I'm glad a novel at least addresses this. I'll have to pick that one up as I haven't read it.
STVI without the racism
- Thread starter sonak
- Start date
I'm glad a novel at least addresses this. I'll have to pick that one up as I haven't read it.
Definitely grab it -- it's a great story, and really addresses in detail several major character-issues left over from the movies:
http://www.amazon.com/Name-Honor-Star-Numbered-Paperback/dp/0743412257/
http://www.amazon.com/Name-Honor-Star-Numbered-Paperback/dp/0743412257/
Even without books, it seemed as if something had soured Federation and Klingon relations in the years between Star Treks V and VII.
But then, I tend to think that the situation between the Federation and Klingons was never stable during Kirk's time, with alternating periods of hostility and détente, IMO.
But then, I tend to think that the situation between the Federation and Klingons was never stable during Kirk's time, with alternating periods of hostility and détente, IMO.
Kirk is very much motivated by a personal bigotry. Kruge killed his son, and that is at the forefront of his feelings. "I can never forgive them for the death of my boy." He blames them all for the act of one. That's at least half of his problem. The other half is... Well, in the title. He admits to Bones he's uneasy about the idea of "no more neutral zone. I was used to hating Klingons."
Though it's true that many of the situations between Enterprise's crew and the klingons never began very nicely, many of them did turn out quite amicably in TOS. In Errand and Dove, both situations seem to end with a bit of understanding. Both show at least the faintest chance for peace between the two sides.
Also, let's not forget Trouble with Tribbles. What does Chekov say? Oh yeah... "Clwose enuf tu smel dem."
Though it's true that many of the situations between Enterprise's crew and the klingons never began very nicely, many of them did turn out quite amicably in TOS. In Errand and Dove, both situations seem to end with a bit of understanding. Both show at least the faintest chance for peace between the two sides.
Also, let's not forget Trouble with Tribbles. What does Chekov say? Oh yeah... "Clwose enuf tu smel dem."
And don't forget the Organians prediction in "Errand" - and the fact that Kor and Kirk, who were at each other's throats for most of the episode, were positively chummy at the prospect of working together against the Organians. However, I suspect that's mostly so they could finish cleaning each other's clocks. Not unlike what we got with the conspirators in TUC? 
I remember that comment. He certainly didn't seem to mind getting close to Kang's wife, Mara.
Have you considered that the Americans would have been correct and justified? Many Japanese carry with them the belief that they are both culturally AND genetically (traditionally isolated and therefore pure) superior to Americans (try working with Toyota or Honda for a few years if you doubt me). Klingons have ALWAYS been portrayed as believing that they are superior to "earthers." The Klingons in TUC are almost totally different characterizations of traditional Klingons (i.e. Gowron) than we have seen before. Am I the only one who noticed the effeminacy of Chang? Where else do you see this in Trek?
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IIRC, the novelization for STVI has something exactly along this line. Some sort of klingon attack/massacre on a Federation colony world. Been a long while since I read it, but I seem to remember a scence with Kirk visiting a horribly injured Carol Marcus in a hospital.
An event like this right before what we see in STVI might explain some of the attitudes of the Enteprise crew, I think.