If/When Picard retires, who should be the next captain?

[DGCatAniSiri]

So if you think Worf could/should be captain . . .
1) Prove he has the diplomacy credentials and abilities for the post; not to mention the ability to keep a cool head. He killed the former Klingon Chancellor! (while in starfleet uniform, I think)
2) How can being in the house of the Klingon chancellor NOT be a liability when you foresee issues where starfleet and the Klingons will be at odds.

He was the Ambassador to the Klingon Empire for four years. That's plenty of diplomatic cred. Likewise, Starfleet has show that it will order a Captain away from a situation where they think that they're compromised in some fashion - First Contact, for example.

As for Data/B4, Nemesis itself set up for his return, far more so than TWOK did for Spock. I left that movie expecting a future return of him.

The way I see it, Data coming back through B4 shouldn't be an option in the first place. B4's systems just aren't that sophisticated. If I were to transfer files from my current computer, which runs Windows 7, to a computer that runs Windows 95, the best I could hope for when accessing my files would likely just be fragments. The same should hold true for Data's 'files' being transferred to B4.

 

[zarkon]

B4's neural net could most likely be upgraded now anyway.

Time has moved on a bit.

 

[BrotherBenny]

So if you think Worf could/should be captain . . .
1) Prove he has the diplomacy credentials and abilities for the post; not to mention the ability to keep a cool head. He killed the former Klingon Chancellor! (while in starfleet uniform, I think)

I think 4 years as the Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire counts as diplomatic skills. He killed Gowron in ritual combat, which is protected under the religious rights of Articles of the Federation, though he did probably receive a reprimand, like he did for killing Duras allowing Gowron to become Chancellor in the first place.

2) How can being in the house of the Klingon chancellor NOT be a liability when you foresee issues where starfleet and the Klingons will be at odds.

These are my 2 big issues with Worf that would prevent my accepting him as CO.

It is unlikely that the Federation and the Klingon Empire will go to war any time soon, and if someone kills Worf, you can be sure that Chancellor Martok will seek vengeance against someone killing a member of his House. If I was an alien and I learned that if I killed Worf I would have the head of the Klingon Empire baying for my blood, I would think twice.

As for Data/B4, Nemesis itself set up for his return, far more so than TWOK did for Spock. I left that movie expecting a future return of him.

Data would not override B4's programming. It would be unethical and Data just wouldn't do it. Now if B4's programming became corrupted and had to be wiped or something, that's different.

 

[DarKush]

So if you think Worf could/should be captain . . .
1) Prove he has the diplomacy credentials and abilities for the post; not to mention the ability to keep a cool head. He killed the former Klingon Chancellor! (while in starfleet uniform, I think)
2) How can being in the house of the Klingon chancellor NOT be a liability when you foresee issues where starfleet and the Klingons will be at odds.

These are my 2 big issues with Worf that would prevent my accepting him as CO.


As for Data/B4, Nemesis itself set up for his return, far more so than TWOK did for Spock. I left that movie expecting a future return of him.

1. As already pointed out he was the Federation Klingon Ambassador to the Federation. That meant he represented the entire Federation, the whole nation's interests with the Klingons. I think that's pretty impressive, more so than even being the Arbiter of Succession.

2. I don't think his family ties should deny him a seat at the captain's chair which I think he has already earned. That's not to say that some people shouldn't be skeptical about his loyalty or a conflict of interest and voice those concerns. It could be interesting. The tension between Worf's heritage and Starfleet duty has been at the heart of the character.
Being a member of House Martok could be a liability, but it could also be an asset. Martok, a member of Worf's house and the guy that benefitted the most from Worf taking out Gow'ron is the head of the Klingon Empire. I think that could smooth some things over. His membership in the House didn't prevent the Federation from naming him ambassador, they saw the potential benefits

I think seeing how Worf deals with any potential thorny Klingon-related issues, along with Martok, could be pretty interesting based on their personal histories. That's more interesting than picking a random character who doesn't have that type of history. You're also assuming that the Klingons would play a significant role in a Capt. Worf TNG series. We don't know that. If anything the Romulan situation seems more heated, and because of Worf's personal history with them, that also leads to some potentially great stories and character moments for him.

3. I'm not as convinced that Data's resurrection was so clearly intimated in Nemesis. I mean you could interpret the closing scene with B-4 in different ways. But you're assertion is just as legit as anyone elses. But I think Nu Data would have to go through a vetting process and should have to prove himself. The captaincy of the flagship shouldn't be handed to him. Whereas we have Worf still showing and proving.

