Why Worf Should Never Have Been Captain of the Enterprise in Star Trek

In a notable twist within the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine narrative, one pivotal choice by Worf (Michael Dorn) raises questions about his eventual promotion to captain of the USS Enterprise. Throughout the extensive seven-season run of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Worf serves as the security chief aboard the USS Enterprise-D, functioning under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). Following the conclusion of TNG, Worf transitions to DS9, where he significantly evolves in both character complexity and leadership role, taking on a position as the strategic operations officer responsible for coordinating Starfleet’s activities in the Bajoran sector.

As the highest-ranking officer during Captain Benjamin Sisko’s (Avery Brooks) absences, Worf commands the USS Defiant—a starship originally designed for war against the Borg and later instrumental in the Dominion War. His experiences here afford him the opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities as a commander. Although he never officially held the captaincy of the USS Enterprise during TNG, he ultimately finds himself in command of the Enterprise-E when Picard accepts a promotion to admiral.

Star Trek: Picard Overlooks Worf’s Path to Enterprise Command

Worf’s Brief Yet Significant Tenure as Captain of the Enterprise-E

Throughout his journey, Worf consistently demonstrates loyalty to Starfleet, although he occasionally prioritizes his Klingon code of honor. A significant instance occurs in DS9’s season 6, episode 16 titled “Change of Heart.”During this episode, the newlywed Worf and Lt. Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) embark on a crucial undercover assignment involving a Cardassian defector, Lasaran (Todd Waring), who possesses vital military intelligence pertinent to the ongoing Dominion War. As they navigate through treacherous territory, Jadzia suffers a serious injury at the hands of a Jem’Hadar soldier.

Worf’s commitment to Jadzia is tested when he must decide whether to leave her behind to fulfill the mission. Ultimately, overriding his initial agreement, he chooses to return and save her life, compromising the mission—you see, Lasaran dies before he can relay his crucial information to the Federation. Following their return to Deep Space Nine, Captain Sisko informs Worf that this incident would tarnish his service record, possibly affecting his prospects for future command. Nevertheless, Worf eventually secures a command role—taking the helm of the USS Enterprise.

Assessing the Repercussions of Worf’s DS9 Decisions in Star Trek: Picard

Worf’s Command of the Enterprise-E and the Circumstances of Its Demise

Upon the conclusion of DS9, Worf’s career takes a turn as he serves as the Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire until he rejoins the Enterprise-E crew in Star Trek: Nemesis. Following the significant events of that film, it seems only logical for Worf to assume the role of captain aboard the Enterprise, ensuring continuity within the legacy of The Next Generation series. This thematic coherence in Star Trek: Picard season 3 outweighs adherence to a specific line from an episode of DS9 that aired two decades earlier.

Several in-universe explanations could account for Worf’s unexpected elevation to command despite the incident during the DS9 mission. Captain Sisko understood Worf’s decision deeply, even expressing that he might have acted similarly if his wife were in a vulnerable position. It’s plausible that Sisko championed Worf’s merits, highlighting his positive contributions throughout his tenure in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Moreover, Admiral Picard, a significant figure in Worf’s career, may have played a crucial role in supporting his appointment, given the weight of his experience and respect within Starfleet.

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