CO/XO Pairing

[Lor'Vela]

Throughout TNG's run, there have been a few instances where the CO/XO pairing changed and could have easily become permanent for the show's duration and onto the movies. Which of these pairings on the poll would have most liked to have seen?

Personally, I thought Riker/Shelby would have been interesting. It would have solved the problem of Riker's stagnation in the career ladder, and it would have been interesting to see if they could have resolved their differences post-BoBW.

 

[nx1701g]

Riker/Shelby is who I voted for; however, if they had kept Jellico seeing Riker and Jellico together (if Jellico didn't get him reassigned) could've been interesting.

 

[Pseudo]

Although I was forced to choose no change I would have liked to have chosen a Picard/Data pairing.

 

[Lor'Vela]

Although I was forced to choose no change I would have liked to have chosen a Picard/Data pairing.

I didn't include that pairing because it was mostly temporary in nature, unless my memory fails me. In such cases, Data was merely filling in for Riker, whereas my pairings listed are more "official" and potentially permanent.

 

[Pseudo]

Although I was forced to choose no change I would have liked to have chosen a Picard/Data pairing.

I didn't include that pairing because it was mostly temporary in nature, unless my memory fails me. In such cases, Data was merely filling in for Riker, whereas my pairings listed are more "official" and potentially permanent.

If Riker had taken his own command after BoBW2, then a Picard/Data pairing would have been a very real and permanent proposition. After all, who is to say that Picard would have wanted Shelby as his XO when he had an incredibly loyal and capable candidate as his second officer?

 

[Praetor]

If forced to choose, I like Riker/Shelby. Let Picard get a desk job after his Borg problem if you must.

Picard/Data apes Kirk/Spock too much for me.

 

[Lor'Vela]

Although I was forced to choose no change I would have liked to have chosen a Picard/Data pairing.

I didn't include that pairing because it was mostly temporary in nature, unless my memory fails me. In such cases, Data was merely filling in for Riker, whereas my pairings listed are more "official" and potentially permanent.

If Riker had taken his own command after BoBW2, then a Picard/Data pairing would have been a very real and permanent proposition. After all, who is to say that Picard would have wanted Shelby as his XO when he had an incredibly loyal and capable candidate as his second officer?

But that never occured on screen in what could have been considered permanent, nor did it actually become official, which is what I'm getting at.
I realise Picard/Data could have become permanent based on "ifs and buts", but if I included those "ifs and buts", then we'd have a whole heap of possibilities.

 

[CaptainStoner]

TNG without earl grey? I think not.

 

[apenpaap]

Although I was forced to choose no change I would have liked to have chosen a Picard/Data pairing.

I didn't include that pairing because it was mostly temporary in nature, unless my memory fails me. In such cases, Data was merely filling in for Riker, whereas my pairings listed are more "official" and potentially permanent.

In Nemesis, it was planned to be the new CO/XO pairing of the Enterprise, until his death made that problematic.

 

[Admiral Shran]

I voted "No Change." I hate Shelby. While I think Jellico gets a bad rep, I can't see him and Riker working out their problems.

I'll go with Picard/Data. After all, like apenpaap said, it was planned to be permanent at the beginning of "Nemesis."

Though, here's a curveball for everyone. I've always said that it would have been much more emotionally satisfying if it had been Picard, instead of Data, who sacrificed himself to save the ship in "Nemesis." If that had happened, what would you think of Data becoming the Captain and Worf giving up his ambassadorship to the Klingon Empire to be First Officer?

 

[CoveTom]

I voted "No Change" just because I think TNG is damn near perfect the way it is.

However, I do think it would have been interesting, and quite daring for Trek, if the writers and producers had gone the direction they thought about, just in passing, when making "Second Chances"; namely, having Will Riker be killed during the episode, Data promoted to first officer, and Tom Riker staying on board the Enterprise in a more junior officer position.

Ultimately, of course, that was not given any serious consideration. I can see them doing something like that on DS9, but not on TNG, which was a much more "safe" show and which wanted episodes to stand alone and be easy to follow to the casual viewer. Still, it would have certainly shaken up the crew dynamic and would have been an interesting path to explore.

 

[sbk1234]

I, like many, voted no change, but I think any of those pairings would have worked well, and created a terrific character dynamic which would have been very interesting to watch unfold.
Not mentioned, and entirely conjectural would have been if we could have seen a Jellico/SHelby pairing. I think they would have hit it off from the start and kicked some serious ass.

 

[Marten]

I voted "No Change" just because I think TNG is damn near perfect the way it is.

However, I do think it would have been interesting, and quite daring for Trek, if the writers and producers had gone the direction they thought about, just in passing, when making "Second Chances"; namely, having Will Riker be killed during the episode, Data promoted to first officer, and Tom Riker staying on board the Enterprise in a more junior officer position.

Ultimately, of course, that was not given any serious consideration. I can see them doing something like that on DS9, but not on TNG, which was a much more "safe" show and which wanted episodes to stand alone and be easy to follow to the casual viewer. Still, it would have certainly shaken up the crew dynamic and would have been an interesting path to explore.

From an in-universe POW, that makes no sense, since they hardly would promote Data two steps at once. And getting the Enterprise as his first command is also a little far-fetched.

However, from our point of view, it could certainly have been interesting, even if I'm not that fond of Worf. It would definately have shaken things up, as you say.

 

[Admiral Shran]

Not mentioned, and entirely conjectural would have been if we could have seen a Jellico/SHelby pairing. I think they would have hit it off from the start and kicked some serious ass.

I seriously doubt this would have worked. Shelby was all too ready to sidestep the chain of command and do whatever it took to gain advancement. Jellico was a hard-nosed captain who refused to tolerate anything of that sort. These two would not have gotten along with each other.

Though, it would have added a GREAT deal of conflict to the show, which, IMO, was seriously needed.

 

[CoveTom]

From an in-universe POW, that makes no sense, since they hardly would promote Data two steps at once. And getting the Enterprise as his first command is also a little far-fetched.

I'm sorry if I said it wrong. The idea was for Picard to still be in command and for Data to be his first officer. Only a one-step promotion and a position he had held, on a temporary basis, on more than one occasion. Then Tom Riker would be a lower officer, either the new ops officer or some new position. I suppose he could be chief of security and have Worf move to ops -- as happened when they thought Data died in "The Most Toys" -- and REALLY shake things up.

 

[Admiral Shran]

From an in-universe POW, that makes no sense, since they hardly would promote Data two steps at once. And getting the Enterprise as his first command is also a little far-fetched.

I'm sorry if I said it wrong. The idea was for Picard to still be in command and for Data to be his first officer. Only a one-step promotion and a position he had held, on a temporary basis, on more than one occasion. Then Tom Riker would be a lower officer, either the new ops officer or some new position. I suppose he could be chief of security and have Worf move to ops -- as happened when they thought Data died in "The Most Toys" -- and REALLY shake things up.

I think he meant to quote my post right above yours, where I said it would be a good idea for Picard to die in Nemesis and have Data become captain and Worf become First Officer.

However, from an in universe perspective, I don't think it would be too far of a stretch. Data had already proven himself as an able starship commander in "Redemption" and "Gambit." I suppose having the flagship as his first command would be a little odd.

Spoiler: TNG Relaunch

As for Worf.... I haven't read the relaunch novels, but doesn't he become First Officer under Picard?