Star Trek: Ranking The Captains Worst To Best

[@E-Brightvoid]

“Janeway not a risk taker” Janeway: There’s coffee in that nebula

[@redzeppelin6]

She also sold WMDs to the Borg.

[@DMSProduktions]

Make it so!

[@SamBryans128]

Janeway: You want to run inhumane experiments on me and my crew, well I guess I'll just kill us all.

[@therealhiesenberg2731]

She had me at captured Borg. Also, shooting a phaser into a temporal window could destroy a galaxy. Time and again is one of my favorite of all the star treks

[@ArcaneAzmadi]

The reason I think Janeway is severely overrated on this list is because, despite Kate Mulgrew's best efforts, she was written so _inconsistently._

[@AndreFassbender42]

"Archer does not feel like a military leader." That's because he is non... He is a Scientist / Explorer. That's why they keep telling you that the NX Enterprise is build with exploration in mind. And he struggles half the time because humanity doesn't know a thing! Never understood why the series got this much hate. At this time they atleast tried to make sense instead of just adding more flashlights... ;)

[@benjaminstockwell5215]

Enterprise and DS9 dont deserve the hate they get for sure.

[@Zimionz]

He struggled half the time because he was arrogant, short-tempered and overly proud. Why Starfleet would put a person in charge who is openly hostile towards Vulcans, can't control himself and doesn't know the first thing about diplomacy is beyond me. That one episode in which his dog gets sick after returning from a first contact mission on an alien planet was very revealing.

[@virginiaconnor8350]

I like "Enterprise" and Archer better than "DS9". "DS9" was too dark and depressing. Kirk wasn't bad either. Haven't seen "Discovery" yet. The crew of a ship becomes like a family..I remember what Kirk saying something about how empty the ship felt with the children gone. I'm sure Archer soon felt the same. Picard's not much a family man and I'm not sure about Janeway either. Sisko was better at fathering his boy.

[@MidlandTexan]

I stopped listening at that point... Enterprise was a much better show than the crappy Discovery.

[@AndreFassbender42]

@@Zimionz He doesn't like Vulcans at the start. But the show gives a good explanation for that. His father never got to see the result of his lifes work, because the Vulcans slowed them down. (For logical reasons of course. ; ) ) He got his position because he knows the Enterprise, which is an experimental prototype. And diplomacy.. well atleast better than Kirk's diplomacy. That's more like "Set Phasers to stun.." ;) But this is all the point of Enterprise. To show how Starfleet rules and protocols develope. They make mistakes (ok, sometimes reaaaly stupid ones) and learn from it.

[@PT-fs5ff]

Considering Janeway had no support from Star Fleet, a combined crew that she had to get them to work together is a testament to her leadership skills. Not to mention some of the most terrifying and powerful aliens any captain has faced in the Alpha Quadrant. Oh, don't forget defeating the Borg several times. Sisko should be 2 or 3.

[@vernonleewarren280]

He's number 2 for me. Pacard 1. Sisko 2. Janeway 3. And Kirk at 4. I couldn't stand Janeway's character but she was a great captain

[@wangson]

Janeway is my # 3. Right behind Kirk at #2 and Picard at (obviously) #1.@@vernonleewarren280

[@wangson]

Agreed. But Sisko is an obvious # 4 for me. 1st (clearly) Captain Jean Luc Picard. 2nd, Captain James T. Kirk. #3 Captain Kathryn Janeway...After that? I don't really care.

[@ettanasf]

Jonathon Archer’s Enterprise was NOT a military vessel.

[@Starfleet8555]

@Superfly Toad i love the MACOs I think, they themselves should get an entire series alone. I mean about time we see Starfleet special forces.

[@Starfleet8555]

But Ettansf is right. Originally speaking the NX-01 Enterprise wasn't really designed for combat. Unlike most future Starfleet vessels. (Note I'm not calling them warships, I just mean vessels that built with combat in mind but not dedicated to the role)

[@ettanasf]

Miles Millet remember that whole Malcom Reed, his family angry with him for not joining a military vessel, rub it in Blue Chick, rub it in....moment?

[@Ithinkiwill66]

No, and neither are the other USS ships; mostly for science research, exploration, and humaintarian aid. For NX Enterprise, it was the beginning of stronger weapons for "defense," and to aid those that were getting attacked....just like other ships in the future did. Starfleet's ships are " military type," but not military persay.

[@Ithinkiwill66]

@@Starfleet8555 we almost did on Star Trek Beyond, but they turned out to be vicious, outrageous killing species 😳😳

[@bomcabedal]

Worst captain: Captain Styles of the USS Excelsior. Notable achievement: getting his ship sabotaged while walking around with a baton.

[@kennethlove5778]

Not the main ship but should absolutely count. Add to it.. the next time we see "his" ship...Sulu is Captain

[@copperhamster]

In Styles' defense: a) It turns out even after fixing the sabotage, transwarp wasn't stable, they had to replace it with standard warp, and b) That swagger stick was a cut down and deactivated Klingon pain baton... which Styles won in single combat. (I forget the whole story but it was like, instead of ship vs. ship he challenged the Klingon Captain mano-a-mano and won, even shaming the Klingon because he cheated bringing the pain stick.) Starfleet still threw him under the proverbial shuttlecraft.

[@Willpower-74205]

@LogKnow No, they were two completely different people. Lt. Stiles was not the same person as Captain Styles (note the different spelling). Lt. Stiles was a bigot who got owned by Kirk after smarting off about Spock. Captain Styles was the CO who oversaw the shakedown cruise of the Excelsior. Their names do sound the same, hence the confusion.

[@AndrewD8Red]

I'll see you and raise you Captain John "Is It Tuesday Yet" Harriman of the Enterprise-B

[@kali3665]

@@AndrewD8Red I don't think we can count him; after all, we're not seeing him at his best. He's just seething with envy that the Great Kirk is aboard.

[@cdoninger1]

I like your list, but alas, left out an important point of Archer: He pretty much founds the United Federation of Planets. Tough to compete with that.

[@kevinwalsh9662]

How about an emissary of d prophets lol.

[@ivanpradipta4151]

Nope

[@Starfleet8555]

@@kevinwalsh9662 Archer did basically wrote the book of being a Captain.

[@bluntman5312]

Does he even count since he waa reconned? Star Trek The Cage: "our new ships....." 13 years before Kirk talking to someone out of contact with civilization for 18 years, well, that doesn't quite add up to 115 years.

