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

[zar]

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.

Then have hir murdered by a talking mud puddle.

 

[MatthiasRussell]

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.

I think this a great idea, especially from a fictional universe perspective. Humans are always the captain, really!?! From a fan perspective, I just wonder of the appeal of a captain which is extremely non human. needing a black captain is a good argument for Sisko (or Geordi).

I also have to apend my judgement of Geordi. IFM really proved his diplomatic credentials, especially with the Romulans

 

[zar]

needing a black captain is a good argument for Sisko (or Geordi).

Maybe it's a good argument for casting a black actor or creating a new black character, but it would be silly to "promote" a character that already exists just because the character is black.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I always thought that an interesting replacement of Thomas Holloway...the character mentioned as being the ship's commanding officer in the alternate reality in "Tapestry". One side note about "Tapestry"...I always found it amusing that Troi and Riker were still on board the Enterprise despite the fact that Riker was hand picked personally by Picard to be his first officer. It would have been neat if that was another change provoked by Jean-Luc's different career path.

 

[Yevetha]

needing a black captain is a good argument for Sisko (or Geordi).

Maybe it's a good argument for casting a black actor or creating a new black character, but it would be silly to "promote" a character that already exists just because the character is black.

There is no affirmative action in the Federation.

 

[Paris]

needing a black captain is a good argument for Sisko (or Geordi).

Maybe it's a good argument for casting a black actor or creating a new black character, but it would be silly to "promote" a character that already exists just because the character is black.

Both Sisko and Geordi are already Captains. No promotion would be required...

 

[zar]

That's why I used quotation marks.

 

[Paris]

That's why I used quotation marks.

Ok. I guess that as far as I'm concerned the role of Enterprise captain may be a coveted role, but it's not technically a promotion if the person who gets it doesn't receive a rank bump to get the job. But I see what you mean now..

 

[MatthiasRussell]

needing a black captain is a good argument for Sisko (or Geordi).

Maybe it's a good argument for casting a black actor or creating a new black character, but it would be silly to "promote" a character that already exists just because the character is black.

There is no affirmative action in the Federation.

Perhaps the need it so non humans can get command once in a while.

 

[Yevetha]

That would not be bad.

Do we even have a Non-Human Starflett Captain?

 

[JD]

Saavik, Spock, Rixx, Sisko's Captain from the Emissary prolouge, Calhoun, and Kira are/were all Captains. I'm sure there have been others, but those are the only ones I can think of ATM.

 

[zar]

I think there was at least one other Vulcan captain shown in DS9. And Nog was/will be a captain if alternate realities count.

 

[Yevetha]

He needs to grow and look less cute then.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Wasn't there an alien captain that was a friend of Jadiza's? Or am I misremembering/confused with another character? I wonder if any of the pocket writers on the board have any suggestions for a Picard successor since they would theoretically be the ones writing the books should this ever happen.

 

[KQuita]

I'm not sure that Worf's command abilities have been developed enough at this point to give him permanent command of the Enterprise, although I do think that that he should be promoted to a captaincy of a ship of the line. I think bringing in Riker ahead of Worf would be a slap in the face. I think Sisko would be a good choice, Promote Worf, and make Geordi, Sisko's #1.

 

[Yevetha]

Riker is already a captain.

 

[DGCatAniSiri]

*ahem* You all do remember that Calhoun is Xenexian, right? As in, not human? Sure, the only visible difference is the purple eyes, but he is not human. So we DO have a non-human Captain.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Again I'm not a fan of fanwanky suggestions like bringing in established characters just for the hell of it. The idea of Sisko as Captain of the Enterprise doesn't bother me. It is more that this seems to be the default suggestion of fans. I still haven't seen any creative suggestions like perhaps a new character or something like that. Ultimately Worf just remains a logical choice because he's the first officer and it would sustain continuity and ensure a smooth transition for the crew which I reckon is important on a Starfleet ship. Remember what happened when Jellico took command? LOL.

 

[BillJ]

It is more that this seems to be the default suggestion of fans. I still haven't seen any creative suggestions like perhaps a new character or something like that.

Several posters, including myself, have brought up the possibility of bringing in a new character.

Ultimately Worf just remains a logical choice because he's the first officer and it would sustain continuity and ensure a smooth transition for the crew which I reckon is important on a Starfleet ship.Remember what happened when Jellico took command? LOL.

Depends on your point of view...

JELLICO: Power transfer levels need to be upgraded by twenty percent. The efficiency of your warp coils is also unsatisfactory.
LAFORGE: Coil efficiency is well within specifications, Captain.
JELLICO: I'm not interested in the specs, Geordi. The efficiency needs to be raised by at least fifteen percent.
LAFORGE: Fifteen percent.
DATA: That is an attainable goal, but it will require realigning the warp coil and taking the secondary distribution grid offline.
JELLICO: Very good, Data. That's exactly what I want you to do.

Seems to me Picard and Riker were a bit lax when it came to pushing the technological limits of the Enterprise. It also seems like Jellico knew more about the Galaxy class than the officers serving aboard one.

LAFORGE: Commander, he's asked me to completely reroute half the power systems on the ship, change every duty roster, realign the warp coils in two days, and now he's transferred a third of my department to Security.

Also sounds like Jellico is big on cross-training officers.

LEMEC [on viewscreen]: This is Cardassian territory, Captain. Your presence here is another deliberate provocation to
JELLICO: I'm not going to argue with you, Gul Lemec. Every one of your ships has a mine on its belly, my finger's on the button, and you're in a very bad position.

It sounds like the Enterprise officers could've learned some things from Jellico if they had simply been a bit more open minded about a different style of command and cognizant of the fact they were headed towards a potential war zone.

Sometimes change can be beneficial in a stagnant situation.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I'll have to go back and read what the new character suggestions were then if that is the case BillJ.

I love "Chain of Command". I referenced it of course to demonstrate that uprooting and change of routine did to the ship's crew. I don't really have much of a problem with Jellico's changes or his command style. I agree that things were probably lax on the ship, but that's probably due to the crew being used to their captain's routine and command style. Captain Jellico had a completely different method which is fine.