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

[Admiral_Young]

Wait a minute. How was Worf's "diplomatic experience not important because it was with his own people?" He was the Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire. This would involve a wide range of diplomatic duties. First he's not qualified enough for you, then all of a sudden what he did do isn't valid? That doesn't make sense. If the Federation thought enough of Worf to give him an appointment as Ambassador don't you think that shows confidence in Worf's ability to have a clear mind? I think you are putting too much weight into the instances we've seen on television about Worf's so-called "conflict of interest" and not looking objectively and without bias at his career as a whole @MatthiasRussell.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Riker seems settled on the Titan. Troi is of course with him.

Data is dead.

Due to Worf's actions on DS9 (destroying the civilian freighter and then choosing Dax over the mission) I was sure that Sisko mentioned he doubted Worf would ever get his own command.

Crusher wouldn't suit command of the flagship.

La Forge will be getting the Challenger.

I would love to see an Andorian woman in command, with an all new crew behind her for "Star Trek: New Beginnings" .

 

[Defcon]

La Forge will be getting the Challenger.

Spoiler: LaForge and the Challenger in the books

He already was Captain of the Challenger in Indistinguishable from Magic and the ship was destroyed.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Not to mention the fact that Crusher is the CMO. I believe the point of Worf's actions with Jadiza were brought up earlier in the thread and we seem to have dismissed these or they were brought up in the books. I can't remember which poster cleared this up.

 

[BillJ]

La Forge will be getting the Challenger.

Spoiler: LaForge and the Challenger in the books

He already was Captain of the Challenger in Indistinguishable from Magic and the ship was destroyed.

I could get live with a Captain LaForge, he is the most underutilized character in TNG.

 

[MatthiasRussell]

^ But does Laforge have the tactical and diplomatic experience for this particular command? Sure he could command a ship of engineers but the flagship? IDK.


As for Worf's diplomatic skills, I'm not saying they don't count but that they are limited to one group of which he is a part. Could he exercise good diplomatic skills with someone he doesn't like such as Romulans and Breen? That is my question.

 

[BillJ]

^ But does Laforge have the tactical and diplomatic experience for this particular command? Sure he could command a ship of engineers but the flagship? IDK.

Sometimes the best training is done 'on the job'. LaForge holds a captain rank, has shown some ability to command and knows the capabilities of the Enterprise better than anyone in Starfleet.

They have a very inexperienced Ezri Dax commanding the state-of-the-art Aventine, jumping from Lt. Commander (and second officer) to the center seat.

Give him a decent group of advisers and I think he does a solid job.

 

[JD]

Didn't Geordi command the D in some of the first season episodes when he was still on the Bridge?

 

[Admiral_Young]

^ There was an episode dedicated to that sub-plot I believe in the first season yes.


BillJ is on to something when he states about "on the job" training. I do understand your points MattiasRussell and I hope I'm not being too confrontational in my attempt to debate you about yours. I guess I just disagree with you that Worf is incapable of removing any conflict of interests where his own personal views would cause a problem. I don't think Picard would go to bat for him if he believed that would be the case.

 

[BillJ]

^ There was an episode dedicated to that sub-plot I believe in the first season yes.


BillJ is on to something when he states about "on the job" training. I do understand your points MattiasRussell and I hope I'm not being too confrontational in my attempt to debate you about yours. I guess I just disagree with you that Worf is incapable of removing any conflict of interests where his own personal views would cause a problem. I don't think Picard would go to bat for him if he believed that would be the case.

Well. I think Starfleet would try to put a Captain Worf in situations where he couldn't be easily compromised.

In any case, the Sovereign class would now be seen as a "last gen" type of command with the advent of the Vesta class and slipstream. Those would be the commands where, in most cases, you'd put your best people and in most situations it would be where your best people want to go.

I'm against Worf being in the center seat due to massive overexposure of Worf and of Klingons in general during Modern Trek. With Data, the trick would be in how you brought him back.

 

[MatthiasRussell]

^ But does Laforge have the tactical and diplomatic experience for this particular command? Sure he could command a ship of engineers but the flagship? IDK.

Sometimes the best training is done 'on the job'. LaForge holds a captain rank, has shown some ability to command and knows the capabilities of the Enterprise better than anyone in Starfleet.

They have a very inexperienced Ezri Dax commanding the state-of-the-art Aventine, jumping from Lt. Commander (and second officer) to the center seat.

Give him a decent group of advisers and I think he does a solid job.

But Dax had several life times of experience to fall back on making her wise beyond Ezri's years so I don't think the comparison is valid.

 

[MatthiasRussell]

^ There was an episode dedicated to that sub-plot I believe in the first season yes.


BillJ is on to something when he states about "on the job" training. I do understand your points MattiasRussell and I hope I'm not being too confrontational in my attempt to debate you about yours. I guess I just disagree with you that Worf is incapable of removing any conflict of interests where his own personal views would cause a problem. I don't think Picard would go to bat for him if he believed that would be the case.

I don't think anyone here is being too confrontational. I wanted to have a variety of options and counter-points. Most everyone who has commented has made great points. I imagine the fictional discussion in a room full of admirals could get quite heated. Captaincy of the Enterprise would be a very coveted job, I imagine. Sure the Vestas are more state of the art but having your name go down as an enterprise captain? That is especially special.

 

[BillJ]

But Dax had several life times of experience to fall back on making her wise beyond Ezri's years so I don't think the comparison is valid.

But how many of those lifetimes was commanding a starship part of?

Geordi LaForge is a proven flight controller, engineer and administrator (which is what a chief engineer is).

I think of anyone listed thus far I'd have to vote for Geordi.

 

[zar]

Geordi LaForge is a proven flight controller, engineer and administrator

Tobin + Curzon = Geordi?

 

[F. King Daniel]

Naraht.

"We are in control, Captain Naraht. If you don't surrender the Enterprise now, we will kill the president!"

*eats through the deck in rage*

 

[MatthiasRussell]

Geordi LaForge is a proven flight controller, engineer and administrator

Tobin + Curzon = Geordi?

LOL. I don't see any Curson in Geordi.

Geordi is an interesting choice. i am definitely very open to this one but he does have far less command and diplomacy experience than worf. His father is in starfleet correct?

 

[BrotherBenny]

Geordi LaForge is a proven flight controller, engineer and administrator

Tobin + Curzon = Geordi?

LOL. I don't see any Curson in Geordi.

Geordi is an interesting choice. i am definitely very open to this one but he does have far less command and diplomacy experience than worf. His father is in starfleet correct?

And his mother.

 

[zar]

Geordi LaForge is a proven flight controller, engineer and administrator

Tobin + Curzon = Geordi?

LOL. I don't see any Curson in Geordi.

I meant, Curzon's experience as a Federation ambassador would at least equal Geordi's leadership skills as an administrator.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Perhaps there is no perfect replacement Enterprise captain. So let's make one!

I suggest they Tuvix together all the remaining TNG cast members to create the ultimate commander. Then send s/he on missions all by hir self.

 

[Mage]

The only real requirment a new captain for the Big E should have for me personally, is that he or she is an alien. I'm just completely tired of all captain of all the Trek shows being human. An Andorian or Tellarite would bring a whole new flavor to the mix.