 

[MatthiasRussell]

Just because Worf was the Ambassador to the Klingons, doesn't mean he would be a good diplomat in other situations. Being diplomatic to Klingons requires COMPLETELY different tact than dealing with Romulans or other races. I would be shocked if a Klingon rased by humans who belongs to the house of the chancellor WASN'T a good UFP/Klingon ambassador. I'm not sure Worf could be as diplomatic with Romulans as Picard, Riker, or others. Klingons, including himself, don't like Romulans AT ALL. I don't see him remaining calm enough in their presence to deal with them effectively and right now, Romulan space is where a lot of issues for the UFP are going on. Plus the Klingons are helping the Remans; would Romulan ambassadors even be willing to work with Worf?

Give examples of Worf showing excellent diplomatic skills other than in regard to the Klingons, where there are still potential conflicts of interest in my mind. Also, even if he does have such skills, does that REALLY mean he is the best choice in the fleet to be tip of the spear?

As for B4's positronic brain, we really don't know how upgradable it is or if his problem is hardware, software, or fundamental issues with his programming. I also agree Data would not voluntarily surplant him but this didn't happen in the STO book. There are many ways he could become the dominant personality that would be agreeable to all parties involved. B4 could delete himself, a virus could delete B4, Data and B4 could share the body and alternate who's active like different users having access to the same computer. Granted, even if he were to return, i agree he shouldn't be given command for at least a few years.

 

[CaptainDonovin]

Yah, something like that.

 

[DarKush]

You asked if Worf had the diplomatic credentials. Being a Federation Ambassador pretty much seals the deal on that. Starfleet Command felt he had the goods to be an effective diplomat. It doesn't mean that Worf would be able to finesse every diplomatic challenge that confronts him, but no Trek captain has. If they did, it would lead to some boring episodes, books, etc. As it stands, I would argue that Worf has more diplomatic skills than most of the Trek show captains (Kirk, Sisko, Janeway, Archer) before they took over their primary commands from what we know of them.

Seeing that Worf is one of a possible handful of Klingons raised by humans (does B'Elanna Torres count? Her circumstances were much different), I'm not as confident as you that any others would be ringers for being the UFP Klingon ambassador. Granted, Worf's history, coupled with his service (both in Starfleet and the Defense Force) would definitely make him a viable candidate for the post.

It's not a matter of a degrees to me about whether Worf would be more diplomatic with the Romulans than Riker or Picard, that's a mix of skill and personality; what would make it interesting to me is the unique challenges, the clash between his history and his duty. He would be different than the others, but does that disqualify him? You think he wouldn't be under control, but Worf's character has become seasoned during his time on both TNG and DS9. Even in NEM, he referred to the Romulans fighting with honor, something Season 1 or 2 TNG Worf could never conceive of thinking or saying. As for personalities, Jellico's approach was different than Picard or Riker's regarding the Cardassians, but was it any less effective?

Plus being a starship captain involves more than diplomatic skills. Worf knows the Enterprise, he knows the crew, they respect him and trust him. It's not something he has to build from ground up, he has that. He's a capable warrior and probably an effective manager. His people skills could probably use some work, but that's a personality quirk or management lapse that could be worked on.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The mere fact that Worf felt he had to grow up with a sense of restraint upon his Klingon heritage (after he accidentally killed a kid during a soccer match) makes him more qualified - for both the captaincy AND the diplomatic corps.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Worf has been involved in Klingon politics for years before being inducted into the House of Martok. It could be a potential conflict of interest, but Worf in my opinion has proven himself time and time again that he can handle matters like that. Diplomacy skills while an additional attribute for any Starfleet Captain don't seem to be a mandatory qualification. His years as Ambassador combined with the already stated experience dealing with Klingon politics makes him qualified. As for losing his temper in extreme circumstances...well we've seen Picard do that in "First Contact" during the Borg but he's never compromised his integrity as a Captain. The Gowron situation was an extreme situation. He pretty much had no choice but to kill Gowron and acted impulsively. He's come along way since then though I think.

 

[JD]

Haven't they also made references to Worf becoming alot more calm and controlled than he used to be after a mind meld with Spock in The Brave and the Bold bk2? I haven't read the TBatB books yet, but I specifically remember references to that in some later books.

 

[MatthiasRussell]

Even in NEM, he referred to the Romulans fighting with honor, something Season 1 or 2 TNG Worf could never conceive of thinking or saying.

Didn't he say that about the Remans?

 

[MatthiasRussell]

Granted there are some excellent arguements for Worf. I certainly wouldn't be angry if that choice was taken cause, yes, he would provide some great stories. I also agree Worf knows the ship and crew well. It would be an interesting experiment, if nothing else.

I back Sisko myself, but I know the admiralty would have just as many reservations about him. After Rough Beasts of Empire I have no idea where he is going.

 

[DarKush]

Even in NEM, he referred to the Romulans fighting with honor, something Season 1 or 2 TNG Worf could never conceive of thinking or saying.

