Summary
- Klingons evolved from ruthless conquerors in Star Trek: The Original Series to honorable warriors in The Next Generation.
- Kor, Koloth, and Kang made their mark on Star Trek, returning in DS9 to show how Klingons changed.
- Classic Trek episodes highlighted Klingons as cunning, aggressive foes, showcasing their evolution.
The Klingons became one of Star Trek's most iconic and recognizable alien species after appearing in only seven episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series. The Klingons have changed more than any other species throughout Star Trek's long history, and many aspects of Klingon culture were not established until after TOS. Throughout Star Trek: The Original Series, the Klingons were depicted as ruthless conquerors, in contrast to the honorable warriors they were presented as in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The Klingons of 1960s Star Trek proved to be a formidable foe for Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the USS Enterprise.
Three Klingons in particular made quite an impression on Star Trek: The Original Series and helped to establish the temperaments of many of the Klingons that followed. Kor (John Colicos), Koloth (William Campbell), and Kang (Michael Ansara) all faced off against Captain Kirk, and later returned in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2, episode 9, "Blood Oath." By the time of their appearance on DS9, Kor, Koloth, and Kang were some of the most highly decorated and respected warriors in Klingon history. Their histories and interactions with the crew of DS9 helped underline the ways Klingons had changed after their 7 Star Trek: The Original Series appearances.
7 "Errand of Mercy"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 26
The Klingons made their first appearance in Star Trek: The Original Series season 1's "Errand of Mercy," led by John Colicos as Kor, whose performance established the personality of many Klingons moving forward. After negotiations between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire break down, the Starship Enterprise travels to the planet of Organia due to its strategic location. Despite Kirk's insistence that occupation by the Klingons would be unpleasant, to say the least, the Organians refuse to get involved.
Kor boasted of a Klingon device called a "mind scanner" or "mind ripper" that could pry any information out of a victim and leave them a " vegetable."
When the Klingons arrive, Kor takes control of the planet, going toe to toe with Captain Kirk. The Organians remain unbothered, refusing to fight back against the Klingons. Eventually, the Organians reveal themselves to be advanced incorporeal beings, and they force the Klingons and the Federation to agree to a ceasefire. The Organians correctly posit that the Klingons and humans will be allies at some point in the future, a prediction that came true by the 24th century.
6 "Friday's Child"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2, Episode 11
When the USS Enterprise travels to Capella IV seeking a valuable mineral, they discover that a Klingon emissary named Kras (Tige Andrews) has already arrived. The Klingons also want control of the minerals found on the planet, but Kirk and his crew convince the Capellan leader that the Federation is far more trustworthy than the Klingon Empire.
When the Capellans begin fighting among themselves, Captain Kirk, Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) must rescue Eleen (Julie Newmar), the pregnant wife of the previous Capellan leader. Kras later threatens the Capellans, killing their new leader before being killed himself. The Enterprise crew prevents any further violence and Eileen takes over as leader. Filmed at the now iconic Vasquez Rocks, "Friday's Child" does not reveal much new information about the Klingons, but does further establish their reputation as liars, deceivers, and conquerors.
5 "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2, Episode 15
When the USS Enterprise travels to Space Station K-7 to guard a shipment of grain, the crew members enjoy shore leave on the station. Captain Koloth (William Campbell) and his Klingon crew are also spending time on the station, and when a drunken Klingon insults the Enterprise, the two crews break out into a brawl. Meanwhile, Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) acquires a Tribble from a trader and brings the adorable ball of fluff aboard the Enterprise.
William Campbell's Koloth was meant to become a recurring adversary for Captain Kirk, but the idea was lost when Star Trek changed producers between seasons 2 and 3.
The Tribbles begin to rapidly multiply, eventually consuming the grain shipment on the station. Spock and McCoy then discover that the grain was poisoned by an undercover Klingon posing as an assistant. Since Tribbles hate Klingons, Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott (James Doohan) beams all of the tribbles on the Enterprise over to the Klingon ship as a final farewell. "The Trouble With Tribbles" remains one of Star Trek's best episodes for numerous reasons, and puts the hostility between the Klingons and the Federation on full display.