[@Ithinkiwill66]

Exactly! Thank you! At least someone was paying attention! Hehehe 🧐🧐😉

[@scubasteevo7013]

I love Archers Enterprise. They feel of 'space is new to us' really related to modern times.

[@broomemike1]

Yes... But then the second half of season 3 happened...

[@simonwillis1529]

Enterprise was pretty good felt like how we could be

[@dektran4843]

archer was the captain before kirk

[@davidfulwiler4713]

I hated the theme song and the "time cold war" which led to a locked room on the ship with "Mcguffin's" to get out of any situation, were my only problems. They jumped the shark with those bits. I wanted more just raw "Wild West" exploration, which they had a fair bit of. All that being said I don't think it was as bad as most people believe it to be.

[@palimpalim5291]

@@davidfulwiler4713 I rewatched it on Netflix - the second time around I really, really liked the show, even the "Expanse" subplot. I could have well done without a forehead "explanation" though.

[@leftcoaster67]

Captain Sulu of the Excelsior. "She'll fly apart!" FLY HER APART THEN!

[@emailschmemail9327]

leftcoaster67 Target that explosion and fire!

[@jameskwaka]

One of the best lines in Star Trek history.

[@addisonrey5343]

Yes😂

[@Bloodrayne800]

Star Trek 6 The Undiscovered Country is my favourite in the movie series, even though Picard is my fav captain

[@refntx5562]

"Ooohh my...."

[@rufdymond]

No way Sisko should be number 4....I’ve recently watched the whole of DS9 again from start to finish....it really makes you appreciate how awesome Sisko was.

[@Thespeedrap]

Sisko is number 1 on grunge look at that one.

[@revinar5838]

Sisko and DS9 as a series went onto a different "frontier", looking into ones self. The series had dept exploration into its characters that the other shows didn't even touch.

[@lach10211]

Number 4 are you serious!!!!????

[@gehtkeinenwasan8087]

@@revinar5838 well at the moment i am watching DS9 again its a good series... problem its has to much religios shit in it that i do not like and sosko has some realy horrible moments.

[@sarahm4809]

Dude, same!

[@ByloBand]

I think Archer was unfairly treated harshly, but I can live with this list.

[@Galliao]

Even as a Commander, Sisko beat up Q, became a prophet, and hopscotched to allamaraine. He had the full range!

[@palimpalim5291]

while raising a child which NONE of the other captains ever did!

[@aaronsmith7946]

Love the allamaraine reference

[@HenriZwols]

Sisko beat up Q?? How?!? How does one beat up Q??

[@idontwannaidontwanna7307]

You bastard.... You've got me picturing that god awful scene of Sisko, Kira, Dax hopscotching.... Thanks..! 🤣👏🏾

[@ClaxmanG]

@@idontwannaidontwanna7307 Hahahahahahaha. That was a terrible episode. Clearly it was their "We are running out of money for the season and have to do a six characters in a closet episode to make up the difference."

[@barrywebber100]

Having grown up with the original Star Trek Kirk will always be number one for me as will all the original series.

[@disneyfan8178]

I agree. Though I'm not really a Trekkie or Trekker, I love vintage TV better than the crap that's on now. And, also if it wasn't for Kirk, we wouldn't have everything else "Star Trek".

[@vincentk3502]

When the Next Generation started on TV, I said, as a kid, they need to kill off Jean-Luc Picard and have Cmdr. William Riker take over. It would be far more exciting to have a younger Captain flying through space and an old man. I have to agree with you, Kirk will always be Number 1.

[@1PuffWonder]

That's what they call rose tinted glasses.

[@riogrande5761]

@@vincentk3502 Old? Patrick Stewart was about 47 (born in 1940) when he began as Picard in 1987. Probably because he was bald, he looked older than he was to a kid who started watching in 1987. I started watching the original series as a young kid in the 60's and still think Kirk is tops - although the Shatner had a huge ego because of it.

[@vincentk3502]

@@riogrande5761 I started in early 70s with my dad. I agree, Kirk will always be the best. At the time in the 80s, I wanted Picard gone and replaced with Riker because Riker seemed more like a 'Young Space Cowboy flying through space, and putting his *boots* on, resembling a new Kirk. :-)

[@rnhtube]

Glad to see Janeway get some credit

[@NorthMountainFairy]

Russell Harrison agreed! She flew into Borg space, boarded a Borg vessel and informed them they would permit Voyager safe passage if they wanted to live, and meant it.

[@WAVP371]

I didn't like Kate Mulgrew until I saw her in Voyager... She had almost always played bitches and appeared in movies and TV shows that sucked...

[@andrewquick4176]

She’s my very favourite captain

[@WAVP371]

@@andrewquick4176 I did and do like Janeway but I, wouldn't go THAT far!!! Captain Kirk is, still my favorite but I'm torn between captain Archer and Captain Picard for next favorite... Janeway was, awesome though... Discovery and Picard I, have yet to see...

[@xaviervega468]

@@NorthMountainFairy Which then allowed the Borg to assimilate several other entire species. Not Janeway's finest hour at all.

[@Rogerio_FM]

"Shut up Wesley" That's what makes Picard number 1.

[@danfreeman5301]

Ash?

[@Dimetropteryx]

ALWAYS listen to Wesley.

[@1217BC]

That was actually an example of Picard at his worst, being dismissive of an important warning of the infiltration of his bridge crew because it's coming from a kid. This whole scene is so poorly interpreted, because people only remember the stupid meme, not the scene's actual intent. It humanizes Picard by showing him losing his temper and allowing his frustration to make him make a mistake. If Dr. Crusher hadn't pointed out his outburst to him, Picard may not have put a tail on Lore and stopped him from feeding the ship to the crystaline entity. The point of the scene was that you shouldn't be dismissive of someone just because they're young, and it became a way of doing just that.

[@nagash303]

Mr. Broccoli quote was a good one too

[@palimpalim5291]

The only time Picard was really cool was when he had the laser pointer on his head. Why take a British Shakespeare actor to play a French, whose name he can't even pronounce properly?

