Memory Alpha

A Private Little War (episode)

  • View history
  • 1.2 Act One
  • 1.3 Act Two
  • 1.4 Act Three
  • 1.5 Act Four
  • 2 Log entries
  • 3 Memorable quotes
  • 4.2 Filming
  • 4.3 Continuity
  • 4.5 Apocrypha
  • 4.6 Production timeline
  • 4.7 Video and DVD releases
  • 5.1 Starring
  • 5.2 Also starring
  • 5.3 Guest stars
  • 5.4 Featuring
  • 5.5 Uncredited co-stars
  • 5.6 Stunt doubles
  • 5.7 References
  • 5.8 External links

Summary [ ]

On a scientific mission to Neural , a primitive, pre- first contact planet protected by the Prime Directive , Spock , Kirk , and McCoy are doing some minor research on indigenous plant life and chemical compounds . Spock finds large footprints of the mugato , a white ape-like creature. Kirk remembers his first planetary survey as a lieutenant thirteen years prior on this very planet. Spock comments on the qualities of the planet, how Earth -like it is. Kirk notes that the inhabitants have stayed at the same technological level for centuries, and that bows and arrows are still the tools of hunting. He also explains that the people are peaceful and never fight amongst themselves.

Kirk and Spock hear yells from some of the inhabitants and run over to see what is going on. It is obvious the men are not holding bows and arrows, but flintlock firearms . Kirk explains that it would be impossible for them to have invented these types of weapons in the duration since his previous visit.

Coming toward them is a band of men, one of whom is Tyree , the man Kirk lived with while on his original mission. They are walking directly into a trap set by the armed men. Warned by Spock that the use of his phaser is expressly forbidden, Kirk throws a stone and distracts one of the men, causing him to fire his weapon and give away his position. The other men scatter for cover, as do Kirk and Spock. The armed men make chase and McCoy quickly prepares the USS Enterprise through his communicator for the landing party 's return. Spock is shot in the back by one of the flintlock guns and goes tumbling to the ground. Kirk hurries to the aid of the wounded Spock, whose pale blue uniform shirt is stained with green blood , helps him back to his feet and they run to McCoy. The three of them beam up, leaving the armed men wondering where they could have gone.

Act One [ ]

The landing party arrive back on the ship, with Dr. Joseph M'Benga and Nurse Chapel waiting in the transporter room ready to treat Spock. " Lucky his heart is where his liver should be or he'd be dead now ", McCoy says. As they hover over Spock, a red alert is called by Lieutenant Uhura ; a Klingon vessel is approaching. Before leaving for the bridge with Montgomery Scott , Kirk asks McCoy about Spock's condition, and he can only reply, " I don't know yet, Jim. "

Kirk arrives on the bridge. Ensign Chekov explains that the Klingon ship does not know of their presence, since the Enterprise is holding the planet between them. Uhura offers to contact Starfleet , but Kirk warns that it could give away their position and alert the Klingons.

Kirk begins to contemplate the likelihood that the inhabitants of the planet could have developed firearms in the few years since they started forging iron . Scott, Chekov, and Uhura on the bridge offer explanations as to how it could have happened progressively but Kirk abruptly cuts them off. He later apologizes, stating to them that he's worried about Spock.

Spock's condition is poor because there are no replacement organs available to treat him. They are forced to wait and see what happens. However, Spock is also in excellent hands with McCoy's immediate subordinate, Dr. M'Benga, who has considerable experience in treating Vulcans , having interned in a Vulcan ward. Kirk explains to McCoy that they must go down to the planet, together, overruling McCoy's preference to treat Spock personally by reminding him of his own recommendation of M'Benga, and must discover what has happened with the disparity in weapons. While asking Scott to have the ship's stores prepare period clothing, Kirk is warned that Enterprise may have to leave orbit to avoid being discovered. They set a time for a rendezvous.

McCoy and Kirk, wearing their Neural-style clothing, beam down to the planet. McCoy reminds him of their orders. Kirk recalls it was his own recommendation not to permit contact with the inhabitants.

As the men walk, Kirk is attacked by a mugato , an ape-like creature with white fur and a large horn on its head. He is bitten and suffers from the effects of its poison fangs. McCoy pulls out his phaser and vaporizes the mugato. Rushing to Kirk's side, McCoy's small collection of medical supplies will not be sufficient to save his life. He attempts to contact the ship but to no avail – it has left orbit. Kirk tells him to get Tyree's men, the Hill People , who have already found them.

McCoy explains to them that they must take Kirk to Tyree or he will die.

Act Two [ ]

Tyree's men bring Kirk and McCoy into their camp.

Tyree and his wife, Nona follow some men with guns. She explains to him that they must obtain the same " fire sticks ", making them strong and able to take the enemy's houses and supplies. Tyree is sure that the enemies will someday return to peace again. She does not agree.

She brags that she is a kahn-ut-tu , valued by men because they aid in achieving power. Tyree claims he accepted her because she cast a spell on him. She explains about many spells that she uses to keep him. She pulls out a sprig of leaves and rubs them on his face and arm, driving the plant's contents into his skin. He is obviously affected by its presence. He grabs her and kisses her intensely.

They are interrupted by a scout, Yutan , from the camp requesting their presence. Tyree is dazed by the plant but Nona heads back. She asks Yutan to bring Tyree when his head has cleared.

