Ronald D. Moore Roasted on TV for Writing Worf’s ‘Stupid Line’

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Ronald D. Moore is practically synonymous with the triumph of “Star Trek,” and his contributions to science fiction are nothing short of legendary. From the space exploration series to his critically-acclaimed reboot of “Battlestar Galactica” and now “For All Mankind” on Apple TV+, Moore’s name is etched deeply in sci-fi lore. However, even a legend like him can’t escape the occasional cringe-worthy line from his days as a writer on “The Next Generation.

As we await upcoming Star Trek shows and Moore’s For All Mankind spinoff Star City, the icon recently talked about one of the more embarrassing lines he ever wrote for Trek. Speaking on The Sackhoff Show with his BSG collaborator Katee Sackhoff, he admitted the embarrassing moment came from a popular –and one of my favorite episodes– of The Next Generation:

In the initial Star Trek: The Next Generation season, the standout episode was titled ‘Sins of the Father’. This episode centered around Worf and his journey. He returned to his homeworld for the first time, grappling with issues of honor. I was fortunate enough to be on set during filming, and I must say it was quite intriguing: ‘The atmosphere was thick with Klingon culture, and I found myself really enjoying it.’ Michael Dorn, who played Worf, delivered an impactful line in a scene where he discovered one of the other Klingons had betrayed them. The line was, ‘Someone should feed this Ha’dibah to the dogs!’. Upon saying this, Michael expressed his thoughts: ‘The script is fantastic, but when lines like that are thrown in, it makes everything seem less intelligent.’

Michael Dorn clearly disapproved of that particular line, yet he’s repeatedly expressed his deep affection for Worf. Fortunately, he generally maintained his professionalism during the filming of that episode. Ronald D. Moore didn’t deter him from portraying a Klingon, despite the line being poor quality.

After initially portraying the Klingon character in Deep Space Nine, it’s clear that Dorn didn’t have any major issues with Moore’s writing, as he even went on to become the most consistently active actor within the Star Trek universe.

To enjoy Star Trek: The Next Generation and other Paramount shows, you might want to consider subscribing to Paramount+. Fresh and returning subscribers can take advantage of a complimentary trial period. The Essential plan starts at just $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually, while the Premium plan offers an ad-free experience with double the catalog by including Showtime for $12.99 a month. Grab your deal now!

It appears that Ronald D. Moore concurred with Michael Dorn’s assessment of the line. Although Dorn has faced difficulties in getting his own Klingon-focused series off the ground, Moore acknowledged at the time that it was indeed a corny line.

I wasn’t visible on screen because I was out of the shot. I couldn’t help but think that line was terrible. I quickly exited the stage and thought to myself, “That was a real flop.

Every now and then, even for a highly esteemed figure like Moore in the science fiction community, not every concept is successful. However, these failures can sometimes pave the way for more promising outcomes, such as when his ideas were rejected for Star Trek: Voyager. If that rejection hadn’t occurred, he may not have created Battlestar Galactica, where he was able to develop many of those concepts that Star Trek had declined to use.

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I must say that while I eagerly await Patrick Moore’s potential return to the Star Trek universe, his captivating narratives are already alive in the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind. The writer himself has hinted at the possibility of future seasons delving into hyperspace travel, much like Trek does, which is quite intriguing given that the series unfolds within the For All Mankind universe. It’s a series worth exploring for fellow readers until Moore resumes his work on Star Trek once again.

You can now watch “Star Trek: The Next Generation” online via Paramount+. Don’t miss out on the iconic corny line in “Sins of the Father,” and some unexpected scenes from “TNG” that even devoted fans may have overlooked.

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2025-03-14 21:40