[@StillsTheSeriesOfficial]

Janeway above Sisko?! Highest in strategic terms?! She couldn't figure out to just trick the Kazon and plant timed explosives to both get the crew home and help the Ocampa. Admiral Janeway only cared to save her bridge crew and not go back to save the dozens others who died under her command. She's show faith in criminals but in 7 years didn't promote Kim. Sisko, by far, was the better mentor, commander, role model, strategist, leader and so on. He balanced being a religious figure with being a captain. Embraced his flaws rather than lecture others about theirs. (Eddington not withstanding.) He headed up and won the war. United cultures and ideals. Sponsored and promoted Nog. Didn't mess with the timeline by trying to go back and save Jadzia. A father, a husband, a boyfriend, a captain of 2 ships and 1 station, he faced the Borg, the Maquis, the Cardassians, the Dominion, the Klingons, the Pah Wraiths, Bajoran isolationists and did what it took to save the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. His leadership is what made the difference. Kirk, Picard, Janeway, Archer wouldn't've existed in the gray that Sisko had to in order to bring in the many many kinds of individuals that all played key roles in the survival of the Federation. Sisko is the best. Picard and Kirk ranked above him, I can live with that but not Janeway.

[@AODRHINO]

I see the Prophets are with you!

[@Dancestar1981]

StillsTheSeries Janeway is far superior to Sisko

[@StillsTheSeriesOfficial]

Dancestar1981 In what ways?

[@randyt60]

If she'd done that then the series would have lasted exactly one 90 minute episode...

[@StillsTheSeriesOfficial]

@@randyt60 Agreed. I attribute that to lazy writing. Make it a true no win scenario where Janeway must remain in the Delta Quadrant, not the weak and clearly solvable issue they made it. It made the entire crew look dumb. Janeway and co deserved better.

[@jamescrandall6380]

good ranking with the exception of Archer I think Cpt Archer deserved a bit more credit considering he was responsible for the founding of the federation itself and the xindi crisis oh and the whole saving the timeline thing LOL!

[@peterhineinlegen4672]

Kirk, Sisko, Archer, Janeway, then Picard.

[@oxmcginnes6253]

I don't like the idea that Archer Foundet the Federation. I like him. he made friends with Shran, gained mutual respekt with the Vulcans and other species. But ultimately, He only brought people to a table that then decided to found the Federation. Did he play a major role? sure.

[@Ithinkiwill66]

Again, thank you to you too! EXACTLY what I mean.

[@nubiannile4606]

Kirk was dynamic and ocasionally hilarious: "What does God need with a starship?" Gotta love that guy.

[@tomjares7559]

Kirk was portrayed from a young man in his first captaincy during the tv series to the mature, seasoned veteran in the movies. His growth and maturation as captain (and admiral ), not to mention sacrifice, in my opinion, give him the edge over Picard.

[@wangson]

WHAT?!?!?!?!

[@k1productions87]

I love how you listed the HMS Bounty among Kirk's commands. Its something most fans might forget or unintentionally omit if it weren't mentioned.

[@fishpop]

Before watching: Kirk or Picard are obviously gonna be #1 or 2 with maybe Janeway being #3. After watching: And i was right. :P

[@quazar912]

@Logan Waltz oppinios are assholes - everyone has it...but some stinks more that other

[@CuckooKukri]

While I love them both, I prefer Kirk to Picard because he's more willing to forget the Prime Directive and do what's right over what's approved. But Sisko will always be my favorite captain.

[@Ithinkiwill66]

The way things were going with Starfleet now, closer to the 25th century, I think Picard threw the book out the nearest airlock! Lol

[@crazydud3380]

Agreed, but lets be honest, who would rather serve under? Officers dying under Picard was a rarity. With Kirk, well . . . In other words, we could say Kirk is a better TV/movie captain, and Picard would be the better captain in real life. After all, in real life, do we really want military leaders who frequently disregard the rules?

[@CuckooKukri]

@@crazydud3380 There's an episode where an alien people want to kill Wesley for walking on grass, and Picard's like, "Hmm... well, the Prime Directive applies here...." Kirk would NEVER let something like that even be considered. The Prime Directive was always stupid, so, no, I don't want a leader who blindly follows it.

[@crazydud3380]

@@CuckooKukri Yes, well, I think we all mostly like to ignore season 1! LOL. From season 3 onward, Picard was not that extreme. That, and that isn't how the prime directive works. The point of it is not to create cultural contamination by making contact with a pre-warp species, as well as not interfering with conflicts on another world (such as a war between nations on another planet), especially if the species is not part of the Federation. If they are, then they will intervene to protect from foreign invaders, such as protecting Bajorans from Cardassians. If it is a dispute within the world between species that are both part of the Federation, then it gets more complicated. Star Trek never did a particularly great job at defining how the Federation works, particular in terms of how it is governed. The most we usually saw of that was in DS9, wherein the Prime Directive was a guiding principle always given consideration and not likely broken, but sometimes it was. What is most interesting is each Captain's response to it, as they are each different. Maybe Janeway would be a good to serve under, just without the whole getting stranded aspect of it, or even Sisko. Both took the Directive very seriously and fully understood why it was important, but both violated it when it was determined that others factors superseded it. Picard did this too on multiple occasions, but he was definitely the least frequent violator (I am not counting Archer, as the directive did not exist yet). Even Kirk did not completely ignore it (at least not in most of the well-written episodes). A prime example of this is a Private Little War. Here Kirk interferes, but only because interference had already taken place thanks to the Klingons, so Kirk put in equal interference in order to balance both sides (a very obvious Cold War parallel). In Return of the Archons, he interferes, but that is because they are being unknowingly controlled by an AI, so he is simply giving their world back to them. In that episode where people report to execution chambers. Kirk interferes as a direct result of his crew being markes for death. He sees his duties to protect his crew as even more important than the Prime Directive. Also note there is a down side. His interference is part of why he got so many red shirts killed. Kirk, as much as I love him, has the worst track record with keeping his crew alive. Ultimately, there should be an ideal middle ground between Kirk and Picard.

[@CuckooKukri]

@@crazydud3380 Which is why Sisko is my favorite.

[@stargate12A]

Kirk from Kelvin timeline above Archer hahahahha. Only in the series is this the first Earth ship to go into deep space.The ship leaves without many weapons with the main thought for exploration.Everyone expects only exploration missions.And then they run into problems. I loved the series.And he may have made some mistakes, but no one has encountered such situations before him.Also, this series did not spoil what we know about the timeline too much

[@krash3x]

True but you see Archer’s ship take a beating but it seemed like the Enterprise was made out of paper and cardboard in the Kelvin timeline.

