Captain Kirk’s 5 greatest Klingon enemies, ranked

Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) encounters many Klingons throughout Star Trek: The Original Series, But some have proven to be more formidable than others. Since their debut in TOS Season 1, Episode 26, “Errand of Mercy,” the Klingons have become one of Star Trek Most iconic alien species. Although Klingons became allies by the time of Star Trek: The Next Generation, They were one of the most formidable enemies of the United Federation of Planets during Captain Kirk’s time on the USS. Enterprise.

in Star Trek First Klingon episode, Kirk faces off against Commander Core (John Kolikos), who proves to be a smart and unforgiving opponent. in TOS Season 2’s “The Trouble with Tribbles,” Kirk and his crew run into Koloth (William Campbell), which results in an all-out brawl. in Star Trek last season, Kirk goes head to head with Kang (Michael Ansara). In “Day of the Dove.” Klingons also serve as villains in two Star Trek films, pitting Kirk against Kruge (Christopher Lloyd) and General Chang (Christopher Plummer).

5

Captain Koloth

Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2, Episode 13 – “The Trouble with Tribbles”

When the starship Enterprise is called to a deep space station to guard a grain shipment, the crew tries to enjoy beach leave on the station along with a crew of Klingons. Kirk is tired of being on the station with Klingons, however The Organian Peace Treaty established in “Erande of Mercy” remains in effect. Captain Koloth assures Kirk that his officers will remain peaceful. The agreement quickly falls apart when a Klingon officer insults the Enterprise and a brawl breaks out.

Captain Kirk cancels beach leave, as the Tribble initially gifted to Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) multiplies into thousands of tribbles. As Kirk, Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelly) work to control the tribes, they uncover a plot by an undercover Klingon named Arne Darwin (Charlie Brill) to poison the grain shipment. Meanwhile, Koloth demanded a formal apology from Kirk For this way the Klingons were treated.

as one of Star Trek Funniest episodes, “The Trouble with Tribbles” has a much lighter tone than either “Errant of Mercy” or “Day of the Dove.” Because of this, Koloth comes across as slightly less formidable than Kor and Kong. Still, Koloth engages in the same verbal sparring with Kirk, proving that he is more than capable of keeping up with the Enterprise captain. “The Trouble with Tribbles” also suggests that Kirk and Koloth have met before, but their first meeting is never shown on screen.

4

Commander Kong

Star Trek: The Original Series Season 3, Episode 11 – “Day of the Pigeon”

When the USS Enterprise encounters a powerful energy being fed by violence, the entity pits Captain Kirk and his crew against Commander Kang and his officers. The entity manipulates the memories and emotions of both crews, Inflame their anger with each other and even provide weapons for them to fight with. Kirk and Spock detect the entity and try to stop the fighting, but have little success.

When Kirk and Spock try to get to Kang, they meet his wife, Mara (Susan Howard), and convince her of the truth. When Kirk finally reaches Kang, the Klingon commander is initially skeptical and challenges Kirk to a duel. As the two fight each other, Kirk eventually convinced Kong to put down his sword. The two leaders then ordered their officers to stop, even laughing with each other to weaken the energy.

Kang proves to be a smart and formidable opponent for Kirk, as he throws insults and threats, holds his own in a fight, and even tortures Pavel Chekov (Walter King). Like most Klingons during this time, Kang hates the Federation, but he doesn’t let that hatred completely blind him. When he realizes the truth of the situation, he makes the smart call, noting that “Only a fool fights in a burning house.”

3

Commander Car

Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 26 – “Errant of Mercy”

in star treks “Errand of Mercy,” the Enterprise was sent to Organia to prevent the Klingons from taking control of the strategic location. A Klingon fleet arrives at Organia shortly after the Enterprise, forcing the Enterprise to retreat and leaving Kirk and Spock stranded on the planet. Kirk and Spock then pose as Organians and work to sabotage the Klingon occupation. As the self-proclaimed military governor, Kor uses a mind-sifter device to probe Spock’s mind, But Spock’s Vulcan mental discipline allows him to fool the machine.

Even though Kirk pretends to be an Organian, Kor sees his rebellious spirit, and finds an equal in him even before learning his true identity. After Kor learns Kirk’s identity, he sits down to talk, expressing his admiration for Kirk and the Federation. Still, he threatens both Kirk and Spock, eventually saying: “I respect you, Captain, but this is war, a game we Klingons play to win.” Kirk and Kor then go back and forth, their conversation cracking with energy as both men try to outsmart the other.

In the end, the organizers appear as powerful incorporeal beings, and they put a stop to the brown feud, forcing both sides to negotiate a ceasefire. Throughout the ordeal, Kor has Spock interrogate and imprison Kirk, But the organists stop the war before any real fighting happens. As Kor complains, a battle between Kor and Kirk “Would be honored,” But it never comes.

2

General Chang

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Tells the story of how the Federation and the Klingon Empire finally achieved peace. In the wake of the destruction of the Klingon moon Praxis, the Empire seeks peace with the Federation. The Enterprise then meets up with the Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner) and the two ships go to Earth. while on the road, A transformed Klingon raptor fires on Gorkon’s battle cruiser, And two Klingons mortally wounded the chancellor.

Because the shots appeared to be coming from the Enterprise, Gorkan’s Chief of Staff, General Chang, finds Kirk and McCoy guilty of assassinating the High Chancellor. Kirk and Bones were sentenced to the Rura Penthe Penal Colony. As later revealed, Chang himself is actually one of the conspirators behind the assassination, And he also tried to have Kirk and McCoy killed on Rura Penth. Chang’s experimental bird-of-prey later attacks the Enterprise after it arrives at Chitomer for the peace talks.

After framing Kirk for murder and trying to have him killed, Chang came close to hitting the Enterprise captain, But Kirk’s crew stood by his side and helped him triumph. With his love of Shakespeare, Chang comes across as intelligent and cunning, but he’s also willing to get his hands dirty. This, combined with Chang’s deep hatred for the Federation, made him one of the most dangerous Klingons Kirk ever faced.

1

Commander Kruge

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Commander Kruge gave Captain Kirk his most devastating blow. After the events of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Kirk’s son David Marcus (Merritt Butrick) and the Vulcan Savic (Robin Curtis) began to explore the Genesis planet. Created when Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) activated the terraforming Genesis device, The Genesis planet became increasingly unstable And soon self-destructed.

Since Spock’s casket was launched into the Genesis planet at the end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of KhanThe Genesis Device revived Spock, but he remains without his Katra (or Vulcan soul). When you learn from the Genesis Device, Commander Kruge travels to the Genesis planet and takes David, Saavik and Spock hostage. Meanwhile, Kirk and his crew steal the Enterprise and travel to the Genesis planet to reunite Spock’s Katra with his body.

When the Enterprise arrives, Kruge attacks and disables the ship. He then orders one of the hostages killed, and David dies protecting Saavik. Kirk then sacrifices the Enterprise to kill a Klingon boarding party and beams down to the planet to fight Kruge. In the end, Kirk kills Kruge, however He cannot recover his son and his ship. Kruge was directly responsible for David’s death And indirectly responsible for the destruction of the Enterprise, making him the most formidable Klingon Star Trek: The Original Series Captain Kirk always faces, and the Klingon Kirk hates the most.