By Chris Snellgrove | Published
Some think it’s old school, but we’re still big fans of TV Tropes, a website that provides specialized terms to help us both understand and appreciate the media we consume. It’s an incredibly clever concept because great shows and movies incorporate themes and ideas from other works, so speaking the trope-y language of entertainment can help you better understand your favorite media. For example, I recently discovered a trope known as The Worf Effect, and this has completely changed the way I view everyone’s favorite Klingon. Star Trek: The Next Generation.
What is the Worf Effect?
If you need a quick primer, Worf is the only Klingon in Starfleet, and serves as Chief of Security on Captain Picard’s Enterprise-D after the death of Tasha Yar. Due to his strong Klingon heritage, Worf is one of the strongest characters on the show, but he is often kicked around by his arch enemies. According to The Worf Effect trope, this is a deliberate strategy Star Trek: The Next Generation writers because it allows them to discover how dangerous the new bad guy is when he kicks the best guy’s ass.
In theory, this is a good idea because it provides a narrative shorthand for writers and viewers alike. Everyone knows that Worf is one tough hombre, so when you see someone give their bone to him, you know they are equally tough, and therefore, a great threat to our heroes. In Worf’s case, however, the main problem is that the writers put this idea down faster than Worf rushes to spend any quality time with his son.
Michael Dorn Knew About The Worf Effect A Long Time And Fixed It
Over time, that meant the overused literary trope had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of making us see the new villain as strong, it just makes us see Worf as overly weak. In fact, this writing trope is a quick way to ruin a good character, and no one understands this better than Worf actor Michael Dorn.
Dorn was well aware of the Worf Effect before it had a proper name. Because of his irritation with this overused trope, he required a special promise from the writers that his character would not receive the same treatment once he arrived. Deep Space Nine. They honored this promise, and Worf is just as dangerous a hero on that show as he was a punching bag. The Next Generation.
The Importance of Tropes in Fiction
There are fans and critics alike who don’t respect the idea of cable TV because they think our favorite media needs to be understood more through the lens of academic scrutiny and less through the lens of other media. However, The Worf Effect is a good example of how a tropes-based approach can help us better understand a show like Star Trek: The Next Generationthe one whose wisdom often helps him avoid criticism. Understanding the tropes it’s used so often as a crutch can help you honestly assess the series’ merits without the rose-tinted glasses of boyhood memories.
Remember, children: today, too every daygood day to die nostalgia.
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