This is a continually growing list. This list is a combined list of all the other Pro-Kirk lists (with modifications), and it has many additional reasons from myself and other contributors.

This list is for Kirk fans only.  If you're a Picard fan, better leave now!

Uncredited reasons in this list are either written by anonymous contributors, or are from uncredited lists found elsewhere (though I may have edited or altered them slightly).

If you have any suggestions for additional reasons or modifications for why Kirk is better than Picard (as a captain and as a human being), please email them to HERE.

Here are the RULES for entry submission:

Please put "Why Kirk Is Better" in the email subject header to assure it will be read. And if you are sending more than one Reason, please put all your Reasons in one email! Please read the entire list before submitting an entry; if your entry sounds too similar to one already posted, I cannot use it.  I apologize if I had to reject an entry, but it's important that this list refrain from redundancy.  If it was rejected, try another one!  Remember that this site is for humor purposes, so let's try not to be too mean-spirited. Please note that it may take a couple of weeks for this page to be updated with your entry.  Your submission will be credited to you.  I will not print your full name (to protect your privacy).  I will print a nickname if you ask.   Please note that by submitting an entry, I reserve the right to edit or alter your entry. The best chance to get your reason posted is if you use specific examples (especially an episode of TNG where Picard does something inexcusable, and contrast this with a TOS episode example).  Of course, you can use one show example without having to use both shows. Try to focus on KIRK and PICARD, not the shows, sets, actors, or crews in general. Watch both shows and take notes!

1903. Kirk was such an exemplary man he was able to earn the deep and true friendship of his First Officer - they were even so close that Gene Roddenberry had to invent a new Vulcan word to describe their relationship, and their thoughts crossed the universe to each other! Picard - friends...anyone...anyone? sirotin50

1902. When a new series visited Kirk’s time-period, it delivered a wild adventure that truly tied in that series’ characters with the originals and was generally appreciated by fans of both shows (DS9’s “Trial and Tribble-lations”). When a new series visited Picard’s time-period (final episode of ENTERPRISE), it not only ticked off the fans and cast of that show, but also was a mind-numbing reminder of how dull Picard’s fellow characters were. Dale S

1901. Picard always felt regret about his “poor” life choices, leading to Q having to repeatedly slap him upside the head to show him how his choiceswere for the better. Spock’s brother tried to guilt Kirk about life choices that went wrong; only for Kirk to defy him by telling him he had no regrets about the pain in his life. Kirk already knew what Picard had to be taught. Dale S

1900. Kirk has been duplicated numerous times, yet his crew knew him so well that they could spot the phonies pretty easily (heck, even when it was his own body being used). Picard’s duplicates got around pretty easily, even when they acted odd. His crew just figured it was Picard being Picard. Dale S

1899. Kirk loved a good joke and was able to laugh at himself or at least acknowledge when he had been bested. The most anyone could usually get out of Picard was a dull smile. A joke like “No tribble at all,” from Scotty would have gotten a pained reaction from Picard. Forget about a good-natured slap in the chest like Kirk gave Scotty – Picard would only break his hand pulling that stunt. Dale S

1898. Kirk got a variety of hardback novels written about him that propelled him towards his FUTURE. Writers and editors saw a future in the character. Picard got an occasional paperback about his “more exciting” past (the STARGAZER series), when it was realized that any Post-series novels about the character would hit the remainder shelves in no time. Dale S

1897. Know why Kirk was happy just chopping wood in the Nexus? Because he had nothing to rectify in his life beyond taking a break from the pressures he always had to deal with (and always handled with ease). Picard’s life was so dull that he needed an elaborate and bizarrely plagiaristic Charles Dickens existence created for him that even HE recognized as pretty silly and obviously phony. Picard’s dreamworld was an overly complicated and clichéd mess; Kirk just wanted a few days off at the cabin. Dale S