McCoy notes Kirk's struggles. Hoping to keep him warm, he uses his phaser to heat rocks in the cave where Kirk lays. As he is heating the last of three stones, Nona returns and sees him firing the weapon. She is surprised and awed. She steps out of the cave, avoiding being seen by McCoy.

As Tyree returns to camp, Nona asks him to explain who these men are before she will help them. Tyree tells her that he promised Kirk silence. She says she is his wife, and that she too will remain silent or Kirk will die without her help.

Back on the Enterprise , Nurse Chapel takes Spock's hand as she watches the medical panel. Dr. M'Benga walks in and Nurse Chapel quickly puts Spock's hand down. M'Benga comforts her and assures her that Spock is concentrating on his healing and that is why his readings are so low. It is self-induced hypnosis . He says that Spock is aware of them and what they are saying but that he cannot show it. He also says that Spock probably knows she was holding his hand. Nurse Chapel looks at him in surprise, then in embarrassment.

Tyree and Nona enter the cave. She pulls out a Mahko root and holds it above Kirk's chest. It moves in her hand. McCoy asks what it is. Nona replies that few know how to use it.

She offers Tyree her knife, and he cuts the palm of her hand. She puts the root on Kirk's bite, then places her hand over the root. Her blood and Kirk's blood mix through the Mahko root. Nona flails about as if she is seeing what is going through Kirk's mind and his knowledge. Tyree softly pounds on a drum. The poison is extracted and Kirk regains his consciousness, then promptly falls asleep. McCoy removes the root showing that the injuries have been completely healed. Nona claims that Kirk belongs to her now.

Tyree explains to McCoy that legend says that no man can refuse a woman who is joined with a man in this way.

Act Three [ ]

McCoy wakes up to find Kirk missing, but discovers that Kirk is sitting in the next room. As he rouses Jim, Tyree stands. Kirk and Tyree are reunited. Kirk remembers nothing since the animal attack, but knew that Tyree would find a kahn-ut-tu to heal him.

Kirk asks Tyree to tell him about the weapons the enemy has acquired. Tyree assures him that he will hear everything.

Back on the Enterprise , Spock's readings fluctuate, but have improved. Dr. M'Benga tells Spock that someone will constantly be at his bedside. M'Benga tells nurse Chapel that if Spock awakes, she is to do whatever he asks.

Tyree tells Kirk that the "fire sticks" arrived about a year ago, and that the villagers are producing them. McCoy asks if any strangers have been seen with them. Tyree answers in the negative. Kirk then asks if they can spy on the enemy during the night. Tyree warns about the Mugato, which travel at night. Since McCoy killed one earlier, its mate will not be far.

Nona walks to the table, alluding to the fact that Kirk and McCoy have enough tools and strength to make Tyree a very powerful man on Neural. Kirk explains to her that they are simply visitors from another village. She interrupts him and claims that they come from the sky and that they have powers far above "fire sticks". Tyree warns her to not speak about any of this with anyone. Nona claims that the act of kindness she did brings her the right to be rewarded. Kirk admits he is grateful, but explains that his people's weapons grew faster than their wisdom. This leads to his vague explanation of the Prime Directive .

Nona assumes that this implies that Kirk will not help them. She is disgusted. Tyree understands the issue and yet refuses to kill anyone. McCoy mentions to Jim that it could be the Klingons who have dabbled in this conflict, and that there may be a way to balance things out. But that possibility disturbs Kirk.

Tyree, McCoy and Kirk make their way to the other village. Kirk knocks out a guard and Tyree takes the man's gun.

Krell, 2268

Krell discusses giving more "fire-sticks" to Apella

An enemy villager named Apella walks into a room with a Klingon, Krell , inside. The Klingon tells him to bring in the man who did the most killings because he is to be rewarded as an example to the others. He offers the man another improvement to the flintlock weapon. He mentions other improvements that will make the weapon more effective and more accurate.

McCoy and Kirk continue their spying. They find coal for forging, and sulfur which is used in making gunpowder . They enter the building and find the forge, some drill points, and barrels of extremely high quality, none of which could have been manufactured by the planet's inhabitants. It is further proof that the Klingons have been providing these weapons.

Krell and Apella (2268)

Krell and Apella

Voices can be heard outside, forcing Kirk and McCoy to hide. The Klingon man and Apella enter, discussing the rewards for bravery and conquest. Krell assures that rewards will be granted, including power over the planet, and making Apella a governor in the Klingon Empire someday.

As the men are talking, McCoy's tricorder is somehow activated, its high-pitched whirring sound announcing their presence. Kirk leaps from behind the forge and attacks Krell, causing him to discharge the flintlock rifle he carries. It fires harmlessly into the floor. A fight ensues, and though they defeat Apella and the Klingon, they are caught at the door by two more men with rifles.

Act Four [ ]

They escape by clubbing the men with fists and gun barrels. As they run, voices cry out that intruders are in the village. The men are chased through the streets of the village, with the villagers firing their flintlocks at the fleeing Kirk, McCoy, and Tyree.

In sickbay, Spock partially arises from his hypnosis. He calls to Nurse Chapel and asks her to strike him. At first she refuses, but does so to appease his request. Spock barely feels her first few strikes; he asks her to hit him harder. He explains that the pain will help him return to consciousness. She then hits him repeatedly, much harder.

Just then, Scott enters the room and, assuming Spock is under attack, restrains Nurse Chapel. Dr. M'Benga runs into the room and pulls Spock into a sitting position. He slaps Spock in the face with great swings. After several strikes, Spock catches his hand and explains that he is sufficiently revived.

