TV: Top 10 Star Trek Universe Characters

[NyQuil]

Across all of the movies and television shows that make up the Star Trek universe (and omitting the novels), who are your top 10 Star Trek universe characters? I've stayed away from one-offs, but if there's someone who is THAT important to you, throw them in!

Mine:

1. Spock

I think it's safe to say that without Spock there would be no Star Trek. Lending a sense of gravitas and dignity to a show that occasionally struggled with bizarre plots, silly aliens and questionable production values, he managed to be just alien enough to be intriguing and yet was human enough to be endearing.

His later involvement as an ambassador and statesman only added to his legend.

Tough act for Tuvok and T'Pol to follow.

2. Jean-Luc Picard

The ideal Captain, he balanced a zeal for moral values and adventure with a surprisingly tough and distant personality, sacrificing a family for a career in service of humanity. Not attention seeking like Kirk, but not a lovable goof like Archer either - he was a strong and able man who routinely made difficult decisions and lived with the consequences.

3. James T. Kirk

Not perhaps, the ideal Captain, his character flaws became more apparent as he aged, brought right into the fray with Undiscovered Country, probably my favourite Trek movie. Facing his own mortality and the death of his son, it was enjoyable to see the swashbuckling hero ground down by circumstance and letting his temper get the best of him. While his portrayal in the TOS is now the subject of caricature, it was a much different time then. It's a shame that Generations was his swan song, they could have left it with Star Trek VI.

4. Elim Garak

The Cardassian tailor was a joy to watch, partly because he was used just sparingly enough, and never really revealed what was going on behind that delightfully devilish exterior. I'm not sure if Roddenberry would have signed off on a fellow like this having influence on Starfleet personnel, but his involvement would lead to some of the most intriguing moral conundrums that Star Trek ever produced.

5. The Doctor

Voyager's doctor was a fascinating character, raising all kinds of questions about the nature of artificial life and proving that you could create a computer program with an ego and a hilarious disposition. His development over the course of the series was a nuanced, enjoyable affair that was contrasted rather sharply with the blunt instrument that was Seven of Nine.

6. Quark

Armin Shimerman really brought this character to life - managing to portray Quark as highly intelligent and cunning yet wrestling with the feelings of belonging and family that the station offered - and despite some of the silliest plot lines offered by the Ferengi and the ludicrous Rom and Nog. Quark managed to play the foil to the incorruptible Odo for the entire run of DS9, which was endlessly entertaining.

7. Q

Give a being omniscience and omnipotence and then let him play pranks on humanity. It could have easily been a one-off only he brought so many layers to the performance that they simply had to keep bringing him back. Who wouldn't want to try to break Jean-Luc Picard's inflexible moral code? Just to see what would happen? His involvement in the bookend episodes of Star Trek TNG ensured that both would remain classics for years to come.

8. Khan

Kirk faced many foes but Khan was really the only one to seemingly get the better of him. KHAAAAAAAN!!!! Passionate and vengeful, Khan had good reason to want Kirk dead and would go to any lengths to ensure that it would happen. The blueprint for future Trek villains but the others were merely imitations of the original.

9. Worf

The Star Trek universe got so much mileage out of Worf, starting from a very cookie cutter outline that developed quite nicely over time. He was able to straddle his Klingon heritage with the Federation only through great difficulty, but exposed everyone to the fascinating intrigue of the Klingon Empire and kicked ass from time to time as well.

10. Dr. Phlox

I don't know why I like Dr. Phlox, but I do. Maybe it's because he demonstrates a genuine enjoyment from being a part of the largely human crew, and is passionate about learning about new cultures, and yet also manages to be highly competent at the same time. It's a delicate balance. Maybe it's because I only really liked him and T'Pol on Enterprise, and they were the only aliens and the only ones who seemed to know what they were doing. Meanwhile, Trip, Archer and Co. were bumbling their way around the galaxy.

HM: Chancellor Gorkon / Madred (there are four lights!) - both played by the excellent David Warner, Chancellor Gowron, Borg Queen, Gul Dukat

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[KirkOut]

I did my top 40 in another ST thread a while back. Here's the copy/paste of the top 10:

10. The Sisko
9. Dukat
8. The Doctor
7. Picard
6. O'Brien
5. Spock
4. Data
3. Worf
2. Kirk
1. Garak

Obviously number one is just plain simple garak. neelix and admiral nechayev battle it out for last place.

 

[Archangel]

My favs
Chekov
Q
Sulu
Paris
Torres
7 of 9
Archer
Spock
Odo
Riker/Troi

 

[LeafalCrusader]

In no particular order

Picard
Kirk
Spock
Garak
Dukat
Quark
Kahn
Q
Data
O'Brien

 

[kihei]

1) Kirk
2) Spock
3) Picard
4) Data
5) Q
6) McCoy
7) Worf
8) Scotty
9) Deanna Troi
10) Geordi La Forge

 

[Afino]

690) Lwaxanna Troi

 

[jw2]

Geek emporium

 

[The Nemesis]

1) Garak

2) Everyone else


I think we're done here.

