The Surprising Distinction Between Star Trek's TOS and TNG Klingons That Goes Beyond Bumpy Foreheads

Summary

Klingon culture and society drastically changed over the years in Star Trek, with the Klingons in The Next Generation focusing heavily on honor.

The Klingons depicted in The Original Series were characterized as cunning and untrustworthy, with honor being viewed negatively. Conversely, in Star Trek: Discovery, the Klingons embody Gene Roddenberry's original concept, exhibiting betrayal, scheming, and a prioritization of cruelty rather than honor.

The Klingons in Star Trek: The Original Series differed significantly from those in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and it wasn't just due to their lack of forehead bumps. The initial change in the design of the Klingons occurred in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, when makeup artist Fred Phillips suggested using the budget to create a more alien appearance. While the most noticeable difference is the cranial ridges, there were also a few other important conceptual changes between TOS and TNG.

In the Star Trek universe, there are multiple versions of the Klingons, ranging from the smooth foreheads of The Original Series to the incredibly alien Klingons in Star Trek: Discovery. However, it's not just the physical appearance that has evolved over time. The Klingon culture and society have also undergone drastic changes. This could be attributed to the improved relations between the Federation and the Klingon Empire following Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. In the 1960s, when the Klingon race was first introduced, they were conceived in a very different manner compared to their successors in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Star Trek's Original Klingons Had No Honor

In the 1968 book The Making of Star Trek, a chapter is dedicated to Starfleet's prominent adversaries, with a specific section discussing the Klingons. The book describes them as cunning and deceptive, stating that they view cruelty as commendable while considering honor as a reprehensible trait. This portrayal starkly contrasts with the depiction of Klingons in Star Trek: The Next Generation, where their society strongly values honor. Interestingly, Gene Roddenberry, the creator, seemed to have less interest in the Klingons of TNG, suggesting that they had fulfilled their role as antagonists and were no longer as captivating.

It is possible, within the Star Trek universe, that the Klingons always had honor as a fundamental aspect of their culture. However, because The Original Series predominantly presented the perspective of Starfleet, the audience remained unaware of this characteristic. Another hypothesis is that the Khitomer Accords, which necessitated a more peaceful direction, compelled the Klingons to adopt a more honorable approach to warfare. In The Original Series, the Klingons would employ deceitful tactics and deliberately provoke the Federation, actions that lack honor. However, nearly a century later, their conduct in military engagements demonstrates a greater sense of honor and respectability.

Discovery's Controversial Klingons Were More Like Roddenberry's TOS Vision

The portrayal of Klingons in Star Trek: Discovery aligns closely with the description given in The Making of Star Trek, contrary to what some fans may believe. In the pilot episode of Discovery's first season, a renegade Klingon faction actively incites war with Starfleet and prioritizes cruelty over honor. Captain Philippa Georgiou's death in Discovery season 1 is far from honorable, as she is ruthlessly devoured by the Klingon warriors. This depiction resonates more with Gene Roddenberry's vision of Klingons as described in The Making of Star Trek.

Additionally, the first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery contain significantly more betrayal and scheming than what was seen in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The Klingon Empire's culture of paranoia and surveillance, which was integral to Roddenberry's original concept, is evident in the constant power struggles that unfold during the Federation-Klingon War and its aftermath. Despite their notable physical differences, the portrayal of Klingons in Discovery remains faithful to the original versions of these iconic extraterrestrial beings from Star Trek: The Original Series.