Archer VS Robinson

[Mach5]

First Flight aired today on HRT (Croatia's own national network), and it reignited that old dilemma in my mind - what if A.G. Robinson (played to perfection by Keith Carradine) commanded the NX-01 instead of Archer?

He appeared more qualified than Archer, more authoritative, more respectable... He really appeared to have all those important qualities we seek for in Starfleet captains.

So, my fellow ENT fans, my question for today is, which of these two men deserved more to command the Earth's first warp 5 starship and represent our home world before all those new civilizations, potential allies and such?

 

[JiNX-01]

I think Robinson did an excellent job of demonstrating his arrogance and recklessness. I doubt he would have commanded much respect from a crew that wants to live to see their families again.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

I think Robinson did an excellent job of demonstrating his arrogance and recklessness.

I would agree. He got 50% of the NX prototype fleet blown up after disobeying a direct order from Forrest, blamed the engine (wrongly) rather than admitting the possibility of pilot error, almost got the NX program punted back to the drawing board...all because he thought he was right and everyone else was wrong.

And I assume he never learned from his mistakes and evolved into a leader-type, since T'Pol had never heard of him.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Seemed a bit reckless.

 

[Count Zero]

I think that, all things considered, Archer did a pretty good job as Captain. After all, he managed to defuse the Vulcan-Andorian conflict and unite old adversaries under the Coalition banner. Sure, he was a flawed character in some aspects but he also learned and changed over the course of the series. There was method to his madness, so to speak.
We only saw very little of Robinson but he didn't strike me as having the abilities Archer lacked. As others pointed out, he was a bit arrogant, reckless and stubborn. Now, the same things could be said about Archer, but at least he'd usually accept other opinions more easily (without having to be beaten up ). Also, I'm not sure Robinson would have achieved all the things Archer did.

 

[Admiral Shran]

Archer.

He was flawed, but that was the point. Nobody was truly qualified for the job.

Archer could be arrogant and stubborn, and at times foolish, but at least he had these traits in moderation.

 

[Noname Given]

I'll say Trip (gotta love the guy who, when the fight starts, SAVES the beer. )

 

[JiNX-01]

I'll say Trip (gotta love the guy who, when the fight starts, SAVES the beer. )

 

[Mach5]

I'll say Trip (gotta love the guy who, when the fight starts, SAVES the beer. )

Oh goddammit! Is it too late to edit the poll?

 

[Aquarius]

I'll say Trip (gotta love the guy who, when the fight starts, SAVES the beer. )

That's my write-in vote!

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I'll say Trip (gotta love the guy who, when the fight starts, SAVES the beer. )

Another Cyrano Jones! Only.. cuter.

 

[Ensign_Redshirt]

The more interesting question is whether Keith Carradine would have been a better choice of playing the captain of the NX-01 than Scott Bakula.

 

[Mach5]

The more interesting question is whether Keith Carradine would have been a better choice of playing the captain of the NX-01 than Scott Bakula.

Yeah, same thoughts here... Though I must say, I like the sound of "Captain A.G. Robinson" much more than "Captain Jonathan Archer." It just... I don't know, it has a nicer ring to it.

BTW, there's something else... I'd really like to read a "Myriad Universes" story (or a series of stories) set in the alternate reality in which Robinson commanded the NX-01. It would be so much fun for a writer to explore the ways Robinson would handle things, like solving the Klang situation in "Broken Bow," dealing with the Vulcan/Andorian affairs, interacting/working with Trip and T'Pol etc...

 

[commodore64]

I'll say Trip (gotta love the guy who, when the fight starts, SAVES the beer. )

Another Cyrano Jones! Only.. cuter.

Uh no. Possibly to both statements.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Another Cyrano Jones! Only.. cuter.

Uh no. Possibly to both statements.

You think Mr. Jones was cuter?

Well.. alright then.