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{{sidebar individual
 
{{sidebar individual
 
|image = Gorkon.jpg
 
|image = Gorkon.jpg
|imagecap = Chancellor Gorkon
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|caption = Chancellor Gorkon
|gender = Male
 
 
|species = [[Klingon]]
 
|species = [[Klingon]]
 
|affiliation = [[Klingon Empire]]
 
|affiliation = [[Klingon Empire]]
 
|occupation = [[Chancellor of the Klingon High Council]]
 
|occupation = [[Chancellor of the Klingon High Council]]
|status = Deceased
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|status = [[Deceased]] ([[Assassinate]]d)
| datestatus = 2293
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|datestatus = 2293
|died = [[2293]]
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|died = [[2293]],<br/>''[[Kronos One]]''
|children = [[Azetbur]] (daughter)
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|children = [[Azetbur]] ([[daughter]])
 
|actor = [[David Warner]]
 
|actor = [[David Warner]]
 
}}
 
}}
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{{Disambiguate|the starship of the same name|USS Gorkon}}
 
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{{aquote|I offer a [[toast]]. The undiscovered country&hellip; the future.|Gorkon|2293|6}}
{{Disambiguate|the alien energy being with a similar name|Gorgan}}
 
 
'''Gorkon''' was the [[Chancellor of the Klingon High Council]] in [[2293]]. In this capacity, he notably pursued peaceful relations between the [[Klingon Empire]] and the [[United Federation of Planets]]. However, he was [[assassinate]]d just prior to the start of the [[Khitomer Conference]]. Only a full explanation of a [[conspiracy]] behind his death allowed for successful negotiation of the [[Khitomer Accords]], which eventually normalized relations between the two [[government]]s after years of hostility.
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'''Gorkon''' was the [[Chancellor of the Klingon High Council]] in [[2293]]. In this capacity, he notably pursued peaceful relations between the [[Klingon Empire]] and the [[United Federation of Planets]]. He was [[murder]]ed just prior to the start of the [[Khitomer Conference]], however. Only a full explanation of a [[conspiracy]] behind his murder allowed for successful negotiation of the [[Khitomer Accords]], which eventually normalized relations between the two [[government]]s after years of hostility.
 
   
 
== Biographical record ==
 
== Biographical record ==
 
In 2293, the destruction of the [[Klingon]] [[moon]] [[Praxis]] forced the Klingon Empire to reassess its position towards the United Federation of Planets, as the [[Empire]] simply could no longer afford to maintain its massive [[military]] budget and deal with the devastating effects of the explosion on its economy. Gorkon approached the Federation via [[Captain]] [[Spock]] and opened negotiations that would see the military [[outpost]]s on both sides of the [[Klingon Neutral Zone]] dismantled and a new [[alliance]] forged between the two [[Federation-Klingon Cold War|cold war]] enemies.
 
In 2293, the destruction of the [[Klingon]] [[moon]] [[Praxis]] forced the Klingon Empire to reassess its position towards the United Federation of Planets, as the [[Empire]] simply could no longer afford to maintain its massive [[military]] budget and deal with the devastating effects of the explosion on its economy. Gorkon approached the Federation via [[Captain]] [[Spock]] and opened negotiations that would see the military [[outpost]]s on both sides of the [[Klingon Neutral Zone]] dismantled and a new [[alliance]] forged between the two [[Federation-Klingon Cold War|cold war]] enemies.
   
Gorkon's peace initiatives were met with open arms by the [[Federation Council]], but there were those on both sides who objected. [[Khitomer conspiracy|A plot]] was forged between individuals associated with the Federation, the [[Romulan Empire]], and even [[General]] [[Chang (General)|Chang]], Gorkon's [[chief of staff]]. Gorkon traveled to rendezvous with the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-A|-A}} aboard his [[flagship]], ''[[Kronos One]]'', and attended a formal [[dinner]] aboard the ''Enterprise'' with Captain [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] and his crew. While there, Gorkon expressed his hope for the future &ndash; which he termed "the undiscovered country" &ndash; and for peace between the Empire and the Federation.
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Gorkon's peace initiatives were met with open arms by the [[Federation Council]], but there were those on both sides who objected. [[Khitomer conspiracy|A plot]] was forged between individuals associated with the Federation, the [[Romulan Star Empire]], and even [[General]] {{dis|Chang|General}}, Gorkon's own [[chief of staff]]. Gorkon traveled to rendezvous with the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-A|-A}} aboard his [[flagship]], ''[[Kronos One]]''. He and a team of officers from ''Kronos One'' attended a formal [[dinner]] aboard the ''Enterprise'' with Captain [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] and his crew. While there, Gorkon made a [[toast]] to the future &ndash; which he termed "the undiscovered country" &ndash; and expressed his hope that there would be peace between the Empire and the Federation.
  +
{{bginfo|Gorkon's toast is a reference to [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[Hamlet]]''.}}
   
 
[[File:Gorkon death.jpg|thumb|left|Gorkon succumbs to his wounds]]
 
