Best ‘Star Trek’ Captain
“Star Trek” debuted on television in September 1966. While the adventures of the starship Enterprise and its crew initially struggled to find an audience, Gene Rodenberry’s sci-fi series proved a potent concept. After building up interest via syndication, launching a revival via major motion pictures, and reengaging TV audiences with a much-ballyhooed reboot in the 1980s, the property has become a staple of the genre, generating nearly 1000 episodes over 13 series as well as 14 films – and counting. So join the Great Pop Culture Debate as we celebrate 60 years of Star Trek by attempting to name the best “Star Trek” captain of all time.
Characters discussed: Jean-Luc Picard (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”/“Star Trek: Picard”), Hikaru Sulu (“Star Trek”), Carol Freeman (“Star Trek: Lower Decks”), Jonathan Archer (“Star Trek: Enterprise”), James T. Kirk (“Star Trek”), Philippa Georgiou (“Star Trek: Discovery”), Nahla Ake (“Star Trek: Starfleet Academy”), Benjamin Sisko (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”), Katheryn Janeway (“Star Trek Voyager”/“Star Trek: Prodigy”), Cristobal Rios (“Star Trek: Picard”), Spock (“Star Trek”/“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”), Seven of Nine (“Star Trek: Voyager”/“Star Trek: Picard”), Christopher Pike (“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”), Gabriel Lorca (“Star Trek: Discovery”), Michael Burnham (“Str Trek: Discovery”), William Riker (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”/“Star Trek: Picard”)
Join host Eric Rezsnyak and panelists Derek Mekita, Jim Czadzeck, and Zack Derby as they discuss and debate 16 of Starfleet’s most decorated leaders in the “Star Trek” universe.
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Round 1 Match-Ups:
Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!
Match-Up 1: Jean-Luc Picard (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) (1) vs. Hikaru Sulu (“Star Trek”) (4)
Match-Up 2: Carol Freeman (“Star Trek: Lower Decks”) (3) vs. Jonathan Archer (“Star Trek: Enterprise”) (2)
Match-Up 3: James T. Kirk (“Star Trek”) (1) vs. Philippa Georgiou (“Star Trek: Discovery”) (4)
Match-Up 4: Nahla Ake (“Star Trek: Starfleet Academy”) (3) vs. Benjamin Sisko (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”) (2)
Match-Up 5: Kathryn Janeway (“Star Trek: Voyager”) (1) vs. Cristobal Rios (“Star Trek: Picard”) (4)
Match-Up 6: Christopher Pike (“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”) (3) vs. Seven of Nine (“Star Trek: Voyager”) (2)
Match-Up 7: Spock (“Star Trek”) (1) vs. Gabriel Lorca (“Star Trek: Discovery”) (4)
Match-Up 8: Michael Burnham (“Star Trek: Discovery”) (3) vs. William Riker (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) (2)
Want to play along at home?
Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panelists: Derek Mekita, Jim Czadzeck, Zack Derby
Producer: Bob Erlenback
Editor: Jim Czadzeck
Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch
