michael
    • Helm Officeras Helm Officer
    Mary D. Mascari
    • Bajoran Womanas Bajoran Woman
    • (uncredited)
    Mark Allen Shepherd
    Mark Allen Shepherd
    • Mornas Morn
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • LeVar Burton
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry(based upon "Star Trek" created by)
      • Rick Berman
      • Michael Piller
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      More biographical details of Chief O'Brien emerge: By this episode he has been in Starfleet for 22 years, has been in 235 combat situations, and has been decorated 15 times. Though these statistics are merely claimed by the Klingon advocate hostilely questioning O'Brien on the witness stand; they could be wrong and artificially inflated by the Advocate to bolster his argument.
    • Goofs
      At the start of the courtroom scene with Dax on the stand, Sisko has four pips on his uniform. (Four represent the rank of Captain.) Partway through the scene a pip is missing; only three are visible throughout the scene without any visual evidence of being removed. In the next scene all four are restored.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Lt. Commander Worf: Life is a great deal more complicated in this red uniform.

      Captain Sisko: Wait till you get four pips on that collar. You'll wish you had gone into botany.

    • Connections
      References Cheers (1982)
    • Soundtracks
      Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Title
      (uncredited)

      Written by Dennis McCarthy

      Performed by Dennis McCarthy

    User reviews9

    Review
    Top review
    3/10
    Poor Execution
    The primary focus of this episode is the discussion of the nature of command in intense situations, an experience that few can relate to, but many would be curious about. Worf is required to defend himself in an extradition hearing related to the decisions he made in a combat situation with Klingon Birds of Prey. Naturally, the high stakes nature of the hearing and the investigation of what it truly takes to lead draws the audience in. With that immediate hook, I had high hopes for the episode, but as with many episodes of television set in a trial environment, reality and story-telling clash hard. The trial is utterly unbelievable with irrelevant testimony, hypocrisy, unacceptable conduct, and a presiding judge which seems to tolerate all forms of nonsense over the course of the hearing. The trial culminates with Cpt. Sisko delivering an impassioned speech is his odd manner that combines a loud delivery with odd rhythm and pregnant pauses; distracting from the message. The episode has potential and ultimately it tells a good story, but realism (I probably shouldn't be complaining about a lack of realism in Star Trek) is cast aside.
    helpful•7
    8
    • dwanuga
    • Jan 27, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 8, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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