A Look at Errand of Mercy (Star Trek)

The way Kor says "It would have been GLORIOUS" planted the seeds for how all Klingons would later be portrayed. John Colicos was such an underrated actor. Dude was born to play a Klingon.

Your short assessment of these episodes, (which are 45 minutes long) is a great way to re-experience the history of StarTrek in a synopsis. It makes me want to re-watch some of these individual episodes of StarTrek (all series) again. They are great; please keep them coming including equal representation of all versions of the Official Cannon.

Man, Kirk met a LOT of Space Gods when you think about it

"I don't trust people who smile too much" reminds me of the general attitude towards Americans in Slavic countries - that we smile too much and it's strange and unnerving. Fits in well later with how the Klingons are obviously a stand in for the Russians.

Up there with Balance of Terror as one of those that has a MASSIVE impact for the whole franchise 50+ years later. I can only imagine how those on initial and later syndicated viewing must’ve felt upon seeing this Kor dude and these Klingons and witnessing how they would reappear, change and be fleshed out.

TOS episodes have so much character. Fun to watch and fun to review.

One day Chuck will review The Tholian Web and then i can rest easily.

A piece of trivia: John Colicose is wearing the sash that Michael Dorn wore on the first season of TNG.

I feel like Kor from this episode is what modern day villains try to capture and yet so rarely do. A villain who isn't screaming and shouting but instead holds great respect for his adversaries and yet is still a true villain

Thumbs up on this, even though this episode deserves at least at 8, or maybe a 9.

There is a TOS book that follows up on the "peace" imposed by the Organians where the Federation and Klingons are have a farming competition over who gets a planet. It has a Klingon farmer who views him keeping his crop healthy as his honorable battle. "If at the end of the day I look over my fields and see no blight I have won that day."

I would love to hear what "legitimate grievances" the Klingons claim to have against the Federation. Especially with the extra context of all the things that have been added to their culture and history over the years.

It's interesting how ToS and early TNG portrays humanity kind of having evolved towards the Organians internally in a way, as for example humans no longer wage wars among themselves.

One of my favourite moments in this episode occurs when Spock joins Kirk in the council chamber after his inquisitive scout around the settlement. He proceeds to deliver his dialogue about the culture being ‘totally stagnant’ and displaying no signs of developing towards a more advanced culture. But, while he is saying this, the doors behind him are elegantly closing - apparently of their own accord, and in perfect synch too. No one touches those double doors; they just close silently. This subtle foreshadowing is a fascinating hint to the keen viewer, that some unseen technology or controlling force, is very much in effect on Organia.

I would give this one a 9

I just wanted to note a revelation I had about a decade ago. As a kid I would see the Organians in their long robes as taking their cues from older, less technological earth cultures and how they would dress (ex: togas). But with the advent of certain products in the 21st century, I realized that in fact the Organians are walking around in snuggies. IE, they dress how they want and don't give a fuck.

And Shatner thought that day at acting school where everything was lava was going to be a waste of time.

Kirk and Kor: "How DARE you Organians use your advanced powers and technologies to interfere with our fight over your bronze age planet?!?!"

One the top 3 episodes of the original Star Trek series 🖖

The Dahar master! reverance