The MCU could take lessons about humor from how Worf was written

The MCU could take lessons about humor from how Worf was written

As someone who has grown up with the stars as my neighbors and the universe as my playground, I can’t help but feel a deep connection to characters like Worf. The way Michael Dorn breathed life into this Klingon warrior was nothing short of extraordinary. His ability to balance seriousness and humor without compromising the essence of the character is a skill that many modern writers seem to have forgotten.


In a recent discussion, Michael Dorn, famously known for portraying Worf in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, expressed his viewpoint that the show’s writers didn’t fully capture the character’s humor potential. He explained that they expected him to join in on the jokes and laugh along with the rest of the cast, essentially turning him into a humorous exaggeration of himself. However, Dorn is a serious individual who relished battle scenes, but he also had a knack for making the audience chuckle.

Although it was unintentional, his performance in the funnier scenes ended up being much more memorable than the intended humor. His sincerity added to these moments, making them stand out without diminishing his character’s impact.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe could benefit from taking this lesson to heart. They often have the tendency to turn every character into a jokester, or make some characters tell jokes that aren’t very funny. Two examples that come to mind are Thor and Drax. These two characters share some similarities with Worf from Star Trek – they are as close to a serious, non-humorous character as you can find in the MCU.

The trio relish a good battle, are quite earnest, and stand taller than their fellow warriors. However, Thor and Drax frequently find themselves targets of jest or are so unaware that it affects how viewers see them. At first glance, Drax appeared to be a determined killer set on vanquishing Thanos, giving off a serious vibe. Today, he’s become more of a clown, his obliviousness often the punchline for humor. It wouldn’t be so peculiar if he didn’t understand why it was amusing. Yet, as the series progressed, Drax has gained more awareness about comedy and intentionally overacts to provoke laughter.

Speaking of Thor, I can’t help but feel indignant about how they’ve portrayed him. Instead of respecting his character, they transformed him into an object of amusement, focusing more on comedic relief than demonstrating the devastating impact that depression can have on a person.

In any scenario, they appeared to be weak attempts at portraying characters similar to Worf. Both were tough, battle-focused personalities with a somber disposition, yet unlike Worf, their serious nature was compromised for cheap humor. A situation where Worf might have found himself.

1) Despite the exceptional talent of Dave Bautista playing Drax, it is unlikely he will surpass a C-level character, given his current role. Meanwhile, though Thor has appeared in multiple films since, his recent appearances haven’t effectively rebuilt the image of a formidable, fear-inspiring character.

Funny moments enrich stories, even those with more serious characters, but it’s crucial not to compromise their essence in pursuit of humor. Such changes can permanently alter a character. Characters truly shine when they remain oblivious to the jokes, making them all the more believable and relatable.

40 years on, Worf remains one of the most cherished and enduring characters in science-fiction lore due to his unique appeal. Similarly, the infatuation with the MCU has started to fade. The issue arises when attempts are made to make all characters indistinguishable, stripping them of their individuality – a predicament that has been evident since the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame.

Perhaps, even prior to that point, it won’t present a problem with Worf. Given that the writers maintain the integrity of the character, he’ll remain unspoiled, regardless of how much time passes or who portrays him.

Read More

2024-08-30 03:23

Previous post Mobile Legends Battlefield Draft Effects: Discussing its key ranked mode impact, how to join and more
Next post 8 comfort shows like Gilmore Girls to watch right now