No Right Answer: Best Star Trek Captain Ever

[Don Reba]

Sisko, definitely, as the most interesting character of all the captains. Picard is too idealized.
I would rate the captains like this:

1. Sisko
2. Picard
3. Janeway
4. Archer
5. Kirk

 

[Karma168]

Spoiler: However, there was part of Kyle's argument that I found flawed: when he stated that Worf is the best warrior on the ship. Worf spends most of his time getting knocked out.

To be fair that's just bad writing, it's a trope of 'beat up the toughest guy to prove how badass the baddie is'. The fact that it is always Worf means he's supposed to be the toughest.

Plus he kinda proves it during the dominion war, guy beats up dozens on Jem-hadar(?) even though he's had the crap kecked out of him for weeks.


OT:

My order:

1. Sisko - great leader, doesn't mind getting his hands dirty, can actually crack a joke
2. Picard - great diplomat, not afraid to risk it all
3. Archer - Enterprise happened, it was good, get over it
4. Janeway - would do anything for her crew, wouldn't back down from a fight
5. Kirk - just don't like TOS, dull, boring and almost like a poor studio rip-off of the others.

*flameshield activated*

 

[mattttherman3]

You know, if Gene Roddenberry were alive when DS9 was first thought up, no way would there be that bullshit religious aspect of the emissary. That was so fucking stupid, those episodes were GARBAGE.

OT why the hell did no one mention captain archer?! HE WAS BAWSE!!!

 

[mattttherman3]

Quick question for whoever made the graphic for this on the front page, why is Picard sitting in front of the Enterprise C?! SERIOUSLY WTF?! HE WAS NEVER CAPTAIN OF AN AMBASSADOR CLASS STARSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Aptspire]

Of course Picard won, a more posed and tactical captain
Also: My favorite (as in, love to hate) space Nazies were just better than the Star Trek ones

Spoiler

 

[GamemasterAnthony]

No love for Archer? I'm kidding. I know there's no love at all for Archer.

who said there is no love for me? because i will shoot them with this gun until they love me. like seriously.

You win this thread, sir. Well played.

I am withholding my vote until someone kills Zap Branegan and saves that universe. Whichever captain does THAT gets my vote.

 

[Invadergray]

This was inevitable I suppose. Good work, men.

 

[RJ 17]

In my book, Picard will always win out because THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!!!!!

Also, props to Kyle for sneaking a Caddy Shack line in there. :3

 

[Soviet Heavy]

You know, if Gene Roddenberry were alive when DS9 was first thought up, no way would there be that bullshit religious aspect of the emissary. That was so fucking stupid, those episodes were GARBAGE.

OT why the hell did no one mention captain archer?! HE WAS BAWSE!!!

Roddenberry gave Behr and Piller the go ahead to make DS9 before he died. He okayed the show.

 

[Loethlin]

Hopefully in a few months we can revisit this as a debate between Shatner Kirk and Pine Kirk. Haven't had enough Pine Kirk to really say anything yet. With luck the next movie will be good enough for someone to consider championing him.

I'd totally champion Pine!Kirk. Not because I really like him better than Shatner, but because everyone is so butthurt about him, when I think he did a good job, considering all the circumstances in the first rebooted Star Trek movie, the most dire of which was a bad script.
I loved the reboot! Loved it, because it loved me back, it was really so hyper in its love for Trek. It also lacked sense, and science, and there were way too many convenient coincidences, but it was really so enthusiastic. Like an eager puppy. That just pissed all over my rug. Makes you angry and bitter, but how can you not love that goofy face?
So yeah. I'd totally champion Pine!Kirk for that.

OT: Picard over Kirk, but TOS over TNG.

 

[TimeLord]

[Kirk] built the Federation

I believe you are incorrect, Archer created the first alliances and treaties that eventually became the Federation.

Which brings me to my point, Archer is the best captain. Picard had the weight of Q's judgement on his shoulders? Well Archer had the entire future of the human race on his shoulders. He was alone, utterly alone fighting the Xindi. The NX-01 was the only ship that was capable of saving Earth from total destruction and he had to survive any way he could. Which brings me to my next point; Picard (and I assume Kirk, haven't seen much Original series) at the end of nearly every episode, would set course for the nearest Starbase to rest and repair. Archer didn't have that, he had to repair his ship with anything he could get his hands on in the middle of nowhere, he couldn't just run back to Earth or a Starbase every time he encountered the Xindi, he had to survive utterly on his own and he succeeded. Rather than just defend Earth when the Xindi attacked, Archer took the war to the Xindi homeland, the Delphic Expanse, which was full of spatial anomalies making navigation difficult. Plus, Archer became entangled in a temporal cold war with beings from a thousand years into the future. Which just sounds cool. Picard and Kirk had it cushy compared to Archer.