1896. Kirk’s academy days were filled with intelligent friends that respected him and were memorable. Even his enemy Finnegan was fun in his own ways. Picard’s academy friends had all the characteristics of bored contestants on Elimi-date. Dale S

1895. When Kirk or someone from his ship had to wear a jumpsuit, the style of the clothes was always manly in cut and fit. Picard and his men always looked like six-year-olds wearing pajamas with feet. No wonder some of the guys wore dresses at times. Even that looked better. Dale S

1894. Who doesn’t get chills when Kirk recites the opening to the show? Or when he tells the alternate Spock “in every revolution there is one man with a vision”? He even managed to take a story like “The Omega Glory” and turn it into something special when he dove into the preamble to the US Constitution with breathless conviction. There was life in his words. When did Picard ever bring such life to something he was saying? Even his version of the opening to the show – only slightly modified from Kirk’s – is spoken as if he was merely reading off a menu. Dale S

1893. In posed photos of the characters from the shows, Kirk always had an intense but wondrous look on his face, as if he could see beyond the horizons into adventures awaiting us all in the future. Picard always looked like he just heard someone knocking at the front door and is waiting for the butler to answer it. Dale S

1892. Kirk got a few comic book series out of his show, including one that lasted several years at DC Comics and written by some of the best ST writers around. Picard’s comic book life was so sporadic that no one remembers it. Dale S

1891. There's no outcry from any vocal fans to Bring Back Picard for any new adventures. Dale S

1890. Kirk makes decisions based on his evaluation of what experts advise him, leading to a rational, strong course of action. Picard makes his decisions based on what his bartender tells him, for no reason other than it’s Whoopi Goldberg. Dale S

1889. When Kirk’s unemotional officer gets emotions, it is a driving point of an episode and constantly reviewed throughout the series in different subtle ways. When Picard’s unemotional officer gets emotions, it is used as a series of afterthought gags in a movie and never really addressed again until they have to kill the character off because it wasn’t working. Dale S

1888. Twenty years after Kirk’s series started, people were so fond of its characters that a sequel series was created that showed the future of many of the beloved characters. Twenty years after Picard’s series started, people were so tired of its characters that a series was killed off once one of its characters turned up in the series. Dale S

1887. Kirk's show motivated people to be scientists, astronauts, and other people of greatness. Picard's show motivated people to ... change the channel. You've never heard of anyone of importance talk about how Picard's show changed their lives in meaningful ways. Dale S

1886. Kirk didn't need a useless couple sitting on either side of him, between his chair and the helm, in order to give him advice-- like Picard does with Troi and Riker. His first officer was busy elsewhere performing scientific duties, and he didn't NEED a "cousellor" to point out the obvious-- constantly. The Bermanator

1885. In TV Guide, in an article entitled "100 most unexpected TV moments" one moment was from "City on the Edge of Forever". None from Picard's show. RisenHero

1884. Kirk has the sense to beam down to a planet or base armed, especially if there's the slightest hint of trouble. Picard refused to beam down to Starfleet Headquarters armed even though the officers there were controlled by organisms bent on ruling the Federation, and needed Riker to save him (Conspiracy). therritn

1883. Kirk gives the troubled teen a physically demanding lesson to toughen him up. In a similar situation, Picard let's him win at... paddleball. sciottos

1882. In "Where Silence Has Lease", Data seems awfully sure of itself when it says no ship in the Federation has ever encountered such a void. Considering how easy it was for anyone to look up "the old Enterprise"'s records to obtain knowledge of the past ("The Naked Now", "Generations"), they overlooked "The Immunity Syndrome" where "the old Enterprise" had gone into a very similar void. WHOOPS. The worst part is, the thing inside the void in "Immunity" is far more creative than the horny entity that wanted to play with Dr Pulaski in "Silence". DPCole7

1881. It's amazing how Picard would think that, in "Redemption", a wall of Federation ships generating a tachyon thingie would work. Now space is big. Surely the Romulans could go around such a technically puny shield? Or under it? Or above it? DPCole7

1880. Needless to say, Kirk creates. Picard imitates. Spock did the "to hell with them" in Trek VI. Data parrots Spock in "First Contact". Spock dies in II and Kirk gives a great eulogy. Data "dies" in "Nemesis" and we see lines of dialogue literally ripped from Treks II and III and shoved into "Nemesis". That's how bad Berman has driven his show down to. Plagiarism. Indeed, Q is merely Trelane and it's Q that makes Picard's show watchable. DPCole7

1879. Kirk's movies always tried appealing to new potential fans, even when resorting to reviving old enemies (Khan being the best). Picards are the epitome of fanwank; appealing to the most technical and, forgive me, geeky detail, and playing out as if they're all fun to see each other again, but where's the fun for the audience? "Generations" offered nothing new. "First Contact" can't be topped when re-using the Borg and Voyager's McCoy-ripoff Doctor character. "Insurrection" dares to reach outward, but is merely a potpourri of three of TNG's TV stories (The Pegasus, Who Watches the Watchers, Homeward) - and this bored TNG fans which is odd as all of TNG's spinoffs were often rewritten TNG episodes anyway! And as for "Nemesis", that only appealed to the writers, namely the one who played Data because "Nemesis" allowed him to write a way for the character he hated playing to, you guessed it, live on. DPCole7

1878. Why would the Federation EVER sign a Romulan peace deal that would preclude the Feds from ever developing a cloaking device? Should war ever break out, the Romulans would have the perfect advantage. Still, that's why Kirk risks his life to smuggle the latest Romulan design while Picard hides behind a bunch of stuffy words, trying to prevent war because he knows he'd lose. (So then why does he let the Romulans know what was going on? The Romulans have NEVER been known to take things at face value; let alone trust an enemy, let alone their own!) DPCole7

1877. Regarding cloaking technology: Kirk goes undercover to steal the Romulans' new design, in order to maintain balance of power. Picard. upon learning that Admiral Pressman wanted to equal the balance of power by creating a cloaking device, decides to let the Romulans know on the spot about what's going on without bothering to think of any consequences which may follow; ASSUMING that the Romulans will simply react in kind. (Since when had the Romulans ever been straightforward?) In this case, Russian Roulette isn't brave diplomacy. It's outright lunacy. But then, Picard is prone to assumptions at just the worst times (e.g. his family line, thinking that if he destroys the Enterprise-E the Feds will just make another one because "it's just a letter", that if he changes his past that his future will be better (Q's biggest attempt to tell Picard that being Kirk-like isn't a bad thing; how the past makes us who we are in the present.) DPCole7

1876. Captain Sisko from DS9 was a god who was destined to join the Temple of the Prophets (the wormhole aliens). And even a god-like figure like him had a lot of hero worship for Kirk ( Trials and Tribble-ations). He also had a lot of contempt for Picard (Emissary). What more proof is needed than the judgement of a God. mona datta

1875. In Encounter at Farpoint, Picard was cared so little about his ship and crew, he jettisoned his civilians in an underpowered primary hull in the face of danger, then sat in his office while his untried exec manually docked the two sections. Kirk was involved with his ship-when he wasn't on the bridge, he was in engineering or even working in a Jeffries tube. He would have been appalled at such indifference. Whodfrell

1874. Kirk's era had higher standards of command. Spock said it best: the captain had no right to appear anything but perfect; otherwise, the crew lost faith, and he lost command (The Enemy Within). And Kirk worked hard to avoid displaying weakness in the eyes of his crew-forcing himself through the Psi-2000 virus by sheer willpower. Picard? His first stated concern was that the captain, "project an air of geniality" (Encounter at Farpoint). How standards have changed. Whodfrell

1873. Kirk genuinely cared about children. Even when children were a menace to his crew, he flatly refused to accept the idea that they would have to die to save the ship and demanded an alternative-and got one (And the Children Shall Lead/Charlie X). The thought of harming innocents-even dangerous ones-was repugnant to him. Picard, on the other hand, thought nothing of throwing an untrained kid into dangerous situations with the title "Acting Ensign", then sitting on his heels til the last moment and pontificating when Wesley was under sentence of death for falling into a terrarium(insert title here), to say nothing of taking children and families on a highly dangerous exploratory mission. Whodfrell

1872. Kirk's first order as captain of the Enterprise: "Take her out of the Galaxy, Mister Mitchell." Picard's first order as captain of the Enterprise: "We surrender." Whodfrell

1871. When a television series is popular and outstanding enough to inspire a movie, it's naturally going to be better than be better than a series made from a movie-- especially if it's all the same title. The Bermanator

1870. Kirk's series involved an "epic" style, which appeals more to the intellect, using fast-paced interesting characters and concepts, rather than simple glitter and pretense; Picard's series did it the other way around while trying to mimic the intellect of Kirk's series, making it look like a pretentious, pseudo-intellectual cartoon. The Bermanator

1869. In "Sub Rosa," Picard is so weak and gullible that he allows the obviously-demented Dr. Crusher to leave the ship while under alien influence, simply because she threatens him with "kidnapping" if he doesn't. The Bermanator

1868. Even when faced with the new Romulan plasma-torpedo, Kirk didn't run in order to "live another day" like Picard did. The Bermanator

1867. Kirk's Star Trek was created during the space-race, and so carried the astronautical wonder of that era, representing a struggle between entire world-civilizations; Picard's was created during the computer-era, and so is filled with endless androids and technobabble, representing struggles among computer-geeks. The Bermanator

1866. Androids from Kirk's era were very advanced and human-like, but still didn't need to have pale plastic skin, yellow eyes, and constantly talk in non-stop technobabble or do the "robot-dance" in order to constantly REMIND everybody that they were androids; likewise, they weren't abused as plot-devices to save them every time they got into a scrape. The Bermanator

1865. Spock says in "The Paradise Syndrome" that Kirok is an "extremely dynamic individual." When did anyone say this about Picard? LuvoxMan

1864. In "The Enterprise Incident" we heard the female Romulan say that, "we have Romulan methods against humans and human weaknesses" to which Spock replies it wouldn't work on Kirk. LuvoxMan

1863. Kirk's Enterprise from TOS and the Refit/Enterprise-A looked good from any angle, unlike Picard's Enterprise-D which looks awkward from most angles. Garfield Nut .

1862. Kirk didn't need a "Phaser Range" like Picard did in "A Matter of Honor" because Kirk and crew were good with phasers. Garfield Nut

1861. In "The Naked Now" Beverly Crusher under the influence of the virus says to Picard in his ready room "We haven't time for that sort of thing" to which a clueless Picard replies "What sort of thing?" When it is obvious what Crusher meant. Sheesh! Garfield Nut

1860. In "Code of Honor" Picard gives a gift to the Ligonians and states it's from China's 14th century. Data then corrects Picard, stating that the gift is from the 13th century! Kirk wouldn't have made such a mistake. Garfield Nut

1859. In the TNG episode "Code of Honor", Lutan asks Picard, "What do you know of needs and feelings?" to which Picard replies "Nothing." NOTHING? Kirk understands feelings. Garfield Nut

1858. Spock says to Areel Shaw at the trial in "Court Martial" that "It is impossible for Captain Kirk to act out of panic or malice, it is not his nature." Picard's nature? Well... Garfield Nut

1857. In the "Entertainment Weekly" magazine for Nov 26, 2004 it has on the cover "The 50 best TV shows on DVD" Star Trek:The Original Series,Season One is among the 50 shows listed, Picard's show isn't even listed! Garfield Nut

1856. Ralph Offenhouse said to Picard in "The Neutral Zone" that "This is the worst run ship I've ever been on!" and he compared the Enterprise-D to a Cruise Ship from the late 20th century. Garfield Nut

