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star trek - Why would Worf be First Officer of the Enterprise?



I'm specifically referring to the episode(s) Gambit. In the absence of Riker and Picard, Data takes command of the Enterprise and Worf is second in command.


This seems wrong however, because he is not the next highest ranking officer on the ship. While he was outranked by both Dr. Crusher and Counselor Troi, neither of them would be considered for a command position unless it was absolutely necessary because they were needed elsewhere and had limited bridge experience.


More notably, Geordi would seem to be a more logical choice. He had outranked Worf for around 5 years as he was apparently promoted to full Lieutenant at the beginning of season 2 and Lt. Commander at the beginning of season 3. Worf remained a Lieutenant Junior Grade until Season 3 and made Lt. Commander at the beginning of Generations.


Also, LaForge had commanded the Enterprise on at least one occasion prior to this incident.


Why not have Geordi as first officer? I'm looking for an in universe reason.



Answer



There's a few things going on here;


The position of First Officer is at the gift of the captain and doesn't necessarily go to either the next highest ranking person on the ship, nor the person who current holds the next chain-of-command rank down (hence why Data was passed over in TNG: Best of Both Worlds, Part II). This means that Data can choose whoever he wants.


In the absence of both Picard and Riker he selects the ship's current Third Officer, his direct subordinate Worf, to be his First Officer over LaForge. Geordi theoretically holds a higher rank but he's evidently more useful remaining as Chief Engineer.


In TNG: Gambit, Part II Data makes it abundantly clear that he has the power to give the role and take it away as he sees fit.




DATA: If you feel that you are not capable of carrying out this role, I can assign it to Commander La Forge and return you to Tactical. I would not enter it as a reprimand on your record... simply as a transfer.


WORF: I would... prefer to remain at my current post.



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