Witnessing this bizarre ritual, Scott questions the practice. Spock and M'Benga tell him that it is a natural Vulcan response to self-healing.

On the planet, Kirk explains to Tyree and his men how to use a flintlock weapon and how to work the trigger and hammer. Tyree brings the weapon to his shoulder and fires it, shattering a clay cup on his first shot.

McCoy requests to speak to Kirk about this new development. He is intensely upset that Kirk has now introduced these weapons to both sides in the battle. Kirk defends the decision. McCoy reminds him about the power that Nona supposedly has over him. Kirk explains that they must equalize the fighting forces, even though McCoy is worried about a never-ending war. They discuss the 20th century Brush Wars on Earth, and how it led to the balance of power. They struggle with their decisions, but know there is no better way. Since Tyree refuses to fight, they hope to convince Nona to sway him.

Spock returns to the bridge as the Enterprise re-enters orbit. They are approaching the rendezvous time. They also detect that a Klingon is beaming back to his ship.

Kirk follows Nona to a waterfall but she believes that she willed Kirk to be there. She pulls out the same leaves she used on Tyree and begins tempting him. Kirk simply wants to talk. He is obviously affected in the same way as Tyree, who happens upon the two of them. His jealousy is aroused, but Kirk walks away from Nona only to return to her. Tyree raises his gun and cocks the hammer. Kirk and Nona kiss, but Tyree can't bring himself to fire. He throws the weapon to the ground and runs into the trees.

As Tyree flees, a mugato appears and makes its way to attack Kirk and Nona. Kirk is dazed by the effects of the leaves and cannot help her. The animal pushes her around repeatedly but Kirk finally pulls out his phaser to vaporize the creature. As he is still recovering, Nona hits him on the head with a stone and takes the weapon.

Tyree returns to the camp. McCoy notices he no longer has his gun. After asking him about it, McCoy asks him to take him back to where he left it. When they arrive, they find Kirk rubbing his head and still fighting off the effects of the plant.

Nona runs to the enemy villagers. She asks them to take her to Apella, because he will know how to use the new weapon. She brandishes the phaser and shows it off to them. The men know she is a kahn-ut-tu , and they only want her for themselves. They surround her and she begins to fight them.

McCoy offers to give Kirk an injection from his hypospray . He refuses and discovers that his phaser is missing. They realize that Nona has taken it.

Nona tells the villagers that the weapon she holds is more powerful than their "fire sticks". They continue to fight her. As the fighting continues, Tyree, McCoy and Kirk catch up to them. Tyree calls out to Nona. The villagers think it is a trap set for them. They stab Nona and throw her to the ground.

A gunfight ensues, and McCoy is struck in the arm but it is only a simple nick. Tyree and Kirk fight the men. A distraught Tyree catches his wife's assailant and bludgeons the man to death with a rock, only stopping when Kirk physically restrains him. McCoy informs them that Nona is dead .

Tyree is angered and asks Kirk for more weapons. He no longer has a desire for peace. McCoy returns the phaser to Kirk. They are upset about the outcome, but there was no other option.

Kirk calls to the ship, and Spock responds. McCoy is almost surprised to hear that Spock is alive, but then tells him that a computer could never die.

Kirk asks Scott to construct a hundred flintlock rifles for the people. Scott is confused about the request, but Kirk changes his request to, " Serpents, serpents for the Garden of Eden. " He adds, " We're very tired, Mr. Scott. Beam us up home. "

The Enterprise leaves Neural's orbit and heads off into space.

Log entries [ ]

  • Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), 2268

Memorable quotes [ ]

" And you have ways as far above firesticks as the sky above our world. "

" Blast it, do something! He's dying! "

" We once were as you are – spears, arrows. There came a time when our weapons grew faster than our wisdom, and we almost destroyed ourselves. We learned from this to make a rule during all our travels – never to cause the same to happen to other worlds. "

" I'll make a Klingon of you yet. "

" What are you doing, woman?! "

" I thought my people would grow tired of killing. But you were right. They see that it is easier than trading and it has pleasures. "

" Jim, that means you're condemning this whole planet to a war that may never end! It could go on for year after year! Massacre after massacre! "

" A balance of power. The trickiest, most difficult, dirtiest game of them all, but the only one that preserves both sides. "

" Well, war isn't a good life, but it's life. "

" Touch me again and this small box will kill you. "

" Well, I don't know why I was worried. You can't kill a computer. "

" A hundred what? " " A hundred ... serpents. Serpents for the Garden of Eden. "

Background information [ ]

  • The first draft script was completed on 30 August 1967 . The episode was filmed late September .
  • Although the script specifies that the planet is named " Neural ," that name is never mentioned in the episode itself. Similarly, Krell 's name is never mentioned, either.
  • In Don Ingalls' original story outline, the Klingon antagonist was Kor from the episode " Errand of Mercy ". In a May 26, 1967 memo, Bob Justman criticized this point, writing, " Here we are in the outer reaches of our galaxy and who should Captain Kirk run into, but good old Kor – an adversary that he has encountered before and with whom he has been unable to get very far. Just think of it – billions of stars and millions of Class M-type planets and who should he run into, but a fella he has had trouble with before. No wonder Kor doesn't recognize him at first. The coincidence is so astounding, that he must feel certain that it couldn't possibly have happened. " In Don Ingalls' second draft story outline, the character's name was changed to Krell . [1] [2]
  • This episode was intended as a comment on the ongoing Vietnam War. ( Star Trek 30 Years )
  • The original writer of this episode, Don Ingalls, put the pseudonym Jud Crucis on it after Gene Roddenberry rewrote it. Ingalls' original contained many more overt Vietnam analogies than what finally appeared. According to Allan Asherman 's The Star Trek Compendium this script referred to Apella as a "Ho Chi Mihn-type" and the tribesmen wearing Mongolian clothes. Though friends with Roddenberry since their days as LAPD officers, Ingalls did not like the changes, and the pseudonym was his wordplay on "Jesus Crucified."
  • The original script called the creature a "gumato", but DeForest Kelley kept saying it wrong, so it was changed. ( citation needed • edit ) The credits still retain the original name. Stock footage of the White Rabbit 's footprints from " Shore Leave " were used for the mugato prints.