1855. Picard said to Dr.Crusher in "The Neutral Zone" that he was unaware of the capsules and people Data beamed onboard, Picard didn't even know what was going on with Data bringing them on the ship! Garfield Nut

1854. With Kirk's show and Enterprise, the annoying word "Report" wasn't said a countless number of times when the crew got into trouble. Homer Simpson Fan

1853. Consider how each captain behaves when forced to stop a deranged crew-member: in "Day of the Dove" when Kirk merely knocks out a deranged Chekov, he is horrified at what he did; likewise in "Amok Time" Kirk risks his life to try to knock out the deranged Spock and thus save his life-- and nearly dies as a result; and in "The Naked Now" he nearly gets the ship destroyed to avoid harming the disease-deranged Riley while getting him out of engineering; finally in "Catspaw" and "The Paradise Syndrome" he doesn't harm a single member of his entire deranged crew. Meanwhile in "to the Nth Power," Picard orders the crew to kill the deranged Lt. Barclay simply because he took over the ship, and in "Generations" he himself blows away a crewmember and sneers about it like "I did him a favor." Kirk places his crew's safety above his own, while Picard obviously think he's the center the universe. The Bermanator

1853. Should the need arise, Kirk gets his hands dirty and fixes stuff himself - witness his repair of the viewscreen in "The Doomsday Machine". All Picard is capable of is his ordering his equally ineffective crew to do all the work for him. mona datta

1852. It's good that Picard and his motley crew were not the last stand against the powerful Kelvans ("By Any Other Name"). If they had tried similar tactics, Laforge would have tried to drink one of the Kelvans under the table- resulting in him being unconscious and out of action after his first real drink. Beverly would have refused to spike one of the Kelvans with a fake vitamin pill, citing politically correct medical ethics issues. Riker would have played 3-D chess with the Kelvan leader Rojan, lasting a couple of moves and getting checkmated and laughed at. Finally, Picard would have to use his finesse with women to seduce Kelinda to overload her Kelvan senses. Enough said. The whole galaxy would be speaking Kelvan now. mona datta

1851. Mr. Adventure said to Uhura in The Search For Spock, "That's Admiral Kirk, my God!" Nobody has ever expressed such shock and awe at seeing Picard. Garfield Nut

1850. Picard in "Time's Arrow" noted that, after Data went missing on the planet below "Despite the emotional repercussions among my crew, I must move this mission forward, and that we cannot make Mr. Data our priority." while Riker refused to believe Data was Dead. Kirk wouldn't have given up on Data. Garfield Nut

1849. In "The Search For Spock" on the Genesis planet, Kirk was able to convincingly impersonate Klingon to Maltz on the Bird of Prey. Garfield Nut

1848. At the end of "The Search For Spock" it says "...and the Adventure Continues..." When did Picard's crew ever have such adventures, that such a sentence would be needed at the end of any TNG movie? Garfield Nut

1847. Q says to Picard in "Tapestry" that "Your life ended 5 minutes ago under the inept administrations of Dr. Beverly Crusher." Kirk's doctor would never be described as inept. Garfield Nut

1846. In "Tapestry" we see that Picard's father told him NOT to join Starfleet, he also said to Picard that he was dead before his time and that "After all these years,even now you manage to dissappoint me" Picard is a failure even to his own family. Garfield Nut

1845. Q said to Picard in "Tapestry" regarding the countless voices that "These are the voices of all the people who have died because of you throughout the years.. these are the voices of all the people you've killed through your actions,through your inactions." Kirk never caused such horrific tragedies. Garfield Nut

1844. Q said to Picard in "Tapestry" that "It's unlike you, Jean-Luc, to have a sense of humor." Unlike Kirk, who always had a great sense of humor. Garfield Nut

1843. Kirk was never slapped in the face by a woman who then walked away in disgust, as seen in "Tapestry." The reason for the slap in the face was because Picard fixed a second date with another woman named "Penny." Kirk would have the decency never to arrange a second date and cheat on a woman. Zweller even said Picard deserved the slap! Kirk also never had a woman throw a drink in his face, as was done by Penny to Picard. Garfield Nut

