StarTrek01.29–Errand of Mercy

In this episode: An analysis of Errand of Mercy.

The origins of the Klingon culture–hint: another Vietnam-era analogy.

The Klingon look–not just swarthy villain stereotypes

NOTE: I did not address connections to Star Trek: Discovery in the podcast, due to time. But I have included quotes from the episode that speak how Kirk viewed the Klingons at that point in time. I see nothing in the dialogue that contradicts the war depicted in DSC Season 1. In fact, I can sense that Kirk, Spock and Kor are speaking here with the living memory of having experienced the socio-political situation of that war.   

Kirk: “We both guessed right. Negotiations with the Klingon Empire are on the verge of breaking down. Starfleet Command anticipates a sneak attack…. Well there it is. War. We didn’t want it, but we got it.”

Spock: “Curious how often you humans manage to obtain that which you do not want.”

Kor: “Do you know why we are so strong? Because we are a unit. Each of us is part of a greater whole. Always under surveillance, even a commander like myself.”

Knight of Faith 002–Deadwood: The Movie Forethoughts and Afterthoughts

Justin shares his thoughts just before and just after watching Deadwood: The Movie; places the film in context with some ideas that Milch has always shared about his hopes for Deadwood’s finale:

  • “All stories must end in the Spirit”
  • “Time is the secret subject of every story worth telling”

Sources mentioned in this episode:

Deadwood: Stories of the Black Hills by David Milch

Reviews of the movie:

Deadwood: The Movie is a fitting capstone to one of TV’s greatest shows

In One Last ‘Deadwood,’ the Future Prevails and the Past Endures

Knight of Faith: A David Milch Anthology (001: First Steps)

In this episode:

Writer and educator Justin Scott Snead kicks off a podcast series that discusses all things David Milch. This podcast will serve as a repository for all the online lectures, readings and public remarks Milch has given; Milch profiles and interviews; any of Milch’s non-teleplay writings. We will analyze and discuss major ideas or themes that emerge from this material, as well as the TV shows he has written.   

Sources mentioned in this episode:

Sundown on Deadwood David Milch, battling Alzheimer’s, finally finishes his TV Western.
Behind the Scenes as HBO’s Deadwood Movie Searches for Closure (or Something Like It)