Chang (Star Trek)
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| Chang | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek character | |
 Christopher Plummer as General Chang in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country | |
| Portrayed by | Christopher Plummer |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Klingon |
| Affiliation | Klingon Empire |
| Position | Chief of staff to Chancellor Gorkon |
| Rank | General |
General Chang is a fictional character from the Star Trek fictional universe, portrayed by Christopher Plummer as the central antagonist in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, a feature film released in 1991.[1]
In The Undiscovered Country, Chang is Chancellor Gorkon's chief of staff, and subsequently serves Chancellor Azetbur in 2293. He is depicted as being a fan of William Shakespeare, whom he quotes frequently, much to the chagrin of the Enterprise crew. The character is almost completely bald, a trait not seen among Klingons before the release of Star Trek VI.
Plummer's depiction of this character has been praised in the Star Trek franchise.[2]
Overview[edit]
 | This section may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience. Specifically, it summarizes Star Trek: Klingon Academy and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. (April 2024) |
In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Chang is a well-known Klingon general who believes that "in space all warriors are cold warriors." Throughout the film he is often depicted as fierce, cunning and willing to participate in battles personally. Chang has a deep-seated hatred for the United Federation of Planets and believes that a war with them is inevitable.
As a result, in the events described in the video game Star Trek: Klingon Academy, he creates a simulated campaign against the Federation and uses it to train students at an Academy for future starship commanders. This hatred eventually leads him to participate in a conspiracy to thwart plans for a lasting peace between his people and the Federation.
Development[edit]
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2023) |
The Chang makeup originally included a wig appliance. However, Christopher Plummer[3] felt removing the wig has made the character more distinct. He also asked that Chang's Klingon makeup be made less severe. Chang's attire is also unique in that an apparent eye injury is disguised with a metal eyepatch, which is attached directly to his skull by bolts bearing the Klingon emblem. Later depictions of Klingons with eye injuries, such as Deep Space Nine's Martok, had them flaunting their mutilations as battle scars.
Reception[edit]
In 2013, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Chang the 9th best villain of the Star Trek franchise, praising the performance of actor Christopher Plummer.[4]
Time magazine rated General Chang the second best villain of the Star Trek franchise in 2016.[5] In 2019, SyFy rated General Chang as the 8th greatest Klingon of the Star Trek franchise.[2] In particular they note Plummer's brilliant delivery of lines, and an exceptional Klingon court scene with Captain Kirk (played by William Shatner) and Doctor McCoy (DeForest Kelley).[2]
Plummer reprised the role in the computer game Star Trek: Klingon Academy (2000), where Chang gives the player's missions Shakespearean names.[6][7]
See also[edit]
- Errand of Mercy (a television episode which aired in March 1967, introducing the Klingon aliens in Star Trek)
- Shakespeare and Star Trek
- The Klingon Hamlet
References[edit]
- ^ Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) - IMDb, retrieved October 21, 2023
- ^ a b c Silliman, Brian (March 6, 2019). "IT IS A GOOD DAY TO DIE: RANKING THE TOP TEN KLINGONS IN ALL OF STAR TREK". Syfy.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- ^ "Christopher Plummer | Actor, Producer, Music Department". IMDb. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Vozick-Levinson, Simon (May 16, 2013). "The Top 10 'Star Trek' Villains". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ "Star Trek's 10 Most Villainous Villains". Time. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- ^ Washington, Kevin (September 11, 2000). "'Klingon Academy' teaches art of war". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "Star Trek: Klingon Academy - IGN". IGN. June 24, 2000. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
