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What makes a TOS Klingon?

re greasepaint: not on Koloth or Korax. They were as caucasian as Kirk.

Marsden said:
Traditional sources, therefore non-cannon, had always made the Federation Heavy Cruiser much tougher in shield strength and ability to absorb damage with stronger but fewer weapons. The Klingon Battlecruiser was more nimble, more maneuverable if not flat out faster, and many weapons but of a weaker strength. So it's a close matchup but the Klingon would really need to use his maneuverability to get the shots in to wear the Fed down without the Fed smashing him with a full salvo.
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Something like that. Think MiG-15 v. F86.
 
Timo said:
Indeed, Campbell does a perfect Brutopian diplomat when he does Koloth! These folks have all the comical bluster of Barks' red(-in-the-face) villains, with little of the actual menace remaining once the heroes get to it. :p



...If by "late" you mean their second TOS appearance. Not that their first would have featured much code or honor, either - it was all about betrayal and backstabbing and sneak attacks and maneuvering, with the main character actively undermining his Star Empire's designs and, by seemingly performing his duty to the last, preventing the war his Praetor so much wanted.

Timo Saloniemi
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I've no idea what you're talking about re Koloth
But I'll give you that he was a bit camp in TOS, but that was a comedy episode was it not ?
As for Lenard as the Romulan Commander, are you saying he wasn't honourable ?
 
The Romulan "Sub-commander" in Balance of Terror was definitely honorable but, his honor didn't mix very well with his government's current ambitions. The Praetor wanted a war to boost his pride or reputation (or just...because) and he felt it was foolishness.

Remember the conversations with the old Centurion...
 
The Romulan Commander was a man of honour and he even said he wished that his ship wouldn't make it home so that it prevented another war with the humans! But the Commander had been in many a campaign with his Centurion, so perhaps there are planets within the Neutral Zone apart from Romulus and Remus and are defiant of the Romulans too? That or they are talking about battles with the Remans? :rommie:
JB
 
StarCruiser said:
The Romulan "Sub-commander" in Balance of Terror
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? He was never referred to as "sub-commander", alway only "commander". Don't disrespect him. In a different reality, you could have called him friend. :rommie: The Romulan commander in BOT was in command of the finest and proudest flagship, so, is this equivalent of a Captain in the Federation? In comparison, the Romulan commander in TEI was over 3 ships with a sub-commander to command her flagship, so, I assume she was more like the senior Captain on station, and not a higher rank?

Klingon fun facts from their first appearance in Errand of Mercy:
  • Negotiations with the Klingon Empire are on the verge of breaking down.
  • Report of a fleet of Klingon ships in their sector.
  • A large number of Klingon vessels have just arrived.
  • Sulu is to get the Enterprise to safety and alert the Federation fleet. Then return if the odds are more equal.
  • Eight Klingon space vehicles have assumed orbit around the planet (are there more?).
  • Several hundred Klingons beamed down (300-500 Klingon solders or marines?).
  • Commander Kor, military governor of Organia.
  • Violation of the smallest rule or regulation will be punished by death.
  • Klingons have a reputation for ruthlessness.
  • Should one Klingon soldier be killed, a thousand Organians will die.
  • It's a mind-sifter or mind-ripper, depending on how much force is used.
  • Sonic grenades (non-lethal?)
  • Special Occupation Order Number Four = Two hundred Organians killed, and two hundred more every two hours until the prisoners are returned.
  • All Klingons are always under surveillance, even the commander.
  • A Federation fleet is on its way. The Klingon fleet is preparing to meet them.
  • Klingons admire great opponents and want glorious battle.
I assume Kor is just over the planet occupation, and there's an admiral level rank over the Klingon fleet.

Sulu was left in command of Enterprise. What happened to Scotty? Sulu (only a lieutenant) is still in command of the Enterprise when it returns. I assume there's an admiral level rank in command of the Federation fleet.
 
johnnybear said:
The Romulan Commander was a man of honour and he even said he wished that his ship wouldn't make it home so that it prevented another war with the humans!
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...So he was into treason.

Waging a one-man war against one's boss is cool, but I doubt it would count as honorable by any known warrior code. Yet the line "We will attack - but on my order" is right down the samurai alley otherwise: the Commander personally condemns his crew and himself to death, and his Praetor to defeat, with that decision that the stupid Decius is incapable of recognizing for what it really is - an act of betrayal, in protection of higher ideals. Only I don't see the Romulan warrior code embracing said ideas, either.

Klingons? Honorable to a fault in comparison. None act behind the backs of their bosses in any TOS episode, and none betray their word (even though they don't mind betraying their enemies otherwise, with commendably clever ploys).

Timo Saloniemi
 
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I like the explanation from John Byrne's TOS comics: that the Romulans were actually being manipulated behind the scenes by the Klingons. And IIRC the Praetor seemed somewhat unstable.

Kor
 
[QUOTE="Timo, post: 13009019, member: 2277]
Klingons? Honorable to a fault in comparison. None act behind the backs of their bosses in any TOS episode, and none betray their word (even though they don't mind betraying their enemies otherwise, with commendably clever ploys).

Timo Saloniemi[/QUOTE]
Isn't it ironic that Klingons only stop being honourable when they start obsessing about it, and using the word in every second sentence! It becomes as ubiquitous and meaningless as the F word is for RW semi-literate, unimaginative morons.
 
...When Klingons make their return in TNG "Heart of Glory", it's fittingly enough through a sect or faction of some sort that promotes the honor code, via very TOS-like means: they refuse to take hostages, they nevertheless plot and scheme and lie and kill a lot, and they speak of glories past and of the duty to the great Empire that is not living up to its potential when misled by fools... And these folks are the enemy of the modern Klingons who come to arrest them.

What F word are Romulan War morons abusing? :vulcan:

Timo Saloniemi
 
The Romulan Commander probably saw war with the Federation as madness but obeyed his orders! His only thoughts being of completing his mission if possible but upon doing so realised that the peace of the galaxy would be endangered and young officers like Decius were foolish enough to look forward to such a disaster!
JB
 
The TOS Klingons were the best! There was something really scary about them compared to their turtle head descendants! The differences in their make-up works as well, being that they have different skin tones and looks also gives them a credibility even if they are all Klingons!!! They really seemed to be a threat to the Federation rather than an annoyance and their similarity to us was a bonus too. Showing that we chose this path and they chose theirs! :klingon:
JB
 
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