I don't think a Klingon centric project is a bad idea. I just think it's one I don't think would be easy to make into a successful multiyear series. Even when you consider books, the Klingon centric series from KRAD didn't last long. And that's a series coming from one of the most knowledgeable writers of Klingons. Perhaps there was behind-the-scenes publishing things that led to the early demise of the IKS Gorkon and Klingon series, but still, there's no strong record even in publishing, including comics. Novels and comics are definitely more niche areas where I think a Klingon focused series could be more easily (and I would think more successfully) explored.
Regarding Ezri's quote, this is a 20 plus year quote, and while it would not be a bad starting point, the idea of a dying empire has also been the set up already for ST: Picard (even though that series has done little with it). I don't think an old quote is that compelling enough to build a series around. Further, Dax's words already prompted Worf to action, and he took out Gow'ron and put Martok in the chancellorship. While that might be a first step, it was a big one, and gave audiences a sense that the honorable Martok would right the ship. I do agree that Alexander might not be the strongest character to build a series around, however I think that would make him one of the best to attempt it with. It's the counterintuitive thinking of the stewards of franchises these days. Subvert expectations, and making Alexander a lead, if not the lead, would also allow them to explore issues of trauma, toxic masculinity, etc. in ways that it would be harder (but not impossible) to do with Worf. Alexander could be a more relatable character, because of him not fitting well into Klingon society, even more than Worf. Now, would fans want to see Alexander more than Worf? Very doubtful, but I could see the new Trek creatives being more interested in building a series around him than Worf. Further, a Klingon show can work without Worf. They could spin off a series about L'Rell or one about Azetbur after The Undiscovered Country. Or one about Martok, or they could use VOY's Torres or Miral Paris. They could just look at the Admiral Janeway/Miral relationship from VOY's "Endgame" for inspiration.
You make a very good point about how much Klingons are a part of Trek's mythos, and how popular they are regarding all of Trek's aliens. I think it's them and the Borg that many non-fans might recognize right off as coming from the Trek franchise. However, why the Starship Enterprise is more important is because of the open-ended storytelling format each starship-based series provides. Worf on the Enterprise allows for a conflict of different alien cultures and perspectives. No doubt there would also be conflict in a Klingon series-there would have to be-however that's narrower than seeing various races working together, and sometimes not, on another Starship Enterprise. How would Worf, the first Klingon captain of the Enterprise-with all the symbolism behind that-interact with a crew under his command? It goes right back into the heart of Worf's conflict between his Klingon heritage/culture and his human upbringing. A Worf Klingon series also presents a similar internal challenge, but I also think in a narrower way. I'm not saying that's bad, but I don't think there's multiyear series potential there.
I don't see an issue with Worf being forced out of the Enterprise necessarily, if that's where the story goes. If that leads to him commanding a Klingon vessel, so be it, we would both get what we think would be best. I think the progression aspect, of a Klingon commanding the Federation flagship, in light of the history we've seen on ENT, DISCO, and TOS (and imagine on SNW before that series is done) is too good to ignore for what it says about Trek, society, but also for the storytelling potential.
Further I think the whole Soukara business is overblown. Worf not only went on to help defeat the Dominion but became the Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire and also played a role in stopping Shinzon. I think he's more than made up for his mistake there. And Trek doesn't have a long tradition of holding things over the lead's (or main/ensemble characters') heads like that.
Spoiler from The Last Best Hope novel below:
Also, based on the non-canon (for now) Picard prequel novel The Last Best Hope, Worf was made captain of the Enterprise. So there's literary precedent, in a PIC prequel novel, already that sets it up. Now all Paramount/CBS has to do is put it into live-action.
Last edited:
