Worf (Michael Dorn) becoming a pacifist in Star Trek: The Next Generation cohorts on a final adventure to save the galaxy in Picard season 3. But Worf may be the former USS Enterprise-D and E crew member who has changed the most and is also still seeking answers at this later stage in his life.
As a Klingon who was raised on Earth by human parents, Worf has always been torn between two worlds. Worf yearned to be a true Klingon warrior but Star Trek: The Next Generation made it impossible for Worf to be accepted in Klingon society because of the political turmoil surrounding his House of Mogh. The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine furthered his development. Worf gained acceptance as part of the House of Martok (J.G. Hertzler), and the Klingon fell in love and married Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell). But Worf's happiness was soon torn away when Jadzia was murdered. At the end of DS9, Worf became the Federation's Klingon Ambassador, but he was soon back in uniform in Star Trek: Nemesis.
Worf's Pacifism Shows The Klingon Still Doesn't Know Who He Is
It's been 20+ years of real-world time and canonical Star Trek time since Worf was last seen. Worf's surprise turn towards pacifism in Star Trek: Picard season 3 really says that the Klingon still hasn't found peace with who he is. Worf has tried and largely failed at fatherhood, he lost his beloved wife, and apparently (but not surprisingly), Klingon politics wasn't for him. But Star Trek: Picard season 3's executive producer Terry Matalas said that Worf is "not really pacifist... he says he 'prefers' pacifism," so even this new facet of Worf's looks like it won't stick.
Starfleet has been the only stabilizing force in Worf's life, which has been surrounded by violence and loss. All the while, Worf wasn't accepted by the Klingon society and culture he cherishes so, although Martok became the best Klingon friend he ever had. Worf always dreamed of being a great Klingon warrior - which ultimately means dying gloriously in battle to enter the Klingon heaven of Sto-Vo-Kor - and the fact that Worf has reached old age means he didn't get that wish (yet).
Picard Season 3 Can Finally Give Worf The Answers He Seeks
At Star Trek: Picard's Television Critics Association , Michael Dorn reiterated that "Worf has always been on a journey… for who he is." And he has questions about himself he apparently never reconciled. Who is Worf? Is he a Starfleet Officer or a Klingon warrior? Dorn reminded everyone at the TCA that "[Worf] can kill everybody," so is he really a pacifist now? After all, Matalas also pointed out that, for a supposed pacifist, Worf carries a "giant anime sword." Suffice it to say, Worf's entire life has been a quest, yet unfulfilled, to fully define himself. Star Trek: Picard season 3 is designed as the final adventure of the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew, and it can finally give Worf the answers he has sought his entire life.
Star Trek: Picard Season 3 premieres Thursday, February 16th, on Paramount+.