With due respect to everyone involved, I never understood the hatred for this episode. People say its a racist story, but I disagree, and here's why: At different times in our history, there have actually been periods where individuals of every color and background have been fiercely tribal, territorial, and short-tempered. I think one possible reason for the misunderstanding is that such an episode goes against Gene Roddenberry's "perfect people" philosophy. The Enterprise crew's treatment of the Klingons in "Star Trek VI" was handled in a very similar way.
Also, another small note on this: it seems to me that a big reason why several of the "TNG" cast members remain so horrified and embarrassed by this episode, is because the tribal characters depicted were black. But if they had done the story with those same roles being played by white actors, the same charge of racism would've likely been hurled toward them. So its one of those "you're screwed either way" situations. I've personally seen much more blatantly racist stuff on TV compared to "Code of Honor", and so 37 years later, I think its way past time to cut the episode some slack. What are your opinions?
Also, another small note on this: it seems to me that a big reason why several of the "TNG" cast members remain so horrified and embarrassed by this episode, is because the tribal characters depicted were black. But if they had done the story with those same roles being played by white actors, the same charge of racism would've likely been hurled toward them. So its one of those "you're screwed either way" situations. I've personally seen much more blatantly racist stuff on TV compared to "Code of Honor", and so 37 years later, I think its way past time to cut the episode some slack. What are your opinions?
