Playing Starfleet officer Worf, Michael Dorn has made more appearances in Star Trek TV shows and movies than any other actor.
Despite playing (mostly) fearless Klingon officer Worf on Star Trek: The Next Generation for seven seasons, Michael Dorn says he’s afraid today’s sci-fi television, and reality itself, is getting way too cozy with the end times.
“I hate to say it, but we’re light-years away from the optimistic ’60s,” Dorn told Wired in an e-mail interview ahead of The Next Generation’s 25th anniversary Friday. “The political rhetoric that has permeated the airwaves lately is scary — in an Armageddon way.”
More Next Generation-style sci-fi optimism could bring more lasting hope, if only to illuminate our post-9/11 wasteland of paranoia and persecution. But one thing seems certain: Earth is worse off not having Star Trek on television, said Dorn, who has played the same character in more Star Trek shows and films than anyone.
Wired cornered the man behind Worf for a chat on these and other crippling sci-fi conundrums, as well as his most and least favorite episodes of The Next Generation.
Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Michael Dorn is ready for something aside from sci-fi doom. Image courtesy Michael Calas
It’s been 25 turbulent years since
Star Trek: The Next Generation left the air. Any thoughts on its kinship with its epochal predecessor?
Michael Dorn: I think Star Trek: The Next Generation is just like the original Star Trek series, in that it was, and is, an escape from the day-to-day crap that we all face. It gives its fans a chance to forget their everyday trials and tribulations, put up their feet and get lost in the dream of a world without chaos, where people get along and there is no disease or hunger. Sometimes.
Wired: Why do I get the feeling that both series’ conflict resolution should be mandatory viewing?
Dorn: Although our show does have its share of conflicts, they are resolved in a positive light. I also think the original series was groundbreaking in its inclusion of minorities, and the way it tackled race, bigotry and the arms race. Star Trek: The Next Generation just continued that legacy, but in an ’80s-’90s sorta way.
Wired: Any favorite episodes? Any least favorites?
Dorn: My favorite episode is “The Drumhead,” which has one of the series’ best ending scenes: Picard and Worf discussing a social issue. Least favorite? “Code of Honor.”
Wired: The Next Generation’s philosophical sci-fi optimism is in short supply these days. Could we use more of it?
Dorn: We could definitely use more of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s optimism. It feels like we’ve gotten further and further away from that.
Wired: Do you think the show would have a chance of getting greenlit today?
Dorn: No, I don’t think Star Trek: The Next Generation could get greenlit in its original form. Sci-fi has taken on a different look these days. We don’t see the social messages that it was famous for. If you look at science fiction’s origins, there was always social commentary mixed in with its monsters and aliens. And we don’t see any of that these days.
Wired: So are we worse off for not having a Star Trek series on television these days?
Dorn: Of course we’re worse off by not having a Star Trek show on television. But only if it’s good. It would be nice if Star Trek could be a catalyst for change, along with being an entertaining show.
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