star trek worf series

Filed under:

The final act of Worf, the Star Trek legend who deserved one most of all

Michael Dorn’s Klingon officer is Star Trek’s MVP

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Reddit
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: The final act of Worf, the Star Trek legend who deserved one most of all

In television — as in sports — some records are simply unbreakable. No one will ever pitch more complete games than Cy Young, no one will ever hold pro wrestling’s highest title longer than Bruno Sammartino, and no one will ever make more appearances on Star Trek than Michael Dorn.

Between 1987 and 2002, Dorn portrayed Starfleet’s mighty and stoic Klingon expatriate Worf in 174 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation , 98 episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , and four feature films. Add in his cameo as Worf’s grandfather in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country , and that adds up to 277. Even after the revival of the franchise in 2017, this still accounts for nearly a third of the entire Star Trek canon . Now, Dorn has swapped his mek’leth for a kur’leth and glued on his bumpy prosthetic forehead once more to reprise the role of Worf in the final season of Star Trek: Picard , which reunites the Next Gen cast for one last adventure. It’s the chance to give one of sci-fi’s most beloved supporting characters something that’s usually reserved only for Captains and Admirals: a glorious third act.

Though he’s now one of the franchise’s most recognizable figures, Lt. Worf was a last-minute addition to the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation . Series creator Gene Roddenberry hoped to avoid relying on familiar alien antagonists from the classic 1960s series , leading producer Robert Justman to suggest the addition of a Klingon to the crew of the Enterprise, symbolizing that their long Cold War with the Federation had come to an end. (It was 1987, after all.) Thus, security officer Worf was created, added into the final draft of the series pilot, and cast after the initial publicity photos for the series were shot. Thus, the early development of the character was left almost entirely in the hands of Dorn, then best known for a supporting role on the lighthearted police drama CHiPs .

“They really didn’t have a bible for Worf at all,” says Dorn of those early episodes. “In fact, one of the first things I did was, I asked the producers, ‘What do you want from this guy? You’ve just handed me a piece of paper that says Worf on it.’” With Roddenberry’s blessing, Dorn set out making the character his own, giving Worf the kind of personal investment and attachment that only an actor can provide. “I decided to make the guy the opposite of everybody else on the show. You know, everyone else, their attitudes were great, and they’re out there in space, relationships are forming. And after every mission they were like, Wasn’t that fantastic? I didn’t say anything to anybody, I just made him this gruff and surly character on the bridge. No smiles, no joking around.”

It didn’t take the show’s producers long to realize that Dorn’s gruff, joyless performance could effectively turn any bit of throwaway dialogue into a laugh line. Dorn recalls an incident while shooting the early episode “Justice,” in which Worf is welcomed to an idyllic alien world by an embrace from a beautiful, scantily clad woman, and retorts, simply, “Nice planet.” He hadn’t thought much of it, until he learned that the producers had been watching the take on repeat during dailies, laughing their asses off. From here on out, writers would attempt to insert deadpan “Worfisms” into scripts, producing some of the character’s most memorable moments, but also forcing Dorn to occasionally lay down the law about his character.

“That’s been one of the big issues about Worf’s character that I’ve tried to keep consistent,” says Dorn regarding writers’ tendency to play him for laughs. “Worf does not think he’s funny. He doesn’t say funny things. It’s the people’s reaction around him that’s funny.”

Alongside his role as the show’s unlikely comic relief, however, Worf developed into one of Star Trek’s most complicated protagonists. Roddenberry mandated that the show’s human characters had evolved beyond the sorts of interpersonal conflicts that typically drive television dramas, but Worf, an alien, was permitted to be contrarian, hot-tempered, and even malicious. Dorn recalls being taken aback after reading the script to the season 3 episode “The Enemy,” in which Worf refuses to offer a lifesaving blood transfusion to a gravely wounded Romulan soldier. The Romulan tells him that he’d rather die than “pollute his blood with Klingon filth,” and Worf obliges him, without remorse. Worf believes that saving the life of a Romulan would dishonor the memory of his parents, who were killed in a Romulan sneak attack when he was a child. This runs contrary to the ideals of Starfleet and puts him at odds with the entire crew, but it sets him apart as a character. He strictly adheres to a code of honor that does not totally overlap with that of his peers.

That is, if he can be said to have peers at all. From the beginning, Worf stands apart as the only Klingon in Starfleet, rescued by a human officer after his family is massacred. Raised on Earth by a pair of adoring, demonstrative Russian Jews, young Worf is encouraged to explore and embrace his Klingon heritage despite being isolated from his culture. His image of what it is to be Klingon is based mostly on their mythology, on tales of honorable battle and the noble wisdom of the Klingon Christ figure, Kahless. But it’s also a self-portrait, processing that which makes him different from his human family and classmates into a cultural identity. “Klingons do not laugh,” Worf tells Whoopi Goldberg’s worldly bartender Guinan in the episode “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” a claim that Guinan has the experience to debunk. Worf believes that Klingons don’t laugh because he himself doesn’t. In actuality, no one parties harder than a band of Klingons after a glorious battle; Worf has simply never been invited.

Worf’s reverence for other Klingons is challenged nearly every time he encounters another of his kind. Time and again, he sees Klingon warriors and political figures like the opportunistic Chancellor Gowron lie and cheat in the pursuit of power and glory. He is formally excommunicated from the Klingon Empire twice, and though both times he is eventually able to win back his citizenship, it takes a heavy toll on him. Yet, however many times “real” Klingon conduct clashes with his values, Worf never allows this to pollute his own sense of honor. He remains unfailingly truthful, loyal, and brave. And, over the years, other Klingons take notice of this and grow to admire and emulate him. His identity and self-image are based in fantasy, but his presence in the universe helps to make that fantasy seem more attainable to everyone else.

Worf’s journey runs parallel to the experience of growing up a Star Trek fan. The crew of the Enterprise (or Voyager, Discovery, etc.) represents a humanity that is more compassionate, curious, honorable, and self-sacrificing than anyone you’re likely to meet. This is a wonderful example for a young viewer to follow, but if you go out into the world expecting to find these idols, especially in positions of power and authority, you’re in for a very rude awakening. By and large, people are not like this. If they were, we’d be living in the Star Trek future right now. However, if in spite of all this, if you can hold fast to that vision of a kinder, wiser humanity and embody it as best as you can, you can make it that much more real for the people around you.

Dorn fully endorses this interpretation of the character, and also sees him as an example of someone who learns to grow beyond his initial need to define himself through the lens of “Klingon” or “Starfleet.”

“He’s always thought that humans were this way and Klingons were that way,” says Dorn, “until he realized that Klingons and humans and everybody were very flawed individuals. And in order to grow, he’s taken the best out of each culture and made it its own. He’s on his own path. He has an ego, so I think he thinks he’s better than a lot of people, but he’s also learning that you can’t judge those things. That once you start judging you’re in trouble. You have to accept them for what they are, not only accept them but admire them, and all the negative stuff you leave behind.”

