View source for Gowron

{{Short description|Klingon character in two Star Trek series}}
{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with the surname, [[Gawron]]; the Polish Navy class, [[Gawron-class corvette]]; the village in Ireland, [[Gowran]]; or the ''Full Metal Panic'' character, [[Gauron]]}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox character
| name        = Gowron
| series      = [[Star Trek]]
| image       = Gowron.jpg
| caption     = Chancellor Gowron
| first       = "[[Reunion (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Reunion]]" (1990; ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation|TNG]]'')
| portrayer   = [[Robert O'Reilly]]
| species     = [[Klingon]]
| affiliation = [[Klingon|Klingon Empire]]
| lbl24       = Position
| data24      = [[Chancellor]]
}}
'''Gowron, son of M'Rel''', is a fictional character who appeared in the American [[science fiction on television|science fiction television]] series ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' and ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''. Portrayed by [[Robert O'Reilly]], he is the leader of the [[Klingon|Klingon Empire]], known as the Chancellor. O'Reilly had appeared earlier in ''The Next Generation'' as Scarface in the [[Star Trek: The Next Generation season 2|second season]] episode "[[Manhunt (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Manhunt]]", and was cast as Gowron due to his comedic ability and his piercing and extremely unsettling gaze, or what O'Reilly himself humorously referred to as "that crazy loon eyeball thing".<ref name=catchingup/>

Appearing first in "[[Reunion (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Reunion]]", where he is named Chancellor, Gowron defends his position against the challenge of the [[Duras (Star Trek)|Duras family]] in the two-part episode "[[Redemption (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Redemption]]". Following the advice of Lt. [[Worf]] ([[Michael Dorn]]) in "[[Rightful Heir]]", he incorporates the clone of [[Kahless]] into the Klingon government without disrupting his own leadership. In ''Deep Space Nine'', he initiates a conflict with the [[Federation (Star Trek)|Federation]] over fears that the [[Cardassian]]s have been infiltrated by the [[Founders (Star Trek)|Founders]]. After Cardassia sides with the [[Dominion (Star Trek)|Dominion]], he allies with Starfleet throughout the rest of the war. However, he later grows jealous of the success of General [[Martok]] ([[J. G. Hertzler]]) and undermines the war effort, resulting in Worf killing him in a duel.

O'Reilly also appeared as the character in video games, such as ''[[Star Trek: Klingon]]'' and ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation: Klingon Honor Guard]]''. Critics responded positively to the appearances of the character, equating his actions to those of a politician. He ranked 20th in a list of the best characters in the franchise by [[IGN]], while [[Keith DeCandido]] called him one of the "more memorable characters".<ref name=fourthtor/>

==Concept and development==
[[image:Michael Dorn by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Robert O'Reilly praised Gowron's relationship with Worf, played by Michael Dorn ''(pictured)''.]]
Prior to his casting as Gowron, [[Robert O'Reilly]] appeared in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' [[Star Trek: The Next Generation season 2|second season]] episode "[[Manhunt (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Manhunt]]" as a character referred to as Scarface.<ref>{{cite book |last = Nemecek |first = Larry |title = Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion |year = 2003 |edition = 3rd |publisher = Pocket Books |location = New York |isbn = 0-7434-5798-6 |page = 146 }}</ref> When casting was underway for the [[Jonathan Frakes]] directed episode "[[Reunion (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Reunion]]", Frakes was looking for an actor who could portray a Klingon with a sense of humour. O'Reilly later remarked that he was considered because of what he called "that crazy loon eyeball thing".<ref name=catchingup/> He went directly from a performance of ''[[King Lear]]'' where he portrayed the character [[Edmund (King Lear)|Edmund]], and introduced elements of that character into the Klingon. O'Reilly described Gowron's initial appearances as being "the only one with honor, and he was sort of a crazed warrior who did not want to be anywhere near 'hew-mons'".<ref name=catchingup/> He felt that like Edmund, Gowron was an outsider who became a leader. He said that they were "very, very similar in nature",<ref name=catchingup/> and said that this set the character apart from the other Klingons who had appeared on the show until that point.<ref name=catchingup/> [[Michael Westmore]] was in charge of designing the prosthetics for O'Reilly's performances as Gowron, describing it as one of his favourites of all the Klingons he's worked on because of the beard that comes down the side of his face.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Westmore |first1 = Michael G. |last2 = Nazzaro |first2 = Joe |name-list-style = amp |title = Star Trek: The Next Generation Make-Up FX Journal |year = 1993 |publisher = Titan |location = London |isbn = 978-1-85286-491-0 |page = 171 }}</ref>

