Warning: Contains spoilers for Star Trek: Defiant #7!Star Trek has changed Worf’s life forever—with a shocking death 33 years in the making. The franchise is currently being rocked by the god war, a year-long story that has culminated in the epic crossover Day of Blood. The Klingon Emperor Kahless has declared war on the universe’s godlike beings. Now, in Star Trek: Defiant #7, the event’s penultimate chapter, Worf’s life is rocked to its core with one death.
Star Trek: Defiant #7 is written by Christopher Cantwell, drawn by Angel Unzueta, colored by Marissa Louise and lettered by Clayton Cowles. Worf and Sisko have cornered Kahless in this throne room, as the Klingon homeworld descends into chaos. Worf’s son Alexander, who joined Kahless earlier in the event, is ready to fight his father, his bat’leth drawn; he is to keep Worf busy while Kahless deals with Sisko. Worf and Alexander fight back and forth, with neither combatant gaining the upper hand. While fighting his son, Worf tries to reason with him. Worf apologizes for being a bad father, and for all the times he was not there for his son. Worf understands how alone Alexander feels, and he tries to get through to him. Eventually, Worf gets the best of Alexander–but refuses to kill him, instead inviting him to “quiet our fears together.” Sensing Alexander’s faith waning, Kahless impales him with his bat’leth–and all Worf can do is look on.
Alexander Stretched Worf to His Limits
![Star Trek Changes Worf Forever with a Death 33 Years in the Making](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/alexander-kahless-day-of-blood.jpg)
Worf’s son Alexander has been perhaps the Klingon’s greatest challenge–and also his greatest failure. After Alexander’s half-Klingon, half-human mother passed away, Alexander at first went to live with Worf’s adopted parents on Earth, but eventually came to live on the Enterprise with his father. Worf struggled as a parent and usually came up short. After leaving the ship, Alexander would drift through life, trying the Klingon Defense Force but not finding it to his liking. In Day of Blood, Alexander falls under the sway of Kahless, joining his deicidal Red Path cult. Alexander blames Worf for his misery, making him easy pickings for Kahless.
Worf’s Life Has Been One of Misery and Loss
![Worf Alexander Day of Blood 2](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/worf-alexander-day-of-blood-2.jpg)
Worf has seemingly known nothing but death. His biological parents were killed in a Romulan attack. Afterward, he went to live on Earth with the Starfleet officers who rescued him–and he would go on to become the first Klingon to serve in that organization. His brother Kurn lives in disgrace. K’Ehleyr, Alexander’s mother, was killed as well. Perhaps Worf’s greatest loss came at the end of Deep Space Nine’s sixth season, when his wife Jadzia Dax was killed by Gul Dukat. Worf’s life has been one of non-stop tragedy and loss.
Now, Worf’s life is shattered forever as Alexander dies in his arms. Alexander was Worf’s last link to K’Ehleyr, one of the great loves of his life. Worf sought to reconcile with Alexander, and it seemed he was on the verge of getting through to him–but now this opportunity has been denied him forever. Worf struggled to be a good father, and Alexander’s defection to the Red Path, and subsequent death at Kahless’ hands, will haunt him forever. With little to no family left, Worf is truly alone and how this will impact the Star Trek icon will play out in the months ahead.
Star Trek: Defiant #7 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!