[@CainMadness]

I think you forgot to mention, especially after your line about Picard rewriting the book, is that Kirk ( and in Archer’s case literally ) wrote the book.

[@QueenAurora85]

Archer is my one of my favorite captains and I really enjoyed Enterprise and i love the opening song I grew up with Next Generation pichard is probably the best of the early Series

[@devilsephiroth9000]

I agree with this list But Benjamin Lafayette Sisko Is the greatest Commander then promoted Captain ever. He did it with Grace, defiance, ruthlessness and above all else, swagger.

[@xaviervega468]

@Jim Barrows Sisko never killed a single Maquis.

[@eternalhalloween1]

Regardless of what series I find best, if I were choosing what captain to follow, it would be Captain Picard. There are many reasons. But I choose Picard because his attitude and philosdophy are very similar to that of Mr. Myagi from "Karate Kid." For me, Captain Picard defined himself when someone called him a warrior. And then he said: "I prefer to think of myself as an explorer."

[@EiddonPerkins]

I would of put sisko first, I feel like he's one of the more complete and complex captains in star trek, but that might just be my bias to ds9 as a whole

[@CrimsonKoenig]

I like Enterprise's intro

[@sasamichan]

Now I want to see a list of top people on star trek who were captain at least a little bit but are not the mains.

[@senecaureliuslocke9432]

1. Picard (the golden one) 2. Sisko (my personal favorite/people's champ) 3. Kirk (the original) 4. Janeway (the survivor) 5-10. doesn't matter since those are the only good ones

[@QuinnJACKSON-zx1dx]

To be honest, you are right.

[@DD-eight]

What about captain Data?? True badass!!

[@ronfischer191]

Archer will always be my favorite captain, and I actually liked the theme everyone always hates on!

[@fredkelly6953]

Yes it changed about the 3rd season? I found it an amusing ditty.

[@Rocker-kr9nu]

@@fredkelly6953 I love the Enterprise Theme :-)

[@dinomonzon7493]

Very good video! For me, James Tiberius Kirk's the best Star Trek Captain ever. He does the right thing, NOT what the rules & regulations always say. He was also a flawed CO, like Benjamin Sisko & Jonathan Archer; he never pretended to be perfect, and he was allowed to make errors, and like Gabriel Lorca, he appreciates the military aspect of Starfleet; he considered himself more of a soldier than a diplomat. And, Jim can think out of the box in a military scenario, being at his best in a wartime/crisis situation. * as for Capt. Archer's acting like a head of a family, that's ironic as Jean-Luc Picard IS more of a father-figure as a Commanding Officer. And Picard's too dependent on diplomacy, and unless he's facing the Borg, he won't consider a military option. As Cmdr. Riker noted in the episode Peak Performance, Picard is too conservative. And he doesn't acknowledge the need for higher intervention or assistance, as shown in Q Who? ; Kirk at least admits in the existence of God (in Who Mourns for Adonais, he tells the self proclaimed god Apollo that 'we find one God sufficient'.) Outside the TV series, Mackenzie Calhoun of Star Trek: New Frontier is the best 24th Century Trek CO.

[@makasete30]

Disagree with a lot of this. Picard would always exhaust diplomatic options because the consequences are innocent lives lost, but if diplomatic options failed he was ready to fight, and fight well. That is not a weakness but a strength and shows he has the will to resist the easy reaction of fighting that most of us would take. He was proved right more than he was wrong. Kirk was often too happy trigger, and the long line of red shirts would agree. Picard has excellent insights and instinct as well as Kirk did. Riker also notes the Picard was the best captain he served under. You call it conservative, I prefer prudent and wise and his whole crew looked up to him as a father figure which is not a weakness, and also as the commanding officer when he disciplined them or commanded them in battle. Picard often thought out of box right from the start of his career when he was outgunned in the stargazer and created a new tactical manoeuvre. The whole point about Q Who was that Picard did acknowledge the need for higher intervention in the end. I can also cherry pick flaws in Kirk- the fact he wants to go to war with the Klingons and eventually has to admit the diplomatic way is better. (In the episode where the Klingons take over a world, and the aliens there are entirely peaceful and refuse to fight. ) The fact that he wanted the whole Klingon species to die “let them die” and didn’t want to help any of them and blamed the whole species for killing his son. Picard also admits that there may be God. He’s agnostic at the very least. In one episode he talks about the beauty of the universe and its wonders and complexity and says there must be something more. Even if he was an atheist though, that is not something that makes you a weak captain. They are both very different captains but both excellent. For me, Picard is a better captain, and if we were serving on his ship would be more likely to survive a beam down thanks to Picard’s diplomatic skills.

[@jonasseorum5471]

Also just from a tv standpoint he is the best character in my opinion. But I have only seen TOS and TNG and a little discovery before I dropped that garbage.

[@AnneMB955]

My top 3, having watched every Star Trek episode and movies. 1. Picard, 2. Janeway, 3. Kirk (TOS). All strong, clever and collaborative. Great vid, thx.

[@RobertMossack]

Both Sisko and the Discovery version of Pike deserved to be rated higher than Janeway. She was too inconsistent as a character, you never knew just how schizophrenic Janeway was going to be from episode to episode.

[@Wipeout186]

Discovery version of any captain should be the buttom stumped on together with any jar jar movie captains they should all die and disapear, together with CBS B license lets get back to the A License and prober star trek.

[@Wipeout186]

@James sevensix nothing under b license aka kelvin timeline is trek or should be considered trek or canon

[@redcoded4430]

@@Wipeout186 its all canon but since its in a different timeline it has no bearing over the universe the rest of the shows/movies are set in. so its like. its canon, technically, but it literally doesnt matter and i Dont Care

[@Wipeout186]

@@redcoded4430 the b license and with it kelvin timeline is not canon in anyway. Plus std is set before kelvin happen which means everything it does damage the a license and prime timeline canon is ruined. As I said anything under b license can't and shouldn't be canon as CBS demand

[@robvanriot]

STD is great. Y'all need to chill.

[@TheVerdauga]

There was never any question that Picard would be number 1 in this list, but i do think original star trek Kirk should be below Janeway, and maybe even Sisko. How many hundreds of red shirts died while he was captain? xD

[@davidtuttle7556]

Btw that is the single best reason for Piccard as #1. Wore the red shirt for years and lived to tell the tale.

