“Errand of Mercy” is notable for its introduction of the Klingon Empire, as well as the battle of wits between Kirk and the Klingon commander, Kor, played with wonderful relish by John Colicos (later known for his role as Baltar, in Battlestar Galactica – 1978). Unfortunately, the episode is sabotaged by poor writing, and acting, with respect to Kirk. His performance is strictly caricature, pushing William Shatner’s trademark hesitating diction to the limit. The result is that the episode’s commentary about war and adversaries is diminished.

As the episode begins, the Federation is on the brink of war with the Klingons. The outbreak of war is heralded by a brief, but impressive, sequence in which the Enterprise obliterates a Klingon vessel. And then it’s off to the planet Organia. The Enterprise’s mission is to secure Organia – a planet of high tactical, but little intrinsic value due to its seemingly backward culture. Once there, Kirk encounters something inexplicable: the Organians have no interest in the Federations help, and seem supremely confident that their way of life is in no way threatened by the prospects of having a military dictatorship imposed by the Klingons.

This begins the commentary on war: to what extent is pacifism acceptable? Kirk is literally beside himself with the intransigence of the Organian position. But unfortunately, Kirk’s performance is so belligerent that it completely undermines his argument that he (and therefore the Federation) are a much more reasonable presence on Organia than a potential Klingon occupation. Indeed, the performance borders on embarrassing. And considering its prominence in the episode, it becomes a severe liability.

Fortunately, Kirk’s missteps are tempered by the episode’s guest stars. Colicos is nothing short of brilliant as Kor – the leader of the Klingon occupation on Organia, and a villain who loves war for war’s sake alone. Though he clearly prefers victory, he seems perfectly content with defeat, so long as it was a worthy battle. It isn’t easy to portray such a villain as compellingly as Colicos has in the episode. But his performance is a real treat, particularly in the way he banters with Kirk.

The other prominent guest star, John Abbot, portraying the Organian leader is equally up to the task of portraying a plausibly serene and supremely confident pacifist. His quiet, sincere mannerisms and voice are an important counterbalance to Kirk’s hysterics. As are Spock’s. Whether it is following Kirk’s radical approach of blowing up a munitions dump, or resisting the mind probe of the Klingons, Spock is perfectly at ease in the episode, exuding a calmness that his commander is clearly lacking.

Ultimately, the stakes between Kirk and Kor escalate to the point where, on the planet, the two are moments from a full-fledged fight while in the space above the planet, the fleets of the Federation and the Klingon Empire are on the verge of an all-out battle. And that’s where the twist comes in: Organia is populated by beings who are not only supremely peaceful, but also supremely powerful – so powerful, in fact, that they are able to stop the imminent violence.

This prompts Kirk into … becoming an advocate for war, which he launches into with great gusto. Indeed, his arguments are much more forceful in favor of war than even his enemy, the explicitly militant Kor. Kirk is, of course, shamed into changing his position. But it was another awkward moment for the captain in this episode.

“Errand of Mercy” is a classic episode if for no other reason than its introduction of the Klingons. Add in the performances of Kor and the Organian leader, along with the commentary about war, and you had the makings of a great episode. Unfortunately, Kirk and some poor narrative choices and the overall quality of the episode suffers as a result.

Filed under: Original Series