Ronald D. Moore memo on the Klingons

[Arpy]

In the commentary track for the TNG episode “Sins of the Father,” Ronald D. Moore read an old memo he found that he was asked to write by his boss (and not originally a Star Trek fan) Michael Piller during the writing of the episode to explain his vision of what Klingon society was like.

Moore (who subsequently would become the go-to Klingon guy on staff) said that he based it in-part on their new look and behavior that we saw in the movies and TNG’s “Heart of Glory” and “The Emissary,” but more from the famous TOS novel The Final Reflection by John M. Ford that he’d read and influenced his thought on them since he was a kid, and Dune and Herbert’s world of Houses ever in conflict with one another.

Not the biggest Klingon guy myself, I transcribed it as best I could and found it interesting:

Unlike the United Federation of Planets, the Klingon empire is not an amalgam of several different star systems brought together by common purpose and values.

The Klingon Empire sprang from a single relatively poor planet in a modest system. The member worlds that now make up the Empire were either subjugated in the not so distant past or annexed at the point of a sword. The Empire is efficiently managed and extremely well run. No star system has ever broken away from Klingon rule in over two centuries of steady conquest. This is not to say that the member worlds of the Klingon Empire are straining at the bit to break away from despotic rule.

Quite the contrary, the member worlds of the empire have learned the many advantages and benefits of their association with the Klingons and few would choose to leave even if given the option. The Klingons are not evil tyrannical pirates bent only on pillage and plunder. They have a strict almost unyielding code of ethics and honor and take their responsibilities as rulers seriously.

The Klingon homeworld is a world of extremes. The tilt of the planet’s axis results in wild seasonal changes and there is a great deal of volcanic activity. A single continent on an enormous turbulent ocean. The race we know as Klingon was born on this harsh and brutal planet. (It's also mentioned in the commentary that the green sky seen in the effect for the planet and in the matte painting was meant to suggest noxious fumes.)

Klingon society could must be compared to Sparta or Feudal Japan. The High Council is the ultimate authority in all matters of Klingon life. The day-to-day ruling of the planet as well as the constituent worlds is left to local families and clans. (Dune?) The Council is formed of leaders of each family of importance in the Empire. There is an emperor although his role is almost completely ceremonial by custom, and he still retains the reins of power should he choose to exercise them.

Klingons have a very complex and highly developed code of conduct involving almost every aspect of their lives. Their sense of honor and integrity is integral into their very being. The Klingon regards the honor of his or her family to be valuable above all else. The family name can be besmirched by any member of the family regardless of age or infirmity. The Klingon would sooner kill himself and his closest brother than live with a mark on the name of his ancestral lineage.

Family is all and a member of the family is responsible for the actions of his kin. The son of a Klingon warrior may be called upon to give his life for the actions of his father. Strangers must prove their worthiness before a Klingon will accept them as an equal. Weakness, either mental or physical, is not tolerated. Klingons are born to be warriors. Time spent in other professions is used only to expand their knowledge and range of skills in preparation for being a warrior.

Several of the races they have conquered now serve as the merchants, farmers, traders, and machinists that serve the Empire. Klingons respect courage, strength, and cunning, in that order. To contrast them with the Romulans, Klingons respect the declared war, the killing stroke, the blood feud, death on the field of battle, and clear positions of hostility. Romulans prefer guile, stealth, intricate plots, letting others die for you, ambiguous positions, and shifting loyalties.
​

 

[Shawnster]

Time spent in other professions is used only to expand their knowledge and range of skills in preparation for being a warrior.

Several of the races they have conquered now serve as the merchants, farmers, traders, and machinists that serve the Empire.

This implies to me that a lot of the sciences, like medical, are developed by the subjugated species that we've never seen. Anything that does not directly further a Klingon's ability as a warrior is not something a Klingon would bother with.

Does this imply slaves? Sanitation crews, artists, making blood wine, being a simple tailor, etc...

 

[Arpy]

^ yes, if you’re a Klingon of any means. You spend your money on and the social expectation is that you become a warrior. And there are many billions of slaves, subjects, and client species to keep in line, so there are lots of positions in that “service” economy for a disproportionate amount of warriors.

To be at all realistic you do need Klingons doing other jobs…maybe some truly fall in love with their side thing — doctors, scientists, artists, what have you — and choose less esteem for personal contentment. And many, despite their Klingon bulk, strength, and durability, just aren’t cut out to be warriors. There’s probably a lot of needless shame there. Some of the more sophisticated Klingons probably see past the nonsense and revere their favorite singer or trusted doctor or whoever as much as they do anyone else, but the masses are probably simpletons who get off on being better than both aliens and fellow Klingons who, regardless of other factors, aren’t the “right kind” of Klingon.

That said, they have been an interstellar power for a long time and seem to be cosmopolitan enough to include every race and gender of Klingon among their ranks, and made friends with aliens too, so maybe experience has taught them to grasp a broader reality.

 

[Citiprime]

One interesting question related to all of this is whether the Klingons have a unified military command?

They have been referred to as the "Klingon Defense Forces" (KDF) and the Chancellor does set policy when the Empire fights an offensive collectively. But what seems to be the feudal nature of the Klingons, with allegiances to different houses, makes me wonder whether if its more akin to Game of Thrones, where each Klingon House has forces that are loyal to a "Lord," with all of the lords having "bent the knee" to the Chancellor.

And I guess any time Gowron/Martok wanted to launch an offensive, he'd have to call up the forces of each Klingon house. But it would also explain how someone like Kruge in Search for Spock (who is referred to as "my lord" by his crew) can freelance, violate the Neutral Zone, and pursue his own interests. Each house controls their own armies and has their own fleets under their control. They’re pledged to support the chancellor and the high council, but they’re personally owned and get their orders from the lord of their house

So, in some ways, each Klingon House might set their own foreign policy to a degree.

This implies to me that a lot of the sciences, like medical, are developed by the subjugated species that we've never seen. Anything that does not directly further a Klingon's ability as a warrior is not something a Klingon would bother with.

Does this imply slaves? Sanitation crews, artists, making blood wine, being a simple tailor, etc...

The episode with the Klingon lawyer on DS9 explains this to a degree. He sees the courtroom as his “battlefield.” A Klingon doctor would see disease as his “enemy” to be battled. A Klingon scientist could interpret the discovery of new information as a conflict to be overcome.

To be the best at your chosen profession could be your own warrior’s journey from the individual’s perspective.

 

[Tim Walker]

I recall the Klingon fleet referred to as "the guardians of the empire." Works for me, and I think it fits better than "Klingon Defense Force."

 

[fireproof78]

One interesting question related to all of this is whether the Klingons have a unified military command?

They have been referred to as the "Klingon Defense Forces" (KDF) and the Chancellor does set policy when the Empire fights an offensive collectively. But what seems to be the feudal nature of the Klingons, with allegiances to different houses, makes me wonder whether if its more akin to Game of Thrones, where each Klingon House has forces that are loyal to a "Lord," with all of the lords having "bent the knee" to the Chancellor.

And I guess any time Gowron/Martok wanted to launch an offensive, he'd have to call up the forces of each Klingon house. But it would also explain how someone like Kruge in Search for Spock (who is referred to as "my lord" by his crew) can freelance, violate the Neutral Zone, and pursue his own interests. Each house controls their own armies and has their own fleets under their control. They’re pledged to support the chancellor and the high council, but they’re personally owned and get their orders from the lord of their house

So, in some ways, each Klingon House might set their own foreign policy to a degree.

The episode with the Klingon lawyer on DS9 explains this to a degree. He sees the courtroom as his “battlefield.” A Klingon doctor would see disease as his “enemy” to be battled. A Klingon scientist could interpret the discovery of new information as a conflict to be overcome.

To be the best at your chosen profession could be your own warrior’s journey from the individual’s perspective.

A warriors perspective can work in many fields.

 

[Oddish]

Many trades can be held by Klingons who regard themselves as warriors. An engineer makes faster engines, so the Empire can expand. A metallurgist makes stronger blades and better ships. A nuclear engineer makes more efficient power plants to keep his fellow warriors warm. A teacher fosters the next generation of warriors, and keeps them safe. Even something thankless like a "sanitation engineer" ensures the health and well being of his fellow warriors.