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Why didn't General Martok receive discommendation, due to being captured by the Jem'Hadar and failing to commit suicide?

2 Answers 2

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Klingons are allowed (by honour) to not commit suicide if there's a reasonable chance that they'll be able to escape from their captors. Much like the 'bad apples' of Colditz Castle, prisoners that require guarding are also tying up their enemy's resources.

GARAK: Aren't you Klingons supposed to kill yourselves when you're taken prisoner?

WORF: Not when there are still enemies to fight.

MARTOK: Or hope of escape. If you are Worf then you must be Garak. He said you would come.

DS9: In Purgatory's Shadow

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IIRC it was in that very episode that some Starfleet member mentioned that survival is not dishonorable if you get captured and later escape with valuable information.

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  • 3
    Can you provide a quote that backs this up?
    – Valorum
    Aug 1, 2019 at 20:51
  • I don't remember this. I'd also like a quote. Aug 1, 2019 at 23:26
  • @Valorum - quote edited in before I noticed you had answered with the same! : p
    – NKCampbell
    Aug 2, 2019 at 18:13
  • 1
    @NKCampbell - My issue with this answer is that the quote from the episode doesn't say this. It says something entirely different
    – Valorum
    Aug 2, 2019 at 18:23

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