1842. Q said to Picard in "Tapestry" what Trek fans always knew about Picard: "To be blunt, you're not that important." Garfield Nut

1841. At the end of "The Deadly Years" after Kirk saves the day from the Romulans, Commodore Stocker says to Kirk "I am now quite aware of what a Starship can do, with the right man at the helm." When did anyone say this about Picard? Garfield Nut

1840. Even as Kirk was aging mentally and physically, Dr. Wallace said she saw Captain James Kirk as "A man of morality, decency, handsome and strong." Garfield Nut

1839. Kirk is the embodiment of the self-actualized perfect man that humanists and existential philosophers have discussed and dreamed about for centuries. Picard is not. Garfield Nut

1838. "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan," is listed in "The New York Times Guide to the Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made." None of Picard's films are even listed. Garfield Nut

1837. If Picard tried to support Spock so he could reach the lightbulb in the jail cell in "Patterns of Force," Picard's back would have been broken. Garfield Nut

1836. In a recent poll, Kirk's show took third place in the all time most popular TV shows. By comparison, TNG came in at 47th place. Garfield Nut

1835. Kirk's games outsell Picard's games, and the game "Starfleet Academy" which featured Shatner as Kirk, was a top seller for Interplay, and when Kirk's show premiered on the Sci-Fi channel, the ratings on that network doubled in that timeslot! Garfield Nut

1834. Spock said of Kirk in "The Tholian Web" that "I shall not attempt to voice the quality of respect and admiration that Captain Kirk commanded." When did anyone say this of Picard? Garfield Nut

1833. In the Oct/Nov 2004 Star Trek Communicator Magazine, pg 53 it says of Kirk "Kirk was the quintessence of cool." Picard was never described this way... for obvious reasons. Garfield Nut

1832. You want to reach out, send your ships to where you know theres going to be danger, foes, and the unknown. At the same time, you want to end your-humanities history of ending all its problems with war. You want a man who who will be sudden death when threatened. But is able to convincingly offer the hand of peace. In troubled waters, you want a man who gets loyalty from his crew, even in dark times, because they know he is pushing himself too. You want Kirk. Sometime later... you take a man who cannot win loyalty from his crew, never seems approachable, and pontificates most of the time. One who knows very little of some old time foes of the Federation, and looks back on earth's past as just bad news. And hates kids. You DO NOT send this man and the crew into dangerous waters. You let them putter around in known space most of the time. That's Picard.  It all fits. Pantellis P

1831. Kirk's crew follows his mold and have backbone and stand up to authority when necessary. A few examples: Spock defies a Commodore in 'Doomsday Machine' knowing the potential consequences. McCoy in "Space Seed" telling Khan: "You are in bed holding a knife at your Doctor's throat. Either choke me or cut my throat". Scotty in "A Taste of Armaggedon" disobeys Ambassador Fox's idiotic orders, knowing he may be sent to a penal colony. They are following Kirk's lead in this respect. In contrast, Picard's crew is as spineless in the face of authority as he is. For example in "Chain of Commmand" , when Jellico takes command of the Enterprise and starts beating up on the Enterprise crew, Riker sulks and gets himself relieved of duty. In the early stages, he appeals to Picard for help, but Picard believing dogmatically and narrowly in the chain of command and offers him no help. If that was the Kirk/Spock combination, Jellico's butt would have been off the ship to defend the crew. Pardu P

1830. Kirks tales didn't degrade his foes, or lower them as time went on. The Klingons remained menacing and wild, even as we learned more about them. Khan became more dangerous, and tragic. Picard saw the start of the slow de-balling of the Borg and other enemies. And look at the explanation of the Sona! Pantellis P

