Ep. 27 Errand of Mercy

Kirk goes to meet with the Klingons at Organia, to try to avoid war. The Enterprise wants to protect the planet, but it turns out they don't need protection, nor do they want it. Kirk gets frustrated, not understanding what is going on, at first, and he and Spock have to play along as locals during a Klingon occupation, but their hosts are unhappy with their use of violence. Of course their cover is soon blown, and Kor intends to torture and kill the crewmen. But the Organians are highly advanced, not defenseless, and 'help' Kirk and Kor form a peace treaty, however temporary.

This episode had the first appearance of the Klingons, who began looking dramatically different in the late 1970's when the movie series began, and never changed back. The cosmetic differences were never fully explained, but it was acknowledged that they were present, and it is not discussed with outsiders. Several Klingons from this series were later in Deep Space 9, including Kor, but with the later makeup. One book theorized a rebellion of society and that plastic surgery was involved, but this explanation was not considered canon. This episode was very much a Kirk and Spock episode, leaving the rest of the supporting characters out for the hour. They have good chemistry, though, so it was a good episode, with only a few problems. Such as Kirk and Spock talking openly on the street of their ranks and their mission, and that made no sense to me while in disguise. Surely some of the Klingons standing mere feet away would overhear them. And automatic doors on a supposedly base society? Really? The extreme heat tactic was cheesy. But this episode set the stage for forty years of Star Trek history and did it quite effectively. Excellent episode.

RECURRING CHARACTERS:
DeForrest Kelley as McCoy
George Takei as Sulu
Nichelle Nichols as Uhura

NOTABLE GUEST STARS:
John Colicos as Kor
Jon Abbott as Ayelborne

Quote:
"In the future, you and the Klingons will become fast friends." ~ Ayelborne