Filming [ ]

  • Despite directing ten episodes of the series previously, this is the first time Marc Daniels got to film on location with Star Trek . The majority of the episode's location scenes were filmed at the Bell Ranch , separating the San Fernando Valley (in Los Angeles County) from Simi Valley (in Ventura County), with additional filming at Paramount Pictures ' B Tank , where the village set stood, previously built for another production. ( These Are the Voyages: TOS Season Two , pp. 378-382)

Continuity [ ]

  • This is the only episode in Season 2 to not have a happy ending music.
  • This is the only episode in which Spock and Kirk are both incapacitated in two separate incidents with different causes for an overlapping time period.
  • George Takei ( Sulu ) does not appear in this episode.
  • This episode marks the first of two appearances of Booker Bradshaw as Doctor Joseph M'Benga . The next one occurs in " That Which Survives ".

Apocrypha [ ]

  • In the comic book " The Order of Things " in the Blood Will Tell miniseries, the story is told from the Klingon point of view.
  • The novel Serpents in the Garden , which takes place just prior to Star Trek: The Motion Picture , has Kirk returning to Neural to investigate the increasing Klingon presence there.
  • The background book Worlds of the Federation reports that, in the aftermath of the Enterprise 's departure, the Hill People and village people splintered into five separate factions, all fighting each other.
  • A cat version of "A Private Little War" was featured in Jenny Parks ' 2017 book Star Trek Cats .

Production timeline [ ]

  • Story outline "Ty-Ree's Woman" by Don Ingalls: 30 April 1967
  • Story outline "A Private Little War": 1 June 1967
  • Revised story outline: 5 June 1967
  • Second revised story outline: 10 June 1967
  • First draft teleplay: 7 August 1967
  • Second draft teleplay: 30 August 1967
  • Final draft teleplay by Gene L. Coon : early- September 1967
  • Revised final draft by Gene Roddenberry : 20 September 1967
  • Second revised final draft: 25 September 1967
  • Additional page revisions: 26 September 1967 , 27 September 1967 , 28 September 1967
  • Day 1 – 29 September 1967 , Friday – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Bridge , Transporter room , Sickbay
  • Day 2 – 2 October 1967 , Monday – Bell Ranch  : Ext. Forest , Clearing , Ambush trail
  • Day 3 – 3 October 1967 , Tuesday – Bell Ranch  : Ext. Mugato attack site , Waterfall
  • Day 4 – 4 October 1967 , Wednesday – Bell Ranch  : Ext. Tyree's camp , Clearing
  • Day 5 – 5 October 1967 , Thursday – Desilu Stage 10 : Int. Cave
  • Day 6 – 6 October 1967 , Friday – B Tank : Ext. Village , Int. Workshop
  • Original airdate: 2 February 1968
  • Rerun airdate: 23 August 1968
  • First UK airdate (on BBC1 ): 6 July 1970
  • First UK airdate (on ITV ): 9 January 1983
  • Remastered airdate: 17 May 2008

Video and DVD releases [ ]

  • Original US Betamax release: 1986
  • UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video ): Volume 24 , catalog number VHR 2359, 2 April 1990
  • US VHS release: 15 April 1994
  • UK re-release (three-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 2.6, 2 June 1997
  • Original US DVD release (single-disc): Volume 23, 5 June 2001
  • As part of the TOS Season 2 DVD collection

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

  • William Shatner as Capt. Kirk

Also starring [ ]

  • Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock
  • DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy

Guest stars [ ]

  • Nancy Kovack as Nona
  • Michael Witney as Tyree
  • James Doohan as Scott
  • Nichelle Nichols as Uhura
  • Ned Romero as Krell
  • Majel Barrett as Nurse Chapel

Featuring [ ]

  • Walter Koenig as Chekov
  • Booker Bradshaw as Dr. M'Benga
  • Arthur Bernard as Apella
  • Janos Prohaska as The Gumato
  • Paul Baxley as Patrol Leader
  • Gary Pillar as Yutan

Uncredited co-stars [ ]

  • William Blackburn as Hadley
  • Roger Holloway as Roger Lemli
  • Jeannie Malone as villager
  • Bob Orrison as villager
  • Eddie Paskey as Leslie
  • Roy Sickner as villager
  • Neural Hill People patrol 1 and 2
  • Neural Hill People woman 2 and 3
  • Neural village guard 1 and 2
  • Neural village patrol 1
  • USS Enterprise medical technician

Stunt doubles [ ]

  • Jay Jones as stunt double for Ned Romero
  • Regina Parton as stunt double for Nancy Kovack
  • Stunt double for DeForest Kelley
  • Stunt double for Leonard Nimoy
  • Stunt double for William Shatner

