Kor and Kirk – Errand of Mercy
Star Trek has several aspects that make it a favorite for sci-fi fans. One of the best things about Star Trek is the Klingons. They are a warrior race first introduced in the original series in the 1967 episode “Errand of Mercy“. They had thick eye brows and facial hair and resembled ancient Asian warriors. They soon became an antagonist for the Enterprise crew and were viewed as a scheming and murderous race with very little honor. Klingons got a facelift in the 1979 movie, Star Trek: The Motion Picture and again in the 1984 movie, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Their appearance was slightly changed by adding ridges to their foreheads and making the clothing reminiscent of Japanese armor. Along with a change in appearance came a change in attitude, they seemed more sophisticated in a sense due to their language and weapon construction although they still maintained a very aggressive nature. The Klingon language was developed by Marc Okrand from gibberish suggested by actor James Doohan and is so popular that some colleges offer courses to take and earn credit.
Worf – ST:TNG
In 1987 came a new series Star Trek: The Next Generation and a new style of Klingon. Introducing, Worf (Michael Dorn), the first Klingon officer in Starfleet. He was a bit rough around the edges for an officer, but with that Starfleet uniform Worf also carried a sense of pride. His fellow Klingons did not share the same sentiments and ridiculed him from time to time for the position he served in Starfleet. Trust in other species did not come easily to Worf, he always wanted to have the Enterprise raise shields and have weapons at the ready when encountering other ships before he found out their intent. Not really something that should be viewed as negative, but a bit overprotective at times. For that reason, I would want Worf on my away team; I know he would have my back and be ready to jump into action if a fight was necessary.
Klingons are born and raised to be warriors. They are the Samurai of outer space and their armour is similar to that of the ancient Samurai warriors. Klingons live and die by a warrior’s code. Dying honorably in battle is the best way for a Klingon to go out and they get tremendous satisfaction from drinking with their enemies the night before a battle. If a Klingon is dishonored and dies, that Klingon will go to Gre’Thor which is the Klingon Hell in the afterlife. Klingons who die honorably will go to Sto-vo-kor and fight an eternal battle against great enemies. A Klingon’s honor means more to them than almost anything else.
DS9: Blood Oath
If Klingons board your ship, quickly taking them out with phasers is optimal, otherwise you may have a fight that you cannot finish. Klingons are great close quarter melee fighters and are extremely tough physically. Aside from the intense warrior way of life and training, what makes a Klingon so tough? It is how they are built physically within their anatomy. Klingons have twenty-three ribs and an eight chambered heart, but it does not stop there. They also have two livers, three lungs, with reduntant neural function, and multiple stomachs. Increased stamina in battle is a result of the multiple organs, as well as being able to survive serious injuries that would normally kill humans. Klingons also live to be over 150 years old. Even though they may be in their last years of life, as an elder, unlike the common human, they still possess the ability and strength for combat, as seen in Deep Space 9: Blood Oath.
Worf vs Borg – ST: First Contact
The bat’leth, d’k tahg, and mek’leth are melee weapons used by the Klingons in battle. The bat’leth is their long sword wielded with two hands. It is curved with points on the ends and the handle is behind the blade. The name is a slight alteration of the word batlh ‘etlh, which means “Sword of Honor” in Klingon. The d’k tahg is a Klingon dagger with three blades, one main larger center blade with two smaller blades on each side. The mek’leth is a short sword with a thick curved blade and commonly used by Klingons in battle. Worf wielded the mek’leth, in the movie Star Trek: First Contact, against the Borg. These weapons are brutal and deadly when in the hands of battle-seasoned Klingons.
Klingons are some of the greatest warriors as a result of their deep tradition and heritage, their strength and warrior training, and above all, their honor. If I lived in the Star Trek world, having a Klingon warrior as a friend and fellow soldier would be one of my first preferences.
