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Perhaps, but not today.
~ Gowron's most famous catchphrase.
Worf: You rule without wisdom and without honor. The warriors that are gathered here will not say this to you, but I will. You are squandering our ships and our lives in a petty act of vengeance!
Gowron: I should have known better than to trust you again. If you were a true Klingon, I would kill you where you stand. Fortunately for you, that child's uniform shields you from your rightful fate.
Worf: What I say now, I say as a member of the House of Martok, not a Starfleet officer. You have dishonored yourself and the Empire and you are not worthy to lead the Council.
Gowron: There can be only one answer to that!
~ Gowron to Worf after the latter challenged him.
You will not have this... day.
~ Gowron's last words before dying.

Gowron is a supporting character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and a major antagonist in Star Trek: Deep Space 9. He was a corrupt Chancellor of the Klingon Empire who acted more in his sole interest than for his people.

He was portrayed by Robert O'Reilly.

Personality[]

I decide what can and cannot be done.
~ Gowron.
Gowron does not care about what is sacred.
~ Koroth

As a Klingon, Gowron is naturally aggressive, provocative and firmly adheres to a sense of honor, though his ego and ambition easily overshadow his nobler qualities. He is not reluctant to use violence or even murder to achieve his ends. Unlike his people, Gowron is willing to use bribery or outside support if it assures his victory.

Although only caring about his own opinion, Gowron seems to have some respect for Jean-Luc Picard due to the Starfleet captain's assistance in several conflicts. He also held Worf in esteem since helping against House Duras but their relationship eventually fell apart when Worf refused to join Gowron as he became more corrupt to end his reign and Gowron came to despise Worf so much that he was ready to kill him despite their previous friendship.

Gowron's actions are mostly guided by his arrogance and lust for power, having ended the Federation alliance with the Klingon Empire out of anger that the Federation council dared undermine his authority and deliberately tarnish the reputation of Gowron. Martok because his political influence overshadowed the reign of Gowron. Ironically, Gowron's arrogance and all-consuming ambition caused his downfall.

History[]

Early career[]

Before 2367, Gowron was a political outsider on the Klingon High Council, who often challenged their decisions. After the death of Chancellor K'mpec, Gowron and Duras, son of Ja'rod became the two leading candidates for leadership of the council. It was suspected that Gowron had in fact poisoned K'mpec to advance his career although many believe that K'mpec was indeed poisoned by Duras. At K'mpec's posthumous request, Captain Jean-Luc Picard became the Arbiter of Succession to decide between Gowron and Duras and secretly try to find out who had poisoned K'mpec.

Duras attempted to kill Gowron during the Rite of Succession, but the attempt failed. Subsequently, the two Klingons were subjected to the Ja'chuq ceremony much to their annoyance as the practice of listing battle victories was both time-consuming and outdated. In an attempt to speed up the ceremony, Gowron tried to bribe the Klingon hybrid ambassador, K'Ehleyr, but it was ultimately unsuccessful. Duras was later killed by a Starfleet officer, Worf, following the murder of K'Ehleyr, thus ensuring Gowron's election as chancellor.

Klingon Civil War[]

Following Gowron's election, Duras's sisters, Lursa and B'Etor attempted to challenge Gowron's office. Fearing the imminence of a conflict that could threaten his rise to power, Gowron tried to obtain the potential help of the Federation by the intermediary of a Picard in front of continued and concluded his role of Arbiter of Succession but Picard to only promises Gowron that he will only be able to help him within the measures of Klingon law, which Gowron does not think is enough. On Qo'noS, the sisters appealed to the High Council to install Toral, the illegitimate son of Duras, as Council leader. After deliberation, Picard would ultimately appoint Gowron as the rightful chancellor since Toral has yet to pay a sange for his people as required by Klingon law. The resulting division of loyalty in the council sparked the Klingon Civil War in late 2367. After a few weeks, Gowron's side was victorious. With the help of the Federation, Duras's family was exposed of having ties with the Romulan Star Empire. In addition, Gowron reinstated the House of Mogh because of the actions of Worf and his brother Kurn coming to his aid in the conflict.