[[File:Gorkon death.jpg|thumb|left|Gorkon succumbs to his wounds]]
Gorkon was back aboard ''Kronos One'' when, later that evening, the vessel was disabled by two [[photon torpedo]]es. They were fired by [[Chang's Bird-of-Prey|an experimental Bird-of-Prey]] which was under the command of General Chang and had the unique ability to fire while [[cloaking device|cloaked]]. As ''Kronos One'' drifted out-of-control, two mysterious assassins from the ''Enterprise'' [[beam]]ed aboard, their faces hidden by [[Headgear#Helmets|helmets]] they wore. The fact that ''Kronos One'' was crippled by a lack of [[artificial gravity]] made it easy for the intruders, equipped with [[gravity boot]]s, to systematically kill Klingons ''en route'' to the Chancellor. Indeed, they were able to easily injure a floating and defenseless Gorkon with a [[phaser]] shot to the chest, mortally wounding him. After ''Kronos One'' had restored power, Captain Kirk and [[Doctor]] [[Leonard McCoy]] beamed aboard to provide medical assistance. McCoy attempted to resuscitate Gorkon and was able to briefly bring him back to consciousness. With his dying breath, Gorkon motioned for Kirk to approach him, pleading, "''Don't let it end this way, captain.''" In the wake of his [[death]], Gorkon's [[daughter]], [[Azetbur]], was elevated to the position of Chancellor. She continued to champion her father's ideals of peace, even in the face of resistance from her own cabinet. The conspiracy was eventually uncovered by the crew of the ''Enterprise'', enabling the continuation of the peace talks.
+
Gorkon was back aboard ''Kronos One'' when, later that evening, the vessel was disabled by two [[photon torpedo]]es. They were fired by [[Chang's Bird-of-Prey|an experimental Bird-of-Prey]] which was under the command of General Chang and had the unique ability to fire while [[cloak]]ed. As ''Kronos One'' drifted out-of-control, two mysterious [[assassin]]s from the ''Enterprise'' [[beam]]ed aboard, their faces hidden by [[helmet]]s they wore. The fact that ''Kronos One'' was crippled by a lack of [[artificial gravity]] made it easy for the intruders, equipped with [[gravity boot]]s, to systematically kill Klingons en route to the Chancellor. Indeed, they were able to easily injure a floating and defenseless Gorkon with a [[phaser]] shot to the chest, mortally wounding him.
   
  +
After ''Kronos One'' had restored power, Captain Kirk and [[Doctor]] [[Leonard McCoy]] beamed aboard to provide medical assistance. McCoy attempted to [[resuscitate]] Gorkon and was able to briefly bring him back to consciousness. With his dying breath, Gorkon motioned for Kirk to approach him, pleading, "''Don't let it end this way, Captain.''" ({{film|6}})
During his lifetime, Gorkon owned a bone [[cane]] and a silvery [[necklace]] that he occasionally wore, the latter of which was inherited by Azetbur when she succeeded him as Chancellor. ({{film|6}})
 
   
  +
Kirk and McCoy were arrested for Gorkon's death and returned to [[Qo'noS]]. ({{Film|6}}; {{VOY|Flashback}})
{{Klingon chancellors}}
 
  +
  +
In the wake of his [[death]], Gorkon's [[daughter]], [[Azetbur]], was elevated to the position of Chancellor. She continued to champion her father's [[idealism|ideals of peace]], even in the face of resistance from her own [[advisor]]s. The conspiracy was eventually uncovered by the crew of the ''Enterprise'', enabling the continuation of the peace talks.
  +
 
During his lifetime, Gorkon owned a [[bone]] [[cane]] and the [[Klingon Chain of Office]]. The latter item was inherited by Azetbur when she succeeded him as Chancellor. ({{film|6}})
  +
  +
Gorkon's legacy would later be honored by the Federation through the naming of the starship {{USS|Gorkon}}. ({{TNG|Descent}}) and the [[Type 14 shuttlecraft]] ''{{dis|Gorkon|shuttle}}''. ({{PIC|Imposters}})
 
{{bginfo|The ''Gorkon'' was named for the character, at the request of [[Rick Berman]]. ({{tngc|3|253}})}}
 
{{Klingon leaders}}
   
 
== Appendices ==
 
== Appendices ==
 
=== Background information ===
 
=== Background information ===
  +
==== Identifying performers ====
 
Gorkon was played by actor [[David Warner]]. Stuntman [[Greg Gault]] filled in for Warner during the stunt scene and several second unit and insert shoots. (''Star Trek VI &ndash; 2nd Unit Shooting Schedule'')
  +
 
==== Conception ====
 
==== Conception ====
Gorkon's name was devised by [[Denny Martin Flinn]]. ([[audio commentary]], [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)|''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Special Edition)]] [[DVD]]) It was crafted as a blending of the surnames of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] and [[Abraham Lincoln]]. ({{st.com|david-warner-recounts-his-trek-adventures||article}}; [[audio commentary]], [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (2009 DVD)|''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (2009 DVD)]]) Flinn and director [[Nicholas Meyer]] initially worried that the thinly-veiled allusion to Gorbachev was too "on the nose," but they ultimately found that these concerns were uncorroborated by audience reaction. ([[audio commentary]], [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)|''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Special Edition)]] [[DVD]]) Meyer later referred to Gorkon as being "as close as Denny dared come to the name Gorbachev." (''[[The View from the Bridge - Memories of Star Trek and a Life in Hollywood]]'', hardcover ed., p. 203) Gorkon's personality was also based on Gorbachev. "''For sure, Gorbachev was the model,''" Meyer emphasized. ("The Perils of Peacemaking", ''[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Blu-ray)|Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Blu-ray]]/Special Edition) DVD) According to Make-Up Department Head [[Kenny Myers|Ken Myers]], the director additionally wanted Gorkon's actual motives to be somewhat vague. "''He wanted there to be uncertainty about Gorkon's true intentions. Did he want peace, or was something sinister in his mind?''" (''[[Cinefex]]'' No. 49, p. 50)
+
Gorkon's name was devised by [[Denny Martin Flinn]]. ([[audio commentary]], [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)|''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Special Edition)]] [[DVD]]) It was crafted as a blending of the surnames of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] and [[Abraham Lincoln]]. ({{st.com|article/david-warner-recounts-his-trek-adventures}}; [[audio commentary]], [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (2009 DVD)|''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (2009 DVD)]]) Flinn and Director [[Nicholas Meyer]] initially worried that the thinly veiled allusion to Gorbachev was too "on the nose," but they ultimately found that these concerns were uncorroborated by audience reaction. ([[audio commentary]], [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)|''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Special Edition)]] [[DVD]]) Meyer later referred to Gorkon as being "as close as Denny dared come to the name Gorbachev." (''[[The View from the Bridge]]'', hardcover ed., p. 203) Gorkon's personality was also based on Gorbachev. "''For sure, Gorbachev was the model,''" Meyer emphasized. ("The Perils of Peacemaking", [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Blu-ray)|''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' Blu-ray]]/[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)|(Special Edition) DVD]]) According to Make-Up Department Head [[Kenny Myers|Ken Myers]], the director additionally wanted Gorkon's actual motives to be somewhat vague. "''He wanted there to be uncertainty about Gorkon's true intentions. Did he want peace, or was something sinister in his mind?''" (''[[Cinefex]]'' No. 49, p. 50)
   
