StarTrek01.29–Errand of Mercy

In this episode: An analysis of Errand of Mercy.

The origins of the Klingon culture–hint: another Vietnam-era analogy.

The Klingon look–not just swarthy villain stereotypes

NOTE: I did not address connections to Star Trek: Discovery in the podcast, due to time. But I have included quotes from the episode that speak how Kirk viewed the Klingons at that point in time. I see nothing in the dialogue that contradicts the war depicted in DSC Season 1. In fact, I can sense that Kirk, Spock and Kor are speaking here with the living memory of having experienced the socio-political situation of that war.   

Kirk: “We both guessed right. Negotiations with the Klingon Empire are on the verge of breaking down. Starfleet Command anticipates a sneak attack…. Well there it is. War. We didn’t want it, but we got it.”

Spock: “Curious how often you humans manage to obtain that which you do not want.”

Kor: “Do you know why we are so strong? Because we are a unit. Each of us is part of a greater whole. Always under surveillance, even a commander like myself.”