Later career[]

Political Conflicts[]

In the aftermath of the war, Gowron found it was best to avoid calling attention to the Federation's support during the war. He ordered all official accounts of the events to omit the Federation's involvement.

When a clone of Kahless the Unforgettable was created in 2369, Gowron dismissed his right to rule the Empire. He became worried, however, that the clone's existence would plunge the Klingon Empire into another civil war. In order to keep the peace, he agreed to support Kahless as the spiritual leader of his people, while Gowron would remain leader of the Council.

Dealings with Quark & Spies on Deep Space Nine[]

In 2371, a Klingon named Kozak was killed in an accident at Quark's on Deep Space 9. D'Ghor, posing as Kozak's brother, made a claim before Gowron and the Council to the House of Kozak, but Gowron temporarily transferred leadership of the House of Kozak to Quark, who had secretly married Kozak's widow, Grilka. Together, they proved to Gowron that D'Ghor had dishonored himself by trying to financially ruin Kozak for years. D'Ghor challenged Quark to personal combat, but Quark refused to fight. D'Ghor was about to kill the unarmed Ferengi when Gowron intervened, discommended D'Ghor, proclaimed the House of Kozak would become the House of Grilka and commended the Ferengi on his uncommon bravery.

Later that year, Commander Sisko theorized that Gowron had sent the Klingon Intelligence agents Atul, Bo'rak and Morka to Deep Space 9 to spy on a Romulan delegation.

The Second Federation-Klingon War[]

As the cold war between the Dominion and the Alpha Quadrant escalated during the 2370s, Gowron took prominent Klingon General Martok as his military adviser. Martok had secretly been replaced by a Changeling, and used his position to influence Gowron's military decisions. When a civilian revolt took over Cardassia Prime in 2372, Martok spread misinformation that the Cardassian uprising had been supported by the Dominion. He led Gowron to believe that the civilian-led Detapa Council had been replaced by Changelings. Seeking to protect the Empire, Gowron ordered the invasion of the Cardassian Union. The move was condemned by the Federation Council, and Gowron withdrew from the Khitomer Accords, ending the decades long alliance with the Federation.

The invasion was largely a failure, however Gowron declared victory in order to avoid assassination attempts. He fortified his positions in Cardassian space and continued expanding the borders of the Empire. He also ordered several attacks on Romulan targets on the Klingon-Romulan border.

In late 2372, Gowron demanded that the Federation withdraw from the Archanis sector, in particular Archanis IV. During this time, the Dominion planted false information in Starfleet through Odo that Gowron, not Martok, was a Changeling spy.

Starfleet sent a team to Klingon military headquarters on Ty'Gokor to expose Gowron. Eventually they discovered that Martok was, in fact, the Changeling, and Gowron's men killed it.

After the Cardassians joined the Dominion in 2373, Gowron reinstated the Khitomer Accords, and posted a permanent contingent of Klingon officers on the Cardassian border at station Deep Space 9, commanded, ironically, by the real Martok.

The Dominion War[]

Operation Return and other Battles[]

In early 2374, Gowron was reluctant to involve the Empire in Operation Return. However, he was later persuaded to assist Captain Sisko's forces by Martok and Worf. The late arrival of the Klingon fleet proved critical in the battle, throwing the Dominion lines into disarray and allowed the Defiant to break through.

Several months later, the Dominion and the Orion Syndicate used Gowron's feud with the Klingon ambassador to Farius Prime in an attempt to bring down the Treaty of Alliance. Gelnon and Raimus hoped that by having Liam Bilby, Krole and Flith assassinate the ambassador with Klingon weapons it would look like Gowron had ordered the pro-Dominion ambassador's execution.

Gowron played a role, albeit unknowingly, in bringing the Romulan Star Empire into the war against the Dominion. In late 2374, Captain Sisko contacted Gowron and asked him to issue a formal pardon to Grathon Tolar, who was needed by Sisko and Elim Garak to forge a holorecording.

Early in 2375, both Worf and Martok planned to speak to Gowron, to see if he could find Kor a fitting assignment on Qo'noS.

Jealousy of Martok and Death[]

Martok's actions in the war had made him a prominent figure throughout the Empire and was regarded by the Klingon people as their savior. Threatened by Martok's growing political influence, Gowron took direct control of the Klingon Defense Force in 2375, and began to undermine Martok's military strategies.