O'Reilly made his first appearance in ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' in the [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3|third season]] episode "[[The House of Quark]]".<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Erdmann |first1 = Terry J. |last2 = Block |first2 = Paula M. |name-list-style = amp |title = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion |year = 2000 |publisher = Pocket Books |location = New York |isbn = 9780671501068 |page = 169 }}</ref> Writer [[Ronald D. Moore]] explained that his work on the episode came about because of his previous work on the Klingon-centric ''The Next Generation'' episode "[[Sins of the Father (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Sins of the Father]]",<ref>{{harvp|Erdmann|Block|2000|p= 170|ps=.}}</ref> and was pleased to bring over elements from his previous series—including Gowron. O'Reilly felt lucky to appear in the episode, as it was the expectation of many actors who played recurring characters in ''The Next Generation'' that they wouldn't transition to ''Deep Space Nine''.<ref>{{harvp|Erdmann|Block|2000|p= 171|ps=.}}</ref> Outside of ''Star Trek'', O'Reilly appeared in character for an advert for [[Hallmark Cards]] to promote a Klingon [[Bird of Prey (Star Trek)|Bird of Prey]] starship Christmas ornament.<ref name=catchingup />

Later, when he discovered that [[Michael Dorn]] would be returning to ''Star Trek'' on television in ''Deep Space Nine'', he hoped that it might be an opening for more Klingons on the show, including the return of Gowron. O'Reilly said that "When I got the script for '[[The Way of the Warrior (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|The Way of the Warrior]]', I was thrilled to get the job, to work with Michael again and to see Gowron and Worf together".<ref name=tribune>{{cite news |last1 = Spelling |first1 = Ian |title = Multitalented Robert O'Reilly Is Forever A Klingon |url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/03/08/multitalented-robert-oreilly-is-forever-a-klingon/ |access-date = October 18, 2014 |work = Chicago Tribune |archive-date = January 31, 2016 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160131161318/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-03-08/entertainment/9603080309_1_worf-gowron-klingon-high-council |date = March 8, 1996 }}</ref> He praised the relationship between the characters of Worf and Gowron, saying "[Worf is] always reminding Gowron about honor, but we're on two totally different sides when it comes to honor. It makes for great drama."<ref name=tribune/> At the time he was confident that this wouldn't be Gowron's last appearance, but hoped that the character wouldn't be overused so that he would continue to have an impact when he did.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Spelling |first1 = Ian |title = Clinging to Winning 'DS9' Role |url = |access-date = |newspaper = The Washington Post |via =  |date = March 3, 1996 }}</ref>
[[image:Robert O'Reilly at FedCon 2013.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Robert O'Reilly in 2013]]
Gowron's final appearance in ''Star Trek'' was in the ''Deep Space Nine'' [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 7|seventh season]] episode "[[Tacking into the Wind]]" where he is killed by Worf after the Klingon Chancellor displays some increasingly dishonorable tactics towards [[Martok]]. However, in the original draft it was not intended for the character to die; instead it would have ended with Gowron heading back to the Klingon homeworld, and promoting Martok to Field Marshal after placing him in charge of organising the Klingon forces in the [[Dominion War]]. It was [[Michael Piller]]'s suggestion that Gowron should die, and this idea made its way into the episode via Moore's screenplay.<ref>{{harvp|Erdmann|Block|2000|p= 691|ps=.}}</ref> O'Reilly described Gowron at the end saying that "He went out as this bad, terrible Klingon, which I disagreed with strongly, but that's fine."<ref name=catchingup />