Another facet of the character that was conceived by Nick Meyer was Gorkon's assassination. ("The Perils of Peacemaking", ''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Blu-ray/Special Edition) DVD) Speaking of himself and Denny Martin Flinn, Meyer recalled, "''We had created Gorkon and then, in effect, extrapolating from what we read in the newspapers or saw on television, [we] imagined his likely fate.''" (''[[The View from the Bridge - Memories of Star Trek and a Life in Hollywood]]'', hardcover ed., p. 224)
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Another facet of the character that was conceived by Nick Meyer was Gorkon's assassination. ("The Perils of Peacemaking", [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Blu-ray)|''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' Blu-ray]]/[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)|(Special Edition) DVD]]) Speaking of himself and Denny Martin Flinn, Meyer recalled, "''We had created Gorkon and then, in effect, extrapolating from what we read in the newspapers or saw on television, [we] imagined his likely fate.''" (''[[The View from the Bridge]]'', hardcover ed., p. 224)
   
In the screenplay for ''Star Trek VI'', Gorkon is described as "tall, splendidly barbaric." The script also shows that his dying words were originally to have been asking Kirk, "''Are you all right?''" [http://www.st-minutiae.com/academy/literature329/tuc.txt]
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In the screenplay for ''Star Trek VI'', Gorkon was described as "tall, splendidly barbaric." The script also showed that his dying words were originally to have been asking Kirk, "''Are you all right?''" {{st-minutiae|resources/scripts/tuc.txt}}
   
 
==== Casting and physical presence ====
 
==== Casting and physical presence ====
It would not have been seemly possible for such an eminent politician as Gorkon to be clad in the military attire of an ordinary Klingon warrior. Partly due to this (and also because there was not enough Klingon uniforms already available for the entire film), Costume Designer [[Dodie Shepard]] especially designed a set of new Klingon uniforms for Gorkon and his staff. ([[text commentary]], ''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Special Edition) DVD) One aspect of Gorkon's backstory was intended to be implied by a certain prop; his bone cane was meant to be from a form of vicious animal he had once killed. (''[[The Making of the Trek Films]]'', 3rd ed., p. 128)
+
It would not have been seemly for such an eminent politician as Gorkon to be clad in the military attire of an ordinary Klingon warrior. Partly due to this (and also because there was not enough Klingon uniforms already available for the entire film), Costume Designer [[Dodie Shepard]] especially designed a set of new Klingon uniforms for Gorkon and his staff. ([[text commentary]], ''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Special Edition) DVD) Gorkon's attire was allocated more money than background Klingon costumes. Shepard designed Gorkon's uniform to be quilted vertically. This was deliberately different from Chang's costume, which was quilted horizontally; the difference was an attempt to "say to the audience that the two men are different ranks," said Shepard. (''[[Star Trek: Costumes: Five Decades of Fashion from the Final Frontier]]'', p. 95) One aspect of Gorkon's backstory was intended to be implied by a certain prop; his bone cane was meant to be from a form of vicious animal he had once killed. (''[[The Making of the Trek Films]]'', 3rd ed., p. 128)
   
 
[[File:David Warner and Nicholas Meyer.jpg|thumb|Gorkon actor [[David Warner]] with [[Nicholas Meyer]]]]
 
[[File:David Warner and Nicholas Meyer.jpg|thumb|Gorkon actor [[David Warner]] with [[Nicholas Meyer]]]]
[[Leonard Nimoy]], the actor who regularly played Spock and who served as one of ''Star Trek VI''{{'}}s co-writers, was in agreement with Nick Meyer over the casting requirements for the part of Gorkon. Noted Meyer, "''Nimoy [...] saw the logic of a name actor of talent and presence to play Gorkon.''" (''[[The View from the Bridge - Memories of Star Trek and a Life in Hollywood]]'', hardcover ed., p. 211) [[Jack Palance]] was Nick Meyer's original choice for the role. (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 141) However, Palance proved to be extremely costly to hire as well as slightly hesitant to accept the part. (''[[Star Trek Movie Memories]]'', p. 297) [[David Warner]] was ultimately cast in the role and, being an acquaintance of Nick Meyer, he did not have to audition for it. {{st.com|david-warner-recounts-his-trek-adventures||article}} Stated co-producer [[Steven-Charles Jaffe]], "''There were some people we wanted that we couldn't afford. In the long run, it may have actually worked out for the best, because I think David Warner is extraordinary in the movie, which would have been totally different from Jack Palance.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 22, No. 5, p. 48; ''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 141) Fellow co-producer [[Ralph Winter]] likewise commented, "''David Warner does a great job for us [...] and he fit the role.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 22, No. 5, p. 38)
+
[[Leonard Nimoy]], the actor who regularly played Spock and who served as one of ''Star Trek VI''{{'}}s co-writers, was in agreement with Nick Meyer over the casting requirements for the part of Gorkon. Noted Meyer, "''Nimoy [...] saw the logic of a name actor of talent and presence to play Gorkon.''" (''[[The View from the Bridge]]'', hardcover ed., p. 211) [[Jack Palance]] was Nick Meyer's original choice for the role. (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 141) However, Palance proved to be extremely costly to hire as well as slightly hesitant to accept the part. (''[[Star Trek Movie Memories]]'', p. 297) Being an acquaintance of Nick Meyer, David Warner did not have to audition for the role. {{st.com|article/david-warner-recounts-his-trek-adventures}} Stated Co-Producer [[Steven-Charles Jaffe]], "''There were some people we wanted that we couldn't afford. In the long run, it may have actually worked out for the best, because I think David Warner is extraordinary in the movie, which would have been totally different from Jack Palance.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 22, No. 5, p. 48; ''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 141) Fellow Co-Producer [[Ralph Winter]] likewise commented, "''David Warner does a great job for us [...] and he fit the role.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 22, No. 5, p. 38)
   
