Klingons and Romulans appeared in Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, and they were both a major success from their very first episode. The Romulans made their Star Trek debut in "Balance of Terror," which remains one of the best episodes of any Star Trek series. The Klingons popped up a few episodes later, in "Errand of Mercy," another solid episode that holds up today. While both species have changed throughout the various Trek series (the Klingons more than the Romulans), these episodes laid the groundwork for everything that followed.
Romulans Were Introduced In An All-Time Great Star Trek Episode
The Romulans First Appeared In TOS Season 1, Episode 14, "Balance Of Terror"
Star Trek's "Balance of Terror" begins with the USS Enterprise investigating several Earth outposts along the Romulan Neutral Zone. They quickly get pulled into a game of cat-and-mouse with a Romulan Bird-of-Prey and its cunning Commander, portrayed wonderfully by Mark Lenard. Tension mounts as Captain Kirk and the Romulan Commander square off, trying to outthink and outmaneuver one another. While the Enterprise is faster, the Bird-of-Prey has a cloaking device, and both ships end up evenly matched. In the end, Kirk and the Enterprise emerge victorious, but only just.
Mark Lenard's portrayal of the Romulan Commander may be the biggest reason why the Romulans became such iconic Star Trek villains. With his strategic thinking and calm demeanor, the Romulan Commander is Captain Kirk's equal in many ways. In the end, he even laments that: "You and I are of a kind. In a different reality, I could have called you friend." "Balance of Terror" perfectly sets up the Romulans as smart and crafty foes, and establishes their connection to the Vulcans. With an introduction like that, it's not surprising the Romulans keep coming back in Star Trek.
Klingons’ First Star Trek Episode Is Great Even Though They’ve Changed
The Klingons First Appeared In TOS Season 1, Episode 26, "Errand Of Mercy"
In Star Trek's "Errand of Mercy," the Starship Enterprise travels to the strategically located Organia to prevent the Klingons from taking control of the planet. Kirk tries to convince the Organians to side with the United Federation of Planets and oppose the Klingons, but they refuse to get involved in the conflict. Before long, the Klingon Commander Kor (John Colicos) arrives and declares himself military governor, while his crew of Klingons seize the planet. Although Kirk poses as a local, Kor can see that Kirk is more defiant than the others and the two go toe-to-toe.
The Organians eventually reveal themselves to be powerful incorporeal beings who singlehandedly bring a (temporary) end to hostilities between the Federation and the Klingons. Like Mark Lenard's Romulan in "Balance of Terror," John Colicos helped make the Klingons one of Star Trek's most interesting adversaries, and he and Kirk prove to be equals in many ways as well. Kor even admits that he admires Kirk, as he points out the similarities between humans and Klingons. While many things have changed about the Klingons over the years, Kor's calm confidence and sense of honor helped inform the basis for the species.
Why Klingons & Romulans Are Still Great Star Trek Aliens 60 Years Later
Star Trek Keeps Bringing Back The Klingons & The Romulans
Both Klingons and Romulans have withstood the test of time, and remain a part of Star Trek nearly sixty years after they were first introduced. It's almost impossible to imagine the Star Trek franchise today without either alien species. Star Trek: The Next Generation reinvented the Klingons and updated the Romulans, further defining what both species would become. While TOS was not concerned with building a Star Trek canon, TNG and the shows that followed built entire histories and cultures around the Klingon and the Romulan Empires.
From Star Trek: Discovery to Strange New Worlds to Lower Decks, modern Star Trek continues to find fascinating ways to explore Klingon and Romulan culture. Although very different, both species make compelling foils for humanity, as they have more in common with humans than they would ever admit. Thanks to Mark Lenard and John Colicos and two great episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series, the Klingons and the Romulans have become an integral part of Star Trek and both species have left their mark on popular culture.
