The Introduction of Worf
Michael Dorn, best known for playing Lieutenant Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation, discusses how the Klingon broke Gene Roddenberry's infamous 'no conflict' rule. Quickly proving a worthy addition to the USS Enterprise-D ensemble, Worf was the first Klingon in Star Trek to appear as a regular series cast member, going on to join the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine cast seasons 4-7 after TNG wrapped. The introduction and development of Worf, son of Mogh, added vital depth and intrigue to the series. Aggressive by his Klingon nature, orphaned as a child, and raised by humans, Worf embodied deep inner conflict akin to Star Trek: The Original Series' Spock (Leonard Nimoy).
Worf appears in a promotional image from Star Trek: Picard season three.
In the Star Trek oral history, 'The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years' by Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross, Michael Dorn says that Worf broke Gene Roddenberry's rule that there should be no conflict within the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Dorn points out that the hot-headed Klingon isn't always 'so together and so cool,' and Worf generated a 'wealth of stories.' Worf did bring the conflict; everything isn't wonderful. It isn't so together and so cool, and he loves everyone and everyone loves him. It kind of snuck up on the producers, too. They expected Worf to be this enigma, and they found there was a whole wealth of stories there about the guy. It's not the same old love story. If you look at it, they had a baby out of wedlock, she didn't tell him, he doesn't like her... he loves her, but they fight all the time, and now there's this kid. It's not the usual thing.
Star Trek Picard Season 3 Seventeen Seconds Worf Klingon Warrior Michael Dorn
Worf in Star Trek: Picard
In Star Trek: Picard, season 3, episode 2, “Disengage,” Worf's ally, Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd), attempts to gain information from the notorious, vicious Sneed (Aaron Stanford), a Ferengi crime lord on M’talas Prime. Her cover blown, Raffi is quickly outnumbered and in serious peril. Revealing himself to be Raffi’s handler, Worf’s timely arrival sees him efficiently dispatch the villainous Sneed and his henchmen. In Picard episode 3, “Seventeen Seconds,” having previously beheaded Sneed with his new Kur’leth (Klingon blade weapon), Worf brews some chamomile tea and claims to have become a pacifist. He admits to working with Starfleet Intelligence and working on his numerous anger issues. In Star Trek: Picard season 3's finale “The Last Generation,” the threats vanquished and peace restored, Worf actually falls asleep on the bridge of the Enterprise-D. Despite his experience, character growth, and continuing role as an active-force-for-good role, it seems the contrast and imbalance between Worf's inner and external nature endures. Roddenberry’s retroactive application of a ‘no conflict’ rule to Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the subsequent series that upheld the ideal found measure against the development of bold and interesting Star Trek characters such as Worf. Yet with conflict driving drama, and the franchise's premise built on hope and unity, Star Trek must continue to find a balance between good storytelling, moralism, and Roddenberry’s utopian vision.
Worf, Raffi Musiker, and Will Riker on Daystrom Station in Picard season 3
Worf's Impact on Star Trek
Michael Dorn's Worf Continues To Subvert The Klingon Mold. In Star Trek: Picard, season 3, episode 2, “Disengage,” Worf's ally, Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd), attempts to gain information from the notorious, vicious Sneed (Aaron Stanford), a Ferengi crime lord on M’talas Prime. Her cover blown, Raffi is quickly outnumbered and in serious peril. Revealing himself to be Raffi’s handler, Worf’s timely arrival sees him efficiently dispatch the villainous Sneed and his henchmen. In Picard episode 3, “Seventeen Seconds,” having previously beheaded Sneed with his new Kur’leth (Klingon blade weapon), Worf brews some chamomile tea and claims to have become a pacifist. He admits to working with Starfleet Intelligence and working on his numerous anger issues. In Star Trek: Picard season 3's finale “The Last Generation,” the threats vanquished and peace restored, Worf actually falls asleep on the bridge of the Enterprise-D. Despite his experience, character growth, and continuing role as an active-force-for-good role, it seems the contrast and imbalance between Worf's inner and external nature endures. Roddenberry’s retroactive application of a ‘no conflict’ rule to Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the subsequent series that upheld the ideal found measure against the development of bold and interesting Star Trek characters such as Worf. Yet with conflict driving drama, and the franchise's premise built on hope and unity, Star Trek must continue to find a balance between good storytelling, moralism, and Roddenberry’s utopian vision.
Raffi Musiker, arms folded, glares at Worf on La Sirena in Star Trek Picard season 3