[@erichholthaus8556]

Only 25 redshirts died in the original series. Not as bad as we all thought.

[@matepenava5888]

Archer should be higher, else is OK

[@Token_Nerd]

That and Sisko above Janeway

[@bjm1374]

Sisko and Archer should be higher up.

[@jackalovski1]

Janeway: if anyone's going to kill her crew, it's going to be her. Jokes aside, Kirk should be up there but not for the reasons outlined in the video. He's a much deeper character with strong ethics and not just the gun-ho bed-all-the-chicks guy that pop culture (and JJ Abrams) thinks he is. I'm willing to bet that if you actually counted through all the movies and series that Picard has actually bedded more women than Kirk.

[@LickMyRainbow77]

Picard had the benefit of more seasons to do more bedding, but yeah, Kirk is surprisingly deep in quite a few episodes. In one of the original pilot episodes, they say Kirk used to be a nervous bookworm before his friend Gary Mitchel turned him around

[@yetz2291]

Well, that's just from what we've seen, right? I believe what they could get away with showing in the 90s was more than what they could get away with in the 60s.

[@chris_c1701]

This statement exactly.

[@chris_c1701]

@@LickMyRainbow77 I would also add that just as Picard had his blindspot (the Borg), Kirk had his (the Klingons and the death of his son). And both had complex character arcs dealing with those blind spots. I would personally say that I preferred the Kirk arc in terms of character development, but that is a tough call.

[@jhmcd2]

There irony is, the top four at one time or another almost all sacrificed their crews at least once. Sisko, well the war (then offed a Romulan Senator for good measure), Picard almost blew up the Enterprise at least 3 times got a new ship then almost blew that one up, Kirk...he did blow up his ship, and Janeway wipped out a timeline of her crew just to "save" it.

[@AlexIsModded]

I was pleasantly surprised that you ranked Sisko lower than TSO Kirk. Sisko transcended being a captain, and felt more like a President at times. The level of responsibility he carried was immense and he handled it so beautifully during that show that I think all other captains are unmatched, minus Picard and Janeway. I fully agree with Picard being number one, by the way. He had his faults, his trauma, but he still remained true to himself and duties, while also showing an elegant diplomacy.

[@jhmcd2]

I can buy it. I love Sisko but once you hit those 90's Trek series, you are basically splitting hairs to figure out who is better.

[@Solo_Traveling]

I think Janeway should go before Kirk. Also give Archer some love!

[@lindenstromberg6859]

Janeway is my favourite of the bunch, or at least the same tier as Picard, but I don't think you can put her ahead of Picard or Kirk because of what they did for the franchise. I really liked season 1 Kirk, but season 2 and 3 Kirk was unbearable. Season 2 and 3 Kirk might even be my least favourite of the 5 main captains, except maybe season 4-7 Sisko - not so much the fault of the acting (as it was with Shatner in 2 and 3 TOS), but the mid to late series writing for his character was atrocious.

[@fastacker2]

Shatner's Kirk is number 1. Picard number 2. Pine's Kirk is number 3. You can juggle the rest how you like. Kirk was the pioneer that made Star Trek what it was, and did it while sleeping in the bed of his pickup truck he was so poor. And the sets were cardboard and Christmas lights. He was the underdog that made good. Highly relate-able, truly bold, a real adventurer, Picard is more like an administrator. British fusspot.

[@MyExStacyOfficial]

The fact that the actor slept in a pick up truck does not make it a better captain, but I understand what you are trying to say!

[@timothymbess]

Picard could win this solely based on his senior staff. Riker, Data, Worf, Geordi and even Dr. Crusher went onto command positions of their own. He was such a charismatic leader that most of the top Starfleet talent wanted to serve under him - and would even delay their own promotions to captaincy - simply because of his leadership abilities. He's like the Bill Walsh coaching tree of the Federation.

[@vernonleewarren280]

Nice evaluation

[@wangson]

Yeah. Well recognized, man. Well put, well-recognized, well said, well considered. In my estimation of the greatest Captains, Picard simply has no competition. If he did, it'd be Captain James T. Kirk.

[@davebeattie9573]

Seriously! Janeway at no3. This is the captain who literally said "there's coffee in that nebula". She then took her ship into said nebula, frakked everything up, and limped out again. That little adventure cost voyager energy that they could ill afford to lose, all so she could have her coffee. And none of this covers the whole I will do anything to return us all home promise, which she repeatedly breaks, and then has the cheek to bring charges against her own crew (including Tuvok) when they try to follow thru on everyones desire (including her own) of getting home.

[@KnightsaysNi]

THANK YOU. Janeway is definitely not top five material, might put her around seventh?

[@alicewilloughby4318]

7:44 - It's good to see Katherine Janeway get the high rating she deserves! 9:35 - "Picard might be more by-the-book, but he's also the guy who re-wrote the book!" Magnificent!

[@dantsem2640]

???

[@A____G]

@@dantsem2640 What confuses you about the above comment?

[@bent404]

Janeway deserves #2 over Kirk. He’s too impulsive and she was calculating. But that’s also due to the release time periods and maturation of the ST universe.

[@andrepatricio7437]

@@bent404 Completely agree. Janeway was a far better captain than Kirk, although I love him immensely too.

[@xaviervega468]

@@bent404 Frankly Janeway is too high. It was her fault her crew got stuck in the Delta Quadrant to begin with.

[@PhDTony_original]

A) It takes a brave man to wander into this minefield. B) nice list. I think Janeway is generally under-rated. I think you present very convincing arguments.

[@organizationalcoaches7072]

But lacks follow through. Returning from being lost is admirable, but Sisko defended and fought at another level. Captan and Commander of a crucial port. His star ship was serious too. Just saying.

[@PhDTony_original]

@@organizationalcoaches7072 I think one can make a strong argument in Sisko's favour and I would not say you were objectively wrong. It's all a matter of personal preference. Nor would I claim to have sufficient mastery of the source material that my word be accepted as law.

[@moderusprime]

I kind of think you completely misunderstood the complexities of Captain Archer.

[@ideamentors5075]

ModerusPrime almost unsubbed over it.

[@seanmacdermott6555]

If it wasn't for James T. Kirk in 1967 there wouldn't be any other Star Trek captains.

[@davidlipman8093]

I agree. Without Kirk, there is no Star Trek.