References [ ]

20th century ; 2255 ; 2267 ; advice ; agony ; ambush ; ammunition ; answer ; antibody ; antitoxin ; anvil ; ape-like ; arrow ; Asian continent ; balance of power ; barrel ; battle stations ; beast blood ; " Bones "; bow and arrow ; box ; bravery ; breechloader ; brother ; Brush Wars ; carbon ; carnivore ; cave ; century ; chance ; choice ; chrome steel ; class M ; coal ; coincidence ; cold rolling ; communicator range ; compassion ; compliment ; computer ; consciousness ; contact ; coranalin ; costume ; culture ; cure ; custom ; D7-class ( unnamed ; day ; debate ; distant orbit ; dizziness ; dream ; drill point ; drum ; Earth ; Earth-like ; emergency ; Enterprise , USS ; evil ; fang ; fear ; firearm ( gun ); fire stick ; flintlock ; forge ; fragrance ; free will ; friend ; friendship ; furnace ; Garden of Eden ; gentle ; giant power ; goods ; governor ; groove ; gun barrel rod ; gunpowder ; gunshot wound ; hammer ; hand ; hand laser ; head ; heart ; herb ; Hill People ; Hill People woman, captured ; home ; home base ; homemade ; hour ; house ; Human (aka Mankind ); hunter ; hunting ; hybrid ; idea ; internship ; interstellar war ; inhabitant ; intruder ; iron ; job ; judgment ; Kahn-ut-tu ; kiss ; Klingon ; Klingon Empire ; Klingon way ; knowledge ; land ; landing party ; Latin language ; lead projectile ; leader ; leaf ; legend ; light ; liver ; logic ; machine gun ; madness ; massacre ; Mahko root ; medic ; mile ; mind ; minute ; name ; Neural ; Neural village ; night ; night of madness ; nurse ; orbit ; order ; organ ; organic compound ; pain ; palm ; pan (firearms) ; panel ; patient ; people's exhibit ; phaser ; physiology ; pig iron ; place ; plan ; planet ; planet survey ; plant ; poison ; powder horn ; pressure packet ; Prime Directive ; priming powder ; print ; problem ; profit ; promise of silence ; question ; recorder tape ; red alert ; remedy ; rendezvous schedule ; rendezvous time ; report ; research ; rifled barrel ; risk ; root ; rule ; scanner tape ; scientific mission ; self-healing ; self-induced hypnosis ; ship's store ; shock ; sister ; serpent ; skin ; sky ; sleep ; smell ; social development ; solution ; soil culture ; soul ; space ; spear ; spell ; starbase near Neural ; Starfleet ; Starfleet Command ; status quo ; sterilite ; stranger ; strength ; striker ; subspace message ; sulfur ; superstition ; status quo ; thing ; trading ; trap ; treasure house ; Treaty of Organia ; tricked ; trigger ; Tyree's camp ; venom ; victory ; village ; village furnace ; villager ; Vitalizer B ; voice ; Vulcan ; Vulcan (planet); Vulcan ward ; Vulcans ; walking ; war ; water ; weapon ; wisdom ; witch ; year ; yellow alert

External links [ ]

  • " A Private Little War " at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
  • " A Private Little War " at Wikipedia
  • " A Private Little War " at MissionLogPodcast.com , a Roddenberry Star Trek podcast
  • " A Private Little War " at the Internet Movie Database
  • 3 ISS Enterprise (NCC-1701)

Star Trek: The Original Series

A Private Little War

Cast & crew.

Nancy Kovack

Michael Witney

Majel Barrett

Nurse Christine Chapel

Gary Pillar

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Trivia / Star Trek S2 E19 "A Private Little War"

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  • Alan Smithee : This was written by prolific screenwriter Don Ingalls. After Gene Roddenberry went through his script and extensively rewrote it, he put the name "Jud Crucis" on it as a way of protesting the changes. Ingalls had wanted more Vietnam references and parallels. Many people think "Jud Crucis" stood for "Jesus Crucified." Ingalls said it was really judicious crucis , by which he meant Combat by Champion .
  • Prop Recycling : The Mugato is a white gorilla costume created by János Prohaska, which he used in other productions as well (without the "alien-looking" spikes on the back, of course), most notably the Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea episode "Fatal Cargo" and the Here's Lucy episode "Lucy's Safari".
  • Reality Subtext : Any resemblance to the Vietnam War is entirely deliberate.
  • Recycled Set : The village set was built on Paramount's "B Tank" for a movie in production at the time, and was borrowed by Star Trek on short notice. The same set was later used in " The Omega Glory ".
  • Kelley also stumbles over the name of his assistant doctor, pronouncing it something like "Mabenga". Guest supporting actor Booker Bradshaw, on the other hand, manages it effortlessly while introducing himself to the nearly-unconscious-but-partly-aware Mr Spock.
  • What Could Have Been : In Don Ingalls' original story outline, the Klingon antagonist was Kor from " Errand of Mercy ".
  • Star Trek S2 E18 "The Immunity Syndrome"
  • « Trivia »
  • Star Trek S2 E1 "Amok Time"

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Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season 2, Episode 19

Where to watch, star trek: the next generation — season 2, episode 19.

Watch Star Trek: The Next Generation — Season 2, Episode 19 with a subscription on Paramount+, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

More Like This

Cast & crew.

