The "eyes thjing" really made Gowron. I think Robert O'Reilly is an amazing actor, especially because his facial expressions conveyed the wildness of the character, but he did NOT have to scream and yell.
@Briarheart974 But that was because he wanted to, not because he needed to. That's how you know Gowron's relatively chill. Gowron's scarier when he's quiet and giving the eyes. That's how you know he's mad and/or has a plan.
The best Klingon ever. Star Trek Discovery should add his character. I especially like the "The House of Quark" where he tossed the ledger in frustration and also his confused expression when he uttered the "House of Quark". Memorable character
For me, the writing and portrayal of the Gowron character was the most important thing for making the Klingon culture believable at all. Random Klingons that showed up were often violent cads. Worf was sincere in his beliefs in honor, but he was an outsider. Martok was very honorable but also an outlier in Klingon society. Gowron bridged the gap between the violent thugs and Worf/Martok. He passionately loved the system of honor: "Glory to YOU...and your House!" He seemed to fit in to Klingon society and you could understand he was a successful leader and was admired by many. In multiple episodes, Gowron had the opportunity to resolve the situation on hand by applying his authority and/or simple violence, but he chose the genuinely honorable course. For example, when the Dominion set him up to be assassinated and Worf was found out, nobody would have questioned Gowron if he had Worf gunned down. Nope. He thought this was a good time for an honorable duel to the death! Likewise, when Quark found himself on Kronos in an honor duel, Gowron stepped in when it was obvious that rules of honor were being misused to dishonorable ends. I do not find that Gowron's final fate detracts from this legacy. It just shows that a usually honorable Klingon that was successful at keeping the system mostly functional can fall prey to understandable personal weaknesses. That moment in history needed someone better than a pretty honorable and politically successful Klingon leader. That moment needed someone like Martok (or Worf).
Gowron's fate showed an essential weakness of Klingon society: he was a very good political leader (note how he was fairly easily convinced how to deal with the Kahless clone situation in a way that let everyone walk away with something), but not the greatest military leader. In, say, the Federation (or a modern democracy, hell, even non-democratic monarchies over the last few centuries) this wouldn't be a big deal, but in a culture that was so obsessed with the concept of being a warrior, the fact that Martok was the better military commander made him by default a genuine threat even though Martok had no ambitions that way. In a less militaristic society, Gowron would have been using Martok's success to make himself look good, as the intelligent, capable leader who chose the best subordinates for the job. Instead, Gowron had to do a job he was unsuited for, and which he knew he was, which only made Martok look better, which Gowron had to try harder to overcome, and round and round until something had to break. In the end, it wasn't Worf that killed him but the dysfunctional Klingon system.
@@keith6706 Well reasoned, and I heartily agree. There was no logical necessity for Gowron to see Martok as a rival, in terms of who the two men actually were. In fact, Martok had completely internalized that his humble origins put a hard ceiling on his ambitions. It was Klingon culture that told Gowron he must not be eclipsed by one of his generals, and nothing Martok could say nothing that would sway that view. As I said before, Gowron personifies Klingon culture as it is, and we can see both the cultures good and bad strongly within him, as you astutely point out.
@@ComradeOgilvy1984 Thing is, and this was made clear in the episode where Worf finally kills him, it didn't matter if Martok actually convinced Gowron he had no ambitions and was no threat; Gowron was losing the support of other Klingons regardless of what Martok did or didn't do. Note that when Worf called him out, absolutely none of the other Klingon leaders even tried to come to Gowron's defense. There were a dozen ways for Gowron to have brushed off Worf ("Hey, you might take off the badge but you're still Starfleet and I'm not going to risk the alliance in a war because of your big mouth, and you're being dishonorable risking everything, so get the hell out") but Gowron's tragedy was that he was a canny enough politician to know he'd lost the room, but all that skill was meaningless and had no option but to fight. If he hadn't fought Worf, someone would have taken him out. If he hadn't cut down Martok, someone would have taken him out.
@@keith6706 You have convinced me. I always thought of Gowron as an example of a highly functional kind of Klingon, and met a tragic end in the classical tradition of great virtues undone by great weaknesses. So Gowron was not flawed in the sense of a personal weakness, as he seems to me that he was a reasonably competent military leader. But Klingon society demanded he appear to be the best of military leaders. It is not really his fault or Martok's fault that Martok was exceptionally talented. The tragedy is one of Klingon cultural values, and Gowron is the victim who cannot escape *because* he is a very good Klingon.
0:22 Like Father like son. Patrick Stewart tell the story of his father having been a sergeant-major in the British Army of having a parade ground voice that would silence the birds in the surrounding trees.
Must be hard finding a balance. Without a quirk, characters can be a bit boring, but by having grounded characters the less grounded ones are that much more memorable.
