Admiral Kirk vs. Captain Kirk

[EnriqueH]

What title do you like better?

I've spoken to people who prefer the sound of Captain Kirk to the sound of Admiral Kirk.

Personally?

I've always been fond of Admiral Kirk. I always thought it had a nice ring to it. So that's my pick.

After I got used to Admiral Kirk, it didn't feel right that Kirk should be called Captain again, and I never quite got used to him being Captain Kirk again.

You guys have an opinion?

You can vote for both if you like both equally.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

I saw the films before the TV series, so Admiral was the first title that I associated with Kirk. I don't really have a preference for either rank.

--Sran

 

[Melakon]

Captain Kirk has the advantage of alliteration, like Clark Kent, Sam Spade, Quentin Crisp, Lindsay Lohan, etc. The k-like sound of both names together sound more aggressive or forceful. Admiral Kirk takes a little longer to say, and the short A doesn't project as much energy.

The only time Admiral Kirk works for me is in The Search for Spock, with Mr. Adventure's "That's Admiral Kirk, my GOD!"

 

[eyeresist]

"Captain" is classic, but "Admiral" does sound delicious coming from the mouths of Spock or Scotty. It gives Scotty a change to roll his r, and I can't help thinking I hear a note of pride in Spock's voice when he gives Kirk that title.

 

[Khan 2.0]

Prefer Admiral - not just the sound of it but I associate it more with TWOK ("Admiral?!"..." admiral?"...."Admiral..") and the fact that Shatner was playing Kirk in I-IV. He began playing the horse riding, rock climbing, afraid of nothing Shatner when he went to Captain (before returning to 'Admiral' Kirk in everything but rank in VI, then returning to Captain Shatner for VII)

 

[Queen Mab]

Prefer Admiral - not just the sound of it but I associate it more with TWOK ("Admiral?!"..." admiral?"...."Admiral..") and the fact that Shatner was playing Kirk in I-IV. He began playing the horse riding, rock climbing, afraid of nothing Shatner when he went to Captain (before returning to 'Admiral' Kirk in everything but rank in VI, then returning to Captain Shatner for VII)

Can you explain those last bits? what do you mean Captain Shatner?

 

[Tosk]

Captain is classic, but I do so love, "Admiral, there be whales here!" and "One damn minute, Admiral."

 

[EnriqueH]

I guess it also has to do with Kirk's age in TFF and TUC.

It feels like he really should be Admiral.

Of course, I just love the sound of Captain on TOS, but by TFF and TUC, Captain feels wrong.

 

[Khan 2.0]

Ive always liked 'Captain' Spock over 'Mr' Spock as well..felt very 'movie' like. same for Scotty, although not so much Sulu. I think Sulu got abit too big headed with being Captain

 

[Khan 2.0]

Prefer Admiral - not just the sound of it but I associate it more with TWOK ("Admiral?!"..." admiral?"...."Admiral..") and the fact that Shatner was playing Kirk in I-IV. He began playing the horse riding, rock climbing, afraid of nothing Shatner when he went to Captain (before returning to 'Admiral' Kirk in everything but rank in VI, then returning to Captain Shatner for VII)

Can you explain those last bits? what do you mean Captain Shatner?

'Captain Shatner' was the character that featured in TFF and GEN. A fast speaking, non stop, hyper energetic middle aged man vigorously fighting a midlife crisis with extreme rock climbing, horse riding and lots of running and jumping

 

[Doctorwhovian]

I think some of the marketing for Generations (At least the action figures) had the Kirk action figure listed as Admiral Kirk.


Then again this is the same figure line which also released the unused uniforms from the film.

 

[Sybok Was Wrong]

They seem like two entirely different characters to me.

Captain Kirk was young and energetic, idealistic with blondeish hair.

Admiral Kirk had this thick brown curly rug on his head, less fit, huskier voice.

Captain Kirk the image, the performance, is classic.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

This Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Admiral Kirk vs. Captain Kirk, in a steel cage death match!

I'd wager on Captain Kirk. Like Sybok said, he's younger, fitter, has more mojo, etc.

 

[Lance]

^ Not necessarily. Remember, the old guy we see in TFF/TUC/GENS was Captain Kirk as well, and Admiral Kirk was younger than him.

As Melakon suggested above, I tend to favor 'Captain Kirk' for its alliterative pronunciation. Kind of like 'Captain Cook'. It's just got a certain iconic ring to it.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

I like "Admiral," but the problem with it is that we never, ever saw Kirk doing anything to justify it. It was just a title. We never saw him commanding a fleet. In the early films, he did the same sort of things we saw him do as a Captain.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

This Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Admiral Kirk vs. Captain Kirk, in a steel cage death match!

I'd wager on Captain Kirk. Like Sybok said, he's younger, fitter, has more mojo, etc.

Reading this makes me think of the Gatorade commercial with three different Michael Jordans (ages 19, 23 and 39). We could have something similar with Kirk circa-TUC meeting his younger self (circa-TMP) wearing an admiral's uniform. After several minutes of bluster between the two, a third person enters--and its none other than Kirk as he appeared during the five-year mission.

--Sran

 

[Silvercrest]

They could use a "Space Seed" clip of Kirk, from the scene where the Eugenics Wars were first mentioned. "All right, all right, gentlemen, as you were."

 

[Caligula]

After I got used to Admiral Kirk, it didn't feel right that Kirk should be called Captain again, and I never quite got used to him being Captain Kirk again.

I saw the films before the TV series, so Admiral was the first title that I associated with Kirk.

These would essentially be my reasons for preferring "Admiral" as well.

 

[Cyke101]

I'm much more used to saying Captain Kirk, but if he were a real-world figure, we'd all be addressing him as Admiral. With that said, I prefer Captain but will call him by the other when appropriate.

Though, two thoughts I'll add:

-Khan taught me how to say "Admiral" sarcastically, and so I'll sometimes and unintentionally do a Ricardo Montalban impression when saying the word
-As much as I prefer calling Kirk "Captain," I thought his "demotion" in TVH was just too much fan service.

 

[LMFAOschwarz]

Reading this, now I'm in the mood for a bowl of Admiral Crunch...