Following the death of Gowron on screen, O'Reilly continued to attend ''Star Trek'' conventions in character, often appearing on stage alongside [[J. G. Hertzler]] as Martok. One of their trademarks is a song about Klingons, and O'Reilly has had a [[bat'leth]] created to look like a stringed guitar.<ref name=catchingup/> He explained in an interview that "We love doing Klingons. For me, it was a dream come true, it was nice to come back to it. And the fans just love it. We tried it once and the fans just went crazy."<ref name=worcester>{{cite news |last = Semon |first = Craig S. |title = Klingons prove fan-favorites at Boston 'Star Trek' con |url = http://www.telegram.com/article/20140623/COLUMN86/306239667/0 |access-date = October 18, 2014 |work = Worcester Telegram & Gazette |date = June 23, 2014 }}</ref> The pair debuted the in-makeup appearances at a convention in the late 2000s in Germany, and after generating the longest [[photo op]] queue at the event, they decided to take it to the stage.<ref name=worcester/> [[Larry Nemecek]] praised their convention appearances, saying "They are fan favourites because they are big, gregarious guys. They slap people on the back. They have a good time. They tease people back. They do it for the audience."<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Spector |first1 = Joseph |title = Klingon warrior elected to N.Y. town board |url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/08/klingon-warrior-ny-town-board/3479463/ |access-date = October 18, 2014 |work = USA Today |date = November 8, 2013 }}</ref>

==Appearances==

===''The Next Generation''===
Gowron makes his first appearance in the ''Star Trek'' franchise in ''The Next Generation'' episode "[[Reunion (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Reunion]]" as one of two possible successors to the role of Chancellor of the [[Klingon High Council]] (the other candidate is [[Duras (Star Trek)|Duras]] ([[Patrick Massett]]), his longtime rival). [[K'mpec]] ([[Charles Cooper (actor)|Charles Cooper]]), the incumbent Chancellor, suspects that either Duras or Gowron had been poisoning him, and appoints Captain [[Jean-Luc Picard]] ([[Patrick Stewart]]) as "Arbiter of Succession" to determine who will be the next Chancellor. However, before the arbitration process can be resolved, Worf's ([[Michael Dorn]]) one-time mate, [[K'Ehleyr]] ([[Suzie Plakson]]), discovers the evidence that implicates Ja'rod (the father of Duras) in the Romulan attack on the Klingon outpost [[Khitomer]], and to prevent her from disclosing it, Duras murders her. Claiming right of vengeance, Worf challenges Duras to a duel and kills him, resulting in Gowron's ascension to the Chancellorship.<ref name=reunion>{{cite episode |title = Reunion |episode-link = Reunion (Star Trek: The Next Generation) |series = Star Trek: The Next Generation |last1 = Perry |first1 = Thomas |last2 = Perry |first2 = Jo |last3 = Moore |first3 = Ronald D. |last4 = Braga |first4 = Brannon |last5 = Deighan |first5 = Drew |name-list-style = amp |season = 4 |number = 7 |date = November 5, 1990 }}</ref>

Gowron reappears in the two-part episode "[[Redemption (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Redemption]]", with his position now under threat from the Duras sisters, [[Lursa]] ([[Barbara March]]) and [[B'Etor]] ([[Gwynyth Walsh]]), who are driving for Duras' illegitimate son Toral ([[JD Cullum]]) to be appointed Chancellor. It is revealed that the Duras clan has been in league with the [[Klingon]]s' traditional enemies the [[Romulan]]s, and their attempt to seize power ends when the allies abandon them. Gowron also restores the honor of [[Worf]]'s house during this episode's events.<ref name=redemption1>{{cite episode |title = Redemption (part 1) |episode-link = Redemption (Star Trek: The Next Generation) |series = Star Trek: The Next Generation |last1 = Moore |first1 = Ronald D. |season = 4 |number = 26 |date = June 17, 1991 }}</ref><ref name=redemption2>{{cite episode |title = Redemption (part 2) |episode-link = Redemption (Star Trek: The Next Generation) |series = Star Trek: The Next Generation |last1 = Moore |first1 = Ronald D. |season = 5 |number = 1 |date = September 23, 1991 }}</ref>