Anyone remember playing the original 1998 Starcraft and had a nerdgasm moment when they found out a Protoss unit would say "Gowron" when you click on it a lot?
I've always hated how they killed off Gowron in DS9, I loved his character. He deserved better, like a glorious death in battle against the dominion, not slowly becoming a paranoid jerk who put the Empire at risk for his own interests. May your ancestors rejoice as you take your place in Sto'Vo'Kor Gowron.
The great thing about Gowron was that he was the epitome of what you would think a Klingon politician would be. Sly, showy, shadowy and a bit of a grifter and a fighter ... just marvelous and so well portrayed.
He's a consummate politician: corrupt, scheming, and fixated on maintaining his own power. But he's also the quintessential modern Klingon: cynical, belligerent, and obsessed with his personal "honor". Blend all that together, add a generous splash of unstable, and you've got our Gowron.
Been reading a lot of these comments and if I had read this one before I made mine I would have kept it to myself! 🤣 Just the perfect comment all the way around! Please forgive the fanboy moment.
He's a great combination of crazy warrior and politician. He knows he can handle himself in a fight, but since he's a politician he also knows he mostly doesn't have to. He's amused by the things he considers beneath his level. But once something does come in his orbit that threatens his life or his standing he brings out the crazy.
That's such a great description of him. He's seriously my favorite klingon character, and pretty high up in all characters. I even like him better than Gul Dukat.
MB Coll the makeup makes them better actors imho. For example, even though Rene’s whole face was covered by thick prosthetics, he was still able to convey utter heartbreak when Kira was in love with someone else
TNG and DS9 had soooooo many fantastic actors it's actually sad to think back at how good we had it back then, especially compared to the crap we have today.
Dude I have never seen this guy before outside of makeup! Gowron was one of a few Klingons that made me think, as a kid, "man, I would NOT want this guy pissed at me!"
Even his voice is completely different. Robert's normal voice sounds like he should be teaching Sunday school, but even Gowron's "calm" voice sounds like he's inciting a third grade class to rebellion.
This actor, J. G. Hertzler and Tony Todd are the best examples of Klingons for me. They all chew the scenery and scare the crap out of you at the same time.
Gowron's eyes were great, it gave him a presence that explained how he got to his position...like his words would often show him to be cautious, a thinker but his eyes said he was a crazy klingon who could snap at any moment. Similar to how Nimoy came up with the nerve pinch, O'Reilly added something special to the leader of the Klingons.
Yep. Impossible to say whether his response will be reasonable, intelligent and measured or if he's just going to stab you. Could honestly go either way.
That’s exactly how I imagine a live action Megatron. He was mad as a hatter but no one messed with him because he was backed by Soundwave and other heavies.
No. He doesnt play Gowron over the top. Gowron plays "Gowron" over the top. The character himself is an actor on klingon political stage, overdoing it to look better, stronger, crazier. I do not give any extra praise for an actor playing the crazy. I praise OReilly for being behind the eyes, the growl, and ton of latex on his face, and bring out that cunning statesman who juggles the subtleties of diplomacy on one side and the expectations of direct and brutal klingon culture on the other. Like Churchill put it, hes riding a tiger. He cannot control it, he cannot get off, and he has to look like everything that happens is happening to a plan.
Yes, it's a bit like the Peter Cushing interview wherein he says of Grand Moff Tarkin, in impeccably posh RP, that he was "a very cross, unpleasant gentleman."
@@dalemcilwain This is how Robert O'Riley got the role of Gowron. When he auditioned he put a twist in his performance. He scare them into giving him the role. A few on the ceiling, a few under the table. The spots people usually go when shocked.
There's something in his wiki page that says that someone told him to do "that crazy loon eyeball thing". Look for a (very) young Robert O'Reilley in The Incredible Hulk. Season 5, episode "Patterns".
@@arizona_anime_fan I will never forget seeing the entirety of the Klingon High Council with datapads out, trying hopelessly to follow along with Quark 😂😂😂😂
Quark: here's mountains of evidence that you used financial trickery to bring down the House of Kozak Gowron: but did you do it though? D'Ghor: no Gowron: ok, fight to the death it is
daydodog Well remember, how a character starts off is rarely how he winds up. I don't think Gowron was originally intended to be a recurring character, much less a major one, but his portrayal won over both the crew and fans so they write him into a major role. Sort of like how Castiel originally had 1-2 scenes in one episode of Supernatural and was never set to be mentioned again.
I love it when Robert casaully says "and we peelled a few people off the ceiling." Like after every scene he does. The crew will have go on ceiling patrol. 😂😂
I still remember the look on Gowron’s face when Worf told him about the High Council knowing about what really happened at Khitomer. If the Council was right there he would’ve killed them all with his bare hands! lol
Gowron was always an unprincipled political schemer. As soon as he became Chancellor, he started rewriting history, erasing the Federation's assistance and painting himself as a lone hero, sweeping away corruption with his bat'leth. Part of his charm was the fact that he was kind of a scumbag, and you were never really sure which way he would go.
