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Errand of Mercy (TOS episode)
Encyclopedia
"Errand of Mercy" is an episode of Star Trek
. It was originally broadcast on March 23, 1967. It is episode #26, production #27, written by Gene L. Coon
and directed by John Newland
. This episode marks the first appearance of the Klingon
s.
Overview: At war with the Klingons, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock attempt to sway the incomprehensibly placid population of a planet to their side.
3198.4, relations between the United Federation of Planets
and the Klingon Empire
have reached the breaking point, and recent negotiations have collapsed. The USS Enterprise
has been sent to the world of Organia, a non-aligned planet near the Klingon border, in fear that the Klingons will try to annex it.
As the Enterprise approaches Organia, it destroys an attacking Klingon vessel. Kirk warns the Organian
s of the Klingons, but the Organians are completely unconcerned. Instead, they insist that it is the Enterprise and her crew which are in danger. A Klingon fleet appears, forcing the Enterprise to withdraw, and stranding Kirk and Spock on the surface.
The Klingons seize control of the planet without resistance from the Organians and install the ranking Klingon officer, Kor, as the military governor of Organia. The Organians disguise Kirk and Spock but refuse to do more to resist the occupation. Kirk and Spock start guerrilla operations of their own, over the objections of the Organians.
When the Klingons confront the Organian ruling council and threaten to torture Kirk and Spock as suspected insurgents, the Organians reveal Kirk and Spock's true identities and allow them to be arrested. After preliminary interrogations, Kirk and Spock are imprisoned. Shortly thereafter, the Organians effortlessly free the pair and hide them in the council chamber.
While Kirk and Spock try to comprehend the natives' contradictory actions, Kor retaliates for the escape by ordering mass executions. Still, the Organians continue to protect Kirk and Spock, but the Organians remain otherwise unperturbed by the Klingons' actions, leaving the Federation officers and the Klingons alike baffled and frustrated.
As Federation and Klingon fleets converge on the system, threatening to turn it into a war zone, Kirk and Spock execute a daring raid on the Klingon headquarters in hopes of rousing the population into resistance. They prove surprisingly successful, capturing Kor and preparing to make a last stand while the fleets ready to clash.
At that point, the Organians reveal their true nature. They instantly incapacitate both sides, not only around the planet, but everywhere. They are not primitive humanoids; rather, they are highly advanced and extremely powerful energy beings, so far beyond the Klingons and the Federation that they were never threatened by either side. The Organians force the humans and Klingons to make a truce, the Organian Peace Treaty
. Both sides protest, but the Organians predict the two rivals will get along far better in the future than they presently imagine.
Back on the Enterprise, Kirk admits his embarrassment at his own initial disappointment with the forcible ending of the war and the imposed peace treaty.
". Aside from remastered video and audio, and the all-CGI animation of the Enterprise that is standard among the revisions, specific changes to this episode also include:
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
. It was originally broadcast on March 23, 1967. It is episode #26, production #27, written by Gene L. Coon
Gene L. Coon
Gene L. Coon was an American screenwriter and television producer. He is best remembered for his work on the original Star Trek series.-Life and career:...
and directed by John Newland
John Newland
John Newland was an American director, actor, television producer, and screenwriter.-Early life and career:...
. This episode marks the first appearance of the Klingon
Klingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
s.
Overview: At war with the Klingons, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock attempt to sway the incomprehensibly placid population of a planet to their side.
Plot
On stardateStardate
A stardate is a date in the fictional system of time measurement developed for Star Trek, commonly heard at the beginning of a voiceover log entry such as "Captain's log, stardate 41153.7...
3198.4, relations between the United Federation of Planets
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
and the Klingon Empire
Klingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
have reached the breaking point, and recent negotiations have collapsed. The USS Enterprise
Starship Enterprise
The Enterprise or USS Enterprise is the name of several fictional starships, some of which are the focal point for various television series and films in the Star Trek franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. It is considered a name of legacy in the fleet...
has been sent to the world of Organia, a non-aligned planet near the Klingon border, in fear that the Klingons will try to annex it.
As the Enterprise approaches Organia, it destroys an attacking Klingon vessel. Kirk warns the Organian
Organian
The Organians are a fictional race in the universe of Star Trek, appearing in the episode "Errand of Mercy." They are one of the most evolved, advanced alien races ever encountered by the crew of the original Enterprise. It is not known whether they are "moral" beings or, because they have no...
s of the Klingons, but the Organians are completely unconcerned. Instead, they insist that it is the Enterprise and her crew which are in danger. A Klingon fleet appears, forcing the Enterprise to withdraw, and stranding Kirk and Spock on the surface.
The Klingons seize control of the planet without resistance from the Organians and install the ranking Klingon officer, Kor, as the military governor of Organia. The Organians disguise Kirk and Spock but refuse to do more to resist the occupation. Kirk and Spock start guerrilla operations of their own, over the objections of the Organians.
When the Klingons confront the Organian ruling council and threaten to torture Kirk and Spock as suspected insurgents, the Organians reveal Kirk and Spock's true identities and allow them to be arrested. After preliminary interrogations, Kirk and Spock are imprisoned. Shortly thereafter, the Organians effortlessly free the pair and hide them in the council chamber.
While Kirk and Spock try to comprehend the natives' contradictory actions, Kor retaliates for the escape by ordering mass executions. Still, the Organians continue to protect Kirk and Spock, but the Organians remain otherwise unperturbed by the Klingons' actions, leaving the Federation officers and the Klingons alike baffled and frustrated.
As Federation and Klingon fleets converge on the system, threatening to turn it into a war zone, Kirk and Spock execute a daring raid on the Klingon headquarters in hopes of rousing the population into resistance. They prove surprisingly successful, capturing Kor and preparing to make a last stand while the fleets ready to clash.
At that point, the Organians reveal their true nature. They instantly incapacitate both sides, not only around the planet, but everywhere. They are not primitive humanoids; rather, they are highly advanced and extremely powerful energy beings, so far beyond the Klingons and the Federation that they were never threatened by either side. The Organians force the humans and Klingons to make a truce, the Organian Peace Treaty
Organian Peace Treaty
This is a list of treaties in the Star Trek fictional universe. These treaties are plot elements in multiple Star Trek series and films.- Treaty of Algeron :...
. Both sides protest, but the Organians predict the two rivals will get along far better in the future than they presently imagine.
Back on the Enterprise, Kirk admits his embarrassment at his own initial disappointment with the forcible ending of the war and the imposed peace treaty.
40th Anniversary remastering
This episode was re-mastered in 2006 and was first aired May 12, 2007 as part of the remastered 40th Anniversary original series. It was preceded a week earlier by the remastered version of "Tomorrow Is Yesterday" and was followed a week later by the re-mastered version of "Patterns of ForcePatterns of Force (TOS episode)
"Patterns of Force" is a second season episode of the science fiction television program Star Trek: The Original Series, and was broadcast on February 16, 1968...
". Aside from remastered video and audio, and the all-CGI animation of the Enterprise that is standard among the revisions, specific changes to this episode also include:
- Klingon ships have been added to the opening and ending battle scenes where originally, only explosions and weapon fire were shown. This change now marks "Errand of Mercy" as the first time Klingon ships are shown in series if following the original episode order.
- The planet Organia was given a digital face lift with more realistic features.
- The visual effects of the Organian transformation from humanoids to beings of energy was enhanced.