 
It was Nick Meyer's intention that Gorkon physically resemble Abraham Lincoln. "''When I started to work with David Warner on his characterization as Gorkon,''" remembered Meyer, "''that's when I got this Lincolnesque idea of making him look like Lincoln in some way.''" ("The Perils of Peacemaking", ''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' [[Blu-ray Disc|(Blu-ray]]/Special Edition) DVD) This concept was addressed by the character's makeup design. (''[[The Art of Star Trek]]'', p. 264) [[Richard Snell]] &ndash; who designed and fabricated the film's Klingon, Vulcan and [[Romulan]] prosthetics &ndash; offered, "''Nick told me, 'When people look at Gorkon, I want their brain cells to go, 'Abe Lincoln!' The resemblance is almost subliminal.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 22, No. 5, p. 34) Captain [[Ahab]] was another, less powerful influence on how Nick Meyer wanted the character to look. ([[audio commentary]], [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)|''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Special Edition)]] [[DVD]]; ''[[Cinefex]]'' No. 49, p. 50) "''Incorporating those two images was really genius on his part,''" enthused Ken Myers. The makeup design reflected the director's desire that Gorkon's allegiances be not immediately apparent. "''From his appearance, it was impossible to tell whether he was friend or foe,''" observed Myers. "''Subliminally, there were aspects of both.''" Due to the lengthy duration it took to apply the makeup for [[Azetbur]], Myers was forced to hand over his other assignment, the prosthetics for Gorkon, to [[Margaret Bessara]]. (''[[Cinefex]]'' No. 49, p. 50)
 
It was Nick Meyer's intention that Gorkon physically resemble Abraham Lincoln. "''When I started to work with David Warner on his characterization as Gorkon,''" remembered Meyer, "''that's when I got this Lincolnesque idea of making him look like Lincoln in some way.''" ("The Perils of Peacemaking", ''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' [[Blu-ray Disc|(Blu-ray]]/Special Edition) DVD) This concept was addressed by the character's makeup design. (''[[The Art of Star Trek]]'', p. 264) [[Richard Snell]] &ndash; who designed and fabricated the film's Klingon, Vulcan and [[Romulan]] prosthetics &ndash; offered, "''Nick told me, 'When people look at Gorkon, I want their brain cells to go, 'Abe Lincoln!' The resemblance is almost subliminal.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 22, No. 5, p. 34) Captain [[Ahab]] was another, less powerful influence on how Nick Meyer wanted the character to look. ([[audio commentary]], [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)|''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Special Edition)]] [[DVD]]; ''[[Cinefex]]'' No. 49, p. 50) "''Incorporating those two images was really genius on his part,''" enthused Ken Myers. The makeup design reflected the director's desire that Gorkon's allegiances be not immediately apparent. "''From his appearance, it was impossible to tell whether he was friend or foe,''" observed Myers. "''Subliminally, there were aspects of both.''" Due to the lengthy duration it took to apply the makeup for [[Azetbur]], Myers was forced to hand over his other assignment, the prosthetics for Gorkon, to [[Margaret Bessara]]. (''[[Cinefex]]'' No. 49, p. 50)
   
David Warner found that playing Gorkon was fairly easy and that the combination of influences between Abraham Lincoln and Gorbachev was "the fun thing" about the role. (''[[Star Trek: Communicator]]'' issue 118, p. 66) Though Warner had known next to nothing about Klingons before portraying Gorkon, another factor that attracted him to the role was the chancellor's rare Klingon benevolence. "''He wasn't the evil master Klingon; he was actually trying to make peace [....] So he was a good Klingon, I suppose,''" Warner mused. "''And, of course, he suffered because of that.''" {{st.com|david-warner-recounts-his-trek-adventures||article}} Despite normally having to arrive as early as 3 a.m. to have his makeup applied (prior to a regular shooting start of 10 a.m.), Warner did not feel that the makeup had any relevance to the way he played the character. He also didn't believe that the mixture of historical figures embodied in the role effected his performance. "''That didn't alter the dialogue or anything,''" he said. (''[[Star Trek Magazine issue 153]]'', p. 47)
+
David Warner found that playing Gorkon was fairly easy and that the combination of influences between Abraham Lincoln and Gorbachev was "the fun thing" about the role. ({{STC|118|66}}) Though Warner had known next to nothing about Klingons before portraying Gorkon, another factor that attracted him to the role was the chancellor's rare Klingon benevolence. "''He wasn't the evil master Klingon; he was actually trying to make peace [&hellip;] So he was a good Klingon, I suppose,''" Warner mused. "''And, of course, he suffered because of that.''" {{st.com|article/david-warner-recounts-his-trek-adventures}} Despite normally having to arrive as early as 3 a.m. to have his makeup applied (prior to a regular shooting start of 10 a.m.), Warner did not feel that the makeup had any relevance to the way he played the character. He also didn't believe that the mixture of historical figures embodied in the role affected his performance. "''That didn't alter the dialogue or anything,''" he said. ({{STM|153|47}})
   
David Warner recognized that the role was not a particularly large one, stating, "''I just sat there for one scene and then got killed! [....] In a way he's a kind of device. Which is fine &ndash; I don't have a problem with that. It's exposition, setting it all up.''" (''[[Star Trek Magazine issue 153]]'', p. 47) On the other hand, Nick Meyer theorized, "''If the movie had been a biography of Gorkon, you might have witnessed the evolution of his thinking, the emancipation of his mind.''" ("The Perils of Peacemaking", ''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Blu-ray/Special Edition) DVD)
+
David Warner recognized that the role was not a particularly large one, stating, "''I just sat there for one scene and then got killed! [&hellip;] In a way he's a kind of device. Which is fine &ndash; I don't have a problem with that. It's exposition, setting it all up.''" ({{STM|153|47}}) On the other hand, Nick Meyer theorized, "''If the movie had been a biography of Gorkon, you might have witnessed the evolution of his thinking, the emancipation of his mind.''" ("The Perils of Peacemaking", ''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Blu-ray/Special Edition) DVD)
   
 
Gorkon's ability to be forward-thinking was elemental in the portrayal of the character. "''With David Warner as Gorkon,''" Nick Meyer recalled, "''I said, 'Picture yourself as the only man with imagination in this room. The other people are flat, boring. They don't know what's going on. They can't, you know, think around corners.{{'}}''" ("The Perils of Peacemaking", ''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Blu-ray/Special Edition) DVD)
 
