Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Martok
6. His Animosity Towards Kor Was Influenced By J.G. Hertzler
As is often the case with Star Trek, the characterisation and backstory surrounding long running characters is heavily influenced both by the writers and the actors themselves. Whilst the actors are always tasked with bringing the script to life, it's not uncommon for them to have a part in the writing itself.
In the seventh season episode Once More Unto The Breach, Martok is forced to bring the senile Kor onto his ship as a favour to Worf. It is revealed that Kor's classist prejudices stifled Martok's military career in his youth, and led to a long-standing animosity towards the legendary Dahar Master. In the original script, Martok's story of this dishonour ends there, but Hertzler himself added the line Unfortunately, my father did not live to see that day, justifying his undying hatred as one in honour of his family.
It was also Hertzler's suggestion that Martok not join in singing in honour of Kor's memory in the episode's finale. Instead of the honourable Klingon overcoming his pride, these decisions paint a much more nuanced, morally fallible image, and a more well rounded character as a result.