1829. Kirk recalled the people he owed. Garrovick, Ben Finney, and Gary Mitchell. When have we heard Picard speak about the previous captain of the Stargazer? Or anyone that he had met, aside from the stereotypical Boothby? Pantellis P

1828. Kirk's romances were believable. The admiration turning into more (Edith Keeler). The slow revelation of his life with Carol in Star Trek II, the bitter meeting with Janice Lester. Picard? An almost non existant relationship with Beverly. One screwed up, and one that we never get to learn about. He finds real passion at one time, and he can't handle it....and then the stagey, cheeeeeesy relationship in "Insurrection"! Kirk's relationships start from Kirk and the other person; from character. Picard's realtionships start from plot contrivances. Pantellis P

1827. Kirk had the real idyllic societies. A group of colonists under the immortal influence of the spores! A Greek god offering Elysium in return for worship! The people protected from all ill by Vaal! And as a real positive one; The preserved native american society in THE PARADISE SYNDROME! Picard? A rather cheesy Shangri-La, created by people who gave up technology (though not the memory of it!)because they were destroying themselves on their homeworld. Sounds like the Baku were pretty warlike originally! Pantellis P

1826. When it comes to Picard facing a bad guy, the only way to get him motivated is for the bad guy to have some connection to Picard. And even then, Picard starts off by trying to change the man before battling him; thus allowing the bad guy to gain more power. For example, in "Nemesis," Shinzon was his clone, and thus it was suddenly Picard's job to help Shinzon.  That is, until he found Shinzon was actually evil and then Picard went to kill him. If it was just a regular Reman who was threatening the Federation, Picard would have feigned interest, and instead of trying to find an alternative to battle he would have immediately raised shields and charge weapons rather than listen to the man. Picard has it all wrong. Kirk is all business when it comes to facing an enemy and won't go around saying, "Hmmm, I wonder if we're really the same person. In the meantime, I'll let my guard down while I'm staring down the barrel of a guy who was raised by Romulans, the race which started a war with the Federation in the late 2150's and since then has been formulating plots to overtake the UFP." Kirk has always shown he knows how to handle a situation, rather than let his emotions get in the way. l mean, just imagine if Shinzon were not only Picard's clone but also a Borg...Oh boy, Picard would be so emotionally distraught Shinzon would have destroyed Earth in less than a day while Picard just stood there in a daze. MDBBCLUB

1825.  In "First Contact," when Picard and his Away Team find their fellow crewmembers being turned into Borg on the lower decks of the Enterprise, Picard actually shoots and kills a crewman who is pleading with Picard for help. Obviously they can turn them back into a human; they did it for Picard! And at the end of "Nemesis," Picard is actually going to blow up the Enterprise with his crew still ON the ship! Fortunately, the self destruct didn't work. Of course, this didn't prevent Picard from still being willing to kill his entire crew by ramming the ship!  Kirk was NEVER so easily willing to kill his crewmen like Picard.  Arrakkis

1824. Will they let just anybody assume an active duty position aboard a starship in Picard's Starfleet?  Picard somehow was able to just slap uniforms onto three non-Starfleet Academy graduates and assign them posts aboard his ship. The first, or course being an underage boy (Wesley Crusher), the second being the loathesome Ensign Ro (who was given the choice of serving aboard the Enterprise or time in prison!), and best of all, the temporarily powerless Q, a raving psychotic who has terrorized countless beings and worlds! How is this sort of thing allowed when Starfleet Academy is supposedly so hard to get into? How did Picard know for sure that Q wasn't just screwing with his head in some new way?  None of it makes a lick of sense, and it just illustrates the stupidity of Picard, and the phoniness of his version of Starfleet.  Ray K

1823. Kirk could easily end a serious and dangerous adventure with a good, hearty laugh with his crew, therefore keeping up morale and creating a more friendly environment . Picard frequently would merely scowl a lot and have a crabby attitude, contributing no morale whatsoever. Captain Outrageous

