Phase II turns outward with an episode that radically expands Klingon culture and challenges everything Starfleet thinks it knows about its longtime adversaries.

Dispatched to a Klingon-controlled world governed by ritual and symbolic authority, Kirk and the Enterprise crew find themselves navigating internal political tensions rather than open hostility. As Xon and Ilia observe a society built on honor, perception, and tradition, Kirk and Decker are drawn into a conflict where diplomacy, not force, determines the outcome.

On The Phase 2 Rewatch, Greg Westlake explores the most Klingon-focused story Star Trek had ever produced at the time, examining the redesigned Klingons, their shift away from Cold War metaphor, and what this episode signals about Phase II’s long-term ambitions. The episode also includes a real-world check-in on glowing Starlog coverage, cautious ratings reports, early rumors about the show’s future, and a fun easter egg for longtime fans paying close attention.

Original air date: Friday, October 14, 1977