Errand of Mercy 

With a war with Klingons raging, Kirk and Spock attempt to resist an occupation of a planet with incomprehensibly placid natives.

Director:

John Newland

Writers:

Gene L. Coon, Gene Roddenberry (created by)

Stars:

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, John Abbott

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
William Shatner	...	Capt. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
John Abbott	...	Ayelborne
John Colicos	...	Kor
George Takei	...	Sulu
Nichelle Nichols	...	Uhura
Peter Brocco	...	Claymare
Victor Lundin	...	Lieutenant
David Hillary Hughes	...	Trefayne
Walt Davis	...	Klingon Soldier
George Sawaya	...	Second Soldier

Storyline

War! The Klingons and the Federation are poised on the brink, and then war is declared. Kirk and Spock visit the planet Organia. Organia, inhabited by simple pastoral folk, lies on a tactical corridor likely to be important in the coming conflict. Whichever side controls the planet has a significant advantage. But the Organians are a perplexing people, apparently unconcerned by the threat of the Klingon occupation or even the deaths of others in their community. Finally, Kirk and the Klingon commander Kor learn why, and the reason will change Federation/Klingon relations for decades to come.

---

Plot Keywords:

year 2267 | kor character | elderly man | klingon | starship's phaser | 

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The baldric that Kor wore was reused for Worf during the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). When it was exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution as part of a Star Trek retrospective in the 1990s, the material could clearly be seen to be burlap sacking, painted gold. The same exhibit showed that the buckles of the Klingon belts were pieces of bubble pack, with the bubbles painted silver to resemble metal studs.

---

Goofs

Near the beginning, Captain Kirk offers the Organians assistance to their society from the Federation in a number of different ways, much of which would have been a clear violation of the Prime Directive.

---

Quotes

Kor: We are similar as a species. Here we are on a planet of sheep, two tigers, predators, hunters... killers. And it is precisely that which makes us great. And there is a universe to be taken.
Captain James T. Kirk: It's a very large universe, Commander, full of people who don't like the Klingons.
Kor: Excellent. Then it shall be a matter of testing each other's wills, and power. Survival must be earned, Captain.

---

Alternate Versions

Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song

---

Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Blood Oath (1994)

---

Soundtracks

Theme From Star Trek
Written by Alexander Courage

User Reviews

With John Calicos, this can't help but be good

This is the first episode where you see the Klingons--you know, the ORIGINAL Klingons who look a lot like humans with dirty skin. The bumps on the head and long scary hair are not to be seen--this didn't come until the first Star Trek movie (and even then, they still didn't look exactly like the later Klingons). Fortunately, the leader of the Klingons is John Calicos--a slimy character actor who almost always played villains. He was just perfect for the role and contributed a lot to the episode.

The show starts with Spock and Kirk landing on a planet that is about to be invaded by Klingons. The pre-industrial residents seem to care less about the invasion despite their best efforts to warn them of impending death or slavery. However, before they can go back to the ship, the Klingons land and the guys are stuck among the smiling and somewhat zombie-esquire residents. For most of the rest of the film, Kirk and Spock try to wage war against the Klingons--hoping to get the residents to join them. How this is all handled is truly interesting and a fitting conclusion to the madness.

Details

Official Sites:

handitv Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

Greek English

Release Date:

23 March 1967 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Desilu Productions, Norway Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Digital (re-mastered version) DTS (re-mastered version)

Color:

Color Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3