IN MY TOP TEN: Errand of Mercy
What it’s mainly about
Kirk tries to keep it chatty while “hosted” by his Klingon nemesis, Commander Kor. Kor is wonderfully played by Shatner’s fellow Canadian, John Colicos, who helped to create the Klingon look and contributed to the costume.
Can societies keep the peace just by wanting it, or do their enemies have a say? How can Captain Kirk and First Officer Spock hope to protect the people of planet Organia if the people themselves refuse to permit their own defense — against the ravaging, insatiable, enslaving Klingon Empire, no less? To make matters worse, the Organians themselves have isolated Kirk and Spock, preventing their escape and coordination with the Enterprise. Worse still, they effectively hand our heroes over to the tender mercies — or not — of the enemy.
Why it’s awesome
The teamwork of Kirk and Spock is terrific in this episode, and it’s an interesting situation because neither of them can make use of their usual resources or advantages. Very much behind enemy lines, even the supposedly peaceful Organians barely lift a finger to help. With increasing bafflement and desperation, Kirk tries to speak the truth to the wilfully blind Organian leaders — and he does so eloquently. But the greatest enjoyment in this show comes from the interactions with our first-ever-sighted Klingon, a man that won’t free his prisoners willingly but can’t help admiring at least some of their many virtues.