A Piece of the Action Ending - Why does Krako let Kirk call Enterprise?

[cgervasi]

Can anyone explain how Kirk and Krako go back and forth from having the upper hand at the end of A Piece of the Action?

My understanding Kirk is able to assert power over Okmyx by coming in with guns but also with the threat that even if Okmyx’s goons got the immediate upper hand, Kirk has powerful reinforcements from the Federation. This continues when he gets all the bosses together as Okmyx’s headquarters. Part of Kirk’s authority is he has the machine guns, but another part is that he me may have a powerful Federation backing him up.

Krako takes their guns only after he and Okmyx have speculated that the Federation isn’t as powerful as Kirk says. My understanding is they could have ganged up on Kirk, Spock, and McCoy at any time, but they only do it once they doubt the power of the Federation.

I do not understand why Krako lets Kirk call the Enterprise. The logical reason is he’s giving Kirk a chance to make a show of force, which Kirk does. If Kirk really doesn’t have a powerful ship, it doesn’t hurt Krako to let him call the ship. But if Kirk does have a powerful ship, it could get Krako on the good side of Kirk, who will be the inevitable victor. My problem is does “just to say goodbye” convey any of that?

Once Kirk fires phaser stun on the street gun fight, they all immediately accept Kirk as the boss. This shows who they follow goes beyond who has the gun at the moment.

I question Krako’s motivation for letting Kirk call the Enterprise. Kirk’s show of force harms Krako’s forces more, because they are engaged in attacking a fortified position. It just seems like a risky move. Krako had just stolen Kirk and his team’s guns. Kirk might have told the ship Krako betrayed him, causing the Enterprise to side against Krako, maybe even side with Okmyx.

I know this is partly a high-concept story to allow Kirk and Spock to run around acting and talking like early 20th century gangsters. But it just felt like the ending was an artifice to move the story along. Is there any in-universe explanation as to why Kirk goes back and forth from having the upper hand at the end?

 

[Henoch]

Perhaps, deep down, the Iotians are in awe of boss Kirk and the powerful Federation syndication. After all, Eartherns did bring the "Book" to them in the first place. The Iotians treat the Book almost with religious fervor. Kirk could be the second coming of Jesus in this case. The Iotians just needed a little push to get beyond their initial doubts about the power of the Federation syndication. Once proof is provided, the Iotians follow the new boss of the entire Ionian territory, Kirk.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

It's a comedy episode. I wouldn't analyse it that closely.

 

[TOSalltheway]

Because its a 1960s TV show (a great one).

 

[Marsden]

@JonnyQuest037 has a point, but I think there's a reason, in the story.

Krako sees Kirk as a boss. A boss is afforded a certain respect that a regular goon doesn't get.
That's why Bela and Jojo can comment on things together like they're old buddies while being at war the whole time.
Jojo knows he's got him, so what good is making a call going to do, it's almost like asking for a cigarette or a drink first.

Well, that's my take on it.

edit: I just saw @Henoch said something similar, sorry, but I still think he would have afforded any Iotian boss in the same situation the courtesy demanded by his station in that civilization.

 

[Steven P Bastien]

Choose any explanation that makes you enjoy the show.

1. They are not all that bright. They are imitative but not imaginative. One guy believes fizzbin is a real game.
2. It's a test. If Kirk really does have power, Krako wants to know it. If calling the ship does not give the proof he needs, then Kirk is a con artist, otherwise he needs to follow him. The transporter and heaters make him afraid, so he gives a test.
3. Krako knows that Kirk and the Feds are truly powerful, but it would be embarrassing not to make an attempt to take them over. He wants to prove that he learned the lessons from "The Book".
4. He knows the Feds are going to take over, but by being aggressive and showing strength, he hopes to be chosen as one of the top dogs.

 

[Timo]

5. It's all a game, and they take it deadly seriously. This meaning that none of them are actually acting out of self-interest and neither Krako nor Okmyx really aim for world domination - they aim for perpetuation of the game. They always knew there's this big universe outside their planet, and at some point they have to start playing by its rules if they hope to be able to continue their own game on the side. This is the point. Win or lose, Krako wants to get Kirk off his back because the Captain doesn't play fair and is about to ruin the whole thing.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[UnknownSample]

Dying man's last request. Like on Death Row. Old tradition, on TV if not in real life. Since part of the episode involves showing these guys up as dummies, it should be no surprise that they're dumb enough to allow this. It was the only way out for the writers. Otherwise it would have to end with them being machine gunned down.

 

[johnnybear]

Thing is Fizzbin wasn't real but the next time a Starship visits Sigma Iotia it would be!!!
JB

 

[telerites]

Spock used his telepathic ability on Krako like in The Omega Glory. He made a suggestion.

Or Krako wanted out of gang scene so he could open a diner using his real name, Mel.

 

[cgervasi]

Dying man's last request. Like on Death Row. Old tradition, on TV if not in real life. Since part of the episode involves showing these guys up as dummies, it should be no surprise that they're dumb enough to allow this.

It seems even stupider when I think about it again. Kirk successfully kidnapped Krako by standing next to him and talking into his communicator. Even if Krako doubts the strength of Kirk's ship, he knows first-hand Kirk can kidnap him using the communicator. Just after getting the upper hand, he let's Kirk use his communicator. It's like Krako didn't want to win. I think it was very bad writing or one of the other explanations people have suggested. Maybe he saw the Enterprise like the next coming of Jesus, and he saw his role as acting like a tough gangster and ultimately bowing before a more powerful gangster. The characters seem confused when Kirk acts normal but relieved when he acts like a gangster. Maybe they want to be capos in a more powerful gang, and the way to do that is to show some strength but ultimately give in.

 

[johnnybear]

If Oxmyx was Bela and Krako was Jo-Jo, what was Tepo's first name?
JB

 

[UnknownSample]

It seems even stupider when I think about it again. Kirk successfully kidnapped Krako by standing next to him and talking into his communicator. Even if Krako doubts the strength of Kirk's ship, he knows first-hand Kirk can kidnap him using the communicator. Just after getting the upper hand, he let's Kirk use his communicator. It's like Krako didn't want to win. I think it was very bad writing or one of the other explanations people have suggested. Maybe he saw the Enterprise like the next coming of Jesus, and he saw his role as acting like a tough gangster and ultimately bowing before a more powerful gangster. The characters seem confused when Kirk acts normal but relieved when he acts like a gangster. Maybe they want to be capos in a more powerful gang, and the way to do that is to show some strength but ultimately give in.

That's TV for you. Best to move past it, not dwell on it. It's mostly a comedy episode, you know.