[@alainamarie4928]

Captain Kathrine Janeway is my favorite by far

[@scotlochlyn7526]

Hmm, Not a Shocker At All, (Lol)

[@brianhunter7578]

I think archer deserves be much higher. Biggest difference between him and other they had starfleet back them up...archer on other hand basically on his own. I like sisko better but I can kind see logic bc sisko had much more experience crew and had starfleet backing him up. Janeway had one solid officer tuvok..with very tough situation.

[@matthewhouts4467]

Picard...can’t even believe it’s up for discussion

[@SparkLove4all]

Very hard to choose a ranking order because they’re all great, in different ways, under different circumstances. It’s just as difficult to name my favourite series! I love all of them, despite the odd error here and there and I reckon each series has it’s own strengths and weaknesses. I don’t think ranking all the series is fair because the series are all very different from one another. I absolutely agree with your #1 pick for captain. I believe he far outshines all the others however, I would’ve put Janeway ahead of the Kirks due to her strength of character, especially considering the very extraordinary circumstances. Hey, continue doing a GREAT job dude. Us Trekkie’s love all the diverse insight and perspectives from people such as yourself and you do it so very well! Thank you so much for taking the time to feed our very hungry curiosities about everything Star Trek. Live long and prosper, the force is with you ✌️

[@stratman247]

The light saber sound at the beginning is a nice touch.

[@googamp32]

Thanks for putting my queen at #3.

[@TyMarshall007]

People dont give Janeway enough Credit

[@LadyArachnea]

@@TyMarshall007 You're right ! And I'm also sad that Archer is so underrated ...

[@RafaelSantos-pi8py]

Big mistake. STD is not Star Trek.

[@AndrewD8Red]

Factually inaccurate statement, but thanks for playing.

[@random_eskimo_in_the_rockies]

STD is sexually transmitted disease. Star Trek Discovery is cinematically transmitted disease. Both are horrible.

[@truethat15]

@@random_eskimo_in_the_rockies Sorry, just for Christopher Pike I'm glad this series exist.

[@jbailey690]

Factually accurate statement, thanks for your honesty.

[@xaviervega468]

100% Facts

[@bdr32965]

Kirk was the consummate warrior who was brave but somewhat reckless, Picard the strategist and the diplomat, Janeway was the caring but bold leader, and well there's Sisko who was a total badass, he was a bit of a rogue but could be ruthless when he need be. Don't forget, Sisko bombed a Maquis planet with a biological weapon.

[@alkalinedivide]

The "SHAT"

[@Carthybp]

That's what you have to say about SIsko? Have you even seen Deep Space Nine?

[@KnowledgeWorxs]

Interesting list. We’ve had some great captains. Sisko for the win for me. Shouldn’t there be three pikes on this list? TOS/Kelvin/Discovery? 25% different timelines and all 👍.

[@coreymicallef365]

TOS and Discovery are the same timeline and therefore the same Pike

[@philiptite1082]

@@coreymicallef365 True alas. In a way both spin-offs (Kelvin and Discovery) attempt to flesh out a fascinating character that we only got glimpses of in TOS (and never again referred to in canon alas; though wasn't there a ship named after him at one point even if not in canon?). I was always intrigued by the Pike we met in the Menagerie and Cage. A thoughtful, passionate captain who cared deeply for his crew and was very clear-headed, brave, and resourceful. I love the crippled Pike we see as well. Even when against his own best interests, he votes against Spock -- I'm assuming because it's his duty. And let's not forget how he got that way: saving the lives of others. The glimpse we get is of a captain (and Hunter played the role brilliantly) that is every bit as outstanding as Kirk, Picard, Sisko or Janeway. I get the same impression about Captain Rachel Garrett of Enterprise-C. Again, another amazing captain that we only get a taste of. But the real question: What about Captain April? :)

[@coreymicallef365]

@Jim Barrows a murderer? Oh please, he observed all the laws of war to the letter, and his actions were a proportionate response to earlier hostile actions. He stopped a genocide before it started.

[@philiptite1082]

@@coreymicallef365 Quick question. I'm just refreshing my memory re-watching the video and Wesley Crusher is stated as being given the position of acting captain. When did this occur? I remember the episode where he takes over engineering and declares himself acting captain, but that's not an official appointment. Was there another time Wes took over?

[@coreymicallef365]

@@philiptite1082 I have no clue, my memory of TNG is fairly spotty, especially with the early seasons. Google was no help either, maybe have a look through the wiki.

[@deanmottershead9208]

People are a little unfair with Janeway. She made more first contacts than any other captain alive at the time and more than treaty's etc than some ambassadors. She had enough information in voyagers databanks to keep the starfleet busy for decades. Including new types of life the starfleet did not even knew existed IE the dinosaurs and the aliens from the realm of light. She never had more than a day or two off in seven years and had to be spiritual leader/captain/mother to a crew of 170. she had a pretty rough gig

[@drbosommd]

Dean Motterhsead yeah she did more than any other captain under tougher conditions with no real let up ( except that time when Chakotay were stock on a planet camping for a few weeks ) . As far as capability goes she has to be number 1 . If course Picard and Kirk win popularity contests but if i was needing to travel through space I'd choose Janeway to get me where i needed to go.

[@deanmottershead9208]

@@drbosommd Yes I have thought before that if I had a choice of what starship to serve on I would likely pick Voyager for the smaller more family feeling of the ship. I did think about that time that Janeway and Chakotay had the virus when they had to stay on that planet. But I think they had some communications device that allowed the ship to relay messages even if audio-only and some time delay for some of the time. Hardly what I would call proper time off either.

[@ericdunn360]

The J.J. Abrams timeline is a joke, The Prime timeline is true.

[@ocirontariocryptidinvestig8010]

you can thank the Enterprise haters for it

[@ToadenK]

discover/pickard are not prime though . . . this needs to be recognized

[@YuzmeKosuFitness]

i change the question a little bit? Which captain would You like work under command? My answer is Chris Pike. He helps his crew to improve themselves and even sacrifices his life for them. Sisko, technicallly is not a star trek ship commander. He is a warrior leader. but i would challenge every danger and fight under his command.

[@ajsmovieplace]

1 - Benjamin Sisko. I have spoken !