Realizing that Gowron's reckless actions were endangering the entire Alpha Quadrant, Captain Sisko told Worf to do what he had to in order to either make Gowron see sense or remove him from power. Worf attempted to persuade Martok to challenge Gowron, however Martok refused to challenge Gowron after such dishonorable actions in the middle of a war. Seeing no other choice, Worf challenged Gowron was challenged to single combat. Worf defeated Gowron in combat, killing him, and passed the leadership of the High Council to Martok. Despite his disapproval of Gowron's actions, Worf performed the Klingon death ritual for him, acknowledging the former Chancellor as a Klingon warrior.

Worf recalled fighting Gowron for the leadership of the Empire before leaving Deep Space 9 to take up his post as Martok's Federation's ambassador.

Star Trek Online[]

What brings you to a place...where neither honor nor dishonor reigns? I do not know you. You. I know from tales of the past. J'Ula. Sister of T'Kuvma. The Matricarch of House Mo'Kai. But you! General Martok. I will never forget you. Why are you here?
~ Gowron in Star Trek Online.

Gowron reappears following a 2021 update in the Star Trek Online video game whose events are not considered canon, Robert O'Reilly reprising his role. After his death at the hands of Worf, Gowron found himself in the Klingon limbo known as Koth, the result of his ancestor Aakar's betrayal reverberating through his family. Gowron meets the player and his companions by chance, notably Martok whom he will never be able to forget and whose presence in Koth he taunts. He aids the Travelers in reaching Gre'thor as well as in their goal of freeing L'Rell's soul, later allowing Gowron to earn his place in the Sto-vo-kor.

Quotes[]

