Star Trek: The Original Series

The Klingons and the Romulans have become two ofStar Trek’smost enduring aliens , largely because their introduction onStar Trek : The Original Serieswere so great . With the premiere ofStar Trek : The Original Seriesin 1966 , Gene Roddenberry inclose the world toCaptain James T. Kirk ( William Shatner)and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise . Over the path of their adventures , the endeavour encountered numerous alien coinage , but some stuck around longer than others . The Klingons and the Romulans both debuted as antagonist , but they have since been allies and enemies and everything in between .

Klingons and Romulans appeared inStar Trek : The Original Seriesseason 1 , and they were both a major success from their very first sequence . The Romulans made theirStar Trekdebut in " Balance of Terror,“which remains one of thebest episodes of anyStar Trekseries . The Klingons popped up a few episodes later , in " Errand of Mercy , " another solid sequence that holds up today . While both metal money have switch throughout the variousTrekseries ( the Klingons more than the Romulans ) , these episodes laid the groundwork for everything that followed .

Romulans Were Introduced In An All-Time Great Star Trek Episode

The Romulans First Appeared In TOS Season 1, Episode 14, “Balance Of Terror”

Star Trek ’s " Balance of Terror " begin with the USS Enterprise enquire several Earth outstation along theRomulan Neutral Zone . They speedily get rive into a game of computerized axial tomography - and - mouse with a Romulan Bird - of - Prey and its cunning Commander , portrayed wonderfully by Mark Lenard . Tension mounts as Captain Kirk and the Romulan Commander feather off , trying to outthink and outmaneuver one another . While the endeavour is quicker , the Bird - of - Prey has a cloaking gimmick , and both ships end up equally tally . In the end , Kirk and the initiative come forth victorious , but only just .

The Romulans became one of Star Trek ’s most compelling villains after appearing in only two sequence of Star Trek : The Original Series .

Mark Lenard ’s portrayal of the Romulan Commander may be the biggest ground why the Romulans became such iconicStar Trekvillains . With his strategical thinking and calm demeanor , the Romulan Commander is Captain Kirk ’s equal in many way . In the end , he even laments that:“You and I are of a kind . In a dissimilar reality , I could have called you friend . ““Balance of Terror " perfectly coiffure up the Romulans as overbold and crafty foeman , and establish their connecter to the Vulcans . With an introduction like that , it ’s not surprising the Romulans keep coming back inStar Trek .

Star Trek The Original Series TV Poster

Klingons’ First Star Trek Episode Is Great Even Though They’ve Changed

The Klingons First Appeared In TOS Season 1, Episode 26, “Errand Of Mercy”

InStar Trek ’s " Errand of Mercy,“the Starship Enterprise travels to the strategically located Organia to preclude the Klingons from taking restraint of the satellite . Kirk attempt to convince the Organians to side with the United Federation of Planets and oppose the Klingons , but they refuse to get involve in the battle . Before long , the Klingon Commander Kor ( John Colicos ) arrives and declares himself military regulator , while his work party of Klingons seize the major planet . Although Kirk poses as a local , Kor can see that Kirk is more noncompliant than the others and the two go toe - to - toe .

headwaiter James T. Kirk go up against Klingons numerous time throughout his Star Trek career , but these five were particularly formidable .

The Organians eventually reveal themselves to be powerful incorporeal beings who singlehandedly land a ( temporary ) end to hostilities between the Federation and the Klingons . LikeMark Lenard ’s Romulan in " Balance of Terror,“John Colicos assist make the Klingons one ofStar Trek’smost interesting resister , and he and Kirk prove to be equal in many ways as well . Kor even admits that he admire Kirk , as he points out the similarities between humans and Klingons . While many things have changed about the Klingons over the years , Kor ’s calm confidence and gumption of honor help inform the basis for the mintage .

Star Trek Klingon Kor, Romulan Commander, & Captain Kirk

Custom image by Yailin Chacon

Why Klingons & Romulans Are Still Great Star Trek Aliens 60 Years Later

Star Trek Keeps Bringing Back The Klingons & The Romulans

Both Klingons and Romulans have withstood the test of meter , and remain a part ofStar Treknearly sixty years after they were first introduce . It ’s almost impossible to suppose theStar Trekfranchise today without either alien species . Star Trek : The Next Generationreinvented the Klingonsand updated the Romulans , further delimit what both metal money would become . WhileTOSwas not concerned with build aStar Trekcanon , TNGand the shows that followed build up entire histories and culture around the Klingon and the Romulan Empires .

Modern Star Trek preserve to discover fascinating way to explore Klingon and Romulan culture .

FromStar Trek : DiscoverytoStrange New WorldstoLower Decks , modernStar Trekcontinues to recover captivating way of life to explore Klingon and Romulan culture . Although very dissimilar , both species make compelling hydrofoil for humankind , as they have more in common with humans than they would ever include . Thanks to Mark Lenard and John Colicos and two great episode ofStar Trek : The Original Series , the Klingons and the Romulans have become an integral part ofStar Trekand both metal money have left their mark on pop culture .

Star Trek Romulans

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William Shatner as Captain Kirk with Klingon Kor in Star Trek: The Original Series

Headshot Of William Shatner

Headshot of Leonard Nimoy

Star Trek: The Original Series