1x26 Errand of Mercy

[5.9/10]. At some point, they should have really renamed the original series of Star Trek either “We’re Not So Different, You and I” or “Spacemen Continually Run Into Godlike Beings.” It’s surprising how despite the fact that the show has not even completed a full season yet, it’s repeated tropes enough for them to seem predictable and well-worn already. Maybe it’s just the stereotypes about the show that I’ve already internalized from years of watching its successors and parodies.

But hey! Klingons! I remember them! Having heard tales (and retcons) about how different the Klingons looked in the original series, I braced myself to be put off by their look here, but they were quite recognizable! Sure, some of the rank and file Klingon goons resembled regular joes with grubby faces, and the fact that Kirk was able to hold his own in a physical struggle with one of them was a bit jarring, but Commander Kor in particular felt of a piece with the Klingons who’ve appeared in TOS’s successor series, ridges of no ridges. The angular brow and fierce facial hair screamed Qo'noS despite the lack of forehead accessories.

And really, Kor was the best part of this episode. He was electric as the Klingon “Governor” of Organia, equal parts committed to his military upbringing and the brutality of his command philosophy, while also respectful and even admiring of Kirk as an adversary. The equivalency drawn between Starfleet and the Klingon Empire feels forced very quickly, but Kor’s attitude never does. He immediately sets the stage for the Klingon point-of-view that would echo through five series and numerous films: cunning, clever, militaristic, and relishing the thrill of the fight.

But man, this episode was kind of a waste. Episodes that hinge on one group of characters continually hinting at some sort of mystery, but not explaining it until the end, despite ample opportunities to do so, is the kind of storytelling that drives me nuts. From the first scene with the council of elders, it’s clear that the Organians have some sort of psychic or telekinetic abilities. But does Kirk ever bother to ask what the “danger” they warn him of is? Do they volunteer this information and tell Kirk why they feel the way they do? No, because the episode would be over in five minutes. The hints, however, are so obvious, that it feels like willful ignorance for nobody to bother inquiring or explaining what their deal is.

Of course, when the time is right, they reveal that they’re actually super advanced energy beings who abhor violence, and have the power to stop the Klingons and the Federation from going to war. It’s the sort of heavy-handed message episode that Star Trek devolves into from time to time, and maybe I’m just spoiled from the “they were energy being the whole time” ending having been employed by any number of other sci-fi stories, both dramatic and comedic. That reveal has no punch because it was clear from early on that the Organians had some sort of ace up their sleeve, and while the extent of their powers is cool, the unveiling of them is underwhelming.

Of course, that reveal only comes after Kirk and Kor have any number of “we’re the same!” “no we’re not!” exchanges and monologues. John Colicos is a good enough actor to pull it off, adding tinges of frustration, respect, and depth to his Klingon Commander, but this is also Kirk at his hammiest, railing on about this and that with his stilted speech pattern and little to show for it.

The message of the episode is clear. As much as Kirk likes to think of him as distinct from Kor, they have more in common than he is willing to admit, namely a propensity to fall back on violence and war when the mood suits him. The way he means to draw a contrast between the Federation and the Klingons, while both groups deride the Organians as placid and urge them to recognize the gravity of the situation and the need to pick sides, shows how despite his protestations to the contrary, he’s just as “unevolved” relative to the Organians as the Klingons are.

Instead, we all learn a very important lesson about…war being bad, I guess? It’s a big thing to try to pack into 45 minutes or so, and while there’s a fair amount of the show’s usual tendency to hit the same beats again and again, it also feels like that’s not enough time to set up and resolve this conflict, establish two new alien species, and deliver all the committed moralizing that the show gives way to at times. The Klingon occupation begins and ends in a few days, never really feeling like there is something new or notable at play, and Kirk and Spock’s reasons for getting tied up into it come off as contrived at best.

Still, despite Star Trek’s usual crutches of pointing out that heroes and adversaries can be more alike than they think, and some all-powerful race that looks down on humanity (and its antagonists) for violence, there’s at least the establishment of the Klingon Empire and the cool presence of Kor to recommend this one. And there’s some quality Kirk and Spock banter to boot, with amusing enough exchanges about odds and other tidbits.

The other side of the coin is that more than 25 episodes in, Star Trek falling back into old routines is a disappointment. Understandably, the show was more of an anthology series than something with true continuity or continuing elements, but by continuing to harp on the same messages – violence is bad and peace is important – and by doing so in the same way – by having epiphany moments where the good guys and bad guys realize they have things in common and some intergalactic nanny telling them to play nice – the show feels like it has few new ideas to throw out there less than a third of the way through its run. There’s plenty of time to right the ship, but it’s a less-than-encouraging episode on that front.

One of the best episodes of the series.

Also, this episodes introduce the Klingons and, althought their appearance will chance through the years, they are here to stay. But Colicos already shows many traits of the Klingons in his brilliant portrayal of Kor.

Of course this episode is very political. It's an allusion to Vietnam where the Federation acts as the US - with Kirk arrogantly proclaming how they can help them and bringing them progress and values - and the Klingons playing the role of the Communists. Who, according to Kirk, are evil war mongerers who only conquer and suppress. Crushing free will and liberty. Of course they both don't really care about the Organians. They want the planet because it has startegic importance in getting an advantage over your opponent. It's a battle of systems threatening to turn into an all out war where everyone thinks he has a right to battle.

But the Organians are having none of it. They resist by not resisting and it turns out they are far more superior than either the Federation or the Klingons could imagine. They're are telling both sides there is no right to wage war and prevent both sides from battleing each other. I'd enjoy how they put both, but especially Kirk, at their place. Would be nice to have some Organians for real.

This all lead then to the Treaty of Organia and the end of the war. So, not only an important message but also an important episode in Star Trek mythology.