Exactly. Worf/Martok was honorable but usually so serious. Gowron was passionate. We have met so many hotheaded Klingon thugs that it was difficult to imagine Worf/Martok as something other than outsiders and outliers. Gowron was someone who was generally honorable while you could see him fitting in and rising to a position of leadership among a culture with many thuggish individuals. Gowron bridged the gap, and made the Klingon culture more believable.
How he spun in the chair in the observation lounge and spoke to Duras in TNG: Reunion is still one of my favorite memories of Gowron 😂 He taught me how to stare in Klingon.
Here's an example of an actor taking a secondary character and elevating it to Meme immortality...for the glory of the Empire. One of my favorite characters on TNG.
Always enjoyed it when Gowron turned up. He was so unpredictable, to the point where he might pull a knife, glare at someone, or laugh like a maniac and slap you on the back. Truly memorable character, and a testament to the writers and O'Reilly.
One of the best pieces of character work in all Trek. On par with Marc/Dukat and Andrew/Garak. Even if we saw him a fraction of the time, He truly redefined what it meant to be a Klingon.
I had assumed the actor's eyes were always like that, but it's something he does at will. It gives the character a look of being wild and unpredictable.
Yes, I remember seeing his picture on IMDb and thinking that can't be the right actor. His eyes aren't popping out of his head. But this video explains it all.
I'm just imagining it. Just before the end of the episode, Robert O'Reilly playing a Super-G'ould steps through the gate at Stargate command. His eyes flash so wide and bright that the soldiers need shades. Then a message on the screen says "To be continued". I would have definitely tuned in next week.
Everyone was trying to reach the bridge, only stars on the screen and then, suddenly, Kavok was on the screen shouting at you ("What is your name?... THAT IS A CHILD'S NAME!") and you had to respond to him and were punished by him (placed in a stasis field,...). It was funny.
Brilliant actor. So many different nuances he gave to Gowron. Changing from crazy to cunning to funny to pensive in a matter of seconds. Simply brilliant. I don’t remember who said it, I think it was somebody from the Insurrection cast. He said that when you wear a mask, a creative gate opens in front of you and you become that character. Robert O’Reilly WAS Gowron.
I absolutely LOVE Gowron. He added so much "spice" to the Star Trek franchise with his mastery of the craft of acting. May your years be long and fulled with continued happiness and success Mr. O'Reilly.
No idea the actor looked like that. I really appreciated the variety and depth to which TNG introduced and continued to foster recurring characters. I didn't expect Gowron's actor to look so... normal.
kilroy987 he did have a guest role before Gowron where he didn’t have any make up on. I forget the title of the TNG episode. I think he was a holographic barkeep and that the episode had Mrs. Troi as in some Betazoid heat.
@@tonyadams3523 I remember that episode. O'Reilly played a mobster from New Orleans who beat up Chief Gillespie's (played by Carroll O'Connor) daughter. When he caught up with him, Gillespie knocked him on his ass. O'Reilly's character said "you wouldn't have done that if the cops weren't here." Gillespie responded, "if they weren't here, I'd have shot you."
Klingon high council: We are all in agreement then?
Gowron: º¬º
Klingon high council : The Eyes have it.
Most epic comment ever!
I was so distracted by the adorable emoticon face that I at first didn't see the delightful pun that was made.
@@ScornedOne1080 . You'll
It really unfair I can only give you 1 like. Anyway here ya go
2 years later and eyes still have it.
Glory to you, O'Reilly...and your house!
And the house of Quak.
OpenGL4ever the House of... Quirk? THE HOUSE OF QUARK! 👀
And to your, Hooouse!
The "eyes thjing" really made Gowron. I think Robert O'Reilly is an amazing actor, especially because his facial expressions conveyed the wildness of the character, but he did NOT have to scream and yell.
@Briarheart974 But that was because he wanted to, not because he needed to. That's how you know Gowron's relatively chill.
Gowron's scarier when he's quiet and giving the eyes. That's how you know he's mad and/or has a plan.
Gowron's crazy eyes did a add an extra dimension to this character.
Damn good screen writing AND acting! Thank you so much!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed his eye acting.
He did a great job playing his character
The best Klingon ever. Star Trek Discovery should add his character. I especially like the "The House of Quark" where he tossed the ledger in frustration and also his confused expression when he uttered the "House of Quark". Memorable character
They even replicated this in Star Trek Online as much as they could.
He's basically playing Hulk Hogan in Klingon form.
I was think more along the lines of the Macho Man Randy Savage. But, either works.
