Product Details

• Actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, John Abbott, John Colicos, George Takei
• Directors: John Newland
• Writers: Gene L. Coon, Gene Roddenberry
• Producers: Gene L. Coon, Gene Roddenberry, Robert H. Justman
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: CBS Paramount International Television
• VHS Release Date: April 15, 1994
• Run Time: 46 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300213315
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,558 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A war between the Klingons and Federation is imminent, and it's up to Captain Kirk (William Shatner) to persuade the peaceful, agrarian planet Organia to sign on with the good guys before the Klingons overwhelm the place. What's the rush? Organia is in a strategically valuable position for whichever warring side claims it first. The only problem is, the Organians don't seem to care. Kirk and First Officer Spock (Leonard Nimoy) make an awfully good pitch for Federation protection, but the planet's Council of Elders rejects the offer as a tacit invitation to violence on their world. Worse, the Council takes little heed of a Klingon invasion, insisting there is no problem and earning the enmity of both Kirk and Klingon Commander Kor (John Colicos). Essentially a Cold War satire disguised as a Federation-Klingon showdown in most unusual circumstances, "Errand of Mercy" is the brainchild of producer-writer Gene L. Coon, who makes a wonderfully convincing case for the absurdity of each side's claim to moral superiority. Highlights of the episode include the enigmatic, retiring performances of the Council members, and the Butch-and-Sundance banter between Kirk and Spock as they set about trying to become a two-man Resistance targeting Klingon munitions. The episode is directed by John Newland, best known as the host of the supernatural television series, One Step Beyond. --Tom Keogh

From the Back Cover
Kirk and his crew come face to face with the Klingons, and both learn the meaning of war when beings from the planet Organia interfere.

TREK TRIVIA
John Colicos (Commander Kor), the first actor to portray a Klingon, went on to costar in another science fiction series, Battlestar Galactica.
This episode was directed by John Newland, the former host of the series One Step Beyond.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First episode with Klingons, July 30, 2000

By	Jon D. Stewart (San Antonio, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This was the episode that introduced the Klingons with an excellent performance by John Colicos of Battlestar Gallactica. Kirk and Spock land on a very placid planet with a society reminiscent of Medevil Europe finding it to be overrun by Klingons and the inhabitants remaining amazingly passive about it. Kirk and Spock disguise themselves as citizens, but the Klingons soon find out their true nature. This is apparently the only episode with the exception of the first two that Dr. McCoy didn't appear in, for some reason. I guess he was on leave.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Organians stop the Klingon-Federation War, October 14, 2001

By	Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"Errand of Mercy" provides one of the most problematic story lines in Star Trek history. The Federation and the Klingon Empire have started fighting again and the Enterprise hurries to Organia, a strategically important planet. Wanting the cooperation of the Organians, Kirk and Spock beams down and find the universe's most passive people, who are not at all concerned that the big bag Klingons are coming. The Klingons do show up, stranding Kirk and Spock on the planet where they are disguised as Organians and get to witness the arrival of Kor, the Klingon military governor. Kirk and Spock begin a two-person resistance movement, blowing up Klingon supplies. The Klingons retaliate against the population, but then Ayelborne, leader of the Organians, decides he has had enough of all this nonsense. One of the things I most like about "Errand of Mercy," is that it is one of the few times that the Enterprise encounters a race of superior beings who are not seriously flawed in some way. You even get Kirk put in the uncomfortable position of insisting on the right to make war and kill millions of people. This also becomes one of the most problematic episodes in Star Trek history, because the Organian Peace Treaty makes it impossible for the Federation and Klingon to go on killing each other. At least in theory (you have to admit, they have the enforcement capabilities); in practice, the two civilizations would continue to have fun with each other in future Star Trek episodes.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Pretty Good Story -- a Brilliant Portrayal of a Villian, August 23, 2001

By	"sukhisoo" (Mesilla Park, NM USA) - See all my reviews

John Colicos turns in a standout performance as Kor, the first Klingon to appear in the series. Kor is strong, cunning, ruthless, and a little bit charming. The peaceful Organians are also very compelling characters. Throughout the episode, there is just a hint that there is more to the Organians than meets the eye.

There is some action in the story, along with a little suspense, but it would have been nice if there was a little more of both. Additionally, we are never shown the Klingon vessel.

In spite of these flaws, this is a very good episode with a very strong supporting cast. A definite must for any Star Trek fan.