Following these events, he was mentioned in "[[Unification (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Unification]]" as attempting to write the [[Federation (Star Trek)|Federation]]'s aid out of the official history of those events.<ref name=unification>{{cite episode |title = Unification (part 1) |episode-link = Unification (Star Trek: The Next Generation) |series = Star Trek: The Next Generation |last1 = Taylor |first1 = Jeri |last2 = Berman |first2 = Rick |last3 = Piller |first3 = Michael |name-list-style = amp |season = 5 |number = 7 |date = November 4, 1991 }}</ref> Gowron is once more challenged in the episode "[[Rightful Heir]]" by the apparently resurrected [[Kahless|Kahless the Unforgettable]]. It is ultimately revealed that this Kahless was in fact a clone, whom Gowron appoints to the symbolic post of Emperor of the Klingon Empire following the suggestion of Worf.<ref name=heir>{{cite episode |title = Rightful Heir |episode-link = Rightful Heir |series = Star Trek: The Next Generation |last1 = Moore |first1 = Ronald D. |last2 = Brooks |first2 = James E. |name-list-style = amp |season = 6 |number = 23 |date = May 17, 1993 }}</ref>

===''Deep Space Nine''===
Gowron's first appearance in the series is in the episode "[[The House of Quark]]". He rules over a dispute of the status of the House of Kozak.<ref name=housequark>{{cite episode |title = The House of Quark |episode-link = The House of Quark |series = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |last1 = Moore |first1 = Ronald D. |last2 = Benko |first2 = Tom |name-list-style = amp |season = 3 |number = 3 |date = October 10, 1994 }}</ref> In the episode "[[The Way of the Warrior (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|The Way of the Warrior]]", Gowron launches a Klingon assault upon the [[Cardassian|Cardassian Union]], claiming that the newly installed civilian Detapa Council is infested with Changlings from the [[Dominion (Star Trek)|Dominion]], a powerful organization from the [[Galactic quadrant (Star Trek)|Gamma Quadrant]] that is attempting to gain a foothold in the Alpha Quadrant. When the Federation Council condemns his actions, Gowron formally withdraws the Empire from the [[List of treaties in Star Trek#Khitomer Accords|Khitomer Accords]], thus ending the alliance with the Federation.<ref name=warrior>{{cite episode |title = The Way of the Warrior (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) |episode-link = The Way of the Warrior (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) |series = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |last1 = Behr |first1 = Ira Steven |last2 = Wolfe |first2 = Robert Hewitt |name-list-style = amp |season = 4 |number = 1 & 2 |date = October 2, 1995 }}</ref>

Despite this, Gowron journeys to the station, hoping to get Worf to argue on behalf of the Klingons. He does not take Worf's refusal well, and reinstates his discommendation (this time also executing the consequential removing of the House of Mogh from the High Council, seizing the Houses' assets, lands and titles, meaning Worf and his kin were made full outcasts). Later in the episode, the [[USS Defiant|USS ''Defiant'']] is forced to fight several Klingon ships, at a predetermined meeting point in space, to rescue [[Dukat (Star Trek)|Gul Dukat]] ([[Marc Alaimo]]) and the rest of the Detapa Council. The ''Defiant'' returns to the station, only to find it surrounded by a fleet of Klingon battleships, led by both General [[Martok]] ([[J. G. Hertzler]]) and Gowron himself. The Chancellor issues Captain [[Benjamin Sisko]] ([[Avery Brooks]]) a final ultimatum: turn over Dukat and the Detapa Council, or else. Sisko refuses, warning that [[Deep Space Nine (space station)|the station]] is not quite as helpless as they were led to believe. However, Gowron attacks Deep Space Nine anyway in an attempt to capture the Detapa Council. A fragile peace is reached by the end of the episode when it is found DS9 is more than capable of defending itself.<ref name=warrior/>

