Why Lt. Commander Worf didn’t have one best line

Star Trek: The Next Generation produced one of the greatest characters in Worf.

The gruff and grouchy Klingon from Star Trek: The Next Generation quickly became a fan favorite after he was given more lines and more to do beginning with the second season of the series. But it wasn’t until the later episodes and his move to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine that he really began to show a darkly humorous side. And while fans have often debated on the best thing the Klingon, portrayed by Michael Dorn, said over the course of his tenure on the two series and the follow-up The Next Generation movies, there can never be just one best line.

Personal favorites will always play a part in what one considers the absolutely best thing Worf ever said. Some fans lean toward his humor while others remain firmly committed to his ferocious side when he was in full protection mode or defending his honor. And Worf even had some lines we may have missed because they didn’t take place front and center. A Reddit poster brought this to light by describing a scene that took place on DS9 where Worf had what could be considered a throwaway line that happened in Season 6, Episode 23 “Profit and Lace.”

"Season 6, Episode 23, “Profit and Lace.” Rom cannot contact anyone on the Ferengi home world and he goes into ops and tells Sisko he is worried that the Dominion has invaded his home world. Think of all the terrible consequences for the Alpha Quadrant, he says. And then, off screen, in an almost throw away line, you hear this from Worf: “I cannot think of any.”"

Worf had some of the best lines which is why it is difficult to decide on just one.

One of my personal favorites is from Star Trek: First Contact when Captain Picard calls him a coward. Worf’s response was: “If you were any other man, I’d kill you where you stand.” And there is little doubt that he could have done that. It was only his respect for Picard that kept his temper in check.

In that same Reddit post mentioned above, commenters list several more what they consider to be some of the best by the Klingon.

"“Death to the opposition!”“Congratulations. You are fully dilated to ten centimeters. You may now give birth.”“Good tea. Nice house.”“Sir, I protest! I am not a merry man!”“At the first sign of betrayal I will kill him, but I promise to return the body intact.”“Assimilate this.”“You fight well…for a tailor.”“My name is Worf, madam, not woof.”"

This list could continue and become quite lengthy, and it wasn’t just the lines that were the best, it was Dorn’s delivery of them. And I think we’re all hoping that Star Trek: Picard writers are ready for Worf and will give him the dialogue to help give the third and final season of the series a proper send-off!