Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Martok
From lowly soldier to Klingon Chancellor, these are the untold stories of Qo'noS's exalted son.
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Born to a common family in the lowlands of Qo'noS' Ketha province, far from the nefarious politicking of the Council's Great Houses, few would have thought that the young Martok would become one of the most celebrated names not just in Klingon society, but the galaxy as a whole.
First technically appearing (more on that later) in Deep Space Nine's season 4 episode The Way of The Warrior, the bombastic Martok's nuanced blending of the blood thirsty and the honourable that make up the quintessential Klingon endeared him to the production staff and fans alike. In an already crowded field of memorable supporting characters, Martok's appearances, brought to life by the gravel throated vivacity of J.G. Hertzler, would prove to be highlights again and again.
Behind the scenes, there is much more than meets the eye (sorry Martok) to this particular Klingon. From his lowly origins, through the horrors of The Dominion War, all the way to the heights of Klingon society, these are the parts of Martok's journey, both within and without the Trek universe, that make him who he is.
10. J.G Hertzler Nearly Didn't Get The Part
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Casting is tricky business in any franchise, let alone one where actors have to portray characters with decades of lore and backstory behind them. When it came time to cast a famed Klingon general, the production crew of Deep Space Nine had a gargantuan task in front of them.
First appearing as Captain of the doomed USS Saratoga in DS9's pilot episode, J.G. Hertzler would go on to audition for several Star Trek parts before Martok's first appearance, being passed over enough times that he considered giving up on the franchise altogether.
Having been convinced to return by casting director Ron Surma, Hertzler originally opted for a less cliche take on the race, instead opting for a refined take that he called 'Patrick Stewart as a Klingon'. When the casting team weren't convinced and asked for a more traditional take on a Klingon, Hertzler complied by hurling a metal chair against a plaster wall, ripping his thumbnail and drawing blood in the process.
A few days later, the part was his.