After The Next Generation closed out its seven-season run and made the leap to the big screen, Worf’s path led him to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , where producers hoped that his presence would boost fan interest in the beleaguered spinoff. His arrival turned out to be beneficial for both the show and the character, as DS9 ’s darker tone and more serialized format afforded Worf more growth and development in four seasons than TNG had offered in seven. The series also dove deeper into the lore and culture of the Klingon Empire, which Dorn says offered writers (particularly Ronald D. Moore, who would go on to run Battlestar Galactica , Outlander , and For All Mankind ) the opportunity to step away from the prim and proper world of Starfleet and do some swashbuckling.

Deep Space Nine ’s finale offered Worf’s story a worthy ending when he is appointed the new ambassador between the Klingons and the Federation. It’s arguably the perfect place for his character’s journey to end, but the franchise marched on, dragging Worf along with it into the underwhelming feature film Star Trek: Nemesis in 2002, which one again reduced him to a comic foil. Despite his efforts to get a “Captain Worf” spinoff off the ground in the subsequent decade, it appeared that Michael Dorn’s service to Star Trek had finally concluded.

Twenty years later, Dorn — along with the rest of the Next Gen ensemble — has once again been called upon to revitalize a Star Trek spinoff. The third season of Star Trek: Picard reintroduces us to Worf as a wise old master, so confident in his ability to defeat his foes in combat that he rarely needs to unsheathe this weapon. Dorn has imagined the past 20 years of his character’s life in detail, taking inspiration from a source not entirely disconnected from Star Trek: the films of Quentin Tarantino. Appropriately, Dorn has patterned this version of Worf after a character from a film that opens with an old Klingon proverb: Kill Bill .

“One of the characters was Pai Mei, this martial arts killer,” says Dorn. “He’s gone so far in the martial arts, the next step is — he can defend himself and kill with a sword, but he can also do it with his bare hands. And with that comes calm, and the ability to know that sometimes you don’t have to kill. That’s how he’s grown in the past 20 years. Now he can dodge ray guns.”

Though his castmates won’t rule out further adventures for their characters, Dorn says that Picard season 3 absolutely works as a satisfying conclusion to Worf’s 35-year voyage.

“The storytellers know his journey, and everyone can see what his journey is; there’s no ambiguity about that.”

One way or another, the actor looks back at his untouchable tenure as Starfleet’s greatest warrior with warmth and appreciation.

“It’s one of those things that validates the idea that you chose the right profession,” Dorn says. “My mother would be proud of me that I had a profession that I’ve been at for the majority of my life. That’s an accomplishment, I think.”

Star Trek: Discovery tore itself apart for the good of Star Trek’s future

Star trek: discovery boldly goes where no trek has gone before by saying religion is... ok, actually, star trek: discovery is cracking open a box next gen closed on purpose.

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Star Trek: Picard ‘s Michael Dorn Opens Up About Playing Worf Again and the Klingon Warrior’s Newfound Pacifism

Dave nemetz, west coast bureau chief.

• Share on Facebook
• Show more sharing options
• Share to Flipboard
• Share on LinkedIn
• Submit to Reddit
• Post to Tumblr
• Share on WhatsApp
• Print This Page

Worf is back on duty in the new season of Star Trek: Picard … although he might look a little different than you remember.

“Well, he has white hair now. That’s new,” Michael Dorn tells TVLine with a chuckle. Dorn returned as the fearsome Klingon warrior and Next Generation fan favorite in last week’s episode of Picard , marking his first appearance as Worf since the 2002 movie Star Trek: Nemesis . The actor admits he initially balked at the producers’ idea to give Worf a little seasoning up top: “My little ego went, ‘I don’t want to have gray hair! I still want to be young!'” But then Dorn remembered that in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies, “there was a character who was a martial arts guy who had white hair, and he could kill you in a second. So I went, ‘I can deal with that.'”

It is a little easier these days for Dorn to look like Worf, too, he says: “The Klingon makeup hasn’t evolved much, but the way they put it on has. They have two guys working on me at the same time, so it takes considerably less time. Before, it was three hours, two hours, and now it’s like an hour.”

“I was talking to LeVar, and I said, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m going to go on the set when they’re shooting this, to hang out with Patrick, Jonathan, and Marina,’ and LeVar goes, ‘Hey, I want to come.’ I said, ‘Great!’ So we arranged it, and they were all very excited about us being there.” Things even got a little rowdy on set, Dorn reveals: “We were laughing and making fun of each other. It was a blast. I mean, they were shooting about a hundred yards away in this house, and they could hear us, like making noises. They were like, ‘Really? You guys!’ That’s what happens, you know?”

[pmc_inline_gallery]

Dorn’s Picard debut came as a surprise, with Worf swooping in to slice up some underworld foes of Raffi’s, revealing himself to be her mystery Starfleet handler. It also surprised fans when Worf declared himself a pacifist in the Season 3 trailer, but Dorn says it’s part of a natural evolution for Worf: “He’s discovered a lot from The Next Generation to Deep Space [ Nine ]. There’s been a huge shift in who he is… He’s discovered that life isn’t about a goal or reaching a particular place. It’s about the journey.”

Worf now understands that “he doesn’t know everything, and he’s glad not to know everything. He wants to be on this particular journey, and part of his journey now is pacifism. There’s another outlet besides slicing people up.” But that doesn’t mean he won’t flash his fighting skills when it’s called for, Dorn allows: “The only issue with him is he really likes the combat… He is good at it, and he practices at it, too.” Hey, we wouldn’t have it any other way. ( Additional reporting by Jennifer Vineyard )

Cancel reply

Email * Your email address will not be published. We will notify you when someone replies.

“Pacifist”. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. Maybe he’s a “Pacifist” compared to a Klingon. But there sure are a lot of dead bodies on the floor because of him. I don’t usually associate extreme violence with “Pacifism”.

My thoughts exactly!

I really adore these guys and their characters. Just glorious relationships. I miss them.

Most Popular

You may also like.

The Best Worf Episodes Of Star Trek

The Klingons have undergone heavy changes over the course of the "Star Trek" story. They're more or less generic bad guys when they first appear in "Star Trek: The Original Series," whose only visible physical difference from humanity is their uniformly dark skin and hair. The films add ridges to their foreheads and give their attire a radical redesign, along with a new language. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" takes things further still: In this series, a Klingon serves aboard the new Enterprise. He quickly became a fan favorite. 

Worf, played to perfection by Michael Dorn , is often defined as a man split between two cultures. While he is a Klingon and feels a strong pull to Klingon culture and people, he was raised by humans. Almost all of the Worf-centric episodes of "The Next Generation" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" examine this inner struggle. What follows are our picks for the best Worf episodes of either of the two "Star Trek" series Worf calls home, presented in chronological order.  Spoilers ahead for various "Star Trek" shows and movies!

