Episode 27: Errand of Mercy

Season 1

Air date: March 23, 1967

Written by: Gene Coon

Directed By: John Newland

Stardate: 3198.4

Quote of the Episode: "I'm a soldier, not a diplomat. I can only tell you the truth."

From the beginning of the episode, you were at the edge of your seat while the Enterprise was under attack by the Klingons and there was WAR! We are sent to a planet (Organia) which would prove as an excellent base for either the Federation or the Klingon Empire. As soon as Kirk and Spock beam down to the planet and meet with the council of Elders, the Enterprise is intercepted by a Klingon fleet and has to retreat. With the help of the Elders, Kirk clothes himself as an Organian and Spock as a Vulcan trader. It is here that we meet the very first Klingon of the series... Commander Kor. He imposes martial law on Organia, as Kirk and Spock try to convince the council of elders that they should fight back. Of course, the Council is opposed to violence our heros blow up a munitions dump. Kirk and Spock are turned over to Kor, and are jailed before they are sprung by the Organians so they can take their fight to Kor. When they reach him they are stopped by the Organians, not only those in Kor's Office but even the fleets in orbit, we also find that the Organians are non-corporeal life-forms. This leads to the Organian Peace treaty between the Federation and the Klingons.

My Connection to the episode:

Well i would be lying if I said I didn't have a special connection to this episode, this is the first appearance of the Klingons the recurring foe in the Original series and by The Next Generation we have a Klingon on the Bridge. But, as some of you already may know... I have been working on several Star Trek fan films... Starship Saladin's first episode entitled "Invasion" is set on the Enterprise and Saladin during the events of this episode, and I voice several characters in this story. (No I will not ruin the surprise)

Noteworthy:

The only Enterprise set used in the episode is the Bridge, other then that it is filmed either on location or a different built set.

My Opinion:

A very good episode, well written and acted. I kind of wish that there was more to do with the Enterprise/Starfleet and the Klingon fleet, but it was not essential to the story. It makes my list of top 12 Original Series episodes.