Name: The Final Reflection
Author: John M. Ford
Publication Date: 5/1984
Publisher: Pocket Books (Star Trek #16)
Page Number: 253
Historian’s Note: Takes place sometime between The Counter-Clock Incident and The Motion Picture.
Cast of Characters: Captain James T. Kirk Commander Spock Dr. Leonard H. McCoy AKA
“Bones” Lieutenant Commander
Montgomery Scott AKA “Scotty” Yeoman
First Class Janice Rand Captain Krenn vestai-Rustazh Carter Winston Admiral Luther Whitetree Admiral Douglas Tancred Shepherd Admiral Marcus van Diemen Captain Kodon vestai-Captain Kadi Captain Kian Captain Kessum Commander
Kev Ensign Kotkhe Merzhan Aghi Admiral Kethas epetai-Khemara Maxwell Grandisson III Colonel Jael Rabinowich Dr. Thomas Jackson McCoy Ambassador Sarek Amanda Grayson General Margon zantai-Demma Sovin Sudok Commander Akhil Emanuel Tagore Gelly
Starships and/or Starbases: USS Enterprise NCC-1701, USS
Avebury, Starbase 12, USS Flying Fortress, USS Glasgow, USS Hokkaido, USS
Sentry, USS Savannah II, Starbase 8, IKS Blue Fire, IKS Death Hand, IKV Devisor,
IKV Fencer, IKV Fury, IKS Mirror, IKS Two Fingers
Planets: Earth, Aviskie, Cibola, Deneva, Qo'noS,
Rigel, Triskelion
My Spoiler filled summary and review: The adventure begins as the Enterprise has been getting a starship tune up at Starbase 12. The opening pages might have convinced the average reader that this is going to be a typical Star Trek adventure. It is not in fact this small opening prologue is almost all we see of any classic character until the end of the book. Unlike most other Star Trek stories from this time that focus on our favorite crew, this novel is primarily told from the Klingon perspective, offering a deep and intricate look at their society, values, and internal struggles. In this story Kirk gets a book as a present from Dr. McCoy. Before he gets to read it, he talks about it with Mr. Spock, the first thing Spock tries to do is make sure the Captain understands that this is fiction despite being written by a Federation historian based on Klingon sources.
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| Klingons as first introduced |
So we, the readers, don’t get a direct adventure but instead it is a book within a book. This narrative technique allows the writer to present an alternative, more nuanced version of the Klingons than what had been seen in classic Star Trek, the animated follow-up, films, or any other books. The book describes their Klingon society as one that values strategy, honor, and pragmatism, rather than being a purely aggressive warrior culture. Klingon politics are depicted as highly complex, with various factions maneuvering for power, making alliances, and engaging in sophisticated diplomacy.
Vrenn, the protagonist, is raised as a foster child in a Klingon House, where he learns the ways of the Empire and the brutal expectations placed upon its people. His keen intelligence and strategic mind allow him to survive and thrive despite the dangers of Klingon society. Eventually, he is given the name Krenn and becomes a starship captain, where he proves himself as a master of the Klingon concept of The Final Reflection, a philosophy that involves understanding one's enemies and using that knowledge to one’s advantage.
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| Klingons mean business |
As Krenn rises through the ranks,
he becomes involved in a mission that places him at the heart of a potential
war between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets. The novel
portrays the Federation from the Klingon perspective, showing how their
diplomatic actions can be interpreted as both a threat and an opportunity.
Krenn is sent on a secret mission involving espionage and delicate political
maneuvering, where he must navigate the competing interests of Klingon leaders,
the Federation, and even Romulans.
The book explores the idea that Klingon honor is not simply about combat but also about intelligence, loyalty, and the ability to see beyond one’s own perspective. Krenn’s character embodies these ideals, and through his journey, which allows us to gain a more sympathetic understanding of Klingon motivations and values. His interactions with Federation characters, including a human diplomat, show that while their cultures are vastly different, mutual respect and understanding are possible.
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| Kirk vs. a Klingon |
As the plot unfolds, Krenn
discovers a conspiracy within the Klingon High Command that seeks to manipulate
the fragile peace between the Klingon Empire and the Federation for their own
gain. He must decide where his true loyalties lie and whether to follow orders
blindly or act in the best interests of his people. His choices ultimately
shape the future of Klingon-Federation relations, showing that individual
agency can have a profound impact on galactic politics.
The novel's climax is a tense and
thrilling confrontation where Krenn must use his knowledge of both Klingon and
Federation strategies to outmaneuver his enemies. His understanding of The
Final Reflection allows him to see through deception and find a path that
avoids all-out war. By the end of the story, Krenn emerges as a legendary
figure in Klingon history, one who reshaped the destiny of his people through
intellect and strategy rather than brute force.
The book
finally goes back to the traditional setting with Captain Kirk reflecting on
what he, and thus we, just read.
Although this book is fictional as stated so strongly by Mr. Spock, Kirk
deeply wants it to be true. Kirk, who has
always had strong feelings against Klingons, has now come to view them in a new
light. I find this very ironic
considering what is going to happen in the next Star Trek adventure.
Additional thoughts: What this reminds me of strongly
is the famous two-part episode “The Menagerie.”
Like this book the episode takes us away from our traditional setting
and places in an unfamiliar setting filled with characters, most of whom we
didn’t know. So as “The Menagerie” was
an episode of Star Trek where the main characters watch an episode of Star
Trek, The Final Reflection is a story of book where someone reads a book. This is part of where it fails for me. First, I don’t care about any of the new
characters and the characters I do care about are nowhere to be seen. At the episode mentioned was filmed almost as
a “The Cage, the commentary tract.” We
keep checking back with Captain Kirk who gives us his thoughts on what’s going
on. It would have been interesting to
hear his take as he proceeded through the story. Instead, he disappears until the very end.
I will give the story one compliment. It took the Klingons who were really, with
some exception, one dimensional space villains. The author’s depiction of Klingon society as
highly stratified yet meritocratic, where intelligence and cunning can allow an
individual to rise regardless of birth. The book also introduces the concept of
Klingon “thought exercises” and simulations, which are used to train future
leaders in strategic thinking and decision-making. This makes the Klingons much
deeper than before.
Nevertheless,
I didn’t enjoy this book all that much.
When I pick up something that says “Star Trek” I expect it to contain
certain characters. This book is nearly
empty of them, instead it gives me a bunch of characters that I don’t care
about and have no emotional connection to.
The author takes a while to develop these characters only never to have
them interact with the main characters who we as fans are the ones we are fond
of. The child Spock doesn’t count.
Should it be canon: I have no problem with a story
about Captain Kirk reading a book being canon, Captain Kirk has read plenty of
books.
Cover Art: A traditional looking Klingon plays a
young Vulcan in what appears to be classical chess, in the background an older
Vulcan is watching.
Final Grade: Final Grade 3 of 5