Gorkon's ability to be forward-thinking was elemental in the portrayal of the character. "''With David Warner as Gorkon,''" Nick Meyer recalled, "''I said, 'Picture yourself as the only man with imagination in this room. The other people are flat, boring. They don't know what's going on. They can't, you know, think around corners.{{'}}''" ("The Perils of Peacemaking", ''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (Blu-ray/Special Edition) DVD)
 
Stuntman [[Greg Gault]] filled in for David Warner during the stunt scene and several second unit and insert shoots. (''Star Trek VI - 2nd Unit Shooting Schedule'')
 
   
 
==== After-effects ====
 
==== After-effects ====
 
Among the costumes which were sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction|''It's A Wrap!'' sale and auction]] on eBay were Warner's costume, {{stala|3063}} his distressed costume, {{stala|9115}} his gauntlets, {{stala|9743}} and Greg Gault's costume. {{stala|5273}} At least one of the Gorkon distressed costumes ended up in the possession of ''[[Star Trek]]'' collector Brett Leggett, who said of the outfit, "''This is a neat piece, you know, very aesthetically, displays well.''" ("Collecting ''Star Trek''{{'}}s Movie Relics", ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' [[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Blu-ray)|(Blu-ray]]/[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (2009 DVD)|2009 DVD)]])
The USS ''Gorkon'' was named for the character, at the request of [[Rick Berman]]. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'' 2nd & 3rd ed., p. 253)
 
 
Among the costumes which were sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction|''It's A Wrap!'' sale and auction]] on eBay were Warner's costume, {{stala|3063}} his distressed costume, {{stala|9115}} his gauntlets, {{stala|9743}} and Greg Gault's costume. {{stala|5273}} Gorkon's necklace was sold at {{w|Christie's}} ''[[40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection]]'' [[Star Trek auctions|auction]]. [http://christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=salesummary&intObjectID=4780376] At least one of the Gorkon distressed costumes ended up in the possession of ''[[Star Trek]]'' collector Brett Leggett, who said of the outfit, "''This is a neat piece, you know, very aesthetically, displays well.''" ("Collecting ''Star Trek''{{'}}s Movie Relics", ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' [[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Blu-ray)|(Blu-ray]]/[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (2009 DVD)|2009 DVD)]])
 
   
 
=== Apocrypha ===
 
=== Apocrypha ===
 
In the ''[[Star Trek: Vanguard]]'' [[novels]] (set at the beginning of Kirk's [[five-year mission]]), Gorkon is a member of the [[Klingon High Council]]. He is described as an ex-battle fleet general and an expert with a Klingon war club. It is unclear whether he suffers from the [[Klingon augment virus|augment virus]] like most Klingons seen during the [[TOS|TOS series]] era.
 
In the ''[[Star Trek: Vanguard]]'' [[novels]] (set at the beginning of Kirk's [[five-year mission]]), Gorkon is a member of the [[Klingon High Council]]. He is described as an ex-battle fleet general and an expert with a Klingon war club. It is unclear whether he suffers from the [[Klingon augment virus|augment virus]] like most Klingons seen during the [[TOS|TOS series]] era.
   
In the [[DS9]] [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Pocket)|novel]] ''[[Warpath]]'' and the ''[[Star Trek: Mirror Universe]]'' novel ''[[The Sorrows of Empire]]'', it is revealed that his [[mirror universe]] counterpart was the [[Regent]] of the [[Klingon Empire]] from [[2288]] until at least [[2295]] and that he was responsible for the formation of the [[Klingon-Cardassian Alliance]] which conquered the Terran Republic, the successor state of the [[Terran Empire]], in 2295.
+
In the [[Pocket DS9]] ''[[Warpath]]'' and the ''[[Star Trek: Mirror Universe]]'' novel ''[[The Sorrows of Empire]]'', it is revealed that his [[mirror universe]] {{mb|Gorkon, son of Toq (mirror)|counterpart}} was the [[Regent]] of the [[Klingon Empire]] from [[2288]] until at least [[2295]] and that he was responsible for the formation of the [[Klingon-Cardassian Alliance]] which conquered the Terran Republic, the successor state of the [[Terran Empire]], in 2295.
  +
  +
[[File:Gorkon (greenscreen).jpg|thumb|left|Gorkon as he appears in ''[[Star Trek: Klingon Academy]]'']]
 
In the PC video game ''[[Star Trek: Klingon Academy]]'', Gorkon and Chang's relationship before the events of ''Star Trek VI'' is shown. In that depiction of their acquaintance, Gorkon is the chief of staff for Chancellor {{mb|Lorak}} and Chang is shown as trying to prevent the ascendancy of his friend, Gorkon, to the chancellorship, because of the danger Gorkon would make peace with the Federation.
  +
 
The novelization of ''{{dis|Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country|novel}}'' establishes that Gorkon expected something to happen to him during the peace mission to the Federation and so therefore used his influence with his supporters on the High Council to make sure that they would install Azetbur as his successor. It is hinted that he suspected such an attempt in the movie; when ''Kronos One'' was being "attacked" by the ''Enterprise'', he ordered someone to find Chang, hinting that he suspected Chang of being part of this betrayal.
   
[[File:Gorkon (greenscreen).jpg|thumb|Gorkon as he appears in ''[[Star Trek: Klingon Academy]]'']]
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[[File:Gorkon (alternate reality mirror universe).jpg|thumb|Gorkon of the alternate reality's mirror universe]]
 
In "[[Mirrored, Part 1]]", an issue of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Star Trek: Ongoing]]'' [[comics|comic series]], a Chancellor Gorkon from the [[alternate reality]]'s [[mirror universe]] is depicted in the aftermath of a [[Terran Empire]] victory against the Klingons. Gorkon prefers to be executed than to be enslaved, so Sulu decapitates him. This Gorkon is depicted with green skin and a [[helmet]] based on [[Rura Penthe guards 000|prison guards]] in [[deleted scene]]s from {{film|11}}.
In the PC video game ''[[Star Trek: Klingon Academy]]'', Gorkon and Chang's relationship before the events of ''Star Trek VI'' are shown. In that depiction of their acquaintance, Gorkon is the chief of staff for Chancellor Lorak ({{mbeta|Lorak}}) and Chang is shown as trying to prevent the ascendancy of his friend, Gorkon, to the chancellorship, because of the danger Gorkon would make peace with the Federation.
 
