Picard/Sisko HARD choices

[RobertScorpio]

Picard and Sisko each had to make tough choices. But I have always thought who and what they are dictated some of their most important decisions.

For Picard? I BORG; The Captain was given a special weapon that could have, if implemented, crippled one of the Federation's most powerful foes. He didn't believe he had the right to make that judgement.

For Sisko? A Pale Moonlight: The Federation was losing the war against the Dominion. Betazed had just been over ran, and Vulcan was facing the same threat. Sisko put a very risky plan into motion that eventually was paid for by acts of murder and other violations of law.

I don't think either man was was wrong here. In real life our own President's faced this same question, most notably FDR/Truman and the eventual use of the A Bomb against Japan.

I commend Star Trek writers for being able to create two totally different characters from two totally different backgrounds, and being able to contrast their differences in interesting ways.

What if their roles were reversed? What if Sisko was given the plan to eleminate the Borg? What if Garak had come to Picard with his 'frame the Jem Hedar' plan?

The possibilities are endless!

 

[Michael]

Yeah, an interesting thought. What would Picard have done in Sisko's place? I doubt he would have let Garak do his job.

 

[misskim86]

I don't think Sisko would have managed to eliminate the Borg quite frankly, much too hot headed

 

[RobertScorpio]

Sisko would only have had to say yes or no for Geordi to implement the plan. I think Sisko would have done it for the same conclusions he made in PALE MOONLIGHT.

And with his wife's death still on his mind? He would have done it. IMO

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Sisko would have taken out the Borg in I,Borg....and he'd have done it without looking back. One word here: Jennifer.

Picard would never have brought someone like Garak into ANY plan, let alone a plan to bring the Romulans into the war.

 

[Thrall]

For Picard? I BORG; The Captain was given a special weapon that could have, if implemented, crippled one of the Federation's most powerful foes. He didn't believe he had the right to make that judgement.

Perhaps he didn't have the right. But Starfleet Command and The President of The Federation did. He didn't give them the option. And in doing so he condemned millions of innocent creatures throughout the galaxy to death or assimilation. I bet his peaceful idealism didn't think of that. The Borg are not a species. Or a culture. Or a race. They are a virus. A disease. It really is a case of "them or us". Picard swore an oath to protect the people of The Federation. When he didn't go through on their plan he violated that oath. He should have been court-marshaled and had his command taken away.

Sisko would have done the deed and not looked back. You don't send a diplomat to do a soldiers job.

What Sisko did was dirty, underhanded, immoral, and goes against everything Starfleet stands for. He also saved The Federation and The Alpha Quadrant from conquest. Morals are pretty worthless when you're dead. He and Garak did the right thing. It wasn't the most moral thing to do. But, in the end, it was the right thing. Picard would have either been able to convince The Romulan Senator with his fantastic diplomatic/bullshit skills, or would have never brought Garak on board. Either way, Sisko's way was alot more surefire.

 

[ladyheather69]

Well, Picard may not have had the choice to make that decision on his own, but considering that the Federation let him make a lot of decisions out there on his own....it is possible that they were okay with the outcome.

Sisko would have taken them out.

As for In the Pale Moonlight, granted Picard wouldn't have brought in Garak, but I do think that in some way he would have found a way to let the Romulans know about the situation and gotten them involved. Not sure how he would have gotten them involved, but being the consumate diplomat and talker that he is...he would have found a way.

As far as Sisko is concerned, he didn't seem to like his choice and it wasn't moral, but considering he saved lives and the Federation, I think he was okay with it.

 

[sbk1234]

It seems that a major difference in the two decisions was the desperation that Sisko was faced with. In I, Borg, the Federation and the Borg were not in a formal conflict. For all they knew, they would never even face the Borg again in battle. But the Federation in DS9 were not only in a war, but they were losing it, too. Given the same desperation, it could be a very diffent decision on Picard's part.

 

[Thrall]

Well, Picard may not have had the choice to make that decision on his own, but considering that the Federation let him make a lot of decisions out there on his own....it is possible that they were okay with the outcome.

Actually they weren't ok with it. I remember in a later episode("Decent Part 1" I think was) he got his ass chewed out by an Admiral who ordered him to follow through on the elimination of The Borg if he ever was put in that situation again. He got off way lighter then he should have.

 

[ladyheather69]

you are correct. Forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder. Been a while since I last watched TNG.

 

[Son_of_Soong]

Sisko would've done both, Picard would've done neither.

Tho Picard was a diplomat, Sisko was more the warrior type like Kirk.