In the episode "[[Broken Link (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|Broken Link]]", Gowron risks a war with the [[United Federation of Planets]], demanding the disputed Archanis sector. Starfleet comes to the conclusion that Gowron is in fact a [[Changeling (Star Trek)|Changeling]] through faulty information leaked to [[Odo (Star Trek)|Odo]] ([[René Auberjonois]]).<ref name=link>{{cite episode |title = Broken Link |episode-link = Broken Link (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) |series = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |last1 = Behr |first1 = Ira Steven |last2 = Wolfe |first2 = Robert Hewitt |first3 = George A. |last3 = Brozak |name-list-style = amp |season = 4 |number = 26 |date = June 17, 1996 }}</ref> Sisko, Odo, Worf and [[Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)|O'Brien]] ([[Colm Meaney]]) infiltrate a Klingon ceremony to try to expose him in the follow-up episode "[[Apocalypse Rising]]", unexpectedly aided by Gowron's top advisor General [[Martok]], with Worf challenging Gowron to a duel with Bat'leths. Worf wins the duel, and is about to deliver the final blow, but Odo realizes in time that the Changeling is in fact Martok, who he exposes and who is subsequently killed by Gowron's men. In spite of this, Gowron does not change his policies though he agrees to a cease-fire between the Klingons and the Federation.<ref name=rising>{{cite episode |title = Apocalypse Rising |episode-link = Apocalypse Rising |series = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |last1 = Behr |first1 = Ira Steven |last2 = Wolfe |first2 = Robert Hewitt |name-list-style = amp |season = 5 |number = 1 |date = September 30, 1996 }}</ref>

In the [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 5|fifth season]] two-parter, "[[In Purgatory's Shadow]]" and "[[By Inferno's Light]]", Gowron restores the broken peace with the Federation in the Khitomer Accords after the Cardassian Union joins the Dominion and the real Martok is rescued from a Dominion prison.<ref name=shadow>{{cite episode |title = In Purgatory's Shadow |episode-link = In Purgatory's Shadow |series = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |last1 = Behr |first1 = Ira Steven |last2 = Wolfe |first2 = Robert Hewitt |name-list-style = amp |season = 5 |number = 14 |date = February 10, 1997 }}</ref><ref name=light>{{cite episode |title = By Inferno's Light |episode-link = By Inferno's Light |series = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |last1 = Behr |first1 = Ira Steven |last2 = Wolfe |first2 = Robert Hewitt |name-list-style = amp |season = 5 |number = 15 |date = February 17, 1997 }}</ref> Gowron makes his final appearances in "[[When It Rains…]]" and "[[Tacking into the Wind]]", where he assumes direct command of Klingon military forces and launches multiple reckless attacks with minimal success, wanting Martok (who he regards as a rival) to suffer a string of defeats.<ref name=rains>{{cite episode |title = When It Rains… |episode-link = When It Rains… |series = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |last1 = Echevarria |first1 = René |last2 = Steingasser |first2 = Spike |name-list-style = amp |season = 7 |number = 21 |date = May 5, 1999 }}</ref> Martok, although he knows that this is Gowron's intention, tells Worf not to involve himself. Worf disregards Martok's request and confronts Gowron, killing him in hand-to-hand combat. Under Klingon law, Worf is entitled to assume the leadership of the Empire, but he refuses the Chancellorship in favor of Martok.

Despite the questionable nature of Gowron's actions towards the end of his life, he does die in honorable combat, as evidenced by Worf's performance of the traditional Klingon death howl (done as a warning to those in [[Klingon culture#Afterlife|Sto-Vo-Kor]] – the place of the honored dead in Klingon mythology – that a warrior is about to arrive) over the body.<ref name=wind>{{cite episode |title = Tacking into the Wind |episode-link = Tacking into the Wind |series = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |last1 = Moore |first1 = Ronald D. |season = 7 |number = 22 |date = May 12, 1999 }}</ref>

