Errand of Mercy by: Gene L. Coon and directed by: John Newland

 

“Errand of Mercy” is written by Gene L. Coon and is directed by John Newland.  It was filmed under production code 27, was the 26^th episode of Star Trek Season 1, and was broadcast on March 23, 1967.

 

It’s quite fascinating to sit down and watch “Errand of Mercy” with the pop cultural knowledge that the Klingons are one of two Star Trek creations that have entered public consciousness along with the Vulcans.  Gene L. Coon’s script is not an episode made with the intent of creating a species to return in the future, the Klingons being introduced as being at the end of a conflict with the Federation that this episode is getting us to, so it becomes fascinating to see that they took off instead of say the Romulans as they are presented here as an almost standard war minded space empire.  They only appear in the second half of the episode and their characterization is perhaps one of the weaker aspects of the episode.  The invading force is led by Commander Kor, played by John Colicos, and while Colicos’ portrayal is good, it does not stand out in terms of complexity being a very simple military dictator character.  Kor is motivated by ruthless conquest, being willing to kill scores of the native Organians to gain the territory and expects the military regulations to be followed, but outside of that he is not so much a deep character.  The Klingons themselves are portrayed on screen as racist caricatures of Asians in terms of makeup, something that came from Coon’s script implying an “Oriental, hard-faced” look and John Colicos and makeup artist Fred Philips designing the physically darkened skin.  Luckily director John Newland did not direct Colicos to use any sort of accent so there is at least an illusion of attempting to just be alien.  Perhaps if Kor’s makeup did not include a style of facial hair that is read in connection with Asians and yellow peril in fiction it would have aged at least a little less poorly with the bronzed skin meaning to be alien, and luckily I am aware of how the Klingons are designed in the majority of other Star Trek fiction, but it is a shame to have such an explicit piece of racism on display in a show that’s usually more progressive with its messaging.

 

It is clear that Gene L. Coon is more interested in criticizing the American imperialism represented by Captain Kirk, spending much of the episode aggressive against the Organians who are staunch pacifists despite the threat of invasion which comes to pass.  This pacifism is fascinating, something that the episode drops the ball on in places by not having Kirk or Spock question the fairly obvious psychic powers the Organians express.  At least, Spock not noticing the psychic powers and contradictions apparent in the society feels incredibly off for the character, Kirk is having his passioned plea to stand up and fight the Klingons as the Enterprise brings a Federation fleet for what may be mutually assured destruction.  The first half of the episode does struggle a bit as the final twist about the Organians being a gestalt of entities having moved past the need for bodies and displaying terrifying god like powers clearly marks “Errand of Mercy” as an episode about the need of humanity to rise above the need for war.  It’s a fascinating message especially when you compare it with other anti-war media from the time, especially those from the UK like Doctor Who’s The Daleks from 1963-1964.  “Errand of Mercy” feels like it misunderstands why war may break out, Coon including genuine grievances for territory disputes, something that may be an attempt to examine the concept of manmade borders, but this does mean the clear authoritarian Klingons are going to be integrated into a society that is anti-authoritarian.

 

Overall, “Errand of Mercy” is an episode that is actually quite messy when you examine what it was attempting to do.  Guest star John Abbott is perhaps the standout as the leader of the council of Organians, Ayelborne, playing calmly off of William Shatner’s passionate plea and desperation to protect from an incoming war.  The Klingons are generally a problem since they aren’t that deep of a species, something future appearances will have to address and deepen while the episode’s message is messy.  It is not a bad episode by any means, but it does feel like a come down after ten very standout episodes.  6/10.