Favourite Star Trek captain?

[Molikroth]

Terra - Jellico went to Riker, spoke to him man to man without hiding behind his rank. Note that he said he wouldn't order him to fly the shuttle - he asked. He could have ordered and Riker would have obeyed - partly out of his usual sense of duty and partly because his superior officer gave an order.

Jellico didn't treat the crew with respect because they didn't earn it. He took command of the flagship, saw its disgraceful state and went about correcting the issue. He didn't need to listen to Gerodi's objections about improving the engines because Geordi's objections were stupid: "they're adequate according to Starfleet". Adequate might have been enough for Picard but Jellico wanted the flagship in optimal condition, which I can't fault at all - particularly considering the bad relations between the Federation and Cardassians at the time.

His treatment of the Cardassian ambassador was certainly different - but it was calculated. Jellico wasn't particularly violent, but understood how acting like it could work to his advantage in negotiations with Cardassians. Picard would have gone out of his way to remain polite and ignore any jibes the Cardassians made, and the Cardassians would've gotten cocky for it. Jellico put them in their place and remained dominant throughout.

For another example of Picard's arrogance (if "make it so" wasn't enough) look at how he treats Q. Q, a being who could wipe out humanity from time and space so the universe existed as if humanity had never come about, was treated dismally by Picard, who was meant to be representative of humanity. Picard was rude and arrogant - as was Q, of course, but one of the two had the power to exterminate all life in all universes. One of them had every right to be arrogant and hold himself above petty notions of politeness. It wasn't Picard.

 

[perfectimo]

For another example of Picard's arrogance (if "make it so" wasn't enough) look at how he treats Q. Q, a being who could wipe out humanity from time and space so the universe existed as if humanity had never come about, was treated dismally by Picard, who was meant to be representative of humanity. Picard was rude and arrogant - as was Q, of course, but one of the two had the power to exterminate all life in all universes. One of them had every right to be arrogant and hold himself above petty notions of politeness. It wasn't Picard.

I have a question for you, Is Q anything like Charlie from the original series? From descriptions of him they sounds similar.

 

[TwistedEllipses]

I'm going to say Janeway just to annoy all the Picardians out there...(even though Picard is the best)

 

[TerraMGP]

Terra - Jellico went to Riker, spoke to him man to man without hiding behind his rank. Note that he said he wouldn't order him to fly the shuttle - he asked. He could have ordered and Riker would have obeyed - partly out of his usual sense of duty and partly because his superior officer gave an order.

Jellico didn't treat the crew with respect because they didn't earn it. He took command of the flagship, saw its disgraceful state and went about correcting the issue. He didn't need to listen to Gerodi's objections about improving the engines because Geordi's objections were stupid: "they're adequate according to Starfleet". Adequate might have been enough for Picard but Jellico wanted the flagship in optimal condition, which I can't fault at all - particularly considering the bad relations between the Federation and Cardassians at the time.

His treatment of the Cardassian ambassador was certainly different - but it was calculated. Jellico wasn't particularly violent, but understood how acting like it could work to his advantage in negotiations with Cardassians. Picard would have gone out of his way to remain polite and ignore any jibes the Cardassians made, and the Cardassians would've gotten cocky for it. Jellico put them in their place and remained dominant throughout.

For another example of Picard's arrogance (if "make it so" wasn't enough) look at how he treats Q. Q, a being who could wipe out humanity from time and space so the universe existed as if humanity had never come about, was treated dismally by Picard, who was meant to be representative of humanity. Picard was rude and arrogant - as was Q, of course, but one of the two had the power to exterminate all life in all universes. One of them had every right to be arrogant and hold himself above petty notions of politeness. It wasn't Picard.

Do you remember the rest of that episode? yes he did go to him man to man, but in spite of that his actions have shown the man to be egotistical and self centered. He didn't like Riker but he respected him enough to ask, which is ok, but he still was the kind to pull rank. Picard was a good captain because he didn't have to. Picard would have listened to his first officers objections and given a reason why he was not going with them. He knew he was a man, that rank means little especially if your all dead over one mans foolish pride. Jellico was a very small man who in spite of his service record was convinced that his way or the highway was the best way to run things.

I think though that your mention of Q is the absolute perfect example though. If you notice Q seems to respect those who stand up to him more than anyone else. He is omnipotent and as such must already have a good idea how Picard will react. I offer that Q chose Picard BECAUSE he treats Q the way he does. Picard is the representative because he does not take crap, because he won't be bullied by Q. It is not Arrogence so much as it is an understanding of how to be both cordial and strong at the same time. Jellico is the kind of man who would have cowtowed to Q right away and frankly most likely have delivered the ultimatum to stay. Do you think if that was what the Q wanted that it wouldn't happen already?