TNG: Heart of Glory

Airing in the latter half of Season 1 of "TNG," fans got the series' first truly Worf-centric episode with "Heart of Glory." After the Enterprise rescues a trio of Klingons from a damaged freighter, Worf discovers the survivors are lying about being attacked by Ferengi. The freighter they were rescued from was stolen, and it was damaged while battling and ultimately destroying a Klingon cruiser. The three Klingons — soon only two, as one succumbs to his wounds — believe the Klingon Empire has become weak because of its peace with the Federation, and wish to return to their people's ancient, warlike ways.

"Heart of Glory" is a critical and well-executed first step, not only in the story of Worf, but in the "TNG" era's redefinition of the Klingons. It's the first time we get to see Worf act as the warrior he's always yearning to be, and the first portrayal of the Klingons as a proud people with their own inviolate sense of honor. 

TNG: Sins of the Father

In Season 3's "Sins of the Father," Tony Todd makes his first of many guest appearances in the "Trek" franchise as Worf's brother Kurn. Kurn informs Worf that their late father Mogh faces accusations of treachery in the Klingon High Council. With Captain Picard serving as his second, Worf confronts the council, eventually uncovering the truth: It is the father of Duras (Patrick Massett), Mogh's primary accuser, who betrayed the Klingons to the Romulans. Mogh has been framed to keep the Empire from sinking into civil war. Wanting to maintain the Empire's peace while saving the life of his newfound brother, Worf accepts discommendation — basically, no longer being considered a Klingon to his people. 

For any fan of Worf, "Sins of the Father" can be tough to watch, even if you know what the future has in store for Worf and the Empire. Still, the episode is crucial in Worf's continuing story. It introduces us to Kurn, to the duplicitous Duras, and sets the stage for "Redemption," one of the best two-parters in all of "TNG." 

TNG: Reunion

First appearing in Season 2's "The Emissary," Suzie Plakson returns as the half-Klingon K'Ehleyr two seasons later in "Reunion." She's not alone: Following her brief tryst with Worf earlier in the series, K'Ehleyr has given birth to their son, Alexander. 

Meanwhile, the Klingon High Councilor K'mpec (Charles Cooper), knowing he has been poisoned and will soon die, appoints Captain Picard as the Arbiter of Succession. This is in the hopes that he will be able to ferret out which of the two Klingons vying to succeed him — Gowron (Robert O'Reilly) or Duras — has murdered him. In the investigation that follows, K'Ehleyr discovers the truth about Duras framing Worf's family for treachery in Season 3's "Sins of the Father." Duras silences her with a fatal stab.

In one of the most shocking moments in all of "TNG," Worf claims the right of vengeance and kills Duras on his own ship. It's one of the few moments in all of "Trek" in which Worf weighs the choice of acting as a Starfleet officer against acting as a Klingon warrior, and chooses the latter. 

TNG: Redemption

In "Redemption," a two-parter bridging the Season 4 finale and the Season 5 premiere, Worf fans finally get the payoff they've been waiting for since Season 3's "Sins of the Father." As the Arbiter of Succession, Captain Picard returns to Qo'noS to finalize the installment of Gowron as Klingon Chancellor . But when the sisters Lursa (Barbara March) and B'Etor (Gwynyth Walsh) challenge Gowron's claim with young Toral (JD Cullum), son of the late Duras, the seeds of civil war are planted. Worf takes the opportunity to reunite with his brother Kurn and convince Gowron to restore his family's name. An epic war story unfolds, eventually involving not only the Klingons and the Federation, but their shared foe, the Romulans. 

Of all the Worf-focused "Trek" episodes, "Redemption" is one of the heaviest in terms of how it impacts the overall narrative. Not only is Worf's discommendation finally reversed, we're introduced to recurring villains Lursa and B'Etor, who go on to bother the crew of "DS9," as well as appear in the 1994 film "Star Trek: Generations." Denise Crosby also makes her first appearance as Sela, the half-Romulan daughter of the late Tasha Yar.

TNG: Ethics

Worf's always known that he risks death every moment he serves as a Starfleet officer, but in Season 5's "Ethics," he faces something he finds much more terrifying: paralysis. When Worf and Geordi investigate strange readings in a cargo bay, a heavy container falls on Worf and crushes his spine, paralyzing him. Believing, as a Klingon, that life is no longer worth living, Worf asks Riker to help him commit Hegh'bat, Klingon ritual suicide. At the same time, Dr. Crusher and neurology specialist Dr. Russell (Caroline Kava) clash over the ethics of the radical procedure Russell wants to perform on Worf.

The "Star Trek" franchise is known for tackling difficult issues, and this episode is no exception. Out of all the episodes that focus on Worf, "Ethics" is doubtlessly the most controversial. Worf's story deals with euthanasia, while the conflict between Crusher and Russell tackles medical and scientific ethics. At the same time, considering Worf seems more willing to die than live with a disability, the issue of ableism is present as well. If there's any great weakness to the episode, it's that the futuristic new spine Worf receives offers a sci-fi easy button to a reflection of real life dilemmas. 

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ at​ 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.

TNG: A Fistful of Datas

12 years before the Western series "Deadwood" premiered on HBO, Worf, Alexander, and Counselor Troi find themselves in the town of Deadwood in "A Fistful of Datas" ... or at least a holographic facsimile of it. Initially, it's just meant as a setting for Alexander's playtime. But a malfunction makes things a lot more dangerous as a number of characters on the holodeck become Western copies of Commander Data, including the ruthless villain Frank Hollander. 

While there are a good number of fans who groan at the mention of malfunctioning holodeck episodes, it's tough not to love "A Fistful of Datas." One of the half-dozen "TNG" episodes directed by Patrick Stewart, the story is lighthearted, fun, and packed with memorable moments. It's impossible not to laugh at Worf in his ridiculous hat, or Brent Spiner's perfect caricatures of Western archetypes. Considering the strange and often heartbreaking relationship between Worf and his son, it's also one of the most touching Worf-Alexander episodes in the franchise.

TNG: Parallels

In "Parallels," an episode from the final season of "TNG," Worf returns to the Enterprise from a bat'leth tournament and becomes unsettled by increasingly strange occurrences. Decorations in his quarters shift around, the guest list of the surprise birthday party he's dreading keeps changing, and, most shockingly of all, he learns Counselor Troi thinks they're a romantic couple. 

We eventually learn that on his way back from the tournament, Worf unintentionally piloted his shuttlecraft through a quantum fissure, which is causing him to shift through different realities. We see this reflected from scene to scene, and sometimes even from shot to shot. Decorations all over the ship change, different characters hold different positions, and in one case, Worf discovers Wesley Crusher still serving aboard the Enterprise, even though he hasn't been seen on the show since two seasons previous. 

"Parallels" give us a lot of fun alternate reality shots of the Enterprise crew, including a grizzly-bearded Will Riker from a universe where the Borg are the dominant lifeforms. But beyond that, of all the best Worf-centric episodes, "Parallels" is one of the few that doesn't revolve around Worf's inner struggles as a Klingon. 