4 "A Private Little War"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2, Episode 19
In Star Trek: The Original Series season 2's "A Private Little War," Captain Kirk and the Enterprise visit a primitive planet called Neural and are surprised to find a group of villagers using flintlock firearms. When the Enterprise detects a Klingon vessel, Kirk suspects they may have been the ones who supplied the firearms. Kirk and Dr. McCoy beam down to the planet to investigate and are taken in by the Hill People.
Kirk and McCoy eventually discover a Klingon named Krell (Ned Romero) speaking with the leader of the villagers who have been attacking the Hill People. Krell intended to help these villagers take control of the planet, eventually establishing a government loyal to the Klingon Empire. Violating Starfleet's Prime Directive, Kirk provides similar flintlock weapons to the Hill People, foiling Krell's plans.
3 "Day of the Dove"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 3, Episode 7
The Starship Enterprise receives a distress call and travels to Beta XII-A only to find nothing there. A Klingon battle cruiser soon arrives and Captain Kang (Michael Ansara) beams down to the planet to confront Kirk. Kang's ship has been heavily damaged, and he believes Kirk and the Enterprise to be responsible. The Klingons are eventually confined aboard the Enterprise, including Kang's wife Mara (Susan Howard), but the ship's systems begin to malfunction.
The Klingons and the Enterprise crew break out into a massive brawl, as swords and other ancient weapons materialize on the ship. Spock detects an entity composed of pure energy and determines this lifeform to be the cause of the malfunctions and aggression among the crew. Kirk eventually convinces Kang that a powerful energy being is controlling them and both leaders order their officers to lay down their weapons. Tensions run high between Kirk and Kang throughout, but the episode's ending proves that Klingons and humans can work together successfully.
"The Day of the Dove" is the only Star Trek: The Original Series episode to feature female Klingons.
2 "Elaan of Troyius"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 3, Episode 13
When the Starship Enterprise transports Elaan (France Nuyen), the Dohlman of Elas, to Troyius for her arranged marriage, a Klingon warship begins pursuing Kirk's ship. Kirk soon finds himself busy teaching Elaan the ways of the Troyians, which eventually leads to a brief romantic relationship. Meanwhile, Elaan's bodyguard sabotages the Enterprise's warp core and attempts to contact the Klingon vessel.
Because of the damaged warp core, the Enterprise cannot go to warp even as the Klingon ship begins an attack. When Elaan comes to the bridge wearing a Troyan necklace, Spock discovers that the stones in the necklace are dilithium crystals. Scotty then uses these crystals to repair the Enterprise, restoring the ship's weapons system to drive off the Klingons. Elaan later departs for Troyius, sad to be leaving Kirk behind.
1 "The Savage Curtain"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 3, Episode 22
Although no actual Klingons appear in Star Trek season 3's "The Savage Curtain," a powerful species known as the Excalbians recreate a version of Kahless (Robert Herron), the founder of the Klingon Empire. The Excalbians wish to learn whether good or evil is a more powerful human philosophy, so they recreate Kahless, along with several other important historical figures. Kahless was one of the figures representing evil, along with Genghis Khan (Nathan Jung), Colonel Phillip Green (Phillip Pine), and Zora (Carol Daniels Dement).
A clone of Khaless (Kevin Conway) created by the clerics at the Boreth Monastery appears in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, episode 23, "The Rightful Heir."
Kirk and Spock represent the good side, along with the Vulcan Surak (Barry Atwater) and Abraham Lincoln (Lee Bergere). After Surak and Lincoln are both killed, Kirk and Spock strike back, killing Green and Kahless. The Excalbians then call off their experiment, observing no difference between good and evil. Kirk points out that the difference is in what they are fighting for, and Kirk and Spock are returned to the Enterprise. It's impressive how, after only appearing in 7 out of Star Trek: The Original Series 79 episodes, the Klingons became one of the most recognizable fictional alien species of all time.