 

[Acadmus]

I really wouldn't be able to rank 10 favorites - there are certain actors/characters that were so key to each series it wouldn't be the same without them. It'd be easier to pick a top 10 of characters that Star Trek could've done without. Which, of course, starts with younger characters - Wesley Crusher and Jake Sisco and Nog. Dax was never my favorite character - the actress may have been somewhat fetching, but she was as interesting as a empty bulletin board. Most of the Voyager crew makes the list, excepting only Harry Kim and Tom Paris. Yes, even Seven of Nine makes my list - the character wasn't that interesting. To be honest, never much of a fan of Deanna Troi - Liked Riker in the series, but he sucked in the movies so he's kind of 50/50 for me. Wouldn't have given up anyone in the original series or in Enterprise, I think. But anyway, much easier to say who I wouldn't care if they'd been written out (and some were) vs. those I like best.

 

[SJSharksfan39]

1. Picard
2. Spock
3. Major Kira
4. Garak
5. Ben Sisko
6. Kirk
7. Janeway
8. Data
9. Worf
10. Doctor McCoy

 

[Eisen]

Too hard to say for me.
Picard
Spock
Scotty
Kira
Garak
Worf
Odo
Data
Q
The Doctor
O'Brien
In some order

Too bad they cancelled Enterprise when it started taking off. There were a lot of characters with great potential in there.

 

[chicagoskycam]

Data was such a great character in TNG and Spiner really nailed the role after season 1. If you go back to Season 1 he's acting more like Lore than what Data would become.

 

[RobBrown4PM]

1) Dukat - The best villain I have ever seen in a TV Series hands down. The character is very well written, massively complex and is very likable as well. You can totally understand where he is coming from. Everything he does is for the benefit of his people and his family, up until he drinks the Koolaid and goes Jonestown.

2) Garak - Immensely complex and the grayest of grey characters you will ever find in any TV Show.

3) Jean-Luc Picard - A true leader and Captain. A great role model for any kid that grew up in the 90's.

4) Sisko - Easily the most complex of all the Captains. He was not only a Captain but a Fleet Commander, Father and Prophet.

5) Quark - Single handedly turned the Ferengi's from laughing stalk to fan favorites. Like most DS9 characters, his character is immensely complex.

6) Data - Ironically, Data had some of the most memorable character evolution through out the show.

7) O'Brien - The every day man, the character everyone had something in common with. Also he suffered, like a lot.

8) Worf - Great character evolution, memorable character and dozens upon dozens of memorable scenes.

9) Kirk - The Captain we all want or want to be when we dream about going in to space.

10) Odo - Extremely complex, motivated, intelligent and friend zoned for about 6 seasons.

 

[Liliaceae]

Picard is all that truly matters lol. LOVE TNG!

Ok, Data and Worf too.

 

[Sens Rule]

I just watched all of Enterprise in order binge watching it and it was far, far better then I remembered it being. They really seemed like the first humans on a starship. Which is a huge difference then TNG where Picard and the crew are in the Flagship of a powerful Federation.

I also watched Deep Space Nine this winter, all the way through. I had never really watched it much when it first was airing and the praise it got from Trek fans here got me to watch it. It was also very good, but does have a different feel.

So I have probably watched virtually every episode of every show, some many times.

So my picks as favorites meshed with the best/most important characters.

1) Data. Why I loved Star Trek when I was 11 and TNG debuted.
2) Picard. The perfect archetype of the ultimate leader in all literature/movies.
3) Spock. He really made it all possible, without him there is no Star Trek.
4) Kirk. I actually like Shatner more then Kirk... Not my favorite character but he has so many moments and great importance obviously.
5) Q. He really should not be this high... As a guest character but he was magnificient. I also read a Q Star Trek book by De Lancie and it was really amazing (for a Star Trek Book) worth reading.
6) The Doctor. Like Data he enjoyed vast character development over the series (unlike most other Voyager charatacters). He had screen presence.
7) Lt. Barclay. Another guest character that I am probably ranking too high but whatever... Dwight Shultz was amazing in this role.
8) Jonathan Archer. Really liked how he played Captain in Enterprise. Needed to make tougher decisions then the other Captains I think. Plus loved Quantum Leap.
9) Trip. One of most loveable characters to me in the shows.
10) Dr. McCoy. Might have be a crumudgeon but he made both Spock and Kirk work with his interplay with them.
11) Garak. Seems weird to put him as the first DS9 character but I guess I didn't love any of them, just liked them. The talks with Bashir were the highlights of the show.
12) Doctor Bashir. Really different and compelling character.
13) Neelix. Different kind of alien with a lot of depth. The episode where he meets the maker of the super-weapon that killed his homeworld is a highlight.
14) Dr. Phlox. Very interesting character I always wanted to know more about.
15) T'Pol. I always really liked her. she seemed Vulcan.
16) Chief O'Brien. Badass, loveable everyman that was always welcome on the screen.

