Klingon's Eating Habits

[Finn]

I watched a part of TUC before I had to go out yesterday. I did remember the part where Klingons came over for dinner, and the staff commented on how gross they were and all.

But I noticed yesterday that the Klingons' table manners weren't that bad. I've seen worse at the mall. They weren't eating Klingon food as well (we saw that in the TNG era shows).

I thought the characters were overreacting to how the Klingons were eating. Thoughts?

 

[DonIago]

To be fair, the Klingons in TUC were on a diplomatic mission; it behooved them to behave according to the customs of their hosts.

Now if the dinner had been held on Kronos One...

As for the crews' comments on the Klingon table manners...I'd mostly chalk it off to a bit of racism and mostly taking cheap shots at their guests. Of course the Klingons' table manners weren't going to be up to Our Heroes' standards, it was something relatively new to most of them presumably.

 

[T'Girl]

the Klingons' table manners weren't that bad

During the soup course, the Klingons were actually putting their spoons inside their mouths.

I mean really.

 

[Therin of Andor]

They weren't eating Klingon food as well (we saw that in the TNG era shows)

There was definitely Klingon food there. There was an octopus coloured with blue dye and Nick Meyer offered $$$ to any actor willing to eat some on camera. Shatner had two large helpings and then held out his hand for two lots of cash.

The scene where the Klingons attempted to copy the dropping of napkins onto their laps was straight out of "The Three Stooges".

 

[sbk1234]

DonIago got it right, imo. The "heroes" were looking for any reason to criticise the Klingons.

I wonder if they were referring to how they behaved in relation to the conversation and insulting their hosts?
I suppose it's possible there were things that went on at the table that were just not shown on screen. I know that's stretching things a bit, but WTH.

 

[FormerLurker]

It did take several days to film that scene, so what we saw can't have been the full extent of what was shot. And that doesn't even address the reality that 'in-universe,' we only saw the most important parts of that dinner/conversation.

 

[HaventGotALife]

It was just a way of showing the crew's disdain for the Klingons. I don't think we should look any deeper than that. The Klingons were out-of-place at a state dinner. But these Klingons hardly act like the ones we see in TNG.

 

[Finn]

It was just a way of showing the crew's disdain for the Klingons. I don't think we should look any deeper than that. The Klingons were out-of-place at a state dinner. But these Klingons hardly act like the ones we see in TNG.

Yeah, TNG era Klingons were more unruly and with worse table manners but acted as allies.

 

[HaventGotALife]

It was just a way of showing the crew's disdain for the Klingons. I don't think we should look any deeper than that. The Klingons were out-of-place at a state dinner. But these Klingons hardly act like the ones we see in TNG.

Yeah, TNG era Klingons were more unruly and with worse table manners but acted as allies.

Comparatively speaking, I'd argue that DS9 actually showed them as allies (and better enemies). We didn't know much about them in TNG and often they were cast as enemies. They had a bunch of "lone wolf" stories. For instance, in Heart of Glory they try to take over the ship. In Emissary they have to stop a yesteryear ship. In A Matter of Honor they try to attack the Enterprise. In Sins of the Father, Picard has to threaten the Federation breaking the treaty for them to spare Worf's life. Duras was definitely a bad guy while Gowron was just unknown. It wasn't until Redemption was released (1990) that they acted like they were allies. Still, their internal politics didn't endear them to fans. They were about to plunge the Quadrant into a war.

In Deep Space Nine, we see more of their culture. From ritual suicide to adopting members of the family to seeing how they fought on their ship. They weren't treated like we should fear them as they were in early TNG.

 

[Yevetha]

Watching somebody eat gagh is pretty disgusting.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

TUC Klingons were a great mixture of genteel mannerisms and a despising of all that is seen as weak. I would have loved to see more of them rather than the (to my eyes, eventually tedious) feral hot heads we saw later on. Hard to even understand how they kept a fleet in place with all the honor challenges, drinking, emotional head case anger addicts we saw on DS9 etc.. it just looked unworkable at times.

 

[Doug Otte]

TUC Klingons were a great mixture of genteel mannerisms and a despising of all that is seen as weak. I would have loved to see more of them rather than the (to my eyes, eventually tedious) feral hot heads we saw later on. Hard to even understand how they kept a fleet in place with all the honor challenges, drinking, emotional head case anger addicts we saw on DS9 etc.. it just looked unworkable at times.

I took it that their culture declined between the time of TUC and TNG. Redemption showed this specifically.

Doug

 

[Finn]

TUC Klingons were a great mixture of genteel mannerisms and a despising of all that is seen as weak. I would have loved to see more of them rather than the (to my eyes, eventually tedious) feral hot heads we saw later on. Hard to even understand how they kept a fleet in place with all the honor challenges, drinking, emotional head case anger addicts we saw on DS9 etc.. it just looked unworkable at times.

I took it that their culture declined between the time of TUC and TNG. Redemption showed this specifically.

Doug

True, and Enterprise showed that the Klingons weren't always a warrior race. Worf was BS'ing about hearing a warrior's cry (he believed it though).

 

[David cgc]

To be fair, the Klingons in TUC were on a diplomatic mission; it behooved them to behave according to the customs of their hosts.

Now if the dinner had been held on Kronos One...

I now think Chang's greatest sin was depriving us of the the scene where the Enterprise crew had to try to figure out how to act during a raucous Klingon banquet. At least now we have a second chance. Get on it, J.J.!

 

[Ninjacore]

No sentient creature would eat klingon food, a reaver from serenity would get sick if they tried.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I'd try gagh in a heartbeat. If Jadzia could eat it and love it that's enough recommendation for me.

 

[iguana_tonante]

There was definitely Klingon food there. There was an octopus coloured with blue dye and Nick Meyer offered $$$ to any actor willing to eat some on camera. Shatner had two large helpings and then held out his hand for two lots of cash.

Octopus is delicious.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Octopus is delicious.

When it's raw, painted with blue dye - and left to stew under studio lights for hours?

 

[iguana_tonante]

I'll have to try to tell.

 

[Ninjacore]

They weren't eating Klingon food as well (we saw that in the TNG era shows)

There was definitely Klingon food there. There was an octopus coloured with blue dye and Nick Meyer offered $$$ to any actor willing to eat some on camera. Shatner had two large helpings and then held out his hand for two lots of cash.

The scene where the Klingons attempted to copy the dropping of napkins onto their laps was straight out of "The Three Stooges".

Nothing wrong with doing something others might think less of for cash...I have before and sure I will again...