Star Trek: 10 Times Worf Was Ignored (But Was Absolutely Right)
4. Star Trek: First Contact
Most of the entries in this list stem from Worf's instincts to raise shields and Picard's trust in diplomacy. But then the Borg arrived, with their terrifying quest to destroy individuality and turn living, breathing people into drones.
Skirmishes with this new lethal enemy finally culminated in an inevitable invasion of the Federation. What couldn't have been predicted is how the terrible battle would end.
A Borg sphere and the Enterprise are thrown back in time. Picard must simultaneously protect Earth's first contact with the Vulcans, whilst stopping the Borg from snuffing out humanity in the past.
The beauty of First Contact is that it switches Picard and Worf's usual instincts. The Borg have been spreading throughout the ship like a virus. Worf realises the battle is lost. So instead of urging Picard to fight, Worf's solution is brutal but simple; abandon ship and destroy her to defeat the Borg.
Picard refuses. This time, he's the one unwilling to back down from a fight. His usual pragmatic instincts are blinded by unresolved past trauma at the hands of the Borg. And heartbreakingly, it causes Picard to lash out in a way he never usually would. He calls Worf a coward, knowing it's the one word that's sure to ignite the warrior's blood.
Luckily, Picard is forced to confront the truth by Lily, a 21st century woman caught in the crossfire. Her unique perspective allows her to name his thirst for vengeance for what it is. And it's her candid words that snap Picard back to reality. First Contact isn't just a brilliant Star Trek film, it's a fascinating yet disturbing examination of what can happen to even the greatest of people when they don't confront their demons.
And don't worry about Worf. Not only do the old friends make up by the end of the film, he eventually gets his wish when the Enterprise-E is destroyed on his watch. By the look on his crewmates' faces in Picard, he won't be living it down anytime soon...