[@ricardoficher1600]

1. Sisko 2. Picard 3. Kirk 4. Discovery's Pike 5. Jellico 6. Garret 7. Harriman 8. Archer 9. Janeway

[@eggy68]

While I can't speak to Discovery, I think you nailed it. Sisko is the guy I'd want to hang out with, but Picard is the captain I'd want in command of my flagship.

[@alwong604]

The fact that you could rank Janeway ahead of Sisko is mutinious! Walk the plank!

[@JohnnyMcMuff1]

I agree

[@AlexIsModded]

I have to agree. I loved Voyager and I adore Janeway, but Sisko had a skillset that she didn't have.

[@robertswift6101]

captain kirk had arguably the best instinct and that alone is what will keep you alive when the crap hits the fan in space

[@annecohen8927]

This is my ranking...1. William Shatner’s James T. Kirk. 2. Patrick Stewart.’s Jean Picard And 3. Kate Mulgrew.’s Kathryn Janeway!!!!

[@shanesimpson4407]

Anne Cohen Janeway over Sisko? Ehh

[@potatoalpacas6114]

Janeway is an inconsistent and kinda hypocritical character but I blame the writers. So I Still prefer sisko.

[@michaelcounsell9935]

"Send all of your hate to me on Twitter". Best Quote EVER!!!

[@randylayhey2340]

Pike from discovery. That guy needs his own series.

[@llpalm08]

They said at a convention that they are thinking about giving him his own series

[@rjb7569]

Did you guys know Shatner was on a show once and sheepishly admitted he didn't know what the "T" in James T. Kirk stood for?

[@toastkitten5booklover]

Here is my understanding of the main captains: Archer was human, new to space and showed the learning that was needed for humanity to find their place in the universe. Kirk was kind, responsible, and trying to be a role model in the new era of space exploration. Picard was seasoned, a diplomat and peacemaker focused on preventing war and conflict from the borg and future threats. Sisko was a wayman, a soldier and father that decided to focus on one area, and in turn, played a vital role in preventing the fall of the federation from outside threats. Janeway was a protector. Trying to lead her family home through unknown, and never before seen odds. She was a throwback to Archer and the struggles and triumphs humanity faces when facing new stuations. This was a good ranking, but I can't fathom trying to rank these captains, for they were all different and unique. All set and written for different eras, not meant to be necessarily what everyone wanted them to be as characters, but what the needed to be for the time they were written. And that is why I love Star trek so much.

[@marcanthony4930]

I agree with most of this list. It was astute to say Cisko was below Janeway, but DS-9 was above Voyager. I agree. Where I disagree is Picard is Better then Kirk. The reason, look at the early Picard in season 1, he was terrible. Sure the character evolved, but started off too rigid to work. At his best, he had better scenes in later episodes, but a lot of that had to do with the technology of CGI, effects, and the maturity as the viewers evolved to allow for better moral debates and issues. For the original series, having a Russia, Black Woman, Asian, and Alien as the main bridge crew was a HUGE risk with 1960's viewers. For all of this, I would say Kirk is still #1, or at worst tied with Picard if you don't make allowances for the era of TV.

[@xaviervega468]

No way is Sisko below Janeway. Sisko presided over the entire Dominion War., Sisko actually had to LIVE with the consequences of his decisions, unlike Janeway who could convienently fly away. Janeway also stranded her crew in the Delta Quadrant and VIOLATED THE PRIME DIRECTIVE TO DO SO. That alone knocks her down a few pegs. I had her ranked behind Sisko, OG Kirk and Picard.

[@GLBizzie]

@@xaviervega468 Finally someone with some sense

[@joeclaridy]

@@xaviervega468 her intentionally marooning her crew in the Delta Quadrant is reason enough to put her in the bottom half of the list. Sisko and Archer should be at the top for different reasons but at the same time they had to be at the forefront of a war that threatened all of humanity. Archer didn't have a prime directive or a fleet of allies to support the NX-01. Everything he did on his voyages meant humanity being accepted by the galaxy at large or risk some war they had no hope of winning. Sisko, unlike Picard, had to cope with Wolf-359 while raising a son as a single father. As a fellow single father, on the best of days it is not easy doing it alone yet alone having the fate of 2 quadrants hanging in the balance. Where Picard had a meltdown Sisko developed the Defiant. Sisko's masterey of politics, religion, family and war should put him at the top. If I had to rank the top 4 it would be Sisko, Kirk, Archer, then Picard.

[@tulkdog]

Sisko should be higher on this list. What he accomplished during his tenure in command were no less than amazing.

[@randomcoyote8807]

Picard & Sisko are #1 picks for me, always trading places on which one is better at any given moment depending on circumstances. Then Kirk and then Janeway, IMO. Archer's hard to peg since his ship wasn't really expected to be a military vessel like the others were. I liked him, but stacked up against the others he ends up as a candle among floodlights.

[@valky1808]

Little disappointed Pike (Discovery) didn't place higher, he literally had to keep the Discovery a secret after commanding it for such a time. He made great decisions and generally was a really good, fresh captain

[@xaviervega468]

STD sucks.

[@bigbabysld]

By any means I am not a TREKKIE, but I was a fan of KIRK and PICARD, I loved how KIRK could get out of impossible situations but PICARD, that's the thinking man's captain...I still watch ST:TNG on NETFLIX's. Picard is a thinker and a problem solver. To Be fair I have not watched the other shows so I really can't say, but I'm a PICARD guy.

[@traviscallahan7178]

The original pike got the roll but his wife wanted him to be a movie star not a TV star so he gave it up. Sadly he died not to long after from an accident on set I believe.

[@dynamobahamas]

Captain James T. Kirk will always be number one

[@jefferson3996]

Yep.

[@HenriZwols]

Nope. I'd even rank captain Pike above him as a captain.

[@jefferson3996]

@@HenriZwols Most _snowflakes_ would. 🙄

[@georgeleinberger8670]

I absolutely love these list vids! Here’s my two cents. 1. Picard 2. Sisko 3. Kirk 4. Janeway 5. Archer

[@multidimensionalhypercube]

I'd say janeway is the best captain but that's because Voyager is my favourite series although I do have to admit picard would definitely be close behind janeway

[@thetransponder7186]

My top 3 are kirk, Kelvin kirk, and Jonathan archer. They proved to me that they'd risk their lives to save their crew. Especially Kelvin kirk. It takes guts to go in a reactor room. Same for spock as well.

