SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 - Fans of Star Trek: Picard were left stunned when the iconic character Worf returned as a pacifist in the show's third and final season. However, the newly released DVD set for Season 3 has shed light on the profound transformation of this beloved character. Paramount Home Entertainment has included two and a half hours of special features in the DVD set, including deleted scenes that explain Worf's surprising change of heart.

In one of the deleted scenes, Worf, portrayed by Michael Dorn, opens up to his old crewmate William Riker about the dramatic shift in his disposition. Worf shares that for decades, he had been hunting shape-shifting changelings, dispatching them without hesitation, believing them to be villains hiding behind innocent faces. His solitary pursuit had driven him to a state of paranoia and suspicion until a devastating incident occurred – the unintentional killing of an innocent woman who was not a changeling.

Confronting the gravity of his actions, Worf confesses to Riker, "I was wrong... I have killed many… but never an innocent." This tragic incident became a turning point for him, leading him to swear off his violent tendencies and the constant suspicion that had clouded his judgment. He embarked on a journey of pacifism, seeking to repay a karmic debt that he felt he could never fully settle.

In an interview with TV Line, Dorn had hinted at Worf's transformation before Season 3 premiered, stating that Worf had evolved significantly from his days on The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. The character had come to understand that life was not solely about goals or reaching specific destinations but was, instead, about the journey itself. Pacifism had become a new outlet for him, replacing the inclination to resort to violence.

Fans who have received their Star Trek: Picard – The Final Season DVD sets have also noticed a difference in visual effects shots compared to what they saw on Paramount+. This led to discussions and speculations, but it appears there is a straightforward explanation for the discrepancy.

TrekMovie.com reported that the discrepancy in question arises from an early scene in the season finale, "The Last Generation," specifically during the Enterprise-D flyby sequence. About ten seconds of this flyby were different from what was streamed on Paramount+. However, it turns out that two versions of this flyby have always existed. The version streamed on Prime Video featured a simpler starfield with different camera angles, while the Paramount+ version presented a more dramatic flyby with a nebula in the background. The new DVD and Blu-ray sets include the simplified version that was originally streamed internationally on Prime Video.

Sources close to the production team have confirmed that both versions of the flyby shot are legitimate final visual effects. The decision to switch out the shot was made late in the process, just before the episode's final delivery for streaming on Paramount+. It is unclear why Paramount Home Entertainment chose to include the international version on the DVD sets.

TrekMovie has reached out to Paramount for further comment on this matter. Additionally, they will be providing a full review of the final season Blu-ray set later this week.

Star Trek: Picard – The Final Season was released on September 6 on DVD, Blu-ray, and a limited-edition Blu-ray SteelBook. The DVD and Blu-ray sets include an array of special features, some of which are exclusive to the home media release, making it a must-have for dedicated fans of the series.