Didn't he say that about the Remans?

No. He was referring to the Romulans. I think there had been a scene cut from the script that would've set up the comment better, because the way it was done, it felt left field almost.

I think Sisko would be a good choice. I also think there would be some reservations about him (I hated his portrayal in Rough Beasts), but I don't think there would be anything even in that book that prevented him from getting the Enterprise. His role in the Dominion War largely makes him golden. But even in the relaunch, we seen him help out against the parasites, captain the New York during the Borg Invasion and now is in command of his second starship,the Robinson. He even played a crucial role in the Romulan drama. I think he has the essentials to captain the Enterprise-E.

My issue with that is that I think Sisko works better with DS9, its cast. I'm not sure what Sisko brings to TNG. Captain Worf just feels like a more organic decision, without having to do the technobabble resurrection of B4-Data or bringing over a character from another franchise to 'head' the TNG book line like Sisko, Janeway, Calhoun, etc. Though with Calhoun I feel he's a little more tied to the TNG books, courtesy of PAD's origin and a couple other books. I also think his style is so at odds with Picard's that it would be interesting to see the clash of personalities. That being said, I still Worf works better as captain of the E-E than any of them. The next logical choice is Riker, but I doubt Trek Lit. would want to disrupt the Titan line by putting him back on the E-E.

 

[MatthiasRussell]

Well Sisko and Worf already have history together so the duo would work in my mind. but would Worf feel like the center seat was stolen away from him by a man who told him he would never be given a command of his own?

In Rough Beasts, Akaar was reluctant to give Sisko a command. I feel like his new appointment was almost a test as to fitness. Many also didn't like his Messianic role for the Bajorans. Though he is a hero; some may not like that aspect of him. I do wonder what will happen to Ds9 books now with so many gone. I wonder if Sisko would return there or if the admiralty would want him there again. I know Bajor would campaign for his return.

 

[JoeZhang]

I know Bajor would campaign for his return.

Bit tricky, as a Dead-beat Dad, he needs to stay out of the area or his excuse of "it's for your own good" starts to fall apart.

 

[MatthiasRussell]

We discussed the issue of Sisko leaving with DRG III on startrek.com. He made a good case for why Sisko left. I hated that move passionately when I read the book but his reasoning made sense to me. Someone even asked him, "Did Sisko take his baseball or leave it at home?" DRG had no answer; if he left it, that means he wants to come back. Let's also not forget that Sisko only desired to go back to work and had no intention of completely abandoning his family; he was hoping that by working off planet, he could protect them by lack of physical proximity. It was Cassidy who threw him out. She was the aggressor in the break-up. I do wonder what Avery Brooks would think about "Rough Beasts", though.

 

[Stephen!]

I can see Worf eventually becoming captain material, but I'll agree he's not there yet.

I honestly can't see Geordie as a captain; he's too happy as an engineer.

Data is still dead.

After Rough Beasts of Empire I'm a little cool on Sisko, honestly. And besides, he already has his own ship.

Riker -busy
Chakotay -busy
Kira -retired
Vaughn -unavalable
Gold -retired
Gomez -busy
Mueller -busy
Calhoun -God no.
Soleta -quit
Morn - not actually part of Starfleet.

I'd have to go with someone new.

That Madden guy from Star Trek Nemesis

 

[BillJ]

I think they should clone Kirk.

 

[DimesDan]

We discussed the issue of Sisko leaving with DRG III on startrek.com. He made a good case for why Sisko left. I hated that move passionately when I read the book but his reasoning made sense to me. Someone even asked him, "Did Sisko take his baseball or leave it at home?" DRG had no answer; if he left it, that means he wants to come back. Let's also not forget that Sisko only desired to go back to work and had no intention of completely abandoning his family; he was hoping that by working off planet, he could protect them by lack of physical proximity. It was Cassidy who threw him out. She was the aggressor in the break-up. I do wonder what Avery Brooks would think about "Rough Beasts", though.

So that's where he is hanging out now.

There was a similar discussion here on Sisko's behaviour with in Rough Beasts.

He wasn't very keen on the reaction to it around here, the fact that what he wrote and what he intended to write seemed two different things and he wasn't overly keen on the attitude towards him in that thread so he picked his toys up, said he wasn't going to play anymore with us and left in a huff.

Anyway, on the idea of Sisko being the Captain of the Enterprise once Picard leaves is a totally rubbish idea. I personally don't want someone parashooted in from another series to fill the void. Either have Worf get promoted to CO or have a brand new character take up the role.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I'm not really big on this constant fan notion of crossing characters over. This seems to be an instant suggestion, and I've seen it done in fan fic. Kind of seems lazy to me and unoriginal.