‘Star Trek’ Retro Recap: ‘Day of the Dove’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Something that is truly amazing about the original iteration of Star Trek, is the sheer fact that when the writer’s room found a juicy topic to dive into in regard to the human condition, they would often go full bore upon it. Which meant that several episodes in a row would take the time to explore the matter in question and for proof, well look no further than the stretch of stories we are currently exploring once again. Because suddenly, this series is laser focused upon mankind’s potential when it chooses the high road, and while ‘Spectre of the Gun’ explored this notion in beautiful fashion, the next episode of the series decided to up the ante by showing us how difficult that particular path is to follow, when age old prejudices get in the way.
 
Something that can only be accomplished, by bringing mankind’s greatest enemy in the 23rd Century into the mix. Which means that ‘Day of the Dove’ saw the return of the Klingon Empire, and well, how they interacted with the crew of the Enterprise in order to hammer home that commentary was quite special indeed. Because at first, their role in the story is nonexistent, since Kirk and his crew are busy trying to figure out what happened to a colony since there are no traces of the people that settled this world. But before they can uncover the truth to that mystery, the Klingons arrive, demanding to claim the Enterprise as their own ship because they believed that a surprise attack from Starfleet, one that has badly damaged their vessel, entitles them to it, and thankfully, Kirk uses the confusion of the moment to buy himself some time.
 
For he is able to capture the Klingons instead, allowing for him to start an investigation into their claims of a sneak attack and that’s when our exploration begins. Because the crew begins to exhibit oddly violent behavior toward the Klingons, the kind that is filled to the brim with prejudice and hatred toward their race, and this is a bit unsettling to watch. Because you just expect better of this crew, so to see them spewing borderline racist slurs is quite shocking for certain, as is seeing an outright bloodlust from so many of the crew, the kind where they want to see the Klingons die violently and really, this just stands as an allegory for how we still have to go, even in 2020. For despite the fact we’ve made progress, people are still quick to revert to such behaviors and habits and its jarring in any era because it should all be gone by now.
 
But while the commentary here is powerful in its own right, what matters more is how we overcome that level of ugly and thankfully the series does take the time to show mankind at its best. For this entire mess is the cause of an alien that loves to feed on negative emotions, and it firmly believes that turning two age-old enemies against one another will sustain it for eons. Which means that it is up to Kirk to inspire his crew and his enemy to put their differences aside if only for a moment and that’s a task that is easier said than done. For the hate these two enemies share for one another is strong, but Kirk eventually figures out how to appeal to everyone’s better side and that’s when wonders are accomplished. Because eventually, both Klingon and Starfleet alike, unify to chase that alien out and that really is quite the lovely way to end this episode.
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Because it really does remind us that we can find peace if we work toward it, especially if we take the time to put aside our differences and realize that, at least on Earth, we’re all human and we share the same blood. Which makes this story quite inspirational and uplifting for certain, and it is also one that challenges the audience. Because if James T. Kirk can put aside his deep disdain for the Klingons, if only for a moment, why can’t we do that for our fellow man, and this is everything you want and more from a Star Trek episode. For this one really does speak to how we can we better and why we should be better, and it is just so wonderful to see the series finally reach its potential and it would be lovely to see this hot streak continue, so we can enjoy as many wonderful episodes as possible before we bid farewell to The Original Series. Until next time.

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