Also the NX-01 was an explorer ship, not a warship. Picard and Kirk's Enterprises where chock full of torpedoes and phasers and could blow away anything that they came across. The NX-01 didn't even get Photon torpedoes until season 3 (?). Their ships also had shields, all the NX-01 had for protection was to polarise it's hull plating. And he still managed to take on an entire race of beings that wanted his total destruction and succeed.

 

[Starik20X6]

Here's a topic for another episode: Coolest Wizard Ever. Make it so!

 

[D.Strormer]

What about Christopher Pike? ^^

 

[babinro]

Janeway - She's the most interesting character and comes across as the most human.

Despite that, I still visualize Picard or Kirk when Star Trek comes up.

 

[Kenjitsuka]

For me:
Picard
Janeway
Archer
Sisko

 

[FEichinger]

snip

Soooo much agreed. If you pull the "weight on shoulders" argument, it gotta be Archer.
I mean, ENT was awful for the whole time war stuff and it being a shameless prequel ... But that in no way affects Archer's captain role.

Captain alone, my list is definitely
1. Picard
2. Archer
3. Sisko
4. Janeway
5. Kirk

 

[Kyr Knightbane]

James T. Kirk was a terrible captain. Terrible. Don't get me wrong, he was fun to watch, but as far as being a good captain, I'm sorry, but Kirk needed to be busted down to ensign.

Lets not forget Kirk also Cheated to become a captain. He also nearly got his CO killed on his first outing. Also most of the time his reaction was to either screw or slap whatever he came in contact with. Kirk was terrible. Absolutely terrible as a captain. He should have been put on a garbage scow. *Grumble*

 

[Kyr Knightbane]

[Kirk] built the Federation

I believe you are incorrect, Archer created the first alliances and treaties that eventually became the Federation.

Which brings me to my point, Archer is the best captain. Picard had the weight of Q's judgement on his shoulders? Well Archer had the entire future of the human race on his shoulders. He was alone, utterly alone fighting the Xindi. The NX-01 was the only ship that was capable of saving Earth from total destruction and he had to survive any way he could. Which brings me to my next point; Picard (and I assume Kirk, haven't seen much Original series) at the end of nearly every episode, would set course for the nearest Starbase to rest and repair. Archer didn't have that, he had to repair his ship with anything he could get his hands on in the middle of nowhere, he couldn't just run back to Earth or a Starbase every time he encountered the Xindi, he had to survive utterly on his own and he succeeded. Rather than just defend Earth when the Xindi attacked, Archer took the war to the Xindi homeland, the Delphic Expanse, which was full of spatial anomalies making navigation difficult. Plus, Archer became entangled in a temporal cold war with beings from a thousand years into the future. Which just sounds cool. Picard and Kirk had it cushy compared to Archer.

Also the NX-01 was an explorer ship, not a warship. Picard and Kirk's Enterprises where chock full of torpedoes and phasers and could blow away anything that they came across. The NX-01 didn't even get Photon torpedoes until season 3 (?). Their ships also had shields, all the NX-01 had for protection was to polarise it's hull plating. And he still managed to take on an entire race of beings that wanted his total destruction and succeed.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. Archer was probably the best captain. He had massive stakes to contend with, and no support except that which he basically had to bleed for. Janeway would be my second vote. She saved earth from the Borg numerous times and developed a weapon in the future which made them somewhat useless.

Granted... she's an admiral now which makes the whole thing moot... but still!

 

[Something Amyss]

George Takei is the best captain.

Han Solo every day of the week.

 

[Gilhelmi]

Sisko is the best Captain. He punched out a space god, became a space god, started a war with the Dominion and beat the shit out of them, and built the first Federation Warship.

He did NOT start the war. THEY DID, not us, not us. [/cheesy melodrama]

OT: I am glad to see so many here here agree that Captain Sisko was a great Captain. but not the best.

MY LIST:

1. Captain Picard : Obvious I know, Diplomat, Scientist, Skilled tactical commander. A good leader is approachable and friendly, but not your friend.

2. Captain Sisko : He helped Bajor(sp?) recover after a devastating 70 years of oppression. He may not have wanted to, but he became a very good spiritual leader. He lead his people into battle, he stood on the front lines at times, firing at the enemy.

3a. Captain Johnathan Archer : He was the first Captain of an Earth Warp 5 Starship. Through his skills in Diplomacy he helped to found the Federation. Also, he knocked the logic INTO the Vulcan's. His daring during the Xindi incident saved Earth.

3b. Captain Janeway : The only reason she is this low on the list is because there are just too many great captains in Starfleet history. Her guidance and leadership brought two crews together, in then got her people home in only 7 years.

5. Captain Kirk : Honestly, while I like him, he did suck at being captain. He never delegated away missions, he slept with every one who crossed his path, though he never slept with anyone on his crew that is in his favor. Kirk was creative, and a good leader, but I would never want him to be promoted above Commander, and that is a stretch.

1,,,2,,3a3b,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,5

That is how I rank them in a race. Picard out in fount, with Sisko slightly behind. Archer and Janeway are tied and only slightly behind Sisko. And Kirk was being lapped by Picard.