Today we’re talking about our favorite captains in science fiction. And….since it’s me, it’s all Star Trek with a little Firefly. Also, I’m off to Pensacola for a four-day weekend. Live long and prosper.
#1-5: Anson Mount’s Captain Pike
I…love Anson Mount’s Captain Pike. Granted, the guy from the Abrams movies was really good at the gravtias of Pike, but Mount is so charismatic and inspiring it’s ridiculous.
#6: Captain Benjamin Sisko
Commander, then Captain, Sisko, was my first Favorite Captain and he was not displaced until I met Cap’n Pike. Granted, it helped that Deep Space Nine was the only Star Trek show that I got to watch in full as it aired. I didn’t grow to appreciate Captain Picard until I was able to watch the shows on VHS and DVDs. I loved Sisko’s passion. Avery Brooks does….ridiculous intensity very well. “IT’S THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND! BUT WHERE ARE THE FLYING CARS? I WAS PROMISED FLYING CARS! I DON’T SEE ANY FLYING CARS! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?!”
Brooks was a superb dramatic actor who managed to convey the moral complexity of Sisko, who had to deal with some dark choices during the Dominion War.
#7: Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Not need for much commentary here. Picard is such a superb character — intelligent, curious, passionate, idealistic.
$8 Cap’n Mal. To be honest I’d probably identify with Mal over Picard, simply because Mal is a cynical rebel who fought a losin’ cause but has great loyalty to his people.
(stab)
“Guess I’m just a good one.”
(stab)
“Well, I’m all right.”
#9: Cap’n Kate
I was able to watch Voyager off and on, but most of my affiliation with Voyager comes from playing ST Elite Force in high school. I still count Voyager (4-7) as some of my favorite Trek, in part because of Mulgrew, Picardo, and Ryan’s acting, and in part because of sheer nostalgia.
#10 Captain Kira Nerys
The storyline of Kira Nerys, former terrorist turned militia colonel turned Responsible Authority Figure, was one of the best in Star Trek Deep Space Nine — and that show was so complex, so beautiful, that that’s saying something. No Star Trek has ever matched it — even come close — as far as depth goes.
Bajoran Rando: stabbity-stab-stab
Kira: WHY? He wasn’t Dar’heel! WHY?!
Rando: He’s Cardassian! That’s reason enough!
Kira: ….no. No, it’s not. (intense character growth)
And yes, I do like Captain Kirk.
Reading Freely 
Definitely agree on Anson Mount. Even though I’ve only seen him in YouTube clips he’s still fantastic. Janeway is up there too. I really liked Voyager (mostly) and she was a big part of that. Never really got on with Sisko though, not sure why but he never did it for me. Even Picard wasn’t one of my all-time favourites. I guess I’m hard-core old-school and still rate James T Kirk….
Oh, and then there’s Mal – of course!! Quite brilliant… [lol]
I agree that Captain Pike played by Anson Mount is fantastic, when I started watching Strange New Worlds I didn’t think I was gonna like him as much as I do!
Have not watched Deep Space Nine yet so I’m looking forward to meeting captain Sisko at some point.
I didn’t make a list but mine would have Mal as #1 and then Picard as #2 and then I would have run out of names from the top of my read. Your post is reminding me that I do know a few others from Star Trek 😂😂 I wish I liked Janeway more but unfortunately I didn’t very much because I thought her character was inconsistent in a way that didn’t feel purposeful. Anyway great list & hope you’re having fun in Pensacola.
She definitely varied a bit on the writers: Voyager’s writing team was bad about consistency. The amount of shuttles and photon torpedos expended over 7 years….
Yes, having a lovely time. Tempted to run away and become a hobo on the beach, way out between Pensie and Destin where no one goes.
Yeah unfortunately for the character, it really shows! But oh well over all I still enjoyed Voyager.
& Glad you’re having such a lovely time. Looks like a nice city from your pics 🙂