===Video games===
O'Reilly appeared as Gowron in [[full motion video]] sequences in ''[[Star Trek: Klingon]]'', an [[interactive movie]]/[[computer game]] released by [[Simon & Schuster]] in 1996. This package also included a "language lab" designed to teach users basic [[Klingon language|Klingon]], where O'Reilly once again appeared in character.<ref name=catchingup>{{cite web |title = Catching Up With Robert O'Reilly |url = http://www.startrek.com/article/catching-up-with-robert-oreilly |work = StarTrek.com |archive-date = September 27, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150927235710/http://www.startrek.com/article/catching-up-with-robert-oreilly |access-date = October 18, 2014 |date = July 31, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Spelling |first1 = Ian |title = The Man Behind Klingon |url = https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-56862319/the-man-behind-klingon |access-date =  |work = The Washington Times |via =  |date = May 5, 1996 |url-access =  |archive-date = October 22, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141022185943/http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-56862319/the-man-behind-klingon |url-status = dead }}</ref> O'Reilly also voiced Gowron in the PC game ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation: Klingon Honor Guard]]'';<ref>{{cite news |last = Bassave |first = Roy |title = Restore Klingon honor by hunting down the traitor |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ybkoAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JC8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6713,218670&dq=klingon-honor-guard&hl=en |access-date = April 17, 2013 |newspaper = Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |page = 28 |date = December 8, 1998 |archive-date = March 12, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160312111310/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ybkoAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JC8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6713,218670&dq=klingon-honor-guard&hl=en |url-status = dead }}</ref> the plot of the game has the player character track down potential assassins of the Klingon leader.<ref>{{cite news |title = Games: Top Guns |url = https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-60926850/games-top-guns |access-date =  |work = Daily Record |location = Glasgow |date = December 11, 1998 |via =  |url-access =  |archive-date = March 8, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160308063645/https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-60926850/games-top-guns |url-status = dead }}</ref> O'Reilly also played a separate Klingon, Kavok, in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Interactive VCR Board Game]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Hunt |first1 = James |title = Revisiting Star Trek TNG: Reunion |url = http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-trek/34335/revisiting-star-trek-tng-reunion |work = Den of Geek |access-date = January 31, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160129150324/http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-trek/34335/revisiting-star-trek-tng-reunion |archive-date = January 29, 2016 |date = February 27, 2015 }}</ref>

O'Reilly's next performance as Gowron was in the [[Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|MMORPG]] ''[[Star Trek Online]]'' in the mission "Leap of Faith," released in January 2021. In the mission the player, alongside General Martok and Matriarch J'Ula, find Gowron in Koth; a realm for those unworthy of Sto-Vo-Kor or [[Gre'Thor|Gre'thor]]. He is in Koth because of the dishonorable actions of his ancestor Aakar (also portrayed by O'Reilly) as Aakar's dishonor doomed his descendants for three generations. He agrees to be the personal servant of [[Fek'lhr]] in the mission's conclusion to guarantee the player and J'Ula's success in enacting their plan to corner and stop Aakar. At the end of the arc, thanks to the death of Aakar, Gowron is granted his place in Sto-Vo-Kor.

==Reception and commentary==
[[image:Riverside Trek Fest 2014 (14349292930).jpg|thumb|right|Robert O'Reilly as Gowron and J. G. Hertzler as Martok, at the 2014 Trek Fest in [[Riverside, Iowa]]]]
O'Reilly's performance in the first part of "Redemption" was described as "triumphant" by [[Keith DeCandido]],<ref>{{cite web |last1 = DeCandido |first1 = Keith |title = Star Trek: The Next Generation Rewatch: "Redemption" (Part 1) |url = http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/05/star-trek-the-next-generation-redemption-part-1 |archive-date = April 9, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150409112142/http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/05/star-trek-the-next-generation-redemption-part-1 |work = Tor.com |access-date = October 18, 2014 |date = May 22, 2012 }}</ref> and "superb" in "Rightful Heir" when reviewing those episodes for [[Tor Books|Tor.com]].<ref>{{cite web |last1 = DeCandido |first1 = Keith |title = Star Trek: The Next Generation Rewatch: "Rightful Heir" |url = http://www.tor.com/2012/12/10/star-trek-the-next-generation-rewatch-rightful-heir/ |work = Tor.com |access-date = January 31, 2016 |archive-date = January 31, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160131154348/http://www.tor.com/2012/12/10/star-trek-the-next-generation-rewatch-rightful-heir/ |date = December 10, 2012 }}</ref> He also called the character "one of the franchise’s more memorable recurring characters".<ref name=fourthtor>{{cite web |last1 = DeCandido |first1 = Keith |title = Star Trek: The Next Generation Rewatch: Fourth Season Overview |url = http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/05/star-trek-the-next-generation-rewatch-fourth-season-overview |work = Tor.com |access-date = October 18, 2014 |date = May 25, 2012 }}</ref> When DeCandido reviewed "The Way of the Warrior", he said that Gowron had become an opportunist, furthering the establishment of his "self serving ways" in "Unification". He added that in this manner, Gowron was shown to be a politician "over and over".<ref name=waytor>{{cite web |last1 = DeCandido |first1 = Keith |title = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Rewatch: "The Way of the Warrior" |url = http://www.tor.com/2014/01/28/star-trek-deep-space-nine-rewatch-the-way-of-the-warrior/ |archive-date = January 31, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160131154435/http://www.tor.com/2014/01/28/star-trek-deep-space-nine-rewatch-the-way-of-the-warrior/ |work = Tor.com |access-date = January 31, 2016 |date = January 28, 2014 }}</ref>