For me, the writing and portrayal of the Gowron character was the most important thing for making the Klingon culture believable at all. Random Klingons that showed up were often violent cads. Worf was sincere in his beliefs in honor, but he was an outsider. Martok was very honorable but also an outlier in Klingon society. Gowron bridged the gap between the violent thugs and Worf/Martok. He passionately loved the system of honor: "Glory to YOU...and your House!" He seemed to fit in to Klingon society and you could understand he was a successful leader and was admired by many.
In multiple episodes, Gowron had the opportunity to resolve the situation on hand by applying his authority and/or simple violence, but he chose the genuinely honorable course. For example, when the Dominion set him up to be assassinated and Worf was found out, nobody would have questioned Gowron if he had Worf gunned down. Nope. He thought this was a good time for an honorable duel to the death! Likewise, when Quark found himself on Kronos in an honor duel, Gowron stepped in when it was obvious that rules of honor were being misused to dishonorable ends.
I do not find that Gowron's final fate detracts from this legacy. It just shows that a usually honorable Klingon that was successful at keeping the system mostly functional can fall prey to understandable personal weaknesses. That moment in history needed someone better than a pretty honorable and politically successful Klingon leader. That moment needed someone like Martok (or Worf).
Gowron's fate showed an essential weakness of Klingon society: he was a very good political leader (note how he was fairly easily convinced how to deal with the Kahless clone situation in a way that let everyone walk away with something), but not the greatest military leader. In, say, the Federation (or a modern democracy, hell, even non-democratic monarchies over the last few centuries) this wouldn't be a big deal, but in a culture that was so obsessed with the concept of being a warrior, the fact that Martok was the better military commander made him by default a genuine threat even though Martok had no ambitions that way. In a less militaristic society, Gowron would have been using Martok's success to make himself look good, as the intelligent, capable leader who chose the best subordinates for the job. Instead, Gowron had to do a job he was unsuited for, and which he knew he was, which only made Martok look better, which Gowron had to try harder to overcome, and round and round until something had to break.
In the end, it wasn't Worf that killed him but the dysfunctional Klingon system.
@@keith6706 Well reasoned, and I heartily agree. There was no logical necessity for Gowron to see Martok as a rival, in terms of who the two men actually were. In fact, Martok had completely internalized that his humble origins put a hard ceiling on his ambitions. It was Klingon culture that told Gowron he must not be eclipsed by one of his generals, and nothing Martok could say nothing that would sway that view.
As I said before, Gowron personifies Klingon culture as it is, and we can see both the cultures good and bad strongly within him, as you astutely point out.
@@ComradeOgilvy1984 Thing is, and this was made clear in the episode where Worf finally kills him, it didn't matter if Martok actually convinced Gowron he had no ambitions and was no threat; Gowron was losing the support of other Klingons regardless of what Martok did or didn't do. Note that when Worf called him out, absolutely none of the other Klingon leaders even tried to come to Gowron's defense. There were a dozen ways for Gowron to have brushed off Worf ("Hey, you might take off the badge but you're still Starfleet and I'm not going to risk the alliance in a war because of your big mouth, and you're being dishonorable risking everything, so get the hell out") but Gowron's tragedy was that he was a canny enough politician to know he'd lost the room, but all that skill was meaningless and had no option but to fight. If he hadn't fought Worf, someone would have taken him out. If he hadn't cut down Martok, someone would have taken him out.
@@keith6706 You have convinced me. I always thought of Gowron as an example of a highly functional kind of Klingon, and met a tragic end in the classical tradition of great virtues undone by great weaknesses. So Gowron was not flawed in the sense of a personal weakness, as he seems to me that he was a reasonably competent military leader. But Klingon society demanded he appear to be the best of military leaders. It is not really his fault or Martok's fault that Martok was exceptionally talented. The tragedy is one of Klingon cultural values, and Gowron is the victim who cannot escape *because* he is a very good Klingon.
Gowron was and is perfect character .. I am big fan of him, thanks to Robert O´Reilly.. Love this character forever and ever
His eyes still haunt me to this day.
Well done sir!
Mr Oreilly brought Gowron to life .. Amazing job and character
I still think setting up Martok as Chancellor to wrap the post-war bow with the Federation was a bit lazy.
This is a perfect example of absolutely amazing casting.
"You will die sloooowly! Duuuraaas!"
0:22 Like Father like son. Patrick Stewart tell the story of his father having been a sergeant-major in the British Army of having a parade ground voice that would silence the birds in the surrounding trees.
Great character, great job.
Must be hard finding a balance. Without a quirk, characters can be a bit boring, but by having grounded characters the less grounded ones are that much more memorable.
I predict great things for Gowron. There's definitely no way that he will be killed by, say, Worf or anything like that.
Still may favorite Klingon for just this reason.
He never blinks!
"Frakes, your blood will paint the way to the future!"
But he was a Founder!!! He could make his eyes as buggy as he wanted!
