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Klingons - Warrior race of
aliens featured on the science fiction series STAR
TREK/NBC/1966-69.
Klingon Commander Kor
The Klingons, who lived on the home world of
Qo'noS, were much like outer space Viking barbarians. Their
culture was always at odds with the Federation and never seemed to
respect boundaries or peace treaties. There mentality was simple:
"Laws were made to be broken." Inhabiting a planetary system of
limited resources, the Klingons traveled throughout the galaxy
looking for anything that wasn't hammered down.
Physically, the Klingons were ugly humanoids with heavy bifurcated
eyebrows, and a button-tipped spine that ran the length of their
back and over their head. The Klingons premiered on episode No. 27
"Errand of Mercy" written by Gene Coon and has since been featured
in the series of STAR TREK spin-offs.
 In 1987 the series STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION/SYN/1987-94
(based 85 years in the future 24th century), the Klingons were
portrayed as a much more peaceful group of aliens who had joined
the Federation. Serving on-board the newly commissioned USS
Enterprise-D was a towering, anti-social Klingon warrior, Lt. J.G.
Worf (Michael Dorn) responsible for environment and propulsion
science sections and later Security.
Raised by humans, (supposedly his family killed by Romulans) Worf
was unfamiliar with many facets of his Klingon heritage. He often
struggled to keep his savage side in check when working with his
fellow crew members. When Worf went to battle he said "It's a
good day to die".
Later in the series, Worf (son of Mogh) discovered that his
parents were actually killed by the treachery of members of the
Klingon High Council. He also discovered he had a brother named
Kurn. (Tony Todd) Together they challenged the council to make the
truth known. However, the fact that the truth of his parents death
could cause political upheaval, Worf decided to become an exile
from his home world, accepting disgrace ("Discommendation") rather
than upset the stability of his planet.
Worf's former mate K'Ehleyr (Suzie Plakson) who refused the
traditional subservience of a Klingon bonding, bore Worf a son
named Alexander (Brian Bonsall) whom later in his life followed
the path of peace rather than that of the warrior (in one
timeline).
K'Ehleyr was killed by Klingons who attempted to keep secret the
truth relating to Worf's family disgrace. Worf avenged her death
and gave his young son to his human foster parents to raise while
he continued to serve onboard the starship Enterprise.
At the end of the 1991 season, Worf resigned his commission
with the Federation to take up arms against renegade factions who
threatened the Klingon empire. After the controversy wherein he
regained status as a loyal Klingon, he returned to serve on the
starship USS Enterprise.
On episode No. 116 "Ethics" the Klingon physiological trait
known as "brak'lul" was discussed. The term referred to the
redundancy features of the Klingon anatomy (23 ribs, 2 livers, 8
chambered hearts) where almost every function in their body was
duplicated in case any primary organ or system failed.
TRIVIA NOTE: For those
interested in this alien culture, Marc Okrand's authoritative
English-Klingon/Klingon-English Dictionary (Pocket Books,
1990) can provide additional information. Example: The Klingon's
equivalent to our "Hello" is "N'uk, N'ek" which loosely translated
means "What do you want?" See also -
"Jadzia Dax" and DEATH -
MISCELLANEOUS: "Klingons" and
CEREMONIES & CELEBRATIONS - "Age of Ascension"
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