DS9: The Way of the Warrior

In Season 4 of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Worf joins the series as its newest regular cast member. Still mourning the loss of the Enterprise-D in "Star Trek: Generations," Worf is summoned to DS9 to find out why a large Klingon fleet has arrived at the station. When he discovers the fleet's commanding officer General Martok (J.G. Hertzler) plans to invade the neighboring Cardassian Empire, Worf once again finds himself choosing between his loyalty to his people and his duty as a Starfleet officer.

"The Way of the Warrior" is not only a great Worf episode, it's a game-changer for "DS9" and "Trek" as a whole — perhaps the only Worf episode to cause more ripples across the franchise's continuity than "Redemption." It lays the foundation for Cardassia's entry into the Dominion in Season 5 of "DS9," sets up a rivalry between Worf and Gowron that doesn't end until the latter's death in the final season, and temporarily ends the long peace between the Federation and the Klingons . It also introduces us to Martok (though this version ultimately proves to be a Changeling in disguise), and gives us one of the franchise's most impressive portrayals of a large-scale space battle. Not to mention, it's a start-to-finish love letter to fans of the Klingons.  

DS9: Rules of Engagement

Things get even more tense between the Federation and the Klingon Empire in "Rules of Engagement," which sees Worf accused of purposely destroying a Klingon transport filled with defenseless civilians. Ron Canada plays the cunning Klingon advocate Ch'Pok who arrives on DS9 to argue for Worf's extradition to the Klingon Empire. Captain Sisko represents Worf in the proceedings, which ultimately reveal the entire incident was staged in order to win a propaganda battle against the Federation.

Even though the plot proves to be a frame job, the details uncovered by Ch'Pok bring to light just how close violence waits beneath Worf's surface. Not only does Worf physically attack Ch'Pok, we learn that during one of Worf's favorite holodeck simulations, which recreates a famous Klingon battle, he regularly orders the slaughter of the (albeit holographic) women and children of the conquered city. Worf gets a well-deserved dressing down from Sisko, and takes an important step in his personal evolution.

DS9: Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places

In the "DS9" Season 3 episode "The House of Quark," Klingon Grilka marries Ferengi bartender Quark in a desperate bid to keep control of her family's house. When she returns two seasons later in "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places," Worf is smitten by her, but she only has eyes for Quark. In an homage to Edmond Rostand's 1897 play "Cyrano de Bergerac," Worf takes it upon himself to teach Quark how to woo Grilka. He writes poetry for the Ferengi, and even uses tech to manipulate Quark's body during a bat'leth match.

Not only is the episode hilarious, "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places" diverts wonderfully from its source material. By the end of the episode, Worf finds himself with his true love: Jadzia Dax, who has been waiting for the Klingon to make a move since the previous season. 

DS9: Soldiers of the Empire

In Season 5's "Soldiers of the Empire," Worf and Jadzia Dax are loaned out to the Klingons to serve under General Martok aboard the Rotarran, where they learn Martok's long imprisonment by the Dominion has made him skittish. Time and again, Martok refuses to act correctly according to Klingon standards, eventually going so far as to order the ship to abandon survivors of a damaged Klingon cruiser. With the crew close to mutiny, Worf has no choice but to challenge Martok to a death duel for leadership. In the ensuing melee, Worf purposely allows Martok to win, risking a killing blow to help jumpstart his friend's warrior instincts. 

"Soldiers of the Empire" is a perfect example of what a smart choice it was to add Martok to the series. Not only does it give Worf a chance to interact with more Klingon characters, it gives us the opportunity to see Worf unburdened by the constraints of Starfleet, acting as a Klingon officer would be expected to act on any imperial ship. When Worf challenges Martok, it's not for ambition or bloodlust — it's as much a part of his job as it would be to run practice drills or submit crew assessments.

DS9: You Are Cordially Invited

In Season 6's "Sacrifice of Angels," Starfleet takes DS9 back from the Dominion. In the following episode, "You Are Cordially Invited," Worf and Jadzia take advantage of the break in fighting to get married.  

This blessed event is endangered when the ritual demands of Martok's stern wife Sirella (Shannon Cochran) prove too much for Jadzia. In the meantime, Bashir and O'Brien, who believed they'd be enjoying the Klingon version of a bachelor party when Worf invited them to join him on the ritual path of Kal'Hyah, endure four days of fasting, bloodletting, and other forms of torture.

When it comes to Jadzia's resistance to Sirella, "You Are Cordially Invited" offers one of the few examples of Worf butting heads with his Par'Mach'kai and proving to be the one acting more like a grown-up. Moreover, the yearning for vengeance Bashir and O'Brien express for the tortures of Kal'Hyah is hilarious. Finally, not only is this the last time we get to see Worf's grown son Alexander (Marc Worden) in the flesh, it's one of the only times we get to see him happy. 

DS9: Change of Heart

When a Cardassian spying on the Dominion for Starfleet needs extraction in Season 6's "Change of Heart," Worf and Jadzia must rendezvous with him on the planet Soukara and bring him safely to Federation space. In order to avoid enemy detection, they need to land 20 kilometers from the rendezvous, then make their way through dense jungle. Along the way, the pair ambush and kill a Jem'Hadar patrol group, but Jadzia is badly wounded. They try to journey together regardless, but it soon becomes clear Worf either must leave Jadzia to die and complete the mission, or abandon the mission and save Jadzia . In the latter case, the spy — and his intel — will be lost.

The fact that "Change of Heart" works as well as it does is a testament to Worf's evolution. If this were about any other character in the franchise, there would never be a question as to whether or not they would leave their romantic partner behind. But when "Change of Heart" aired in 1998, fans had known Worf for 11 years, through two series and two major motion pictures. Knowing how seriously Worf takes his duty, you know what it means for him to make the choice he ultimately does, rendering it that much more powerful.

DS9: Once More Unto the Breach

The first named Klingon to ever appear in "Star Trek: The Original Series" is Kor, played by John Colicos. Not only does Kor reappear in "Star Trek: The Animated Series" (voiced by James Doohan), Colicos reprises the role three times in "DS9." His final, heroic appearance arrives in Season 7's "Once More Unto the Breach."

As Worf is about to leave with Martok on a new campaign aboard the Ch'Tang, Kor visits Worf and asks for his help finding a place in the Klingon fleet. Unfortunately, Martok holds a fierce grudge against Kor for barring him from the Klingon Defense Force when he was younger. Regardless, Martok grudgingly allows Worf to appoint Kor as third officer. Most of the Ch'Tang's crew idolize Kor at first, but things change when it becomes clear Kor is suffering from dementia, often forgetting where and when he is. 

Along with taking a harsh look at how the elderly can be made to feel obsolete by the young, "Once More Unto the Breach" delves deeper into the character and history of Kor and acts as a wonderful send-off for the franchise's first Klingon. If you're a "Trek" fan who doesn't feel something as the Klingons sing in honor of Kor's sacrifice at the episode's end, then you need to turn up the temperature in your chest, because your heart is frozen solid. 