Regarding the appearance of Gowron in the video game ''Star Trek: Klingon'', Bob Strauss described O'Reilly's delivery as "bug-eyed aplomb" in a review for ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1 = Strauss |first1 = Bob |title = Star Trek Klingon |url = http://www.ew.com/article/1996/05/17/star-trek-klingon |access-date = January 31, 2016 |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |date = May 17, 1996 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160131160900/http://www.ew.com/article/1996/05/17/star-trek-klingon |archive-date = January 31, 2016 }}</ref> The character was ranked as the 20th best of the ''Star Trek'' franchise by Benjamin Maxwell for [[IGN]], where Gowron was described as both "a friend or foe to the Federation – and he was both during his short tenure as chancellor – this character was always true to the Klingon way."<ref name=ign25>{{cite web |last1 = Maxwell |first1 = Benjamin |title = Top 25 Star Trek Characters Page 2 of 5 |url = http://uk.ign.com/articles/2009/05/08/top-25-star-trek-characters?page=2 |archive-date = November 8, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141108162042/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/08/top-25-star-trek-characters?page=2 |work = IGN |access-date = November 8, 2014 |date = May 8, 2009 }}</ref> Maxwell also believed that the lack of change shown by the character during the course of his appearances in both ''TNG'' and ''DS9'' demonstrated the "truest representation" of a Klingon.<ref name=ign25/> In 2009, [[IGN]] rated Gowron the 20th best character of all  ''Star Trek'' up to that time, noting his role as Chancellor of the Klingon High Council and appearances on ''Star Trek:The Next Generation'' and ''Star Trek:Deep Space Nine''.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/08/top-25-star-trek-characters |title = Top 25 Star Trek Characters |author=IGN Movies  |date = May 8, 2009 |website = IGN |language = en-US |access-date = June 20, 2019 }}</ref>

In March 2019, [[Syfy|SyFy]] rated Gowron as the 7th greatest Klingon of the ''Star Trek'' franchise.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url = https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/it-is-a-good-day-to-die-ranking-the-top-ten-klingons-in-all-of-star-trek |title = It is a good day to die: Ranking the top ten Klingons in all of Star Trek |last = Silliman |first = Brian |date = March 7, 2019 |website = Syfy Wire |language = en |access-date = March 11, 2019 |archive-date = April 1, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190401083913/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/it-is-a-good-day-to-die-ranking-the-top-ten-klingons-in-all-of-star-trek |url-status = dead }}</ref> In particular, they noted actor O'Reilly's powerful performances in both TNG and DS-9 over the arc of the character’s story, and how Gowron's critical position in the Klingon Empire as Chancellor, especially in the Dominion war saga, reveals the difference between personal ambition and honorable conduct.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |editor-last = Tumminia |editor-first = Diana G. |title = Alien Worlds: Social and Religious Dimensions of Extraterrestrial Contact |year = 2007 |publisher = Syracuse University Press |location = Syracuse, N.Y. |isbn = 978-0-81560-858-5 |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/alienworldssocia0000unse }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Memory Alpha}}
* [http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Gowron,_son_of_M'Rel  Gowron, son of M'Rel] at [[Memory Beta]] (a Star Trek wiki)
{{Klingon}}
{{Star Trek recurring characters}}

[[Category:Television characters introduced in 1990]]
[[Category:Fictional chancellors]]
[[Category:Klingons]]
[[Category:Star Trek: The Next Generation characters]]
[[Category:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine characters]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from the 24th century]]