*Warning! Potential Spoilers!*
The Fall hinted at something that everyone knows will eventually happen, but when it happens is still up in the air. There were several paragraphs of text dealing with the subject of Captain's Picard's eventual retirement from active duty. Although it's not likely to happen immediately--he just accepted a long-term exploratory mission from Riker and Akaar--it will happen sooner rather than later, as Picard is not a young man.
And so the subject of who replaces him comes into play. The Enterprise is Picard's ship. Before that (in terms of TV and films), she was Kirk's ship. But the Enterprise really belongs to Star Trek's fans, as she has been the one constant amid numerous changes in the universe we all know and love. Therefore, I think fans should have a voice in who replaces Picard in the center seat, as the ship shouldn't be given to just anyone. It has to be someone up to the task, an officer who understands the responsibility he or she is taking on, and the legacy he's responsible for maintaining.
One route would be to create an entirely new character and have that person eventually gain command of Enterprise, but if that's the way the writers decide to go, it seems appropriate to establish the character by having the person in question appear in at least few novels so that fans are familiar with him (or her). Another option would be to choose from existing characters who've earned a command or deserve one. Here's a list of viable candidates whom I think should be considered:
Worf: Picard's first officer seems the easiest choice, as he's already aboard the Enterprise and has earned the respect of her crew. What's more, he's proven he can command vessels on his own (Defiant) and would have the backing of both Picard and Sisko (and likely Riker, as well) to get a ship. There is the matter of what happened in "Change of Heart," but I think Worf's service since that incident would merit the brass reconsidering his situation before decided if he deserves a ship or not.
Riker: Since his promotion, Riker has been channeling James Kirk, in that he's been using his rank as a means of retaining commanding of the Titan, as opposed to remaining behind a desk at headquarters. Like Kirk, he clearly prefers being in the center seat as opposed to a ground assignment, but it's not likely such a thing will last. Even an admiral without portfolio has more responsibilities than even the most senior captain so Riker's almost certain to find himself knee-deep in paperwork sooner or later. But he has strong ties to the Enterprise and was her captain for a brief period while Picard was held captive by the Borg, and the Enterprise crew would certainly welcome him back with open arms.
Vale: Although she's never appeared on screen, Christine Vale has established a loyal fan following and merits a command of her own based on her recent performance. But her being posted to Enterprise seems unlikely, as she's much more likely to get the Titan once Riker's situation is sorted out.
Data: An intriguing possibility (no pun intended), but unlikely given that Data has never been first officer on a permanent basis and would need to complete that phase of his career before being given his own ship.
Sisko: He has the experience and is extremely well-regarded by Starfleet. The idea of Sisko commanding the Enterprise is a neat one.
Dax: Given that Aventine is slated to get at least one standalone novel, it doesn't make sense to move her.
Calhoun: New Frontier's main man would be an interesting choice, as well. With NF on the back-burner (forever?), Calhoun's character could be used elsewhere. Picard sponsored his Academy application and has followed his carer. It makes a lot of sense that Mac would take over for the man he admires so much, and he has both the toughness and the know-how to make things work. Additionally, his being on the Enterprise would give other NF characters a chance to make an appearance. Zak Kebron and Worf were close friends at the Academy, and characters like Robin Lefler have ties to the ship, too.
Decker: You read that correctly. Will Decker as captain of the Enterprise, a position he's held before and may have again had fate not taken him elsewhere. There is the not-so-small matter of returning him to normal space, but stranger things have happened in Star Trek, and as he's part of the Enterprise lineage, fans would accept his being (back) in the center seat.
For the non-TNG characters, I wonder if there are legal considerations given that they would essentially be switching series in order for their character to be used on TNG's ship.
--Sran
The Fall hinted at something that everyone knows will eventually happen, but when it happens is still up in the air. There were several paragraphs of text dealing with the subject of Captain's Picard's eventual retirement from active duty. Although it's not likely to happen immediately--he just accepted a long-term exploratory mission from Riker and Akaar--it will happen sooner rather than later, as Picard is not a young man.
And so the subject of who replaces him comes into play. The Enterprise is Picard's ship. Before that (in terms of TV and films), she was Kirk's ship. But the Enterprise really belongs to Star Trek's fans, as she has been the one constant amid numerous changes in the universe we all know and love. Therefore, I think fans should have a voice in who replaces Picard in the center seat, as the ship shouldn't be given to just anyone. It has to be someone up to the task, an officer who understands the responsibility he or she is taking on, and the legacy he's responsible for maintaining.
One route would be to create an entirely new character and have that person eventually gain command of Enterprise, but if that's the way the writers decide to go, it seems appropriate to establish the character by having the person in question appear in at least few novels so that fans are familiar with him (or her). Another option would be to choose from existing characters who've earned a command or deserve one. Here's a list of viable candidates whom I think should be considered:
Worf: Picard's first officer seems the easiest choice, as he's already aboard the Enterprise and has earned the respect of her crew. What's more, he's proven he can command vessels on his own (Defiant) and would have the backing of both Picard and Sisko (and likely Riker, as well) to get a ship. There is the matter of what happened in "Change of Heart," but I think Worf's service since that incident would merit the brass reconsidering his situation before decided if he deserves a ship or not.
Riker: Since his promotion, Riker has been channeling James Kirk, in that he's been using his rank as a means of retaining commanding of the Titan, as opposed to remaining behind a desk at headquarters. Like Kirk, he clearly prefers being in the center seat as opposed to a ground assignment, but it's not likely such a thing will last. Even an admiral without portfolio has more responsibilities than even the most senior captain so Riker's almost certain to find himself knee-deep in paperwork sooner or later. But he has strong ties to the Enterprise and was her captain for a brief period while Picard was held captive by the Borg, and the Enterprise crew would certainly welcome him back with open arms.
Vale: Although she's never appeared on screen, Christine Vale has established a loyal fan following and merits a command of her own based on her recent performance. But her being posted to Enterprise seems unlikely, as she's much more likely to get the Titan once Riker's situation is sorted out.
Data: An intriguing possibility (no pun intended), but unlikely given that Data has never been first officer on a permanent basis and would need to complete that phase of his career before being given his own ship.
Sisko: He has the experience and is extremely well-regarded by Starfleet. The idea of Sisko commanding the Enterprise is a neat one.
Dax: Given that Aventine is slated to get at least one standalone novel, it doesn't make sense to move her.
Calhoun: New Frontier's main man would be an interesting choice, as well. With NF on the back-burner (forever?), Calhoun's character could be used elsewhere. Picard sponsored his Academy application and has followed his carer. It makes a lot of sense that Mac would take over for the man he admires so much, and he has both the toughness and the know-how to make things work. Additionally, his being on the Enterprise would give other NF characters a chance to make an appearance. Zak Kebron and Worf were close friends at the Academy, and characters like Robin Lefler have ties to the ship, too.
Decker: You read that correctly. Will Decker as captain of the Enterprise, a position he's held before and may have again had fate not taken him elsewhere. There is the not-so-small matter of returning him to normal space, but stranger things have happened in Star Trek, and as he's part of the Enterprise lineage, fans would accept his being (back) in the center seat.
For the non-TNG characters, I wonder if there are legal considerations given that they would essentially be switching series in order for their character to be used on TNG's ship.
--Sran