Why a Star Trek: Worf TV Series Should Happen

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Chris Pine On Possibly Playing a Different Captain Kirk in Star Trek 4

Bridgerton season 3 set up the perfect spinoff show for netflix, every movie coming to disney+ in july 2024.

In the wake of Picard season two's premiere , we are once again speculating on more ways to expand Star Trek: The Next Generation into additional series or movies. While you could argue Crusher, Data, La Forge, Troi, and Riker could all be drawn out into stand-alone narratives that Star Trek fans would happily consume, there is something particularly compelling about a modern series based entirely around Worf.

The iconic character played by Michael Dorn is a fan favorite among Trekkies for many reasons. Dorn's ability to bring a brilliant sense of reserved hostility, earnest emotional range, and a true sense of honor and loyalty to both Klingons and the Federation mark the traits of a true leader and a fascinating character. As a Klingon with a human upbringing, Worf often finds himself at the center of human / Klingon conflicts that are either resolved in combat or strategic political diplomacy. This alone gives the character Spock-level dynamics and relatable mythology for anyone who has ever had to find common bonds between seemingly opposing people.

While it has been expressed many times before, let us once again support the promise of a serialized Worf show and all the reasons it could be a huge success for Paramount+. From the seemingly endless stable of cameos and plot devices that could be plucked from TNG , Deep Space Nine , and Voyager , to the clear advantage contemporary storytelling in the Star Trek universe provides, proven by Picard , Worf could be the best yet.

Let's dive into exactly why that is with an overview of Star Trek's brand, struggles, and resilience in 2022.

Star Trek Is About Moving Forward

As fun as it is to recast the original series crew and send them on theatrical outings, something feels off about going back to tell prequel stories in the realm of Star Trek . The same problem is found in Discovery , and it started with 2001's Enterprise, with Scott Bakula and that opening theme song that will forever be a scar on Trek mythology. There is something inherently limiting about choosing a previous time in Star Trek history to tell a story. It's not a dealbreaker by any means, but it does feel at odds with the story themes of a future-forward franchise. Boldly going where we have NOT BEEN BEFORE. To seek out strange NEW LIFE. Strange NEW WORLDS. Star Trek is about moving forward, not back.

Related: Star Trek's Chief O'Brien Actor Colm Meaney Would Return for a Worf Series

A Worf series could potentially deliver the goods in this regard, even more thoughtfully than Picard is currently doing . Imagining Worf as a first officer or captain on a ship at the edge of the known universe encountering some strange new anomaly that we are all experiencing for the first time is where many Star Trek fans want to be. Who better to lead us on the forefront of a truly contemporary Star Trek story than Worf?

Science Fiction vs. Soap Opera

Many hardcore Trek fans will cite Deep Space Nine as the best of the 1990s series, while others are forever loyal to TNG . Occasionally you'll find those fans who are incredibly fond of Voyager and have to 'admit' it is their favorite. To be fair, it's all quite good, and Worf was present in most of it. While Enterprise could have done a better job carrying the torch into the 2000s, it still has a lot to love with well-conceived characters and stories. Over time, the balancing act of Star Trek has become a proper blend of science fiction and drama. However, it seems to suffer most when the drama outweighs the science fiction, but not the other way around.

Related: Picard Season 2 and Season 3 Need Geordi, Worf and Beverly Crusher, Here's Why

They could write a Star Trek episode entirely around a lab experiment's trials and errors, and fans would be glued to the screen so long as the experiment is fascinating and challenges the mind. Drama or romance between characters is tricky, however. Unless it's happening amidst a mind-bending science fiction plot, it can start feeling like a soap opera risking the interest level of their nerdy fan base. Characters that embody science fiction themes, such as aliens or androids, tend to be better at carrying the melodrama storylines. Still, it always runs the risk of losing focus on the core principles of Star Trek , which are entrenched in turning over the stones of the universe to discover strange and bizarre new things.

Star Trek Can Never Be Too Nerdy

While many believe there are no boundaries to how high concept the show can get, a passionate fan base will call out Trek when it tries to be too cool for school. The Kelvin films have divided fans in this regard, as the movies are so aesthetically polished, the most hardcore fans feel slighted in favor of a more broad-spectrum target audience. It could be argued that Discovery was an effort to appease these fans but ultimately overcorrected. The show has struggled to find its voice. Efforts to branch into new tonal territory with more gore and F-bombs were divisive at best. The show has successfully been more inclusive , a core principle of Star Trek , but this can also be a point of contention in today's heated political climate if dumped on-screen too obviously.

All of this to say, Worf , if considered , has an excellent opportunity to unite the fan base with a Star Trek formula that truly works for Trekkies and casual fans alike. As the second season of Picard unfolds, fans will surely be taking notes on what's working and what's not. They will undoubtedly voice their concerns to ensure that Gene Roddenberry's hopeful vision of the future is held to the highest standards possible.

• Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Michael Dorn (I)

IMDbPro Starmeter See rank

• Contact info
• 2 wins & 2 nominations

• Lieutenant Worf
• Commander Worf
• Risa Tourist
• 1987–1994 • 175 eps

• Dr. Michael Moghson
• Post-production

• Pistachio Soup (voice)

• Asar (voice)

• Battle Beast (voice)

• Dr. Deystrum

• Ravannavar (voice)

• Ferdinand (voice)

• Bupu (voice)

• Kalibak (voice)

• I.M. Weasel (voice)

• Atrocitus (voice)

Personal details

• 6′ 2¾″ (1.90 m)
• December 9 , 1952
• Luling, Texas, USA
• Parents Allie Lee Nauls
• Other works TV commercial for Neutrogena T-Gel (1996)
• 1 Portrayal
• 9 Interviews
• 13 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

• Trivia Made a grand total of 282 "Star Trek" appearances. He appeared in 175 of the 178 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) , 102 of the 176 episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) , Star Trek: Generations (1994) , Star Trek: First Contact (1996) , Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) . He also directed the following episodes: In the Cards (1997) , Inquisition (1998) , When It Rains... (1999) and Two Days and Two Nights (2002) . The 277 episodes of Star Trek he appeared in means he has appeared in more episodes of Sci-Fi Television than any other actor.
• Quotes But now they have the series down to a real science where it's about an hour.
• Trademarks Deep resonant authoritative voice
• How old is Michael Dorn?
• When was Michael Dorn born?
• Where was Michael Dorn born?