Patrick Stewart

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard

Jonathan Frakes

Cmdr. William Riker

LeVar Burton

Lt. Geordi La Forge

Michael Dorn

Marina Sirtis

Counselor Deanna Troi

Brent Spiner

Lt. Cmdr. Data

Episode Info

Screen Rant

Robert o'reilly's 4 star trek roles explained.

Robert O'Reilly played one of Star Trek's most memorable Klingons in Chancellor Gowron, but he also appeared as three other Trek characters.

  • Most famous as Chancellor Gowron, Robert O'Reilly has played four different Star Trek characters.
  • Gowron was Chancellor of the Klingon Empire in TNG and DS9 until he was killed by Worf.
  • O'Reilly also played Scarface in TNG, an accountant on DS9, and Kago on Enterprise.

Robert O'Reilly may be most known for playing the Klingon Chancellor Gowron on Star Trek , but he also appeared as three other characters across the franchise. O'Reilly first appeared as Gowron in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 4, but the actor had previously made a brief appearance in TNG season 2, episode 19, "Manhunt," as a gangster character on the holodeck. Gowron went on to become Chancellor of the Klingon High Council, and he appeared in four episodes of TNG and eight episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. O'Reilly also portrayed a human accountant in an episode of DS9 and an alien bounty hunter in Star Trek: Enterprise .

Robert O'Reilly has had a long career in film, television, and theater. Throughout the 1980s and '90s, he appeared in numerous popular television shows, including CHiPs, The Incredible Hulk, Hill Street Blues, Knight Rider, MacGyver , In the Heat of the Night, and Dallas . O'Reilly often played antagonistic characters and had a distinctive, piercing gaze, he once referred to as "that crazy loon eyeball thing." O'Reilly was first cast as Gowron by Star Trek actor and director Jonathan Frakes for Star Trek: The Next Generation season 4, episode 7, "Reunion." Robert O'Reilly has since retired from acting.

How To Watch All Star Trek TV Shows In Timeline Order

Star trek: the next generation season 2, episode 19 - "manhunt", star trek: the next generation.

In Star Trek: The Next Generation 's "Manhunt," the USS Enterprise-D is ordered to transport several dignitaries, including Betazoid Ambassador Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett) , to an important conference. When Lwaxana makes romantic advances towards Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) informs the captain that her mother has entered a Betazoid stage in life known as "The Phase." Because of this, her sex drive has drastically increased, and she is searching for a husband among the Enterprise crew.

To avoid Lwaxana Troi, Captain Picard retreats to the holodeck to take on the role of his favorite hardboiled detective, Dixon Hill. Picard struggles to settle on the story he wants to experience, telling the computer: "It's much too violent. I'm here to relax, not to dodge bullets." Within this holodeck simulation, Robert O'Reilly plays one of the gangsters, identified only as Scarface, who barges into Dixon Hill's office to forcefully recruit him for a job.

3 Replacement Accountant

Star trek: deep space nine season 7, episode 15 - "badda-bing, badda-bang", star trek: deep space nine.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang" is a Star Trek holodeck episode following Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) and Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) as they recruit their fellow DS9 crew members to save Vic Fontaine's (James Darren) Las Vegas lounge. The crew of DS9 have visited Fontaine's bar on numerous occasions, but this time a mobster named Frankie Eyes (Robert Miano) bursts in and takes over the lounge.

When Bashir and O'Brien realize they cannot delete Frankie Eyes from the holodeck program, they plan a heist to steal from him and hopefully get him removed from the program. As part of the heist, Ezri Dax (Nicole de Boer) poses as a waitress and plans to drug the accountant watching the safe with the money, so he will leave the safe unattended. On the night of the heist, a different accountant is present, played by Robert O'Reilly, which puts a wrinkle in Ezri's plan, but she still succeeds in getting him to accept the drugged drink.

To hide the fact that Robert O'Reilly was the same actor who plays Gowron, he was credited as Bobby O'Reilly, a name the actor had used in the early 1960s.

Best Star Trek: DS9 Episode From Each Of The Show’s 7 Seasons

Star trek: enterprise season 2, episode 25 - "bounty", star trek: enterprise.

In his last Star Trek appearance, Robert O'Reilly portrayed Kago, a bounty hunter hired by the Klingon Captain Goroth (Michael Garvey) to bring in Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) . Star Trek: Enterprise's "Bounty" begins with Captain Archer being kidnapped by a Tellarite bounty hunter named Skalaar (Jordan Lund), who plans to turn him over to the Klingons. Having been promised a hefty reward by Captain Goroth, Kago attacks Skalaar, but Skalaar is able to disable his ship with help from Archer.

Kago is forced to make an emergency landing on a nearby planet. As Kago works to repair his ship, Commander Trip Tucker (Connor Trinneer) contacts him from the Enterprise NX-01 searching for Archer. Kago informs the Enterprise crew of the bounty on Archer's head and tells them that he is probably headed toward Klingon space. Meanwhile, Skalaar delivers Archer to the Klingons, but when Goroth short-changes him, Skalaar tells the Enterprise where to locate the Klingon's ship.

Star Trek: The Next Generation & Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

First introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Reunion," Gowron was initially an outsider when it came to Klingon politics but eventually became Chancellor of the Klingon High Council, with help from Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn). Later, in the TNG two-part episode , "Redemption," Lursa (Barbara March) and B'Etor (Gwynyth Walsh) Duras challenged Gowron's authority, leading to a Klingon Civil War. Gowron eventually emerged victorious, thanks to some help from Worf and the Federation.

On Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , as the Cold War between the Alpha Quadrant and the Dominion began to escalate, Gowron launched an invasion of the Cardassian Union. Gowron had recently appointed Klingon General Martok (J.G. Hertzler) as a military advisor, unaware that Martok had been replaced by a Changeling. Martok's influence on Gowron led to war with the Cardassians and conflict with the Federation.

Worf killed Gowron in one-on-one combat.

When the Dominion War began in earnest , the Klingon forces were driven out of Cardassian space, and Gowron reluctantly assisted Captain Sisko (Avery Brooks) in a battle against Dominion forces. The real Martok proved crucial to the war effort and came to be regarded as a hero to the Klingons. Feeling threatened, Gowron attempted to undermine Martok, but Worf later challenged Gowron on Martok's behalf. Worf killed Gowron in one-on-one combat, and named Martok as the new Chancellor. With his distinct appearance and memorable personality, Gowron remains one of Star Trek's most famous Klingons.

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, & Star Trek: Enterprise are available to stream on Paramount+.

  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Episode aired Mar 27, 1994

Michael Ansara in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)

Three legendary Klingons come to DS9 to see if Jadzia will participate in a blood oath that they made with Dax's previous host Curzon. Three legendary Klingons come to DS9 to see if Jadzia will participate in a blood oath that they made with Dax's previous host Curzon. Three legendary Klingons come to DS9 to see if Jadzia will participate in a blood oath that they made with Dax's previous host Curzon.

  • Winrich Kolbe
  • Gene Roddenberry
  • Rick Berman
  • Michael Piller
  • Avery Brooks
  • Rene Auberjonois
  • Alexander Siddig
  • 13 User reviews
  • 4 Critic reviews

John Colicos in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)

  • Commander Benjamin 'Ben' Sisko

Rene Auberjonois

  • Constable Odo

Alexander Siddig

  • Doctor Julian Bashir
  • (as Siddig El Fadil)
  • (credit only)

Terry Farrell

  • Lt. Jadzia Dax

Cirroc Lofton

  • Chief Miles O'Brien

Armin Shimerman

  • Major Kira Nerys

John Colicos

  • Starfleet Medical Officer
  • (uncredited)
  • Security Officer
  • Albino Guard

Christopher Doyle

  • Starfleet Crewmember
  • Michael Piller (showrunner)
  • All cast & crew
  • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Did you know

  • Trivia William Campbell commented that he, Michael Ansara , and John Colicos all greatly enjoyed the episode.
  • Goofs Kang reveals that he agreed to meet 40 of the Albino's best men in "honorable" combat." Sending a force that outnumbers your enemy 10:1 is not honorable.

[Odo discovers an aged Klingon entered his office undetected while his back was turned]

Odo : How did you get in here?

Koloth : I am Koloth.

Odo : That doesn't answer my question.

Koloth : Yes, it does.

  • Connections Referenced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Sword of Kahless (1995)
  • Soundtracks Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Title (uncredited) Written by Dennis McCarthy Performed by Dennis McCarthy

User reviews 13

  • Feb 12, 2021
  • March 27, 1994 (United States)
  • United States
  • Official site
  • Millard House - 645 Prospect Crescent, Pasadena, California, USA (The Albino's compound)
  • Paramount Television
  • See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

  • Runtime 46 minutes

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IMAGES

  1. "A Private Little War" (S2:E19) Star Trek: The Original Series Screencaps

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  2. "A Private Little War" (S2:E19) Star Trek: The Original Series Screencaps

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  3. "A Private Little War" s2 e19 Star Trek TOS 1968 Leonard Nimoy Spock

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  4. "A Private Little War" (S2:E19) Star Trek: The Original Series Screencaps

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  5. "A Private Little War" (S2:E19) Star Trek: The Original Series Screencaps

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  6. "A Private Little War" (S2:E19) Star Trek: The Original Series Screencaps

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  5. Star Trek TNG S2 EP 20 The Emissary Reviewed Worf Aces Two Queens

  6. Star Trek S2 EP 19 Manhunt Reviewed, Lwaxana Troi is On The Move

COMMENTS

  1. "Star Trek" A Private Little War (TV Episode 1968)

    A Private Little War: Directed by Marc Daniels. With William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Nancy Kovack. Peaceful, primitive peoples get caught up in the struggle between superpowers, with Kirk unhappily trying to restore the balance of power disrupted by the Klingons.

  2. A Private Little War

    "A Private Little War" is the nineteenth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek. Written by Gene Roddenberry, based on a story by Don Ingalls (under the pseudonym Jud Crucis), and directed by Marc Daniels, it was first broadcast on February 2, 1968.. In the episode, the crew of the Enterprise discovers Klingon interference in the development of ...

  3. Star Trek (TV Series 1966-1969)

    Star Trek. Seasons Years Top-rated; 1 2 3; Top-rated. S2.E1 ∙ Amok Time. ... S2.E19 ∙ A Private Little War. Fri, Feb 2, 1968. Peaceful, primitive peoples get caught up in the struggle between superpowers, with Kirk unhappily trying to restore the balance of power disrupted by the Klingons.

  4. "Star Trek" A Private Little War (TV Episode 1968)

    "Star Trek" A Private Little War (TV Episode 1968) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Menu. ... Star Trek (Season 2/ 2ª Temporada) a list of 26 titles created 20 Jan 2023 Star Trek: The Original Series - Essential Episodes a list of 36 titles ...