   
  +
The ''[[Star Trek: Legacies]]'' novels ''[[Best Defense]]'' and ''[[Purgatory's Key]]'' portray a young, then-''councilor'' Gorkon participating in peace talks with the Federation following the [[Babel Conference]]. He is subsequently sent into an alternate dimension along with [[Sarek]], [[Joanna McCoy]], and others. Kirk ultimately does not meet Gorkon in this book but hopes to someday.
The [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (novel)|''Star Trek VI'' novelization]] establishes that Gorkon expected something to happen to him during the peace mission to the Federation and so therefore used his influence with his supporters on the High Council to make sure that they would install Azetbur as his successor. It is hinted that he suspected such an attempt in the movie; when ''Kronos One'' was being "attacked" by the ''Enterprise'', he ordered someone to find Chang, hinting that he suspected Chang of being part of this betrayal.
 
   
  +
[[File:Gorkon, Star Trek vs. Transformers.jpg|thumb|Gorkon in ''Star Trek vs. Transformers'']]
In "[[Mirrored, Part 1]]", an issue of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Star Trek (IDW ongoing)|Star Trek]]'' comic, a Gorkon from the [[alternate reality]]'s [[mirror universe]] following the Terran defeat of the Klingons. Gorkon prefers to be executed than to be enslaved, so Sulu decapitates him. This Gorkon is depicted with green skin and a helmet based on the prison guards in [[deleted scene]]s from {{film|11}}.
 
  +
Gorkon appears in the in the [[Star Trek vs. Transformers, Issue 5|fifth and final issue]] of the comic crossover mini-series ''[[Star Trek vs. Transformers]]'' though he is not named in the issue itself. In keeping with the aesthetic sensibilities of the comic drawn in the style of {{s|TAS}}, he was redesigned to resemble the Klingons from that show and his ridged forehead was dropped. He is shown convening with the [[Klingon High Council]] regarding the strange events on Cygnus Seven and the strange vessels crossing the Neutral Zone. As Gorkon opined that such an act signaled the start of total war with the Federation, the Decepticon Starscream blasts his way into the High Council's chamber and declares himself the new emperor of the Klingon Empire. When Gorkon balks at the Seeker's claim, he was met by a null-ray blast. Suddenly, the [[First City]] is subjected to an orbital bombardment by the other Decepticons allowing Gorkon and the other council members to fire back at Starscream with disruptors. After Decepticon leader Megatron overthrows Starscream and declares Qo'noS now belongs to the Decepticon Empire, the Autobots and the crew of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} arrived, along with Commander [[Kuri]] and his crew who quickly brief Gorkon on what was happening and the Chancellor then presents his soldier with a ''[[bat'leth]]''. But the Decepticons ultimately emerged victorious against the three-way alliance when Soundwave used his audio disruptor waves. Fortunately for the Klingons, the frequency had no effect on their ears which allowed them to summon a warbird fleet and defeat the invaders. In the aftermath, Gorkon allows the ''Enterprise'' and the Autobots to go free, but on the condition that the Decepticons remain in Klingon custody.
   
 
===External links===
 
===External links===
*{{startrek.com|gorkon}}
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* {{startrek.com|database_article/gorkon||external}}
*{{NCwiki|Gorkon, son of Toq}}
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*{{mbeta|Gorkon, son of Toq}}
*{{Wikipedia|List of Star Trek characters (G–M)#G|Gorkon}}
 
   
 
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Latest revision as of 17:34, 14 June 2023

"I offer a toast. The undiscovered country… the future."

Gorkon was the Chancellor of the Klingon High Council in 2293. In this capacity, he notably pursued peaceful relations between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets. However, he was assassinated just prior to the start of the Khitomer Conference. Only a full explanation of a conspiracy behind his death allowed for successful negotiation of the Khitomer Accords, which eventually normalized relations between the two governments after years of hostility.

Biographical record

In 2293, the destruction of the Klingon moon Praxis forced the Klingon Empire to reassess its position towards the United Federation of Planets, as the Empire simply could no longer afford to maintain its massive military budget and deal with the devastating effects of the explosion on its economy. Gorkon approached the Federation via Captain Spock and opened negotiations that would see the military outposts on both sides of the Klingon Neutral Zone dismantled and a new alliance forged between the two cold war enemies.

Gorkon's peace initiatives were met with open arms by the Federation Council, but there were those on both sides who objected. A plot was forged between individuals associated with the Federation, the Romulan Star Empire, and even General Chang, Gorkon's own chief of staff. Gorkon traveled to rendezvous with the USS Enterprise-A aboard his flagship, Kronos One. He and a team of officers from Kronos One attended a formal dinner aboard the Enterprise with Captain Kirk and his crew. While there, Gorkon made a toast to the future – which he termed "the undiscovered country" – and expressed his hope that there would be peace between the Empire and the Federation.

Gorkon's toast is a reference to Shakespeare's play Hamlet.
Gorkon death

Gorkon succumbs to his wounds

Gorkon was back aboard Kronos One when, later that evening, the vessel was disabled by two photon torpedoes. They were fired by an experimental Bird-of-Prey which was under the command of General Chang and had the unique ability to fire while cloaked. As Kronos One drifted out-of-control, two mysterious assassins from the Enterprise beamed aboard, their faces hidden by helmets they wore. The fact that Kronos One was crippled by a lack of artificial gravity made it easy for the intruders, equipped with gravity boots, to systematically kill Klingons en route to the Chancellor. Indeed, they were able to easily injure a floating and defenseless Gorkon with a phaser shot to the chest, mortally wounding him.