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

• July 2, 2024 | Recap/Review: ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Gets Timely In “Who Saves the Saviors”
• July 2, 2024 | See Alt Universe Mariner Face Off With Q Jr. In Preview Of ‘Sons Of Star Trek’ #4
• July 1, 2024 | Celia Rose Gooding Talks Expanding Uhura’s Role In Season 3 Of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’
• July 1, 2024 | Recap/Review: ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Returns With A Bang In “Into The Breach” (Part I & Part II)
• June 30, 2024 | Catch Up On ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ With Season 1 Recap And Season 2 Preview

Mike McMahan Talks “Amazing Sendoff” For ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ In Season 5, Hints At Potential Spinoffs

| June 27, 2024 | By: Aaron Bossig 14 comments so far

Paramount+ recently announced the upcoming fifth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks will be its last . Fans who have appreciated the show’s fusion of animated humor and Star Trek tropes are frustrated it is coming to an end, but the creator and showrunner is now offering a glimmer of hope.

The ending of a chapter…

Lower Decks executive producer Mike McMahan sat down with the team at The ‘Verse podcast to set expectations for the big wrap-up of the series. McMahan’s excitement over the upcoming season is apparent even as he restrains himself from revealing specifics about specific plotlines. Acknowledging earlier comments that he had a plan to take Lower Decks years beyond Season 4, McMahan went into Season 5 knowing the future of the show was uncertain and he couldn’t count on resolving story arcs years later. A balance had to be struck between crafting a satisfying single season and consciously wrapping up the whole series. As he said to The ‘Verse :

“The ending of season 5 it is the ending of a chapter that I knew I wanted to do. There are things that happen in it… I’m being very careful… that are sort of setting up spinoffs and setting up backdoor pilots. There’s characters I’m introducing that you’ll see clearly I wanted to do more with.”

Despite his high expectations for season 5, Mike McMahan shares in the the audience’s disappointment that Lower Decks is seemingly at its end. With each season’s poster art sequentially honoring a Star Trek movie, it’s suggested that Lower Decks had ambitions of going ten seasons. McMahan tempers that expectation, insisting that it was “a miracle” Lower Decks got the five seasons it did (and that miracle was one he attributed to fan support). He did, with trepidation, tell The ‘Verse that there’s still more to the Lower Decks story:

“Season 5… like, I almost couldn’t believe it would be the end, because these characters don’t feel like they’re ready to resolve for me. So like, season 5 feels like an amazing sendoff, but it certainly feels like… it feels like the end of a chapter, not the end of a series. I would always be into doing more seasons, movies, comics, novels…”

Continuing a Star Trek series through comics and novels is a long tradition, one Lower Decks has already embraced . Returning for new seasons or a movie is a more interesting proposition for Lower Decks , however, as its animated nature would make it much easier and cheaper to revive than one of its live-action counterparts. Indeed, it was suggested that Lower Decks could find itself in a Prodigy situation, where finding a different distribution channel might mean the difference between having a show and not. McMahan acknowledged the possibility , but chose not to weigh in on the likelihood:

“I don’t want to get into any of that. Listen, I don’t wear a tie, and that’s tie questions. What I would say is, these characters are like my heart and soul. I put all of myself into this show, I really really love it. And I’m always down to make more if the cards align.”

Conceptually, an animated show would be easier to bring back after a hiatus due to fewer practical concerns. There are no sets to rebuild and the actors aging is never a factor. McMahan did make references to Futurama and Family Guy , two other animated series that were brought back for new seasons under very similar circumstances.

From the Lower Decks season 4 finale (Paramount+)

Holding nothing back in season 5

Not everything McMahan has said about the next season has changed following the cancellation. Season 4 ended with the cliffhanger of D’Vana Tendi returning to Orion, seemingly leaving Starfleet behind. While some fans feared this would signal the character leaving the show, McMahan insists that is not the case , and that Tendi will continue to be a big part of season 5. In addition to promising more Tendi and T’Lyn, he suggested other classic Star Trek characters might appear:

“Pretty cool stuff with Tendi… There’s some cool stuff with T’Lyn… I got to work with some pretty cool legacy actors.”

Podcast hosts Lucas Longacre and Norm Felker fondly recalled the inclusion of Deep Space Nine actors Armin Shimerman, Nana Visitor, Chase Masterson, and Max Grodénchik on Lower Decks . McMahan is proud of the strong love for earlier Trek, and of Deep Space Nine specifically, and insists that Lower Decks wants to open its doors to the veteran actors if the show can offer their characters something both new for the actor and respectful of existing fandom. He explained:

“It’s tricky because, whenever we have legacy actors, I don’t want them to just pop in and be like ‘Hey, it’s me! Bye-bye!’ I want to expand them even just a little bit.”

McMahan is careful when bringing back legacy characters, like Armin Shimerman’s Quark in season 3. (Paramount+)

Crafted by Trekkies, for Trekkies

Whether discussing the past, present, or future of Lower Deck s, McMahan asserts that the show found its niche by giving Star Trek fans something new wrapped in the humor of something they already love. The basic structure of Star Trek allows for a great deal of variety and innovation in what stories are told and how those stories can be framed. This was what sets Lower Decks   apart while still being unquestionably part of the legacy Star Trek universe. McMahan credits Gene Roddenberry for setting up the structure that let other shows follow:

“I think Gene Roddenberry created this really brilliant format. Not just the stuff he worked on, the type of storytelling as like a methodologically appealing thing for television and movies. He really, really nailed it.”

Though new stories in established universes always run the risk of upsetting canon, the balance McMahan spoke of earlier is what he credits to Lower Decks’ almost universal popularity with longtime fans. The audience wants something new, but they tend to not want to see what they already love being “undone.”  Even taking a new look at classic worlds, now a part of the Star Trek universe for decades, the same feel has to be kept. Using just one example from DS9 , McMahan told The ‘Verse :

“We don’t want to homogenize anything. We like the idea of everything having its own kind of cultural impact and weirdness. So you’ll see in the background of our Ferenginar episode, there’s still Ferengi females who are just naked and walking around.”

Extra care is taken not to “undo” the worldbuilding done by earlier series (Paramount+)

The fifth and final season of Star Trek: Lower Decks is set to arrive on Paramount+ later in 2024, but the streaming service has not yet set a release date.

Keep up with news about the  Star Trek Universe at TrekMovie.com .

Related Articles

Conventions/Events/Attractions , Trek Franchise

Trek Long Island Bringing Star Trek Community Together For A Unique Fan-Run Convention

DS9 , Lower Decks , Star Trek: Picard

Michael Dorn Wanted Armin Shimerman To Play The Ferengi That Worf Killed In Star Trek Picard

All Access Star Trek Podcast , Celebrity , Discovery , DS9 , ENT , Lower Decks , Star Trek: Legacy , Star Trek: Picard , Strange New Worlds , TNG

Podcast: Armin Shimerman, Kitty Swink, Jonathan Frakes & Juan Carlos Coto—Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer

Conventions/Events/Attractions , Review

The Star Trek: The Cruise VII—A Voyage Like None Other

Can’t Wait. BRING IT ON!

Please give the Lower Decks crew *their own* send off. Don’t bring in a million cameos and make it some rehash of a previous Trek. Respect your own new characters enough to finish their story on this series, on their own terms.