  5. A Private Little War (episode)

    On a planet with a primitive civilization, the Enterprise discovers that the Klingons are providing a Stone Age society with increasingly-advanced weaponry. On a scientific mission to Neural, a primitive, pre-first contact planet protected by the Prime Directive, Spock, Kirk, and McCoy are doing some minor research on indigenous plant life and chemical compounds. Spock finds large footprints ...

  6. Star Trek: Season 2, Episode 19

    Watch Star Trek — Season 2, Episode 19 with a subscription on Paramount+, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video. A power struggle between the Federation and the Klingon Empire ensnares a ...

  7. Star Trek: Season 2

    The crew of the Enterprise discovers Klingon interference in the development of a formerly peaceful planet and is forced to help maintain a balance of power.

  8. Star Trek S2 E19 "A Private Little War" / Recap

    Recap /. Star Trek S2 E19 "A Private Little War". Nona casts her love spell on Kirk. Original air date: February 2, 1968. Kirk, Bones and Spock beam down to a peaceful, idyllic planet where some years previous Kirk had befriended a native called Tyree (Michael Witney). Kirk intervenes when he sees a group (including Tyree) about to be ambushed ...

  9. A Private Little War

    A Private Little War. Available on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, Prime Video, iTunes, Paramount+. S2 E19: The Klingons provide arms to a peaceful planet and disrupt the balance of power. Sci-Fi Feb 2, 1968 48 min. TV-PG.

  10. Watch Star Trek Season 2 Episode 19: Star Trek: The Original Series

    Star Trek; About; Back to video . Search ; Sign Up. Sign In; Shows ... A Private Little War. Help. S2 E19 50M TV-PG. The Klingons provide arms to a peaceful planet and disrupt the balance of power Watch Full Episodes . Full Episodes. Season 2. Season 1 ; Season 2 ; Season 3 ; SUBSCRIBE

  11. Watch Star Trek

    Watch Star Trek - S2:E19 A Private Little War (1968) Online | Free Trial | The Roku Channel | Roku. The crew of the starship USS Enterprise boldly explores outer space in the 23rd century.

  12. Watch Star Trek

    The Klingons supply weapons to one segment of a population on a peaceful planet.

  13. Star Trek Season 2 Episodes

    S2 E26. Mar 29, 1968. The Enterprise goes back in time and discovers a mysterious stranger trying to interfere with 20th-century events. Every available episode for Season 2 of Star Trek on Paramount+.

  14. Star Trek · Season 2 Episode 19 · A Private Little War

    Where to watch Star Trek · Season 2 Episode 19 · A Private Little War starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley and directed by Marc Daniels.

  15. Star Trek S2 E19 "A Private Little War" / Trivia

    Trivia /. Star Trek S2 E19 "A Private Little War". Alan Smithee: This was written by prolific screenwriter Don Ingalls. After Gene Roddenberry went through his script and extensively rewrote it, he put the name "Jud Crucis" on it as a way of protesting the changes. Ingalls had wanted more Vietnam references and parallels.

  16. Watch Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 2 Episode 19: Star Trek

    TRY IT FREE. Manhunt. Help. S2 E19 45M TV-PG. In her search for the perfect mate, Troi's mother beams aboard the Enterprise -- and sets her sights on Captain Picard.

  17. Lifesigns (Star Trek: Voyager)

    Star Trek: Voyager. ) " Lifesigns " is the 35th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the 19th episode of the second season. It has an average fan rating of 4.2/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Federation starship Voyager during its journey home to Earth ...

  18. "Star Trek: Voyager" Lifesigns (TV Episode 1996)

    Lifesigns: Directed by Cliff Bole. With Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Jennifer Lien. The Doctor saves a Vidiian dying from the Phage by placing her consciousness in a holographic body and then thinks that he is falling in love with her.

  19. Star Trek: The Next Generation

    Watch Star Trek: The Next Generation — Season 2, Episode 19 with a subscription on Paramount+, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV. On her way to a conference, Troi's mother ...

  20. Manhunt (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

    List of episodes. " Manhunt " is the nineteenth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 45th episode overall, originally broadcast on June 19, 1989. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise -D.

  21. Robert O'Reilly's 4 Star Trek Roles Explained

    Robert O'Reilly may be most known for playing the Klingon Chancellor Gowron on Star Trek, but he also appeared as three other characters across the franchise.O'Reilly first appeared as Gowron in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 4, but the actor had previously made a brief appearance in TNG season 2, episode 19, "Manhunt," as a gangster character on the holodeck.

  22. "Star Trek: Enterprise" Judgment (TV Episode 2003)

    Judgment: Directed by James L. Conway. With Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating. After Enterprise lends aid to a group of accused rebels, Captain Archer faces a tribunal and charges of conspiring against the Klingon Empire.

  23. "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" Blood Oath (TV Episode 1994)

    Blood Oath: Directed by Winrich Kolbe. With Avery Brooks, Rene Auberjonois, Alexander Siddig, Terry Farrell. Three legendary Klingons come to DS9 to see if Jadzia will participate in a blood oath that they made with Dax's previous host Curzon.

  24. Watch Star Trek: Voyager Season 2 Episode 19: Star Trek: Voyager

    s2 e19 46m tv-pg After receiving a Vidiian patient who is about to die from the phage, The Doctor transfers her consciousness into the ship's computer and creates a holographic body, and soon begins to develop romantic feelings for her.