Gowron: I would speak with you alone, Ambassador.
K'Ehleyr: I'm honored.
Gowron: Picard is prolonging the ja'chuq. Why?
K'Ehleyr: He has sufficient reason to proceed carefully.
Gowron: He relies on you for his knowledge of Klingon law.
K'Ehleyr: Yes.
Gowron: Then he values your advice. You could quicken the pace.
K'Ehleyr: Possibly. Why should I?
Gowron: Your position is unique. Have you never wondered about serving the Klingon Empire?
K'Ehleyr: I serve in my own way.
Gowron: As a Federation Ambassador. A few rewards, but little glory.
K'Ehleyr: What do you want?
Gowron: What do you want? Command of a ship? A seat on the Council? There are many opportunities for you in the Empire.
K'Ehleyr: Opportunities that will present themselves only if you come to power. You talk like a Ferengi.
Gowron: K'mpec was also stubborn. He too refused to listen. Now, he's gone. You need not make the same mistake.
K'Ehleyr: K'mpec was old and weak. I am not.
~ Gowron to K'Ehleyr.
Gowron: The family of Duras is massing support. They have many allies on the Council.
Picard: But Duras died in disgrace. By Klingon tradition, his family should share that disgrace.
Gowron: Their corruption has poisoned the empire. Honor will soon have no meaning.
Picard: And who speaks for his family now?
Gowron: Lursa and B'Etor. The sisters of Duras.
Picard: And they would claim the leadership of the Council?
Gowron: Women may not serve on the Council.
Picard:Then how...?
Gowron: I don't know. But they are plotting something. They have secured the loyalty of at least three fleet commanders. Lursa and B'Etor are feared. And fear is power.
Picard: I do not see what I can do to assist.
Gowron: You were first chosen as arbiter of succession because no Klingon could be trusted. You accepted this duty. And you must see it through to the end. You must ensure my installation.
Picard: That is beyond my purview.
Gowron: You will not support me?
Picard: I will not step outside the traditional role of the arbiter.
Gowron: And if they attempt to block my installation?
Picard: Then I can only assure you that I will deal with any challenge according to Klingon law.
Gowron: I fear that will not be enough.
~ Gowron to Picard on the possibility of a civil war.
Gowron: I do not hear the words of traitors.
Worf: I am not a traitor.
Gowron: You admitted your guilt before the Council.
Worf: I accepted discommendation to protect the Empire.
Gowron: Protect it? How?
Worf: It was Duras' father who betrayed our people to the Romulans at Khitomer, not mine.
Gowron: Duras? There is proof of this?
Worf: There is.
Gowron: Why would you accept dishonor to protect Duras?
Worf: His family was too powerful. To expose him would have split the Empire. Instead, that Council chose to blame my father.
Gowron: The Council knew?
Worf: I believe you to be a man of honor, Gowron. I ask you, restore my family name.
Gowron: Worf, you killed Duras. I consider that no small favor. But what you ask is impossible. But after your installation... The grasp of Duras reaches out from the grave. Much of the Council is still loyal to his family. I must have the Council's support to survive. I cannot expose their treachery. You chose to accept this disgrace for the good of the Empire. Now you must live with your decision, like a Klingon.
~ Gowron listens to Worf's request to restore the honor of House Mogh, only for Gowron to refuse as it would put him at a disadvantage against the Klingon high council.
Follow him and you reject all Klingon law. Can you not see what you are doing? Are you blind to what they represent? Then go. Your blood will paint the way to the future.
~ Gowron outraged by those following Toral after his appointment as Chancellor.
Picard: Welcome aboard, Gowron.
Gowron: Where is he, Picard?
Picard: I assume that you're referring to Kahless.
Gowron: I am referring to the filthy pahtk who is using his name.
Picard: Well, the person in question is in his quarters at the moment.
Gowron: What have you learned about him so far? What kind of medical analysis have you made? Do you have any theories about his true origin?
Picard: We haven't done any analysis.
Gowron: What kind of fools do you have working for you, Picard? The imposter's been aboard for nearly a day.
Picard: If you wanted to run tests on Kahless, you should have sent a Klingon ship for him.
Gowron: And have him begin spreading his poisonous lies through a ship of loyal Klingons? Never.
Picard: If he really is an imposter then you have nothing to worry about.
Gowron: Kahless has been dead for a thousand years, but the idea of Kahless is still alive. Have you ever fought an idea, Picard? It has no weapon to destroy, no body to kill. The idea of Kahless' return must be stopped here, now, or it will travel through the empire like a wave and leave nothing but destruction behind.
~ Gowron refuses to believe that Kahless the Unforgettable has returned, fearing it will zaps his authority.
I oppose you. I say you are not Kahless. Uch. And I will not bend my knee to you as long as I can draw breath or pick up a blade.
~ Gowron challenges "Kahless".
Worf: The man who appeared to me on Boreth is not Kahless. He is a clone.
Gowron: A clone!
Worf: Yes.
Gowron: Did you really think you would get away with this kind of fraud, Koroth? I will have you and this abomination put to death.
Worf: It does not matter, Gowron. You will still not be able to stand against him.
Gowron: What? He's not real. You just said so.
Worf: I said he was not the Kahless, but in the minds of our people he can be just as powerful as Kahless. Even now, two members of your own crew are sitting on our Holodeck waiting for him to return.
Gowron: I do not care what they think.
~ Gowron upon learning the truth about the Kahless clone.
Enough! I don't want to hear anything more about finances, mergers, or currency transactions.
~ Gowron doesn't like financial explanations.
D'Ghor, what are you doing? I did not want to believe the things he said about you yesterday, but if you can stand here and murder this pathetic little man, then you have no honor… and you have no place in this hall!
~ Gowron condemns D'Ghor's dishonor.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • The way Gowron opens his eyes wide has become an internet meme.
  • Gowron served as Chancellor of the Klingon High Council for about eight years before his death.
  • Worf was responsible both for Gowron's ascension as Chancellor and removal from office. Worf's attitude had changed considerably over the years - when Gowron initially took office during the Klingon Civil War Worf felt it was improper to challenge Gowron during a time of war. Eight years later Worf felt Gowron had to be challenged even though the Empire was in a state of war against the Dominion.
  • Initially producers planned for Worf to talk sense into Gowron, who would realize that he was not acting in the best interests of the Klingon Empire. However this was seen as too simple a solution that let Gowron and by extension the Empire "off the hook" for their corruption and not living up to the ideals of Kahless.
  • Gowron is briefly mentioned in the third season of Star Trek: Picard, set approximately twenty-six years after his death, with Worf referring to himself as "Slayer of Gowron" among other personal titles.

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