Favorite Main character(TNG)

[PresidentEvilX]

I had to vote Picard. It's hard for me to pick a favorite among the TNG grew since I grew up with them, but I always thought Picard was very noble, heroic, and admirable. My second choice would have probably been Data.

Agreed, Picard was one of those characters that could seemingly handle any type of situation, no matter what is was. My second choice would also have been Data, i used to really enjoy watching him trying to undertand human behaviour, especially the episode where he worked on his humour with the comic, classic.

 

[Praetor]

Picard would be my favorite except for the messes that were Pen Pals, I, Borg, Homeward and Insurrection.

So I voted Riker.

If I may ask, what in particular in those stories did you dislike about him enough to not vote for him?

Pen Pals and Homeward were 24th century Prime Directive messes. Kirk would have never openly allowed a people to suffer and hidden behind the PD.

I, Borg he passes up an opprotunity to deal a crippling blow to an enemy that is trying to destroy your way of life.

Insurrection was just a mess all its own with JLP super-action hero.

I understand your objections to Insurrection. I personally thought that I,Borg was more interesting for the reason you cite. Pen Pals and Homeward were a bit iffy, though. I would agree that Picard was more of 'big picture' guy than Kirk when it came to the Prime Directive.

 

[BillJ]

I personally thought that I,Borg was more interesting for the reason you cite.

In that episode and later in the Destiny book trilogy I found his actions downright vile. He violated his oath to protect the Federation and its' citizens. Doesn't belong in command of a starship at that point.

 

[LaBarre]

My favorite is Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Picard is a rich, multi-faceted character; one who reads ancient Greek and Latin classics and Shakespeare as well as hard-boiled detective novels. He plays the flute as well as rides horses, fences, and does a little rock climbing. He drinks tea as well as Aldebaran whiskey. He is a diplomat who appears to have a certain degree of special ops training. The erudite who easily rises to the role of action hero when necessary.

Very nice to find myself in total agreement with Whoa Nellie.

 

[RAMA]

Picard! Someone not to identify with but to aspire to.

 

[WillsBabe]

^ See now, I wish I'd said something intelligent like that, rather than my own hormone-driven response!

 

[JustKate]

Oh, Picard - no question. Yes, he sometimes made mistakes, but I'm not nearly as confident as BillJ is that what Picard did in those episodes are definitely and undoubtedly mistakes. For example, I really came to understand his ethical dilemma in "I, Borg," even if I didn't completely share it, and that's largely thanks to Patrick Stewart. But those times when he made mistakes just made him a more well-rounded character. I love how complicated he became over the years - love it, love it, love it.

And...not a big fan of Riker. Ever. Data would probably be my second choice, although Worf is a big favorite as well.

 

[Takeru]

I voted for Troi, Picard and Crusher share the second place. I never liked Riker, it seemed like he waited for Picard to bite it, just so he can get command of the Enterprise and I never understood why he assumed he would get it? He wanted his first command to be the flagship ... what a douche, like a gazillion other officers wouldn't deserve it more, after gaining command experience on smaller ships.
The other characters are okay, but I wouldn't have missed them if they left.

 

[Praetor]

Geez, Takeru, why don't you tell us what you really think?

In general defense of Riker, you have to remember that Riker was patterned on TMP's Decker (just like Troi was patterned on Ilia), who was a character originally created to potentially replace Kirk when TMP was going to be a tv series or miniseries and they were having problems trying to get Shatner to make a long-term commitment and thought Kirk would have to be written out. Riker almost did replace Picard in season four, for that matter.

Riker did pay his due on the Hood as XO and apparently before Picard decided differently Command was eager to promote him as soon as season one. Plus Starfleet kept offering Riker other ships. It is a valid observation that Riker was rather stubborn to not move on, though. Troi issues perhaps?

Granted, it all does somewhat still make Riker seem like a leech.