After Kronos One had restored power, Captain Kirk and Doctor Leonard McCoy beamed aboard to provide medical assistance. McCoy attempted to resuscitate Gorkon and was able to briefly bring him back to consciousness. With his dying breath, Gorkon motioned for Kirk to approach him, pleading, "Don't let it end this way, Captain." (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Kirk and McCoy were arrested for Gorkon's death and returned to Qo'noS. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; VOY: "Flashback")

In the wake of his death, Gorkon's daughter, Azetbur, was elevated to the position of Chancellor. She continued to champion her father's ideals of peace, even in the face of resistance from her own advisors. The conspiracy was eventually uncovered by the crew of the Enterprise, enabling the continuation of the peace talks.

During his lifetime, Gorkon owned a bone cane and the Klingon Chain of Office. The latter item was inherited by Azetbur when she succeeded him as Chancellor. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Gorkon's legacy would later be honored by the Federation through the naming of the starship USS Gorkon. (TNG: "Descent") and the Type 14 shuttlecraft Gorkon. (PIC: "Imposters")

The Gorkon was named for the character, at the request of Rick Berman. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (3rd ed., p. 253))

Appendices

Background information

Identifying performers

Gorkon was played by actor David Warner. Stuntman Greg Gault filled in for Warner during the stunt scene and several second unit and insert shoots. (Star Trek VI – 2nd Unit Shooting Schedule)

Conception

Gorkon's name was devised by Denny Martin Flinn. (audio commentary, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition) DVD) It was crafted as a blending of the surnames of Mikhail Gorbachev and Abraham Lincoln. ([1]; audio commentary, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (2009 DVD)) Flinn and Director Nicholas Meyer initially worried that the thinly veiled allusion to Gorbachev was too "on the nose," but they ultimately found that these concerns were uncorroborated by audience reaction. (audio commentary, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition) DVD) Meyer later referred to Gorkon as being "as close as Denny dared come to the name Gorbachev." (The View from the Bridge, hardcover ed., p. 203) Gorkon's personality was also based on Gorbachev. "For sure, Gorbachev was the model," Meyer emphasized. ("The Perils of Peacemaking", Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Blu-ray/(Special Edition) DVD) According to Make-Up Department Head Ken Myers, the director additionally wanted Gorkon's actual motives to be somewhat vague. "He wanted there to be uncertainty about Gorkon's true intentions. Did he want peace, or was something sinister in his mind?" (Cinefex No. 49, p. 50)

Another facet of the character that was conceived by Nick Meyer was Gorkon's assassination. ("The Perils of Peacemaking", Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Blu-ray/(Special Edition) DVD) Speaking of himself and Denny Martin Flinn, Meyer recalled, "We had created Gorkon and then, in effect, extrapolating from what we read in the newspapers or saw on television, [we] imagined his likely fate." (The View from the Bridge, hardcover ed., p. 224)

In the screenplay for Star Trek VI, Gorkon was described as "tall, splendidly barbaric." The script also showed that his dying words were originally to have been asking Kirk, "Are you all right?" [2]

Casting and physical presence

It would not have been seemly for such an eminent politician as Gorkon to be clad in the military attire of an ordinary Klingon warrior. Partly due to this (and also because there was not enough Klingon uniforms already available for the entire film), Costume Designer Dodie Shepard especially designed a set of new Klingon uniforms for Gorkon and his staff. (text commentary, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition) DVD) Gorkon's attire was allocated more money than background Klingon costumes. Shepard designed Gorkon's uniform to be quilted vertically. This was deliberately different from Chang's costume, which was quilted horizontally; the difference was an attempt to "say to the audience that the two men are different ranks," said Shepard. (Star Trek: Costumes: Five Decades of Fashion from the Final Frontier, p. 95) One aspect of Gorkon's backstory was intended to be implied by a certain prop; his bone cane was meant to be from a form of vicious animal he had once killed. (The Making of the Trek Films, 3rd ed., p. 128)

David Warner and Nicholas Meyer

Gorkon actor David Warner with Nicholas Meyer

Leonard Nimoy, the actor who regularly played Spock and who served as one of Star Trek VI's co-writers, was in agreement with Nick Meyer over the casting requirements for the part of Gorkon. Noted Meyer, "Nimoy [...] saw the logic of a name actor of talent and presence to play Gorkon." (The View from the Bridge, hardcover ed., p. 211) Jack Palance was Nick Meyer's original choice for the role. (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 141) However, Palance proved to be extremely costly to hire as well as slightly hesitant to accept the part. (Star Trek Movie Memories, p. 297) Being an acquaintance of Nick Meyer, David Warner did not have to audition for the role. [3] Stated Co-Producer Steven-Charles Jaffe, "There were some people we wanted that we couldn't afford. In the long run, it may have actually worked out for the best, because I think David Warner is extraordinary in the movie, which would have been totally different from Jack Palance." (Cinefantastique, Vol. 22, No. 5, p. 48; Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 141) Fellow Co-Producer Ralph Winter likewise commented, "David Warner does a great job for us [...] and he fit the role." (Cinefantastique, Vol. 22, No. 5, p. 38)

It was Nick Meyer's intention that Gorkon physically resemble Abraham Lincoln. "When I started to work with David Warner on his characterization as Gorkon," remembered Meyer, "that's when I got this Lincolnesque idea of making him look like Lincoln in some way." ("The Perils of Peacemaking", Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Blu-ray/Special Edition) DVD) This concept was addressed by the character's makeup design. (The Art of Star Trek, p. 264) Richard Snell – who designed and fabricated the film's Klingon, Vulcan and Romulan prosthetics – offered, "Nick told me, 'When people look at Gorkon, I want their brain cells to go, 'Abe Lincoln!' The resemblance is almost subliminal." (Cinefantastique, Vol. 22, No. 5, p. 34) Captain Ahab was another, less powerful influence on how Nick Meyer wanted the character to look. (audio commentary, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition) DVD; Cinefex No. 49, p. 50) "Incorporating those two images was really genius on his part," enthused Ken Myers. The makeup design reflected the director's desire that Gorkon's allegiances be not immediately apparent. "From his appearance, it was impossible to tell whether he was friend or foe," observed Myers. "Subliminally, there were aspects of both." Due to the lengthy duration it took to apply the makeup for Azetbur, Myers was forced to hand over his other assignment, the prosthetics for Gorkon, to Margaret Bessara. (Cinefex No. 49, p. 50)

