[Christopher Halsey]

COMMUNITY DEBATE

BEST EXECUTIVE OFFICER

We all know that Captain Picard is the best Captain, well most of us do. But now we have new questions to answer. All good Captains need a trusted right hand, what makes for a good First Officer and who do you think is the best Executive Officer in Star Trek and why?

[Kerry Malone]

This is actually a very hard choice.

Some are clearly not that great, like Chakotay, who was a wet blanket at the best of times.

Spock was far more the Science Officer than he was the First Officer, as he was pulling double-duty. We never actually saw him do much XOing, so I'm excluding him from my choice on that grounds.

T'Pol likewise was pulling double-duty, and although did a lot to boost the morale of her officers (and viewers) by stripping down quite a lot, still wasn't what I'd look for in an XO.

Kira is a good choice, because she was passionate, independent, not afraid to challenge the Captain when it was needed, and could be relied upon to take command when needed.

Riker, for me at least, was the best XO, because he had all the necessary qualities that made him a great leader, and eventually a great Captain. He was firm and authoritative when needed, jovial and relaxing with people on a regular basis, and always thought of his personnel. He had no qualms about expressing his views to the Captain, and could question the CO's choice when needed, always taking it into a private environment when necessary, but fully supporting his Captain publicly. Yet, he could step up and assume command when required, and proved time and time again that he was no mere support officer.

Therefore, Riker is my choice

[Jackie Weaver]

Riker, because beard.

[Torinth]

Kira for sure,

Never really watched ToS and the other 3 were just outright irritating, especially chakotay and his vision question dribble he came out with every few episodes.

[Solace]

Riker all the way, I grew up on TNG and I remember Riker because he was the only First Officer I had ever known! I just really enjoy the way Frakes portrayed him.

[Infinity]

I've also got to go with Riker. I really enjoy the character and there's something special about him which makes Riker my favourite XO. Plus, the beard helps.

[Christopher Halsey]

For me it's between Riker and Chakotay (even though I wasn't a huge fan of his character).

Spock generally gave pretty sound advice but struggled to lead the crew in the absence of Kirk (what was that episode where he is commanding a landing party attacked by Giants and basically screws up everything?).

Kira I liked but she had a very different agenda from her Commanding Officer a lot of the time, especially in the earlier episodes, I know that was a conscious choice Sisko made and I think it was pretty inspired but there were a few too many times where she could have been more professional in front of others.

As for T'Pol I didn't really like most of the Enterprise characters to be fair so my personal feelings could be influencing me here but she rarely seemed that helpful, sure she was intelligent and logical, but it seemed to show that she didn't want to be there most of the time and she went between having to have her teeth pulled to make suggestions to nagging.

So that leaves me with Riker and Chakotay.

I didn't much like Janeway as a Captain and I think the two just didn't work as a great pairing, I did like the fact that Chakotay seemed to show some good initiative and often tried to deal with things without having to bother the Captain, especially when it came to Maquis crew members misbehaving although that could have been as much to his relationship with them as him showing command initiative. I liked the fact that Chakotay tried to deal with things before it became necessary for the Captain to get involved.

With Riker he gave good suggestions with Picard being so experienced and having Data on-board his advice probably wasn't always as valuable as it could have been on another ship. He always supported his Captain, very rarely questioning him in an inappropriate manner or setting and was immensely popular with the crew which says a lot especially given the compliment of a Galaxy class ship. He probably led the best in the absence of his Captain though.

[AgentZeus]

As much as I want to choose between T'Pol or Kira..... it really can only go to one person...

Chakotay!

I'm joking, I'm joking don't count that as a vote!

Its got to be Beard. Known to some as Riker.

[Christopher Halsey]

The poll currently has Riker on 4 and Kira on 4. Interesting to see how this plays out.

Now I know the beard is probably reason enough for Riker but it would be really interesting to hear more on what people thinks makes for a strong Executive Officer and why their choice best represents that.

[Solace]

[Mark Okuda]

My vote goes to Riker and I would give reasons why but Kerry pretty much nailed it on the head for Riker.

[Christopher Halsey]

The poll currently has Riker on 4 and Kira on 4. Interesting to see how this plays out.

Now I know the beard is probably reason enough for Riker but it would be really interesting to hear more on what people thinks makes for a strong Executive Officer and why their choice best represents that.

5 - 5 now. All still to play for

[Three of Seven]

Didn't really like any of the XOs that much, but going to go with Kira, as annoying as she was, she was less annoying than the rest. Except Spock, but never really got much of a feel for TOS, bit too much cheese for my taste, or the wrong kind of cheese, I much prefer a nice vintage cheddar. So, my vote is based on how annoying they were and the context of the show, if it was a list, it'd go Kira, Spock, T'Pol, Riker and Chakotay.

[AgentZeus]

The poll currently has Riker on 4 and Kira on 4. Interesting to see how this plays out.

Now I know the beard is probably reason enough for Riker but it would be really interesting to hear more on what people thinks makes for a strong Executive Officer and why their choice best represents that.

What! The beard isn't enough! Ok, ok!

I actually think that had Enterprise had more episodes we might have seen T'Pol really grow into the best first officer.

As much as I love DS9, Kira I find to be completely undiplomatic at some of the worst possible moments! If she was just shouty/argumentative to Sisko behind closed doors that would probably pop her into first place - but she has a habit of questioning orders openly and being a tad impolite to visitors! Which is obviously why I love the character but not ideal in a Number 1!

Riker on the flipside, other than a few occasions, took Picard to one side to voice his mind, didn't shy from speaking his mind, but once Picard made a decision Riker stood by it regardless of his own thoughts. That makes him the best First.

Now of course I judged them all from a Starfleet First Offier viewpoint, other viewpoints probably put Kira top!

Also just to throw a spanner in the works, Worf was a First Officer on the Defiant! Who's going to pick Worf?

[Christopher Halsey]

Riker has pulled away from Kira (now 9 to 5) and Spock is now in it with 2 votes.

There hasn't been much mention of Spock in any of the discussions so far, would be nice to know the reasoning for his votes.