Anyone remember playing the original 1998 Starcraft and had a nerdgasm moment when they found out a Protoss unit would say "Gowron" when you click on it a lot?
46 people will never see honor in StoVoKor.
Do you know why Gowron stares so much? He's low on eyeron! 🤣
I've always hated how they killed off Gowron in DS9, I loved his character. He deserved better, like a glorious death in battle against the dominion, not slowly becoming a paranoid jerk who put the Empire at risk for his own interests. May your ancestors rejoice as you take your place in Sto'Vo'Kor Gowron.
Add Spock staring at you and saying Fascinating.
the gowron glare
Gowron's the Klingon man!
A classic Star Trek meme.
then he became the boss of the klingon empire and then worf killed him.
I miss him. Yes, he had to go, and he went out big.
That man can act. He seems nothing at all like his character in real life. Unlike, say the roles of better known actors like Samuel Jackson.
" stares in Klingon"
Watching this a year later, and this is the first thought that popped into my head.
Today is a good day to stare.
Honestly, even among Klingons he's pretty unique there. It's really *stares in Gowron*
Me stares at MC Donalds
Stares in Klingon.....OO
*staring intensifies*
Will we ever see a Klingon with crazier eyes?
"Perhaps.......but not today"
And I just read that in Gowron’s voice...
Loved that line when he spoke to Worf.
@@numeristatech Same, that was awesome!
I know a certain Cardassian... ^^
Lmao I totally heard gowron say that too
There are three things that I'd never want to happen to me in Star Trek:
Gowron staring at me.
Garak smiling at me.
Data laughing at me.
All three mean you fucked up, but in entirely different ways.
Brilliant. So many fantastic physical actors in Trek history, but Gowron and Garak are two of the most well acted, under all that makeup, of them all.
Why is data laughing just so much scarier than the other two to me?
@@nicholascopsey4807 cos it means Data’s got his emotion chip in, which never seems to work well, or it’s not Data but Lore, and you is screwed.
Dont forget Dukat pointing at you !!! ua-cam.com/video/w7AvdDMDIn8/v-deo.html
The great thing about Gowron was that he was the epitome of what you would think a Klingon politician would be. Sly, showy, shadowy and a bit of a grifter and a fighter ... just marvelous and so well portrayed.
He's a consummate politician: corrupt, scheming, and fixated on maintaining his own power. But he's also the quintessential modern Klingon: cynical, belligerent, and obsessed with his personal "honor". Blend all that together, add a generous splash of unstable, and you've got our Gowron.
Gowron was one of my favorite Klingons from the "Home World."
Been reading a lot of these comments and if I had read this one before I made mine I would have kept it to myself! 🤣
Just the perfect comment all the way around!
Please forgive the fanboy moment.
He's a great combination of crazy warrior and politician. He knows he can handle himself in a fight, but since he's a politician he also knows he mostly doesn't have to. He's amused by the things he considers beneath his level. But once something does come in his orbit that threatens his life or his standing he brings out the crazy.
That's such a great description of him. He's seriously my favorite klingon character, and pretty high up in all characters. I even like him better than Gul Dukat.
director Frakes "Gowron I need you to be extra Gowrony in this scene"
@.@
Is that like getting a Gowron with extra mustard?
Gowron: *IT WILL BE DONE*
The Gowroniest Gowron that ever Gowroned.
Isn't it Gowronic?
Don't you think?
It's hard to act through heavy makeup. This guy nailed it like few others.
MB Coll the makeup makes them better actors imho. For example, even though Rene’s whole face was covered by thick prosthetics, he was still able to convey utter heartbreak when Kira was in love with someone else
Garak, Worf, Martok... so many well acted aliens. *Gods the acting was STRONG then...*
gowron does it for me just great to watch he played the part so well
TNG and DS9 had soooooo many fantastic actors it's actually sad to think back at how good we had it back then, especially compared to the crap we have today.
@@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg yes its no where near as good
Gowron and Garak both had pretty intense eyes. Imagine getting into a staring contest with either of them.
Well Robinson stared down Clint Eastwood in ‘Dirty Harry’ and that’s not easy to do.
I still think Spock or another follower of Surak would outstare both Gowron and Garak.
Samurai Momo
Or they get Into a staring contest with each other
I think Garek would win if Gowron didn't slip a knife into Garek first. Guess it doesn't matter; Worf took care of that issue already.
A Vulcan would beat them both in a staring contest. They are much more patient and not very easy to starle and easier to hide their emotions.
Seeing white above the iris is like a stop sign; the universal signal of "I'm not necessarily insane, but definitely nuts".
Below is even more of a warning IMO.
Adam Schiff
@@hdguppies Yeah, a lot of people in politics have Resting Gowron Eye. Him most of all.
@@DIEGhostfish Maxine Waters has extreme Sanpaku Eye
Toral: "The Duras family will one day rule the Empire!"
Gowron, whispering, then sneering: "Perhaps. But not today."
And that smile! So smirking and yet predatory.
Worf stab that arse
One of the most memorable lines of all time
I haven't seen that scene in many years, but always remember that line!
Dude I have never seen this guy before outside of makeup! Gowron was one of a few Klingons that made me think, as a kid, "man, I would NOT want this guy pissed at me!"
Even his voice is completely different. Robert's normal voice sounds like he should be teaching Sunday school, but even Gowron's "calm" voice sounds like he's inciting a third grade class to rebellion.
This actor, J. G. Hertzler and Tony Todd are the best examples of Klingons for me. They all chew the scenery and scare the crap out of you at the same time.
He played a small part without makeup in DS9's "Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang". I only noticed because his voice seemed familiar. :D
@@mbogucki1 100% agreed
@@mbogucki1 OMG Tony Todd in general as a sci fi actor...!!!
Gowron's eyes were great, it gave him a presence that explained how he got to his position...like his words would often show him to be cautious, a thinker but his eyes said he was a crazy klingon who could snap at any moment. Similar to how Nimoy came up with the nerve pinch, O'Reilly added something special to the leader of the Klingons.
Yep. Impossible to say whether his response will be reasonable, intelligent and measured or if he's just going to stab you. Could honestly go either way.
@@TheZacula You think he might be fucking with you, but you're not going to gamble to find out.
"This we do not forgive...or forget..."
Swivel of the chair kills me everytime.
"Did you think we had forgotten, did you think we had forgiven?
Behold now! The terrible vengeance of the Forsaken!"
WolfFireheart yeah, Gowron isn’t undead. Cool WoW quote though.
Only the tribbles can match the Empire!
That is the Gowron-iest line delivery in the entire franchise. When he whips out the crazy eyes, you know that he means business.
And the immortal line, to his departing Council foes, "Your blood will paint the way to the future."
That's how you talk smack, the Klingon Way.
That’s what I told my bosses when I didn’t get selected for a promotion.
I love how over the top he plays Gowron. Charismatic insanity
perfect descriptor.
He was so cool the fact Gowron was wild n crazy but an analytical thinker, an awesome ruler for the Empire.
That’s exactly how I imagine a live action Megatron. He was mad as a hatter but no one messed with him because he was backed by Soundwave and other heavies.
You have to be over the top in all that latex glued to your face. When you're all under the makeup, you have to be more expressive.
No. He doesnt play Gowron over the top. Gowron plays "Gowron" over the top. The character himself is an actor on klingon political stage, overdoing it to look better, stronger, crazier.
I do not give any extra praise for an actor playing the crazy. I praise OReilly for being behind the eyes, the growl, and ton of latex on his face, and bring out that cunning statesman who juggles the subtleties of diplomacy on one side and the expectations of direct and brutal klingon culture on the other.
Like Churchill put it, hes riding a tiger. He cannot control it, he cannot get off, and he has to look like everything that happens is happening to a plan.
lol, I love how O'Reilly is about as opposite to Gowron as you could possibly imagine. That's just hilariously awesome.
That's called "acting chops".
right, that's what I thought. I sounds like such a nice person.
But Gowron was just the right combination of crazy, dangerous, and cunning.
Yes, it's a bit like the Peter Cushing interview wherein he says of Grand Moff Tarkin, in impeccably posh RP, that he was "a very cross, unpleasant gentleman."
What if he was all nuts, and had bugged out eyes all the time in real life, too?
"Oh, poor guy... I'm glad he was able to act and get paid for it..."
I feel like there’s an “Eye of Gowron” joke in here somewhere.
Get out.
Lmfao nicely done
0:33 - "...we peeled a few people off the ceiling..." LOL
Wait was that the actor or Gowron himself? 🤔🤣
The way he said it. Like it's a casual everyday thing. 😆😆😂😂
@@TheWPhilosopher That's the actor that played Gowron. 😁😁😁
@@dalemcilwain aware of that. What I meant was was that the actor doing that or was that Gowron slipping out 😏
@@dalemcilwain
This is how Robert O'Riley got the role of Gowron. When he auditioned he put a twist in his performance. He scare them into giving him the role. A few on the ceiling, a few under
the table. The spots people usually go when shocked.
"Our brother did indeed have a son..."
"This is outrageous, Duras had no mate....where did you find him Lursa.... in a harlots bed chamber?"
If I'd been there, I'd have had a lot of trouble keeping myself from laughing at Gowron's bed chamber comment.
Your blood will paint the way to the future!
"Insolent wretch"
@@girlgarde If Michael Dorn was on set he'd delay filming by afew hours with his laughter 😂
They called Sinatra "Ol Blue Eyes" They call Gowron "Ol Crazy Eyes"
sounds like an Apache or Sioux name.
Data was "Ol' Yellow Eyes".
There's something in his wiki page that says that someone told him to do "that crazy loon eyeball thing".
Look for a (very) young Robert O'Reilley in The Incredible Hulk. Season 5, episode "Patterns".
One of those actors - I'd never recognize him walking in the street.......Unless of course he looked at me with *those* eyes! 👀
"You will die...slowly...Duras!" Pauses that would put even Shatner and Walken to shame!
It's more "Duraaaasss!"
Yeah I always like that scene
"You have used... MONEY!... to bring down a great house!"
that was a great episode, one of the truly great DS9 episodes. the klingon revulsion at quark's "business" sense throughout the episode was top tier.
@@arizona_anime_fan I will never forget seeing the entirety of the Klingon High Council with datapads out, trying hopelessly to follow along with Quark 😂😂😂😂
@@BasicShapes Now we know that the ultimate way to bring down the Empire is with business and MONEY! to bring down their great houses.
Quark: here's mountains of evidence that you used financial trickery to bring down the House of Kozak
Gowron: but did you do it though?
D'Ghor: no
Gowron: ok, fight to the death it is
@@BasicShapes I laughed harder at the confused looks on their faces than anything else in that episode.
"Glory to you...and your houssssse..." O'Reilly could eat up any scene as Gowron.
How to take a minor, forgettable bit part and make it immortal. Well done. This is right up there with Tim Choate's Zathras.
"Cannot run out of time. There is infinite time. You - are finite. Zathras - is finite. This...is wrong tool. No. No, not good. No. Never use this."
he's really not a bit part though
Which one are you talking about? Zathras or Zathras?
isodoublet zathrus obviously.....
daydodog Well remember, how a character starts off is rarely how he winds up. I don't think Gowron was originally intended to be a recurring character, much less a major one, but his portrayal won over both the crew and fans so they write him into a major role. Sort of like how Castiel originally had 1-2 scenes in one episode of Supernatural and was never set to be mentioned again.
"I want you to do the eyes thing"
"How intense? Do you want Adam Schiff, Gowron or full Marty Feldman?"
I was looking for a reference to Marty Feldman. Thank you!
The director said "Not quite Marty Feldman, just go to Bill Bailey level."
The Guiliani
@@doctorcraptonicus7941 I was thinking he looks like Bill Bailey too.
Just a little past Buscemi..
I love it when Robert casaully says "and we peelled a few people off the ceiling." Like after every scene he does. The crew will have go on ceiling patrol. 😂😂
Glory... to your hauuuusss.
There's a bit of Lord Byron to Gowron: "Mad, bad, and dangerous to know."
One of the best Klingon actors.
Tony Todd was brilliant also
One of the best, but not the best. That goes to J.G. Hertzler and Martok (both as person and changeling).
@@blackfyre5158 Replicated dead bird meat 🍖
I like Gowron. He's just crazy enough to be likeable and feared at the same time.
Unforgettable character!
Wouter d.B. it's a shame that they turned his character into such a dishonorable jerk.
Especially with such petty vengeance over Worf not wanting to go to Cardassia
I still remember the look on Gowron’s face when Worf told him about the High Council knowing about what really happened at Khitomer. If the Council was right there he would’ve killed them all with his bare hands! lol
Gowron was always an unprincipled political schemer. As soon as he became Chancellor, he started rewriting history, erasing the Federation's assistance and painting himself as a lone hero, sweeping away corruption with his bat'leth. Part of his charm was the fact that he was kind of a scumbag, and you were never really sure which way he would go.
maybe part of the charm was that gowron was a perfect counterpoint to worf, hot vs. cold, etc.
Exactly. Worf/Martok was honorable but usually so serious. Gowron was passionate. We have met so many hotheaded Klingon thugs that it was difficult to imagine Worf/Martok as something other than outsiders and outliers. Gowron was someone who was generally honorable while you could see him fitting in and rising to a position of leadership among a culture with many thuggish individuals. Gowron bridged the gap, and made the Klingon culture more believable.
And THAT is the art and craft of the actor. Bringing characters to life and making them real.
How he spun in the chair in the observation lounge and spoke to Duras in TNG: Reunion is still one of my favorite memories of Gowron 😂 He taught me how to stare in Klingon.
Remember the Language Lab on the third disc of the Star Trek Klingon PC game? Gowron basically taught he how to speak basic Klingon.
The hiss as he says Duras is ....you knew Duras was finished whether it was gonna be Worf or Gowron was all that was left.
" _Your blood will pave the way to the future_ " Probably the ice coldest most badass line he ever uttered.
Here's an example of an actor taking a secondary character and elevating it to Meme immortality...for the glory of the Empire. One of my favorite characters on TNG.
The eyes of Gowron define what it means to be Klingon.
Bravo to Robert O'Reilly.
they could not have cast a better actor to play this character...he made him completely memorable...
Robert… bless you for bringing Gowron to life. He’s the best non-federation Klingon in the galaxy, dude. 👊🏼👍🏼
Despite how flawed Gowron was, I still liked him.
Great character.
I loved Gowron's crazy eyes. They were what really made the character work.
I love Gowron.
This is an interview I never knew existed, yet somehow always wanted.
Imagine if Gowron and Worf had to change places. Every episode Picard would have stop his chief of security from starting an interplanetary war.
The crazy eyes really do make Gowron Gowron. Really encapsulates the whole character in one memorable gesture.
Always enjoyed it when Gowron turned up. He was so unpredictable, to the point where he might pull a knife, glare at someone, or laugh like a maniac and slap you on the back.
Truly memorable character, and a testament to the writers and O'Reilly.
Isn't that the quintessential Klingon though?
And then put that knife in your back. He was unpredictable to the end.
0:22--"MEV'YAP!" ("STOP IT!")
Glory to YOU!..... and your Hoooouse!
In case you were wondering what Gowron is doing nowadays: Gold Rush on Discovery, playing Len Hoekstra
One of the best pieces of character work in all Trek. On par with Marc/Dukat and Andrew/Garak. Even if we saw him a fraction of the time, He truly redefined what it meant to be a Klingon.
"Perhaps... BUT NOT TODAY!!!" cue crazy eyes...
Gowron -- son of Marty, House of Feldman.
absolutely,who can forget young frankenstein,"frau luther!!!"
“Damn your eyes!”
Gowron was always my favorite Klingon. In the end I felt like he was in the wrong and he needed to go but I was still saddened at his death.
He was doing really well up until he got jealous of Martok.
I had assumed the actor's eyes were always like that, but it's something he does at will. It gives the character a look of being wild and unpredictable.
Yes, I remember seeing his picture on IMDb and thinking that can't be the right actor. His eyes aren't popping out of his head. But this video explains it all.
I always thought he'd make an excellent G'ould from Stargate. What a crossover episode that would have been!
Gowron stare..plus eye glow
I'm just imagining it. Just before the end of the episode, Robert O'Reilly playing a Super-G'ould steps through the gate at Stargate command. His eyes flash so wide and bright that the soldiers need shades. Then a message on the screen says "To be continued". I would have definitely tuned in next week.
Gowron's death scene is one of the best in all of Star Trek.
I also liked him in the Star Trek: TNG VHS board game where he played a different Klingon hijacking the Enterprise.
A different Klingon, but also the same Klingon... I loved that game as a 12yr old in the 90's!
Everyone was trying to reach the bridge, only stars on the screen and then, suddenly, Kavok was on the screen shouting at you ("What is your name?... THAT IS A CHILD'S NAME!") and you had to respond to him and were punished by him (placed in a stasis field,...). It was funny.
@@animalfriend6413 I still have the game.... we just don't have a working VHS player....
@@kingscorpion7346 Here you can find the video: ua-cam.com/video/3_739DxrMOs/v-deo.html
@@animalfriend6413 thanks!
Brilliant actor. So many different nuances he gave to Gowron. Changing from crazy to cunning to funny to pensive in a matter of seconds. Simply brilliant. I don’t remember who said it, I think it was somebody from the Insurrection cast. He said that when you wear a mask, a creative gate opens in front of you and you become that character. Robert O’Reilly WAS Gowron.
"he's got Betty Davis Eyes"
Robert and David Tennant should stare at each other in a crossover Star Trek/Doctor Who episode.
Oh.... oh god, I want that fight. Data can ref since he doesn’t have to blink.
one of the best casting choices ever....his eyes made that character...
I absolutely LOVE Gowron. He added so much "spice" to the Star Trek franchise with his mastery of the craft of acting. May your years be long and fulled with continued happiness and success Mr. O'Reilly.
No idea the actor looked like that. I really appreciated the variety and depth to which TNG introduced and continued to foster recurring characters. I didn't expect Gowron's actor to look so... normal.
kilroy987 he did have a guest role before Gowron where he didn’t have any make up on. I forget the title of the TNG episode. I think he was a holographic barkeep and that the episode had Mrs. Troi as in some Betazoid heat.
He played the guy counting the safe-money in the DS9 heist episode
He also played in an episode of In the Heat of the Night.
@@tonyadams3523 I remember that episode. O'Reilly played a mobster from New Orleans who beat up Chief Gillespie's (played by Carroll O'Connor) daughter. When he caught up with him, Gillespie knocked him on his ass. O'Reilly's character said "you wouldn't have done that if the cops weren't here." Gillespie responded, "if they weren't here, I'd have shot you."
He kinda looks like Bob Newhart without the makeup
Yes. I was thinking the same.
Now I'm imagining Gowron waking up in bed with Suzanne Pleshette and it being one of the funniest things I've ever seen.