Fictional character from Star Trek
Fictional character
General Chang
is the central
antagonist
in
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
, a feature film released in 1991,.
[1]
Chang, who is portrayed by
Christopher Plummer
,
is Chancellor
Gorkon
's
chief of staff
and subsequently serves Chancellor
Azetbur
in 2293. He is depicted as being a fan of
William Shakespeare
, quoting him frequently, much to the chagrin of the
Enterprise
crew. Also noteworthy, 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
]
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
]
Chang's makeup originally included a wig appliance. However,
Christopher Plummer
[3]
felt removing the wig made the character more distinct. He also asked that Chang's Klingon makeup be made less severe. Chang's attire is 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
[
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]
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]
noting Plummer's brilliant delivery of lines as well as 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
]
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
.
External links
[
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]