So many more and I am over 10 already.

Edit: forgot LaForge! He is up there somewhere as well.

 

[Eisen]

I just watched all of Enterprise in order binge watching it and it was far, far better then I remembered it being. They really seemed like the first humans on a starship. Which is a huge difference then TNG where Picard and the crew are in the Flagship of a powerful Federation.

I also watched Deep Space Nine this winter, all the way through. I had never really watched it much when it first was airing and the praise it got from Trek fans here got me to watch it. It was also very good, but does have a different feel.

So I have probably watched virtually every episode of every show, some many times.

So my picks as favorites meshed with the best/most important characters.

1) Data. Why I loved Star Trek when I was 11 and TNG debuted.
2) Picard. The perfect archetype of the ultimate leader in all literature/movies.
3) Spock. He really made it all possible, without him there is no Star Trek.
4) Kirk. I actually like Shatner more then Kirk... Not my favorite character but he has so many moments and great importance obviously.
5) Q. He really should not be this high... As a guest character but he was magnificient. I also read a Q Star Trek book by De Lancie and it was really amazing (for a Star Trek Book) worth reading.
6) The Doctor. Like Data he enjoyed vast character development over the series (unlike most other Voyager charatacters). He had screen presence.
7) Lt. Barclay. Another guest character that I am probably ranking too high but whatever... Dwight Shultz was amazing in this role.
8) Jonathan Archer. Really liked how he played Captain in Enterprise. Needed to make tougher decisions then the other Captains I think. Plus loved Quantum Leap.
9) Trip. One of most loveable characters to me in the shows.
10) Dr. McCoy. Might have be a crumudgeon but he made both Spock and Kirk work with his interplay with them.
11) Garak. Seems weird to put him as the first DS9 character but I guess I didn't love any of them, just liked them. The talks with Bashir were the highlights of the show.
12) Doctor Bashir. Really different and compelling character.
13) Neelix. Different kind of alien with a lot of depth. The episode where he meets the maker of the super-weapon that killed his homeworld is a highlight.
14) Dr. Phlox. Very interesting character I always wanted to know more about.
15) T'Pol. I always really liked her. she seemed Vulcan.
16) Chief O'Brien. Badass, loveable everyman that was always welcome on the screen.

So many more and I am over 10 already.

Edit: forgot LaForge! He is up there somewhere as well.

Always hated Barclay. Never liked him as Murdock either. Same type.

 

[Sens Rule]

Always hated Barclay. Never liked him as Murdock either. Same type.

Mad Dog Murdoch was the best! Face was lame.

 

[KirkOut]

Neelix at 13. Bold move

 

[Very Stable Genius]

1) Spock
2) Data
3) Picard
4) Dukat
5) Phlox
6) Major Kira
7) Sisko
8) Gowron (for the eyes alone)
9) Garak
10) Worf
11) The Poor Redshirts who valiantly gave their lives for a few seconds of screen time.

Worst:
Nog
Wesley
Forever Ensign Kim
Rom

 

[SJSharksfan39]

1) Spock
2) Data
3) Picard
4) Dukat
5) Phlox
6) Major Kira
7) Sisko
8) Gowron (for the eyes alone)
9) Garak
10) Worf
11) The Poor Redshirts who valiantly gave their lives for a few seconds of screen time.

Worst:
Nog
Wesley
Forever Ensign Kim
Rom

Why Nog? I thought his character arcs was one of the best things about DS9

 

[The Nemesis]

Rom was a great character arc too. Yeah he was usually the "dumb one" for comedy episodes, but it was fun watching him climb out from under Quark's thumb and earn himself some respect and a good life after seeing Nog set the example for him.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Loved General Chang too. Nothing as epic as a Shakespeare quoting Klingon.

 

[KirkOut]

Rom was a great character arc too. Yeah he was usually the "dumb one" for comedy episodes, but it was fun watching him climb out from under Quark's thumb and earn himself some respect and a good life after seeing Nog set the example for him.

I'm with you. If you stopped watching after season 1 I could understand why people wouldn't like those 2.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

1) Garak

2) Everyone else


I think we're done here.

Sums it up nice

Garak was easily the best character ST ever put forth

 

[Blender]

In no particular order, but I found this pretty difficult:

Garak
Kirk
Picard
Data
Worf
Q
O'Brien
Dukat
Sisko
Spock

Worst: Kes, Wesley, Ensign Kim, the entire cast of Enterprise, Barclay, Lwaxanna Troi.