Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Without question, the Klingons are one of the most interesting alien species in all of science fiction. If you’ve watched Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, or the original Star Trek series, then you know who they are. And the classic Trek episode Errand of Mercy is where they got their start.

This, the first ever appearance of the Klingons, is among the forefront of episodes from any of the Trek incarnations. It’s actually an episode of historic import, as we’ll discuss later. Errand of Mercy is an episode of a serious bent, with little of the humor Star Trek often incorporated.

As our episode begins, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) , Mister Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and crew are headed to the planet Organia. It seems things are coming to a head with the mysterious, warlike Klingon Empire-and Organia is strategically located smack dab in the middle of the fracas.

The Enterprise manages to get to Organia before the Klingon fleet does, and Kirk and Spock beam down to warn the locals about the imminent threat that the Klingons pose. But the Organians, set in their simplistic, peaceful ways, seem ambivalent to the menace.

Eventually, the Klingons arrive, and they take charge quickly and decisively. Initially, Kirk is disguised as an Organian, Spock a Vulcan trader. The ruse succeeds for a while, but Kirk, chafing under Klingon rule, is soon exposed. Things only get worse as the Klingons begin to execute Organian civilians. Yet the Organians still refuse to resist.

When the Federation fleet arrives in turn, war seems unavoidable-until a shocking truth is discovered about the Organians, and Captain Kirk is forced to confront his very beliefs as he defends a conflict that could mean the deaths of millions.

Errand of Mercy offers a powerful pacifist message, one that was meant for audiences of the Vietnam War error-but is equally compelling today. But the message went beyond the “smaller” war of Vietnam, and went straight to the very Cold War itself, as powerful Klingon and Federation starships with the power to devastate planets symbolized the nuclear weapons of the United States and the Soviet Union.

Shatner and Nimoy seem in usual fine form here, though they have to play second fiddle to John Colicos as Kor. He’s pure fun to watch here (“Fools! Will I have to kill them all?!!"), shouting and strutting about as he does. He set the tone that would be followed for the classic Klingon in all of the Trek series to come. Then too, he would go on to reprise his role in the Deep Space Nine episode Blood Oath. He would also go on to play the deliciously evil Baltar in Battlestar Galactica. .

There are a few flaws here. One wonders why Spock would use his own name when the Klingons arrive. Surely they would recognize him as the first officer of the Enterprise rather than a Klingon trader. What’s more, some of the Klingons sport their classic Mongol type appearance, while others look downright human. Both are a far cry from the more alien appearance they would take on beginning in Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Finally, Errand of Mercy was prescient for the eventual alliance between Klingon Empire and Federation, an alliance cemented in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The Organians predicted this when they explain to Captain Kirk that in the future humans and Klingons would become fast friend and work together-something both find difficult to accept at the time.

In a sense, Errand of Mercy set the direction for all of Trek lore. And perhaps, for those paying attention, there was an underlying message that if Klingons and humans could put aside their differences one day, there might be hope for Russians and Americans to do the same.

Deep Space Nine

Blood Oath

Crossover

The Jem’Hadar

The Die is Cast

The Way of the Warrior


Classic Trek Episodes

Arena

The City on the Edge of Forever

The Devil in the Dark

The Doomsday Machine

This Side of Paradise

What Are Little Girls Made Of?



And Movies

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan




Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8