LOS ANGELES – “We’ll be seeing Worf in a totally new role” said series creator Joanna Gambolputty. Clips of the pilot episode show many tense moments. Worf has four patients to deal with. The first, a hysterical teen girl, is treated to a demonstration of a Klingon Ascension Ceremony. “Let me show you something to scream about” says Worf as he stoically moves through the gauntlet of pain sticks. At Worf’s first howl of pain, the girl cries and runs to hug her mom.

Later, Worf challenges a man with anger management issues to a bat’leth duel. “My supervisor insisted on dull weapons. I still carved him up like a common taHqeq” recounts Worf. The fearless warrior also treats an alcoholic by headbutting him during a B’aht Qul challenge. “A wise human once said: play stupid games, win stupid prizes” says Worf, adding “you humans say ‘first, do no harm’, even though pain is the best teacher. Very foolish.”

At the episode’s climax, Worf treats a young man who attempted suicide. “You would disgrace your name and clan over nothing? Put on this blindfold so that you may at least die at the hands of a warrior. Now defend yourself or I will kill you where you stand!” In the ensuing Gik’tal trial by combat, Worf strikes the man down several times until he removes the blindfold and complains that the contest is unfair. “Yes” replies Worf, adding “perhaps the next time you are being mistreated, you will not wait so long to protest. For you, it is not a good day to die. You are not brave enough. Yet.”

Counselor Troi will return as Worf’s supervisor, and the relationship is rocky, to say the least. “Counselor Troi does not approve of my methods. Because they work” pronounces Worf.