Who & What Are Star Treks Organians?

The Organians were introduced on Star Trek: The Original Series, but just who were these strange alien lifeforms? Following Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew of the USS Enterprise, the first Star Trek series premiered in 1966 and launched a massive and beloved franchise. Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) became some of the most iconic science fiction characters of all time, and their adventures took them to all kinds of fascinating planets. Throughout its three seasons, Star Trek: TOS introduced numerous alien species, some more human-like than others.

Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, episode 27, “Errand of Mercy,” may be most remembered for introducing the Klingons, but the episode also introduced another alien species. In “Errand of Mercy,” the Enterprise travels to Organia, a planet located in a strategic position along the border between Federation and Klingon space. Captain Kirk and Spock beam down to the planet and attempt to convince the Organians to help them resist the Klingons, but the Organians have no desire to get involved. When the Klingons arrive, the Organians do not put up a fight, allowing the Klingons to take control of their planet.

Organians In Star Trek: The Original Series

Captain Kirk meets these non-corporeal aliens in Star Trek: TOS season 1, episode 27, “Errand of Mercy.”

When Captain Kirk and Spock first meet the Organians, they appear to be indistinguishable from humans and live in a relatively primitive society led by a man named Ayelborne (John Abbott). Kirk cannot understand the Organians’ lack of concern regarding conflict with the Klingons. In an attempt to inspire the Organians to resist the Klingon occupation, Kirk and Spock sabotage the Klingons’ supplies. This does finally prompt the pacifistic Organians to intervene, but not in the way Kirk expected. When Commander Kor (John Colicos) and his Klingons attempt to torture Kirk and Spock for information, the Organians mysteriously free them.

The Organians’ actions appear to be contradictory, which further confuses Kirk and Spock, until Ayelborne reveals their true nature. Organians are actually highly advanced incorporeal beings who took on a humanoid appearance to interact with other cultures. As they can control both armies, the Organians force the Federation and the Klingons to accept a ceasefire. Ayelborne explains that it took the Organians millions of years to evolve beyond the need for physical bodies, and he informs Kirk and Kor that their peoples will one day be friends.

Organians In Star Trek: Enterprise

Captain Archer encounters the Organians in Enterprise season 4, episode 11, “Observer Effect.”

The Organians made another appearance in Star Trek: Enterprise season 4, episode 11, “Observer Effect,” in which the non-corporeal beings test and observe the crew of the Enterprise NX-01. “Observer Effect” opens with two Organians possessing the bodies of Lt. Malcolm Reed (Dominic Keating) and Ensign Travis Mayweather (Anthony Montgomery), as they discuss the game of chess and the brevity of human life. The Organians wish to see how the crew reacts to a deadly silicon-based virus, and Commander Trip Tucker (Connor Trinneer) and Ensign Hoshi Sato (Linda Park) soon return to the ship infected.

Prior to their official first contact with the Federation in “Errand of Mercy,” the Organians spent ten thousand years observing various corporeal species. They were trying to determine whether any of these species were ready for first contact, and the younger of the two observers saw promise in humanity. When the younger Organian revealed his presence to Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula), Archer convinced the beings to save his crew members and destroy the virus. In both Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: Enterprise, the Organians claimed to have policies of non-interference, similar to Starfleet’s Prime Directive, but they just couldn’t help intervening when it came to humanity.

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  Star Trek: The Original Series

  Star Trek: The Original Series follows the exploits of the crew of the USS Enterprise. On a five-year mission to explore uncharted space, Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) must trust his crew – Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (Forest DeKelley), Montgomery “Scotty” Scott (James Doohan), Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Chekov (Walter Koenig) and Sulu (George Takei) – with his life. Facing previously undiscovered life forms and civilizations and representing humanity among the stars on behalf of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets, the Enterprise regularly comes up against impossible odds and diplomatic dilemmas.

  Release Date

  September 8, 1966

  Seasons

  3

  Showrunner

  Gene Roddenberry

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  Star Trek: Enterprise

  Star Trek: Enterprise acts as a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, detailing the voyages of the original crew of the Starship Enterprise in the 22nd century, a hundred years before Captain Kirk commanded the ship. Enterprise was the sixth series in the Star Trek franchise overall, and the final series before a twelve-year hiatus until the premiere of Star Trek: Discovery in 2017. The series stars Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, with an ensemble cast that includes John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, and Connor Trinneer.

  Release Date

  September 26, 2001

  Seasons

  4

  Showrunner

  Brannon Braga , Manny Coto