[@Krypton853]

Idc what ppl think of Star Trek Voyager I personally think Captain Janeway is the best well for me and that is she does what's necessary to insure the survival of her crew and to get home remember the ep of where those Invisible Aliens came she was willing to take to risk to scare them of to go through that two twin star which could destroy her ship in the process as well.

[@shaunhumphreys6714]

sisko should be one or two along with janeway. sisko led the dominion war strategy. the most epic war in star trek history, and was the emissary of the bajoran prophets, while overseeing the most important starfleet outpost guarding the newly discovered wormhole. he was baddass, excellent at hand to hand combat and battle strategy. authoritative but was also friends with his crew. he wasnt all stiff like picard who stuck to the prime directive way to rigidly. sisko was clever in finding ways to be compassionate. he kept diplomacy with the romulans, managing to make peace with them, and with the klingons and eventually the cardassians. and his work led paved the way for bajor joining the federation, which was actually his primary role given by starfleet. he embraced his religious role as the emissary to the prophets, being starfleet captain, and being a single father. he had the best team of any starfleet captain kiera narees,-jutseeya, dax, chief o brien, worf and julian-probably the best doctor in star trek and im sure he chose that team, at least definitely he got jutseeya because her former host kurzon was his mentor, and he chose worf as his strategic officer-which was very wise as worf is the best battle strategy and proved in deep space nine that he is the best at weapons and hand to hand combat in star trek, defeating every klingon he fought including renownded warriors including chancelor garon, and defeating nine or so jem hadah in a row. sisko was crucial to saving the whole alpha quadrant, keeping the alliance including the romulans together. he managed to get starfleet's first cloaking device, marking a first and he captained starfleets most powerful battle ship-the defiant. plus he saved the alpha quadrant and bajor from the pah wraiths. sisko was basically predestined to be the emissary, a prophet took possession of a woman in order to father him. so as emissary to the prophets and starfleet captain, and leader of the dominion war against the dominion, and father, what other starfleet captain can compare with that? and picard was such a coldfish compared with sisko's charisma. picard acting like he had a nun poking a stick up his arse and was shit at battle.he was uncomfortable around children and frigid around women and gave too many moralistic lectures. sisko understood it isnt black and white, there are loads of grey areas.

[@seantlewis376]

My rankings would be a bit different, of course, but about the decades old question of Kirk or Picard, I will say that Kirk is often more entertaining, but if I were in Starfleet, I'd rather serve under Picard, Janeway, or Sisko.

[@keggerous]

I 100% agree with this list. People mad that Sisko wasn't ranked higher need to realize that the dude was a bit of a loose cannon... He was too emotionally invested in things. A leader needs calm, compassionate authority. He needs to display a level head even when internally he is anything but. I like Sisko, I think his placement is perfect.

[@titodejesus6238]

"Unlistenable soundtrack"? , man it seems you are one of the usual trolls that complains about everything not being like the original series or TNG. The song of Enterprise is BEAUTIFIL Strafleet captain Archer short of a military leader?... Starfleet is a scientific research and diplomatic body not a MILITARY ONE !!!! man you surely do not know what you are talking about!!!!

[@xxholyexilexx]

I am very pleased with the outcome of this. Especially with John Luke Pikard being one and Cathrine Janeway being number three

[@tronicman1]

Jean Luc Picard! He's french!

[@Alexander-vc5wg]

Jean Luc Picard and Kathryn Janeway! Come on, you can't like Star Trek and not be able to spell the main character's names!

[@58Herm]

Picard grew up on a quaint little French vineyard, squishing grapes with his toes, while Kirk slung bales of wheat and hay in Iowa to put himself through school. Kirk fought a Greek god and won.

[@rjb7569]

And let's not forget when Picard was ASSIMILATED and became Locutus he was responsible for the death of gazillions!

[@louisbeer4720]

It isn't all - Janeway murdered Tuvix. When is the Court Martial!

[@Sindraug25]

It was pretty moving when he was begging for his life from the people he knew as friends, and they all turned their backs on him.

[@ThatGuyNorm]

Lorca for the first 2/3rds of Discovery was an amazing Captain.

[@danielgeraci9002]

I grew up with picard. my dad had kirk. my brother had sisko. three generations of trek.

[@roboticcynic580]

This list is complete bull. Captain Benjamin Sisko should be rank as number one on this list. Captain Sisko made mejor strategic decisions in the Dominion War and was the administrator of DS9. I will make an argument the Captain Picard might have caused the Dominion War to happen. Not to mention, the rising of the Maquis as well.

[@Supermanwithatan01]

I agree with your list! However, lol I’m in a HUGE minority here of preferring voyager.. it’s easily the worst show, but it’s also the one I can watch the most (tied with the original series)

[@philadelphiawhovian5641]

great list! but I admit, I put Shat's Kirk as number 1 ANY day, followed by Sisko, then Picard. TOS Kirk was actually a fantastic leader, was charismatic, was way deeper than people give him credit for sometimes, was capable of incredible feeling, could make hard and intelligent decisions under pressure, and his relationship with Spock and McCoy is one of the best triads that I have ever seen. I admit to not hating Kelvin Kirk either, bc Chris Pine does a great job at playing him, but yeah, TOS Kirk, Sisko and then Picard, followed by Janeway and others follow. perhaps Janeway deserves more love from me right now, but I'm still not crazy about Kate Mulgrew as a person, so perhaps I need time to get past that, so that I can be more objective.

[@TheInselaffen]

Picard's tenure, was more like fifteenyear.

[@vonnshlabbah]

Picard was a commanding officer of a starship for 22 years on the stargazer and then another 15 to 20 on the enterprise d and e... possibly longer . So Picard was a captain for at least 50 plus years

[@revinar5838]

I think Archer the way he was makes sense. He was a product of his time. He and no one else had no guidelines on how the hell you're suppose to do this stuff. He was troubled the risks and self-questioning of an actual pioneer.

[@nuclearwinter391]

Because of the Picard series, I've changed my mind. It's Captain Kirk (original series).

[@NorthMountainFairy]

I’m not a big fan of original Kirk and wouldn’t have place him so high on the list, but plot twist, I can respect your difference of opinion without losing my mind. Not to mention your number 1 pick is perfect. 👍

[@gilanbarona9814]

Different commanders and different command styles depend on many different variables. However, what matters is their leadership. Command is an appointment. Leadership is not. So, which captain was the better leader?