This is a classic episode, since it is the first appearance of the Klingons as adversaries. The Klingons of course being the best villains of the series even into the movies. Not to mention that this episode gives us one of the of the best Klingon performances in an episode which resonated all the way to DS9. So, why is it I can hardly remember this episode at all? Not even a "Oh yeah I remember it now" kind of feel.
Plot:Kirk and Spock try to protect the planet Organia from the Klingons, but the natives don't want the Federation's help.
Guest Stars:John Colicos as Kor
Nitpick:God bless the CGI enhancements in this episode. When the series first aired it would be Season 3 when we would finally see a Klingon warship but thanks to the CGI we get them here rather than more boring stock footage.
Summary:
Teaser-The Enterprise is on high alert as tensions with the Klingons are escalating. After getting attacked, Uhura reports a message from Starfleet, war! The ship is then sent a peaceful planet called Organia to keep the Klingons from using it as a base of operations.
Act 1-The Enterprise arrive safely at Organia. There are reports of Klingons in the area. Kirk and Spock beam down leaving Sulu in command (no Scotty again?). On the planet the two arrive and find it normal. They notice a castle in the distance, and are then welcomed. The Oraanian welcomes them, says that they don't have any authority but the council of elders is nearby. Kirk explains the Klingons objectives, and how with the Klingons war is a way of life. The council insists they don't need protection. As the council discusses what Kirk said, Spock reports that the civilization has not advanced in centuries. The council rejects Kirk saying they are in no danger. Sulu reports the Klingons arriving and attacking. Klingons chase the Enterprise away and strange Kirk and Spock as they begin an occupation.
Act 2-The Klingons are taking over, as Kirk and Spock try to blend in. The Commander Kor enters, and doesn't buy Kirk's disguise. Kor says that the Organians are now subjects of the Klingon empire. Kor insists the Organians obey their orders and sends Spock to be interrogated. He takes Kirk to be his liason to the civilian population. At the castle Kor runs through a list of new rules. Spock is released and Kirk is instructed on his task, and they leave. The two avoid conflict with the Klingons and decide to take a direct approach to get the Organians to understand. They blow up a Klingon ammo dump however it backfires when the Organians are appalled by the act of violence. The Organians explain that Kirk does not understand the at all, while Kor is listening in the whole time. Kor promises to kill Kirk and Spock to ID them, which the Organian does anyway. Kor is delighted to hear that it's Kirk.
Act 3-Kor orders Spock locked up and brings Kirk to his office to talk with him. Kor explains he knows they destroyed the ammo, and that Klingons and the Federation aren't that different. Kor says he doesn't want to use the mind scanners on him, but Spock on the other hand. He gives Kirk twelve hours to decide saying war is a game Klingons play to win. In a prison cell Kirk and Spock are trying to decide what to do when the Organian comes in and releases them. They can't permit Kor to commit violence on them. At the council chamber, Kirk wonders where the Klingon guards went and gets no answer. Kor is furious and announces that hundreds of hostages will die every hour until Kirk and Spock are returned.
Act 4-The Oganians dont seem to care about the situaton, insisting all is fine. The Organian reluctantly gives Kirk the phasers back. The two go out to save the hostages, while The Organians privately acknowledge they can't allow it. Under cover ot darkness, Kirk and Spock launch their assault. Kor prepares to kill more hostages while Kirk and Spock strike. The two barge in on Kor and Kor is impressed that they made it so far. He explains that a Federation fleet is about to encounter the Klingon one. The Klingons storm in but suddenly the weapons are flung away and the two sides can't even seem to touch the other. Suddenly the Organians appear and say they have stopped the violence. Even preventing the starships from attacking each other. The Organians are also on Earth and the Klingon Empire, to stop the war. Unless all both sides agree to a cessation of hostilites all armed forces will be mobilized. Kirk explains they have legitimate grievances against the Klingons. The Organians explain no one has died on the planet. They say the two sides are not that different and n the future the Klingons will be friends and work together (nah). They are powerful beings who evolved from normal humanoids to beings of pure power. Kirk says it looks as if they wont be going to war, and Kor is disappointed saying it would have been glorious. On the Enterprise Kirk admits his ashamed to be so war hungry on the planet, and Spock explains that he has noting to be ashamed of. Spock explains millions of years for the Oganians to evolve in what they are, even the gods didn't come into being overnight.
Final Thoughts:While the episode never stuck with me I always liked the opening with the heightened tensions. So what about the episode? On the one hand, it's a decent story with a good message. On the other hand, man is it talk heavy. Not draggy, I can't accuse the episode of that, but kinda dull. It reminds me a little of "A Private Little War" which is also somber although there it's so somber it hurts the episode. Here, it's no surprise this doesn't leave an impact on me. The one big exception of course is Kor. Colicos is fantastic in the role making Kor a great adversary. So often on this show the Klingons are blank slates with no real character, not so here. Heck even the other Klingons in this episode are so badly designed/performed they could normal humans. And Kirk's hatred of them which will carry right into the movies is on full display here. This episode will never be a personal favorite but it's far far from a bad episode.
No comments:
Post a Comment