Errand of Mercy

For the 1998 novel, see Roger E. Moore.

"Errand of Mercy"
Star Trek: The Original Series episode
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 26
Directed by	John Newland
Written by	Gene L. Coon
Featured music	Alexander Courage
Cinematography by	Jerry Finnerman
Production code	027
Original air date	23 March 1967 (1967-03-23)
Guest actors
John Colicos - Commander Kor John Abbott - Ayelborne David Hillary Hughes - Trefayne Peter Brocco - Claymare Victor Lundin - Lieutenant George Sawaya - Second Soldier Walt Davis - Klingon Soldier Bobby Bass - Klingon Guard Eddie Paskey - Lt. Leslie Gary Combs - Klingon Guard

"Errand of Mercy" is an episode of the original science fiction television series Star Trek. It was originally broadcast on 23 March 1967. It is episode #26, production #27, written by Gene L. Coon and directed by John Newland. This episode marks the first appearance of an alien race known as the Klingons.

At war with the Klingons, Captain Kirk and his First Officer, Mr. Spock, attempt to sway the incomprehensibly placid population of a planet to resist an invading military occupation.

Plot

Relations between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire have reached the breaking point, and recent negotiations have collapsed. The starship Enterprise has been sent to the world of Organia, a non-aligned planet near the Klingon border, to prevent the Klingons from annexing it. As the Enterprise approaches Organia, Spock briefs Kirk, calling it a primitive society. Without warning, the Enterprise is attacked by a Klingon vessel, which is quickly destroyed when the Enterprise returns fire.

Upon arrival at the planet, Kirk leaves his helmsman, Lieutenant Sulu, in command of the ship with instructions to withdraw if a Klingon fleet arrives. Kirk and Spock then beam down to the planet surface and find themselves in a primitive town, with ruins in the distance. Kirk tells the Organian council what the Klingons will do if they capture the planet, but the Organians are unconcerned. Instead, the Organian leader says that the Enterprise and her crew are the only ones in danger. A Klingon fleet appears, firing on the Enterprise. Kirk orders Sulu to withdraw, which strands Kirk and Spock on the planet.

The Organians disguise Kirk as one of them and have Spock pose as a Vulcan merchant of trillium. The Klingons seize control of the planet without resistance and install the ranking Klingon officer, Kor, as the military governor. Kor, noticing that Kirk is the only Organian who doesn't smile all the time, takes a liking to him and demands that he act as the Organian liaison. Spock is taken for questioning to verify his background as a trader but resists the "mind sifter" device that the Klingons use.

The Organians do nothing to resist the occupation. Kirk and Spock start guerrilla operations of their own by blowing up a munitions dump outside town. The Organians in the council strongly object to the action, while Kirk protests their lack of action. Meanwhile, Kor listens to Kirk's speech through a hidden camera, discovering that he is the saboteur.

When the Klingons threaten to torture them as suspected insurgents, the Organians reveal the true identities of Kirk and Spock and allow them to be arrested. Spock is imprisoned while Kirk is taken to Kor's private chambers, where Kor tells Kirk that he has twelve hours to answer questions about the Federation fleet. After that, if Kirk still refuses, he will undergo the mind scanning technique, leaving him a vegetable. Also, Spock will be dissected to determine how he was able to resist the mind probe.

With six hours before the deadline, the Organians free the pair and hide them in the council chamber. While Kirk and Spock try to comprehend the natives' contradictory actions, Kor orders the executions of two hundred Organians. Still, the Organians protect Kirk and Spock, but remain otherwise unperturbed by the Klingons' actions, leaving the Federation officers and Klingons baffled.

As Federation and Klingon fleets converge on the system, Kirk and Spock raid the Klingon headquarters in hopes of rousing the population into resistance. They capture Kor and prepare to make a last stand, while the fleets are ready to clash. The Organians then reveal their true nature: They are not primitive humanoids, but are highly advanced incorporeal beings. They instantly incapacitate both sides, forcing the two sides to agree to the Organian Peace Treaty. Both sides protest, but the Organians predict the rivals will get along far better in the future. When Kirk says to Kor that it looks like they won't have their war, Kor responds, "A shame, Captain. It would have been glorious!"

Reception

Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club gave the episode a 'B+' rating, describing it as "fun" but noting "logical holes throughout".

External links

• "Errand of Mercy" at StarTrek.com
• "Errand of Mercy" at IMDb
• "Errand of Mercy" at TV.com
• "Errand of Mercy" at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
• "Errand of Mercy" Review of the remastered version at TrekMovie.com
• "Errand of Mercy" Screenshots before and after remastering