"Errand of Mercy" is pure enjoyment if just because Kirk is put in his place regarding the use of violence and the building potential of war between the Federation and Klingons by pacifistic Organians (John Abbott, their chief leader, among a peace counsel) who inhabit a planet both sides wish to occupy as a base. But John Colicos as the Klingon, Captain Kor, is the chief reason this episode is so much fun to watch. It is such a delicious part to sink his teeth into. Kor invades the Organian planet and sets up Klingon headquarters with Kirk and Spock parading as citizens of the people in order to conceal their ties to the Enterprise. Eventually Abbott and his counsel "betray" Kirk and Spock, informing Kor of their true identity. Then the Organian's help Kirk and Spock escape imprisonment, even hiding them, but when the Klingons respond by "killing 200 locals", and no attempts to save them, our Enterprise duo remain astonished at their unwillingness to respond with violence in kind. The anti-violence message is quite noised throughout and with Kirk and Kor arguing about how the Organians have no right dictating terms to them about how they conduct themselves off the planet (the Organians reluctantly take it upon themselves to interfere with the Klingon/Federation conflict by placing intense heat on all weapons, not allowing weapons of violence (or even combat by hand) to be used against each other), it does leave this impression of "if only our own planet had Organians to use that same power here". Colicos' confidence and showboating, instilled in his Kor, sure that the Klingon Empire would vanquish and conquer, only to be shackled by a peaceful race of lifeforms that are more than they appear in the Organians is most ironic. This smiling race that is so unconcerned about the planet being overtaken by tyrants, with Kirk especially critical of the Organians' non-efforts at saving their own, admitting that their behavior bothered him to the core, to the point of shame, builds perfectly to the finale when it is revealed that they were in control the entire time, truly showing their real form, as Spock responds with this look of realization (you can see it all come together and make sense, with Nimoy's face reflecting this) that the actions taken by the Federation and Klingon empire against one another deserved to be halted. Amusing proclamation from the Organians that the Federation and Klingons would be allies one day is foreshadowing. Kor disappointed he couldn't engage with Kirk in a major battle, accepting that the Organians preventing them from doing so denied him something "glorious" is done with such relish by Colicos
history would take him on a different path. Kirk's unapologetic ridicule of the Organians, deciding he and Spock would engage the enemy on their own, with Spock giving exact depressing odds of what they were up against is a highlight...Kirk, a take charge kind of guy, and these idle Organians who refuse to use violence at all is a fascinating duality of conflicting personalities. This episode is a landmark in respect to the Klingons, and what a way to introduce them with Colicos.
Review of Errand of Mercy
