Are you a Trekkie?
Well I am and... I am proud to admit it!
However, there is a continuing debate which has engrossed and aggravated Trekkies the world over for nearly 3 decades - 'who is the Ultimate Starship Captain?'
In effect - which one of these two men would YOU charge a Klingon battalion for?
Let's examine:
- Handsome
- Ruggedly handsome
- Ruggedly handsome in an intellectually, wise and brave father-figure sort of way!
'This is going to be more difficult than I thought'.
We will have to delve deeper, much deeper - we have need to consult the Memory Alpha Database:
Captain Kirk
James Tiberius "Jim" Kirk was a male Human Starfleet officer in the 23rd century. He was arguably one of the most famous and highly decorated starship captains in the history of Starfleet. As the commanding officer of the Constitution-class starships USS Enterprise and USS Enterprise-A, Kirk served United Federation of Planets interests as an explorer, soldier, time-traveler, and diplomat.
His exploits were required reading for cadets studying Early Starfleet History in the 24th century. They included the saving of the Pelosians from extinction, despite it being a violation of the Prime Directive, along with his saving of the Baezians and Chenari years earlier, and a record-setting number of first contacts. This record stood until the 2370s, when Captain Kathryn Janeway set a new record by being the first Federation captain in the previously unexplored Delta Quadrant.
"Don't let them promote you. Don't let them transfer you. Don't let them do anything that takes you off the bridge of that ship because while you're there, you can make a difference." – James T. Kirk, 2371 (Star Trek Generations)
Captain Picard
Jean-Luc Picard was a celebrated Starfleet officer, archaeologist and diplomat who served during the latter two thirds of the 24th century. The highlights of his career were centered around assignments as commanding officer of the Federation starships: USS Stargazer, USS Enterprise-D, and the USS Enterprise-E. In these roles, Picard not only witnessed the major turning points of recent galactic history, but played a key role in them also, from making first contact as captain of the Federation's flagship with no fewer than 27 alien species, including the Ferengi and the Borg. He also became the chief contact point with the Q Continuum, and served as Arbiter of Succession, where he presided over the investiture of Chancellor Gowron. Picard would expose the Romulan Star Empire as backers of his chief rivals, later aiding a Romulan underground movement of dissidents to gain a toehold on the Romulan homeworld. He continued to serve as captain of the Enterprise-E, the sixth Federation starship to bear the name, until at least 2379.
"All I can say is that although we have only been together for a short time, I know that you are the finest crew in the fleet. And I would trust each of you with my life. So, I am asking you for a leap of faith — and to trust me." Captain Jean-Luc Picard (All good things...)
On historical achievement - again it is extremely difficult to separate these two Legends of Starfleet.
The only way we are going to get a verdict now is by comparing their actions in the field. As such I reveal:
The Top 5 Reasons Captain Kirk is better than Captain Picard.
- Picard’s Enterprise was destroyed by a couple of Klingon chicks while he was stranded on a desert planet. Kirk’s Enterprise was destroyed when he blew up a crew of Klingons, stole their ship, and resurrected Spock from the dead.
- Kirk has caused computers to self-destruct by out-thinking them on three separate occasions.
- When Picard was in the Academy he got stabbed in the heart. When Kirk was in the Academy he beat the unbeatable Kobyoshi Maru scenario and bagged Carol Marcus in his spare time.
- Kirk chastises omni-powerful super beings for not being polite to women.
- When it’s time for shore leave Kirk goes rock climbing and drinks whiskey. Picard wears nut smashing banana hammock speedos and reads by the pool.
"Beam me up Scotty"
The Top 5 reasons why Captain Picard is better than Captain Kirk.
- Kirk kept losing security guards throughout each season; Picard kept Worf for seven years.
- Picard never ordered his ship to self-destruct as a bluff; when he orders it to do so, he MEANS it.
- Picard was responsible for Beverly Crusher's husband dying, berated her son constantly in her presence, yet still manged to make her fall for him.
- Picard would never be so stupid as to go rock climbing without equipment and rely on an overweight first officer with rocket boots to save his ass.
- Kirk fought over women. Picard had women fight over him.
Ladies and gentlemen I now know who my 'Ultimate Starship Captain' is... but more importantly...
Who is yours?
I am... SirKnight!