David Warner found that playing Gorkon was fairly easy and that the combination of influences between Abraham Lincoln and Gorbachev was "the fun thing" about the role. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 118, p. 66) Though Warner had known next to nothing about Klingons before portraying Gorkon, another factor that attracted him to the role was the chancellor's rare Klingon benevolence. "He wasn't the evil master Klingon; he was actually trying to make peace […] So he was a good Klingon, I suppose," Warner mused. "And, of course, he suffered because of that." [4] Despite normally having to arrive as early as 3 a.m. to have his makeup applied (prior to a regular shooting start of 10 a.m.), Warner did not feel that the makeup had any relevance to the way he played the character. He also didn't believe that the mixture of historical figures embodied in the role affected his performance. "That didn't alter the dialogue or anything," he said. (Star Trek Magazine issue 153, p. 47)

David Warner recognized that the role was not a particularly large one, stating, "I just sat there for one scene and then got killed! […] In a way he's a kind of device. Which is fine – I don't have a problem with that. It's exposition, setting it all up." (Star Trek Magazine issue 153, p. 47) On the other hand, Nick Meyer theorized, "If the movie had been a biography of Gorkon, you might have witnessed the evolution of his thinking, the emancipation of his mind." ("The Perils of Peacemaking", Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Blu-ray/Special Edition) DVD)

Gorkon's ability to be forward-thinking was elemental in the portrayal of the character. "With David Warner as Gorkon," Nick Meyer recalled, "I said, 'Picture yourself as the only man with imagination in this room. The other people are flat, boring. They don't know what's going on. They can't, you know, think around corners.'" ("The Perils of Peacemaking", Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Blu-ray/Special Edition) DVD)

After-effects

Among the costumes which were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay were Warner's costume, [5] his distressed costume, [6] his gauntlets, [7] and Greg Gault's costume. [8] At least one of the Gorkon distressed costumes ended up in the possession of Star Trek collector Brett Leggett, who said of the outfit, "This is a neat piece, you know, very aesthetically, displays well." ("Collecting Star Trek's Movie Relics", Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Blu-ray/2009 DVD))

Apocrypha

In the Star Trek: Vanguard novels (set at the beginning of Kirk's five-year mission), Gorkon is a member of the Klingon High Council. He is described as an ex-battle fleet general and an expert with a Klingon war club. It is unclear whether he suffers from the augment virus like most Klingons seen during the TOS series era.

In the Pocket DS9 Warpath and the Star Trek: Mirror Universe novel The Sorrows of Empire, it is revealed that his mirror universe counterpart (β) was the Regent of the Klingon Empire from 2288 until at least 2295 and that he was responsible for the formation of the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance which conquered the Terran Republic, the successor state of the Terran Empire, in 2295.

Gorkon (greenscreen)

Gorkon as he appears in Star Trek: Klingon Academy

In the PC video game Star Trek: Klingon Academy, Gorkon and Chang's relationship before the events of Star Trek VI is shown. In that depiction of their acquaintance, Gorkon is the chief of staff for Chancellor Lorak (β) and Chang is shown as trying to prevent the ascendancy of his friend, Gorkon, to the chancellorship, because of the danger Gorkon would make peace with the Federation.

The novelization of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country establishes that Gorkon expected something to happen to him during the peace mission to the Federation and so therefore used his influence with his supporters on the High Council to make sure that they would install Azetbur as his successor. It is hinted that he suspected such an attempt in the movie; when Kronos One was being "attacked" by the Enterprise, he ordered someone to find Chang, hinting that he suspected Chang of being part of this betrayal.

Gorkon (alternate reality mirror universe)

Gorkon of the alternate reality's mirror universe

In "Mirrored, Part 1", an issue of IDW Publishing's Star Trek: Ongoing comic series, a Chancellor Gorkon from the alternate reality's mirror universe is depicted in the aftermath of a Terran Empire victory against the Klingons. Gorkon prefers to be executed than to be enslaved, so Sulu decapitates him. This Gorkon is depicted with green skin and a helmet based on prison guards in deleted scenes from Star Trek.

The Star Trek: Legacies novels Best Defense and Purgatory's Key portray a young, then-councilor Gorkon participating in peace talks with the Federation following the Babel Conference. He is subsequently sent into an alternate dimension along with Sarek, Joanna McCoy, and others. Kirk ultimately does not meet Gorkon in this book but hopes to someday.

Gorkon, Star Trek vs

Gorkon in Star Trek vs. Transformers

Gorkon appears in the in the fifth and final issue of the comic crossover mini-series Star Trek vs. Transformers though he is not named in the issue itself. In keeping with the aesthetic sensibilities of the comic drawn in the style of Star Trek: The Animated Series, he was redesigned to resemble the Klingons from that show and his ridged forehead was dropped. He is shown convening with the Klingon High Council regarding the strange events on Cygnus Seven and the strange vessels crossing the Neutral Zone. As Gorkon opined that such an act signaled the start of total war with the Federation, the Decepticon Starscream blasts his way into the High Council's chamber and declares himself the new emperor of the Klingon Empire. When Gorkon balks at the Seeker's claim, he was met by a null-ray blast. Suddenly, the First City is subjected to an orbital bombardment by the other Decepticons allowing Gorkon and the other council members to fire back at Starscream with disruptors. After Decepticon leader Megatron overthrows Starscream and declares Qo'noS now belongs to the Decepticon Empire, the Autobots and the crew of the USS Enterprise arrived, along with Commander Kuri and his crew who quickly brief Gorkon on what was happening and the Chancellor then presents his soldier with a bat'leth. But the Decepticons ultimately emerged victorious against the three-way alliance when Soundwave used his audio disruptor waves. Fortunately for the Klingons, the frequency had no effect on their ears which allowed them to summon a warbird fleet and defeat the invaders. In the aftermath, Gorkon allows the Enterprise and the Autobots to go free, but on the condition that the Decepticons remain in Klingon custody.

External links

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