Why Troi’s Mother Gave Worf This Hilarious Nickname In Star Trek: TNG

Lwaxana Troi is one of the most iconic guest characters ever to appear on Star Trek: The Next Generation. A somewhat polarizing figure, Lwaxana is one of a small number of characters in all of Star Trek that can make Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stweart) blush and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), her daughter, roll her eyes. With her unmistakable self-confidence and colorful outfits, Majel Barrett's Lwaxana Troi dominates every room in which she finds herself. In Lwaxana Troi's nine Star Trek appearances across TNG and Deep Space Nine, she is always a force to be reckoned with.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ambassador Lwaxana Troi's at times chaotic energy frequently clashes with Lieutenant Worf's stern and occasionally angry personality. When the pair first meet, Worf (Michael Dorn) is hostile and clearly annoyed with her presence. Across three seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation and a bit of Deep Space Nine, however, Ambassador Troi gradually wears down Lieutenant Worf's resolve. The only Klingon in Starfleet might have been able to face down a Romulan and wrestle Jem'Hadar without blinking, but Lwaxana Troi brought him to heel.

Why Star Trek: TNG’s Lwaxana Troi Called Worf This Hilarious Nickname

Woof, Woof, Mister Worf.

In her fourth appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Lwaxana Troi strides across the bridge of the USS Enterprise-D to poke at Lt. Worf's security console and calls him "Mister Woof." Immediately, Worf moves Lwaxana away from the console and corrects her with a glare: "It is 'Worf,' madam, not 'Woof.'" Lwaxana pays Worf's glares and eye rolls no heed, and immediately pivots to a new conversation with Deanna. The intimidation tactics that serve Lieutenanat Worf so well as Chief of Security do little to phase Lwaxana, who only sees him as "Mister Woof."

For the rest of Lwaxana's appearances in Star Trek: The Next Generation, she continues calling Lieutenant Worf "Mister Woof." Lwaxana criticizes "Mister Woof's" parenting style, and later she invites "Mister Woof" to mingle at a party Lwaxana is hosting in her capacity as an ambassador. First, Lieutenant Worf sighs and corrects Lwaxana, before pivoting to defending his parenthood. By TNG season 7, all Worf can do is shake his head and comment that he does "not care for telepaths." Lieutenant Worf is easily one of the physically strongest characters in Star Trek: The Next Generation, but as "Mister Woof," Lwaxana Troi undeniably has him beat.

Worf & Counselor Troi Had A Controversial Star Trek: TNG Romance

Did Lwaxana ever find out?

Of course, Lwaxana is not the only Troi that Lieutenant Worf contends with. In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7, Lieutenant Worf and Counselor Deanna Troi begin seeing each other romantically. This relationship, which lasted only fifteen episodes, was quite controversial among fans. Indeed, by the time TNG transitioned from television to feature films, their romance was dropped entirely. Deanna marries Commander Will Riker in Star Trek: Nemesis, and Worf marries Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

We don't know if Lwaxana ever found out that her daughter was seeing the Klingon security officer. After all, she is "Lwaxana Troi, daughter of the Fifth House, holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed," and he is just Mr. Woof. Given Ambassador Troi's strong opinions on her daughter's life, it is safe to assume that if Lwaxana knew, she wouldn't approve. Still, it is impressive and endearing that Lieutenant Worf fell for Counselor Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation, given her mother inspired Worf to conclude that telepaths make him uneasy.