This has never been something Lower Decks had a problem with so Im sure they’ll be fine on that front

It would be hilarious if the Lower Decks finale pokes fun at the Enterprise finale.

Crisis Point 3 – The Search for a voyage home to the final frontier: the undiscovered country.

Lower Decks and Strange New Worlds are my two favorites of the new Trek things. I love Lower Decks so much, was so disappointing that it was canceled. Could keep going for years.

CBS doesn’t really have an animated sitcom, do they? Maybe they’d like to give that a try. Or Hulu for the opposite reason, they have a lot of animated sitcom stuff.

“The audience wants something new, but they tend to not want to see what they already love being “undone.”

This is why I’m a fan of both Mike McMahan and the Hagemann Brothers. They’re adding to the Star Trek story, not trying to change its history. I’m a fan of canon and what I wanted since 2016 was a continuation of the universe in the 24th/25th centuries, post nemesis.The animated shows filled that void. And yes, S3 Picard too.

I’m really hate to see it go, it’s the only modern Trek show I’ve consistently enjoyed.

Crossing my fingers that they at least got to make an hour-long finale.

Lower Decks was some good silly fun, but do we really need more? Rather than more animation, I’d love to see the characters return in live-action, even in a drama (with comedic undertones).

this show i was so skeptical of when it was announced and by the 3rd episode it had won me over and now its one of my fav ST shows and definitely the best of the new Paramount+ shows. its hard to spark that tone of ‘laughing with’ and not ‘laughing at’ and LDs does that perfectly.

I like the idea of a movie (or movies) using the South Park direct-to-stream “Specials” format. Maybe they need to dump the stupid Section 31 Yeoh garbage and just make an animated short series with clone Boimler and Mariner.

Season 1 left me excited for Season 2. Season 2 left me incredibly hyped for Season 3. Season 3 left me cautiously optimistic for Season 4. Season 4 left me ambivalent about Season 5.

• More to Explore
• Series & Movies

Published Apr 4, 2023

EXO-6 Teases First Contact Worf 1:6 Scale Figure

Assimilate this!

StarTrek.com

Ahead of First Contact Day, EXO-6 is joining in on the celebration by teasing their next 1:6 scale figure in the First Contact collection — Worf in the EV suit!

This fine collectible figure is a perfect rendition of everyone’s favorite Starfleet Klingon and a great addition to your EXO-6 Star Trek 1:6 scale figure collection. The EXO-6 First Contact line includes the previously released Captain Jean-Luc Picard figure and Lt. Commander Data figure .

When first introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation , the surly Worf was the first Klingon to serve in Starfleet, assigned on the U.S.S. Enterprise -D under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

In the film Star Trek: First Contact , Starfleet has engaged in combat with the Borg. Following a massive battle, the Federation appears to be losing. The U.S.S. Defiant , commanded by Worf, is unable to turn the tides of the battle. As the Defiant is about to ram the Borg ship, the U.S.S. Enterprise -E beams aboard its crew, rescuing them, and reuniting Worf with his old crew.

Donning EV suits, Picard, Worf, and Lt. Hawk must travel out to the exterior hull of the Enterprise -E to thwart the Borg’s attempt to phone home. The Environmental suits that the Enterprise officers wear for the spacewalk were created by costume designer Deborah Everton specifically for this film.

The EXO-6 1:6 scale Worf collectible figure will incorporate lights into the suit and helmet just like the original. Thanks to Norman Chan of Tested for consulting with EXO-6 on adding lights to the replica.

Pre-order and additional figure details will be released by EXO-6 at a later date.

Stay tuned to StarTrek.com for more details! And be sure to follow @StarTrek on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

Get Updates By Email

Errand Of Mercy: Star Treks First Klingon Episode Explained

• Klingons debuted in Star Trek: TOS' "Errand of Mercy," setting the stage for their future appearances.
• Klingons were initially ruthless villains, but evolved into a species with honor and tradition.
• Klingon appearance and culture have undergone numerous updates since their introduction, with Star Trek: Discovery introducing a controversial new look.

The Star Trek: The Original Series episode, "Errand of Mercy" includes the first appearance of one of Star Trek 's most iconic aliens — the Klingons. Throughout its three seasons, TOS produced some truly memorable episodes of television, many of which continue to affect the Star Trek franchise today. The adventures of Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the USS Enterprise crew laid the groundwork for every Star Trek story that came after. Many of the franchise's most recognizable aliens made their debut on TOS, including the infamous Klingons.

Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, episode 26, "Errand of Mercy," sends Captain Kirk and his crew to the planet Organia, as they try to convince the locals to side with the United Federation of Planets rather than the Klingons. As Kirk and Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) speak with the Organians, Klingon forces arrive, forcing the Enterprise to retreat to a safe distance. Kirk then faces off against the Klingon leader Kor (John Colicos), who proves to be an intelligent military strategist. Although the appearance and culture of the Klingons would change a lot over the years, their depiction in "Errand of Mercy" set up everything that came after.

Star Treks 10 Greatest Klingons

Star Trek has many great Klingon characters from Kor to Worf and Kruge to Torres. But who are the best Klingon warriors that Qo'noS has to offer?

What Happened In Star Trek: The Original Series' Errand of Mercy

Captain kirk met the organians & the klingons for the first time..

In Star Trek: The Original Series ' "Errand of Mercy," the United Federation of Planets is on the brink of war with the Klingon Empire, so Captain Kirk and the USS Enterprise are sent to Organia, a planet that sits on the Federation/Klingon border. The Federation hopes to prevent the Klingons from taking advantage of Organia's strategic location. Kirk and Spock beam down to the planet, initially believing it won't be difficult to convince the Organians to work with the Federation. The local council leader, a man named Ayelborne (John Abbott), insists that they want no part in any conflict and refuses to take part in any kind of violence.

Soon, a Klingon fleet appears in orbit around Organia, forcing the Enterprise to retreat and leave Kirk and Spock on the planet. The Organians do not make any attempt to resist the Klingons, who quickly take control of the planet, led by Commander Kor. Attempting to inspire the Organians to fight back, Kirk and Spock sabotage the Klingon's supplies. When Kor tries to torture Kirk and Spock for information, the Organians put a stop to the conflict, revealing their true nature as powerful, non-corporeal beings.

Klingons Debuted In Star Trek: The Orginal Series Errand of Mercy

John colicos' kor remains one of star trek's most important klingons..

John Colicos' Kor made quite an impression as one of the first Klingons to appear on screen, and his performance helped establish the personality of many Klingons moving forward. As Kirk describes the Klingons, they are presented as a "military dictatorship" whose civilization is constantly at war with some foe or another. When Kor arrives on Organia, he immediately declares its people to be "subjects of the Klingon Empire" and enacts a series of laws punishable by death. The Klingons in "Errand of Mercy" are ruthless villains built on outdated stereotypes, but they gained more nuance and characterization in later appearances.

As the writer of "Errand of Mercy," Gene L. Coon is credited with the creation of the Klingons, although actor John Colicos helped create their distinctive look.

