More Tribbles, More Troubles

"More Tribbles, More Troubles" was the fifth episode of Star Trek: The Animated Series in the show's first season, airing during the week of 6 October 1973. The episode was written by David Gerrold as a sequel to TOS episode: "The Trouble with Tribbles". It was directed by Hal Sutherland and novelized in Log Four by Alan Dean Foster.

DescriptionEdit

VHS teaser: Captain Kirk finds he has "More Tribbles, More Troubles" in this sequel to one of the honored episodes of Paramount Television's Star Trek.

Captain's log, stardate 5392.4.: The Enterprise has been assigned to escort two robot grain ships to Sherman's Planet, which has been struck by crop failures and famine. This shipment of seed grain, quintrotriticale, is necessary to the survival of the colonists. We are breaking course to Sherman's Planet to investigate what appears to be a Klingon battle cruiser pursuing some kind of smaller ship. Observation may confirm a rumor that the Klingons have a new weapon, type so far unknown.

Captain's log, supplemental.: Our rescue effort has given us some knowledge of the new Klingon weapon and the presence of Cyrano Jones, intergalactic trader and general nuisance.

Captain's log, supplemental.: The Klingon ship under command of Captain Koloth is forcing us into a battle for custody of Cyrano Jones for reasons still unknown.

Captain's log, stardate 5526.2.: Having been assigned to escort two robot grain ships to Sherman's Planet, the Enterprise is now approximately ... [cited a number]... from the colony. Upon completion of delivery of the quinto-triticale seed, the Enterprise will proceed to… Changing course to investigate a small ship of unknown origin by a Klingon ship of the line.

Captain's log, supplemental.: Our rescue of the pilot of the one-man ship being pursued by the Klingon cruiser Devisor has given us important knowledge of a new Klingon weapon — as yet unperfected. It has also inflicted on us—for as short a time as possible—the presence of Cyrano Jones, interstellar trader and general nuisance.

Captain's log, supplemental.: The Klingon battle cruiser Devisor, under comand of Captain Koloth, appears about to force us into another battle for custody of the trader Cyrano Jones.

A TOS sequel to "The Trouble with Tribbles" was green-lit by Gene Roddenberry, but aborted by third-season producer Fred Frieberger, who disliked that episode. TAS producer D.C. Fontana asked for a sequel for the animated series.
Ensign Hacker was written into the story as a cameo for writer David Gerrold.
The tribbles and Klingons' uniforms were colored pink not as a result of director Hal Sutherland's color-blindness, but because of colorist Irv Kaplan's personal preference. He was in charge of ink and paint on the series. (TAS reference: The Official Guide to The Animated Series)
When Hikaru Sulu observed the approach of the Devisor, the episode cut to a rare view of what he saw within his helm viewer. The episode also briefly displayed an image of the shuttle bay full of cargo containers.

The novel was set a few days after the Enterprise escaped from Elysia in "The Time Trap" and referenced both Kor and his vessel, the IKS Klothos, noting that it was not outfitted with a stasis weapon.
Koloth's IKS Devisor was identified by name in the script and novelization.
While buried in tribbles, Kirk threw an orange tribble at Montgomery Scott following the joke about little tribbles.
John Kyle beamed the tribbles over to the Devisor.

published order
Previous episode: First Episode Produced	TOS episode produced	Next episode: The Infinite Vulcan
Previous episode: The Lorelei Signal	TOS episode aired	Next episode: The Survivor
Previous story: The Time Trap	Log Four	Next story: last story
chronological order
Previous Adventure: Where Time Stands Still (backstory)	Pocket	Next Adventure: The Ambergris Element