With special thanks to:
http://www.startrek.com/
http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Portal:Main
http://home.earthlink.net/~markstewart/kirk.index.html
http://www.math.utah.edu/~wisnia/picard.html
Kirk as a Warrior, Picard as a Diplomat.
Janeway as Captain, and Honorary Kathrine Hepburn look-alike.
How very diplomatic of you baerdric - but I don't think either Picard or Kirk will be willing to give up the chair that easy. Thanks for commenting @baerdric - up-voted and following. SirKnight.
Picard hands down... As much as i love the original series.
Whole different category of actor!
Yes.. ... Well maybe.
However Shatners flying drop kick and double fist grip neck chop were unequalled in TV history.
As if I needed any more proof of Kirks clear superiority, Picard fought the poncey borg whilst Kirk fought really dangerous intergalactic super lizards that apparently like tartan scarves!
I rest my case.
ROSIE O'DONNELL vs. CAPTAIN KIRK
...Captain Kirk slithered away with the victory.
The lizard's got Kirk by the sack.
And yet he still won the fight.
Clear proof of his awesomeness.
Loving the memes mate! I sought of lost track of the debate for a while - have been looking into a few behind the scenes things here on STEEMIT.
Go to steemit.chat and search for me - you need to make a new login. SK.
Will do. There is so much here to learn.
I may end up picking your brains as usual.
ROFL... 'nuff said! I yield!
Kirk all the way. And while Chris Pine is ok, you,can't beat William Shatner.
What a legend.
I grew up watching Star Trek and the music still reminds me of being a kid dreaming of getting it on with a hot green chick!! 😂
I love to stack the PM's and I bought a roll of these last year.......
To boldly go dude.
TP - you legend! Top picture - can I have it?
Consider it a gift SK.
Thanks TP - you are a gentleman and a scholar.
I've resteemed you too buddy.
I love the piece.
@tremendospercy
Appreciate it mate.
Champions
That is right yendyaybar - they both are? But don't you think Picard is a little more sophisticated? A little more intellectual perhaps? He does drink Earl Grey tea you know. :) Thanks for commenting. SirKnight.
Kirk hands down. I know the effects look corny by today's standards and the show was low budget. That being said there was a realness to the characters and the way they interacted. The later shows were too much like soap operas. Just cant be bothered with them.
Totally.
The original cast especially Shatner made you suspend your disbelief and ignore the wobbly sets, rubber aliens and terrible editing between Shatner and stuntman during the fight scenes.
Patrick Stewart turned it into an intergalactic Shakespearean tragedy.......Romulan and Juliet if you will.
I can't work out whether he's the Romulan or Juliet!
I rest my case......again!
Great post TP - very good points you make. I have heard Picard's Enterprise be described as the "Love Boat" in space before. But you have to admit - Patrick Stewart is one hell of an actor.
It was like the Honeymooners. Low budget but sill the best.
Definitely Captain Kirk, truly an American Alpha Male in every respect. He fights, he drinks, breaks the rules and he gets the pretty girls. What's not to like.
https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/star-trek---the-last-voyage/n8636?snl=1
Star Trek The Next Generation- A place where all the problems of humanity are solved with the exception of male pattern baldness. French people have English accents and we are so moral and awesome that they actually defecate beautiful marble spheres. Simply put, they are better than you primitive primates who watch the show each week.
The sobbing, caring, introspective Jean Luc Picard on the other hand, reminded be of self absorbed urbane Metro-Sexual European Beta Male. Even though the actor Patrick Stewart is actually in real life, hey wait a minute.....
Sir, you are followed. Anyone who can write so eloquently to politely say Picard was a big whoopsie is worth following. IMHO.
Thank You
Sorry clearshado - I only just noticed this post of yours - excellent! And I am feeling really bad now. Not just because I missed the post and let you down. But because you have given Picard an absolute hammering and I wasn't there to argue the point. Thanks for dropping in - SirKnight.
Thanks for your comments. Fun topic.
Picard! You can love them both, and the series they captained, but if forced to choose in a hair-brained but lovable exercise like this, then you had better remember who it was that made you really wish it were all REAL.
Picard.
And Stewart was the better, more nuanced actor, with a greater range of emotions, more complex responses to situations, etc. Not that any of that really matters, if you just want an ass-kicking, John Wayne-type dude on your bridge.