Q, I feel, wanted more than anything to avoid human complicency regardless of what his initial goals may have been. Q could respect picard because Picard refused to back down in the face of this power. That was what they needed. As I said before Jellico was a small man and most likely would have agreed with whatever Q demanded. Frankly I could see Q then removing us from history simply because we didn't have the drive to push out into the unknown.

Jellico was a horrible officer because he demanded to be seen as the strongest and treated as the strongest which really implies that he was in fact weak and scared. He had to have things done his way because he didn't trust anyone else. He depended on the order of Starfleets structure to let him stay on top as much as he could and viewed rank as paramount because without it he would have nothing and he knows it. Picard was human, he had his flaws, but he knew how to deal with others, how to trust others and how to show strength with dignity which makes him a far more qualified officer.

 

[jim_doki]

am i SERIOUSLY the only one who likes Archer?

 

[TerraMGP]

Yes, you really are.

I really don't even consider Enterprise as Canon. In my mind its the 'Phantom Menace' of Star Trek

 

[dukethepcdr]

Oh come on! it has to be Dr Frasier!

But in all seriousness it was Picard IMO. Best written character, pleased by Patrick Freakin! Stewart no less

Which movie was he in? That is so cool. I've seen all the Star Trek movies, but I don't remembe seeing Kelsey Grammar in them. He is so funny. Also, speaking of 'Cheers' alums, I remember Kirstie Alley was in a couple of Star Trek movies too, as a Vulcan if I remember right.

As much as I like Patrick Stewart and his Picard character, I'd have to pick Archer too. I also like tht actor's work (especially Quantum Leap) though his name escapes me at the moment. Archer is even more of a man of action than Picard was. He also had a neat sense of humor and had little touches to his character, like having the dog, that made him interesting.

 

[Galletea]

Picard easily. It's Patrick Stewart, and he's awesome. 'Nuff said.

 

[Molikroth]

@ Terra - we have different ideas of how strength, rank, respect and so on should work. I can see why you consider Picard the best captain, but I'm still convinced that compared to Jellico Picard is incompetent.

 

[TerraMGP]

I suppose we will have to agree to disagree then. Frankly I think that the problem in the actual US military is that too many people are like Jellico, but I respect that you feel the opposite. In the end I think it comes down to how the person sees the power they are given, and I feel that Jellico abused that power for the sake of his ego and deserved the disrespect he got if not more.

 

[Wyatt]

your still missing the entire point molikroth. Jellico was a good millitary captian. starfleet isnt millitary though.

i happen too think that jellico was the perfect captian to take picards place in the small narrow confines of that one mission. war was probibal against the cardassians and in that situation than a hard charging bull head never say die asshat like Jellico was the guy you wanted in the center seat when the order to fire phasers when out.

but the question isnt 'whose the best captian in a war senario' its whos the best captian period. and thats picard. Star Trek isnt about war, for that you clearly want Star Wars or some other sci-fie craptastic bonanza that has big ships with bigger guns killing any bumpyheaded thing that comes in scaner range. Star Trek is supposed to be about what humans can become if we can finaly put down our need to kill our neighbor because he has something we want. its about how we CAN change our way of thinking from a style much like Jellicos to one like Picards. where all beings are treated with respect FIRST and there are no second class beings. its alsoa lession of practicing what you preach , a lession that Picard teaches almost every show and Jellico faild horribly at. if you want to instill in your crew a respect for others you must FIRST respect THEM.

Jellico was a very focused narrow persona that was fit for only one duty, leading in a time of war. Picard was an everyman capable of not only leading but excelling in EVERY situation including the mundain day to day runing of the ship and dealing with the crew.

and its clear to me that if given a choice between jellico and Picard in that SPECIFIC mission against the cardassians id still want picard. any idiot can fire phasers (the lession of Worf) but it takes a real leader to keep it from getting to that point in the first place. something Jellico would have faild to do without the support of the crew. in fact if Riker hadent taken picards lessions to heart and became the bigger man than jellico would have STARTED the war with his policys and actions insead of avoiding it.

i will totaly admit that geordy came off as a whiney little ***** though. even Picard wouldnt have accepted an answer like 'its good enough' but then again geordy would have respect enough for Picard to never give him that answer in the first place. with is the whole point.