Kor goes toe-to-toe with Captain Kirk, and while he displays a certain level of honor in his dealings, the Klingons of Star Trek: TOS were not known for their honor. Not only do the Klingons subjugate the Organians and order mass executions, but they also try to torture Kirk and Spock for information. The Klingons are depicted as savage conquerors, with little patience for other cultures. As the Organians predicted, however, the Klingons and the Federation would eventually become allies, and while the Klingons remained fierce warriors, they toned down their ruthlessness a bit.

Every Version Of The Klingons In Star Trek

The Klingons are one of the most diverse alien species in all of Star Trek, and multiple different variations have appeared in canon from TOS onward.

How Klingons Have Changed Since Star Trek: The Original Series Errand of Mercy

The appearance and culture of the klingons have received numerous updates over the years..

In both appearance and culture, the Klingons have changed a great deal since their introduction in "Errand of Mercy." Star Trek: The Original Series was limited regarding budget and make-up, and it wasn't until Star Trek: The Motion Picture that the look of the Klingons got an upgrade. With longer hair and the now-iconic forehead ridges, Star Trek: The Motion Picture brought the Klingons closer to their most recognizable look. Star Trek: The Next Generation solidified this look, and dove deeper into Klingon culture and tradition with Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn).

John Colicos returned as Kor in three episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , with the upgraded look of TNG -era Klingons.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine continued Worf's exploration of his Klingon heritage, further establishing the honor and tradition at the heart of Klingon society. Like any species, however, not all Klingons upheld this ideal version of their culture. Star Trek: Discovery introduced Klingons of a very different sort, with a controversial new look. Since their introduction in Star Trek: The Original Series , the Klingons have changed perhaps more than any other Star Trek species, but they remain one of the most recognizable fictional species in popular culture.

Star Trek: The Original Series

Cast Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, William Shatner, George Takei, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan

Release Date September 8, 1966

Showrunner Gene Roddenberry

Screen Rant

Star trek: ds9 almost made a big change to 2 tng characters.

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Every Star Trek: DS9 & TNG Crossover Ranked Worst To Best

Nana visitor: star trek ds9’s revolutionary major kira actor explained, wait, star trek: voyager's chakotay is in ds9.

• Deleted dialog in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine would have revealed a connection between Lwaxana Troi and Admiral Nechayev, changing their dynamic in The Next Generation.
• The cut scene would have shown Lwaxana and Nechayev as friends, potentially affecting Admiral Nechayev's relationship with Captain Picard.
• The deleted line about Lwaxana and Nechayev's friendship could have added depth to their characters, showcasing a more relaxed side of Admiral Nechayev.

Deleted dialog from an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine would have drastically changed how viewers perceived two previously unconnected Star Trek: The Next Generation characters. As a spinoff from TNG , it was understandable that DS9 featured many crossover appearances from characters like Q (John de Lancie) and Thomas Riker (Jonathan Frakes). The addition of Michael Dorn to the cast of Deep Space Nine in season 4 further solidified the show's links to TNG and pushed the character of Lt. Commander Worf in new and interesting directions, and allowed TNG characters like Chancellor Gowron to recur.

With the exception of series regular Chief O'Brien (Colm Meaney), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine only featured Star Trek: The Next Generation characters in guest spots before Worf turned up. Two semiregular TNG guest characters were Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett) and Admiral Nechayev (Natalia Nogulich), who each appeared in a handful of episodes of DS9 . Troi and Nechayev never shared a scene , but information cut from DS9 season 3, episode 10, "Fascination", directed by Avery Brooks , would have revealed a hitherto unknown link between them.

Star Trek: DS9 had several TNG crossover episodes over the years, with everyone from Thomas Riker to Q passing through the station, but which is best?

Star Trek: DS9 Almost Revealed TNG’s Lwaxana Troi & Admiral Nechayev Were Friends

"...the sister i never had.".

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3, episode 10, "Fascination" is the first Lwaxana Troi episode since the Federation entered into the Cold War with the Dominion. In the episode, Lwaxana is attending the Bajoran Gratitude Festival, but is really there to comfort Odo (Rene Auberjonois) after he discovered his people were the Founders of the Dominion. The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion reveals that dialog cut from the shooting script would have explained how Lwaxana came to learn about the Changelings. In the broadcast episode, Odo and Lwaxana's interaction plays out like this:

LWAXANA : Officially I'm here as the Betazoid representative to the Gratitude Festival. But the truth is, I came to see you, you poor sweet tortured man. ODO : Excuse me? LWAXANA : I know the torment you must be going through. To spend your whole life searching for your people only to discover that they're the leaders of that awful Dominion. ODO : You heard about that? LWAXANA : Odo, don't worry. I'm here to help you.

In the shooting script, however, there was a line of dialog about Lwaxana Troi having friends in high places. One of these friends was Admiral Nechayev, whom Lwaxana Troi describes as " the sister I never had. " Although it's a throwaway gag that never made it into the finished episode, the concept of Lwaxana and Nechayev being friends dramatically changes how you see Star Trek: The Next Generation 's Admiral.

How DS9’s Deleted Scene Changes Troi And Nechayev In Star Trek: TNG

"there has been a certain amount of tension between us in the past.".

In each of her Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine appearances, Admiral Nechayev is always portrayed as a tough, no-nonsense authority figure. So much so that in Star Trek: TNG season 7, episode 20, "Journey's End", Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) is desperately trying to repair their working relationship. If DS9 had revealed that Nechayev and Lwaxana Troi were "sisters" then it would shed new light on her antagonistic relationship with Captain Picard. Perhaps Admiral Nechayev is so stern with Captain Picard because of how he had previously spurned Lwaxana Troi's advances.

Despite her initial ambivalence toward him in her first Star Trek: The Next Generation appearance, Lwaxana Troi pursued Picard in "Manhunt", forcing him to take refuge in the holodeck. It's easy to imagine, therefore, that Lwaxana would recount Picard's cowardly behavior over drinks with Admiral Nechayev, coloring her opinion of the Enterprise captain as a result. In many ways, it's a shame that Star Trek: Deep Space Nine cut the line about Lwaxana and Nechayev's friendship as it reveals that, stern as she may be, TNG 's admiral clearly knows how to let her hair down.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

*Availability in US

Not available

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, also known as DS9, is the fourth series in the long-running Sci-Fi franchise, Star Trek. DS9 was created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller, and stars Avery Brooks, René Auberjonois, Terry Farrell, and Cirroc Lofton. This particular series follows a group of individuals in a space station near a planet called Bajor.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation is the third installment in the sci-fi franchise and follows the adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew members of the USS Enterprise. Set around one hundred years after the original series, Picard and his crew travel through the galaxy in largely self-contained episodes exploring the crew dynamics and their own political discourse. The series also had several overarching plots that would develop over the course of the isolated episodes, with four films released in tandem with the series to further some of these story elements.