For real, though, Kirk lost so many red-shirts in his landing parties that one had to wonder where he was able to constantly recruit more in the middle of nowhere like that. But he made up for a few of those squandered lives by kissing Uhura!
But Picard gets it. A Klingon, after all, chose him to defend him. And he survived being transformed into a Borg. And he survived Romulan torture ("There are 4 lights!"). And he defended the "human" rights of an android...
Some valid points regarding your advocacy of Picard. However I must challenge the greater range of emotions comment. Kirk wins hands down on that front.
Picard would be an under actor I guess.
And finally in what should have got "The Shat"'an Oscar...........
And his hair just kept getting better and better!
Reply of the day thanks @mwanacomete. Flawless critique - and the pendulum is now swinging back to Picard. Up-voted and following - hope to see you round STEEMIT more. SirKnight.
What!?
I've had Andrew Lloyd Webber on the phone already asking for the rights to Romulan and Juliet.
Hey @sirknight! I have to go with Picard. He had to fight The Borg, also he had Worf to observe every day to learn about Klingon culture.
Excellent @andykillian. Thanks for popping in and nice to make your acquaintance. Following you now. Loving these Picard votes - hope they keep coming. Picard was a musician, a horseman and English literature scholar. All this must count for something. SK.
The Shat did start it all,
but i feel the best Captain was Captain Picard.
Very good surgewisdom! "Ensign, up-vote @surgewisdom and follow - make it so." SirKnight.
Appreciate that - Follow engage
I'm a Trekkie too! Both captains have enduring qualities, but Kirk is my all-time favorite.
He is certainly a original livingwaters, though at times I feel that Picard is a little more refined. Thanks for commenting - now following you. SK.
No question about it, James T Kirk! Grew up watching him win the universe
I respect that sort of commitment to your Captain, mackmck. No mistaking where your loyalties lie. Early voting certainly has Kirk in the lead. Cheers, SK.
I was never a big fan of any Star Trek, but Next Generation. It might be the best sci-fi series we ever had. (Firefly only had 1 season, so its hard to put it over Star Trek)
Classic is much better than deep space nine or voyager, but for me the answer is crystal clear: Captain Picard!
Thank you TGD - someone had to lean toward Picard sooner or later, otherwise, it might just be me. 'Might'. How have you been mate? I will check out your blog tomorrow - will need to hit the sack soon. SK.
I was almost going to get ranty because you dared to ask the question, to me Picard is an Idol and Kirk just a skirt chaser. ^^
Haven't been blogging too much lately, mostly german and korean stuff. The one about democracy that I resteemed might be interesting to you.
Great to see your Predator article take of like that, I didn't read it because I still need to watch the second half of the movie. I always fell asleep - not because it was a bad film, it was just too long and I was really tired ... Arnie is an Idol to me as well.
Kirk for me as he was the first.
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra. Does anything else need to be said?
As a fellow Trekkie this is the hardest decision. While it was Kirk who started it all, it was Picard who originally drew me into the wonderful word of Star Trek. Fortunately, we don't have to choose between the rugged and heroic Kirk and the classy, cool under pressure Picard but can enjoy them all and learn the lessons of both. That being said, not sure that Kirk would have been able to handle himself with Q the way Picard did. Probably would have done better against the Borg though.
Much as I like Kirk, it would have to be Picard for me :-)
I am hearing you mate - I tend to lean that way too.
This has been hands down my favourite Steemit debate to date.
SK you're a legend mate.
I've bigged you up in one of my latest posts as your Aussie rallying cry post inspired me to do a British one. So hopefully more Brits will check your blog.Check it out.
https://steemit.com/steemit/@tremendospercy/a-rallying-cry-to-british-steemians-let-s-help-each-other-and-britain
@tremendospercy
thanks @sirknight, you can't beat Picard :-)
They're both awesome but Picard came across as a more refined person, where Kirk wore his heart on his sleeve type guy, a bit rough around the edges. Great post! Upvoted
Hearing you Rod - Kirk's a bit more bold and brash perhaps. Thanks for commenting. SK.
No other choice!
Don't know if I can agree with you there marcusxman - Picard's resume is as long as the @tremendospercy ;)
I grew up with Captain Kirk so I would be prejudiced.
That's ok @marcusxman - bias exists everywhere - will chalk up another vote for James Tiberius. SK.
Nice 😎
meep