 

[Not Good]

it has to be picard and it's mostly because of this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjNKyoRudOQ]

That's cool, I think I too would have to choose Picard as well he is the most likable. Kirk was so full of Himself. Janeway is just a terrible Captain and most of the other characters on the show were more interesting than her anyway, if the Doctor on Voyager were ever actually a Captain I might go with him. Enterprise sucked all together. I do actually like Sisko, but still Picard wins out just a little over him. Oh and the chemistry between Picard and his crew is the best too.

The EMH did have a Command override that made him a ranked captain, and they do use it in a couple of episodes.

 

[Not Good]

As a person who has watched all of the series at some point or another, I can say that Kirk was my favorite. Aside form the fact that he's fat and wasn't exactly smart, relying more on instinct than intuition actually does work just as well. It also helps that he had Spock to fill in as the intellectual. DS9 and Voyager had more emphasis on other characters than the captains from the episodes I watched, though I'd say that Picard was actually one of the weaker among them.

 

[PatientGrasshopper]

it has to be picard and it's mostly because of this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjNKyoRudOQ]

That's cool, I think I too would have to choose Picard as well he is the most likable. Kirk was so full of Himself. Janeway is just a terrible Captain and most of the other characters on the show were more interesting than her anyway, if the Doctor on Voyager were ever actually a Captain I might go with him. Enterprise sucked all together. I do actually like Sisko, but still Picard wins out just a little over him. Oh and the chemistry between Picard and his crew is the best too.

The EMH did have a Command override that made him a ranked captain, and they do use it in a couple of episodes.

I am well aware of that but in those cases he was just acting Captain, I meant Captain proper.

 

[linchowlewy]

easily picard. hands down he takes the cake. also we need a poll!

 

[Jimmyjames]

Sisko was badass... I don't know if he was actually a Captain, but after Patrick Stewart's "let's talk it out" brand of leadership, he gets my vote.

Then again, I really don't care for anything Trek after Star Trek 2, so... whatever.

Kate Mulgrew was by far the worst, though. No, it wasn't because she's a woman, it because she's irritating as all hell.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

Jean.

Luc.

Picard.

FTW.

 

[dMighty]

It's Picard. Why is there even a debate?

 

[wdwyer]

If your going to watch ENT anytime soon (where have you been), try to stick it out until mid way through Season 4. It's almost unwatchable until that point.

Is there some deep spike-filled pit somewhere on the Internet that I can throw you into?
I've seriously never understood the hatred towards Enterprise. So much of what they did in that series completes the other Star Treks, and they finally provide a glimpse at pre-Kirk 'Trek, but for some reason everyone hates it. Dr. Flox is one of the best characters in all of Star Trek, Commander Shran is one step above Flox on that scale, and that they managed to take races like the Andorians or Orions which were hideously pathetic b-rated costumes in TOS and turn them into believable races with so very little adjustment for Enterpise... Really, what's so bad about the show?

To keep this post on topic, once again...I favor Sisko. He wasn't the greatest actor, and I kept thinking he looked like "Hawk in Space". But he had more emotional depth than any other Captain, IMHO.

Now to the post...Angry Much?...lol!

If you don't understand the hatred against ENT than you need to pay attention more. They attempted to make their own version of Star Trek with ENT. Berman had been on record as trying to remake it for years. The Temporal Cold War was supposed to relaunch the franchise, by changing the future. Except it didn't work, and the fans freaked by Season 2. The new movie succeeded in rewriting the entire franchise, yet even that is under fire by fans. Hell they ADMITTED the movie's plot was done, because they couldn't think of a way to continue the story. In ENT, why do you even think they took Star Trek out of the name? Changed the way races acted and appeared? (i.e. Vulcans, Romulans, Borg...etc). Heck they even blew a hole into the side of Earth. There was so much backlash from fans during the original airing that they changed certain elements of the show. Adding the name Star Trek back into the title. Even finally conceding during season 4, and gave the writing to Coto. Who is the ONLY person responsible for bringing some connection between ENT and TOS. B&B NEVER did that. They were more concerned about making their "own" Star Trek.

As for ENT, Season 4 is widely seen as the only redeeming quality...up until the finale. There are no other episodes in Season 1-3 that connect ENT to TOS, only Season 4 (after they gave the reigns to Coto). Then they even took one step further in disgrace in the finale, and bypassed TOS altogether and connected it with TNG. A slap in the face to Star Trek fans if you ask me. Heck, they ended the series with a shot of the Enterprise D for heaven's sake.

You can throw me in a spiked filled hole all you like, IMHO, there are a lot more fans that feel the way I do, than you. Fans didn't kill ENT, as the empty suits claim...they did. And what did they do? Throw away the entire franchise for a buck.

 

[Uncompetative]

Kirk - as played by William Shatner.