1822. When Kirk rescues someone from 20th-century Earth out of deep-freeze from space, he throws them a formal dinner in full-dress regalia and honors, as well as giving them full access to the ship's libraries in making sure they have a chance to adapt after two 200 years ("Space Seed"). And even after they try to take over his ship and destroy it, he goes out of his way to give them what they want-- Kirk understands and has compassion.  When Picard rescues people from Earth in the same manner, he IGNORES them, and treats them like crap before arrogantly lecturing them and sending them away-- even when one of them can read Romulans better than anyone on his ship. What a pompous ass Picard is!  The Bermanator

1821. When Kirk finds a mother alien defending her young, he saves her even at great risk to himself ("The Devil in the Dark"). When Picard meets the same, he kills her ("Galaxy's Child"). The Bermanator

1820. Kirk left a lasting impression on many of his other contemporaries while teaching at Starfleet Academy, including R.M. Merrick. Years later, Merrick still remembered Kirk as an example of all that was best about Starfleet officers. Garfield Nut

1819. Kirk cared about his ships.  Picard at the end of "Generations" is more concerned with finding a stupid photo album than he is about the loss of his ship.  Garfield Nut

1818. In the 35th Anniversary TV Guide Star Trek Tribute, Picard is described as "joyless".  And it further says "We've never seen [Picard] really having fun, fully enjoying and experience just for the sake of the experience."  This happened to Kirk frequently! Garfield Nut

1817. In "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield," Lokai says to Kirk "You speak very well, Captain. Your words promise justice for all" When did anyone say this about Picard? Garfield Nut

1816. In "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield," Kirk was strong enough to restrain Lokai and Bele at different points. Picard would have needed security. Garfield Nut

1815. Even in a crisis, Kirk exercises restraint, using deadly force only when absolutely necessary; in "Space Seed" Kirk avoids hitting Khan in the head with the pipe, in order to avoid killing him; and likewise when Khan returns, Kirk restrains himself from blowing Khan's ship to smithereens despite the danger it creates as a result-- in either situation, killing Khan would have solved the problems created afterward, but Kirk values life too much to "play God."  Meanwhile Picard either stupidly trusts a ruthless enemy like the Cardassians ("The Wounded") which endangers others, or else kills needlessly when it's not even remotely necessary; it seems Picard doesn't have the slightest problem with arbitrarily deciding who lives and who dies. The Bermanator

1814. When Kirk's body was stolen by Janice Lester in "Turnabout Intruder," he verified by telling Spock verifiable information, and finally mind-melded with Spock to prove it; likewise, his crew, who knew him best, stood by him regardless of Dr. Lester's best attempts to fool them by making Kirk look crazy.  Meanwhile, when Picard believed that he was time-travelling in "All Good Things," he didn't even bother to simply verify it objectively via such "inside information" or similar measures-- leading his equally-inept crew to the (quite understandable) conclusion that Picard was a senile old loon who had simply slipped his leash; likewise, Picard's so-called "most trusted friends" all turned their backs on him in his moment of greatest need-- except, ironically, for a heartless android, who was the only one that believed Picard when trust and loyalty were most crucial-- and despite that Q did nothing to interfere or make Picard look insane (Picard did that quite well on his own). The Bermanator

1813. When Picard is with an Admiral he may like: He's formal, official, and being his usual sycophantic self. When Picard is with an Admireal he isn't supposed to like, such as Admiral Necheyev, she puts him in his place. When Kirk is with an official he has problems with, Kirk makes it plain he's ready to take action himself, as the Enterprise is HIS ship. When Kirk is with an Admiral he likes, such as Admiral Bob, Kirk talks to him with a laid back, calm attitude. Bob responds the same way.  It's plain the two are freinds, and probably have had an adventure or two. Has Picard, for all his ways, been that human with an Admiral? Pantellis P

1812. In Kirk's day, Tricorders looked for PEOPLE. How many countless times with Picard has the "Hehehehe! I've stolen his commbadge!" worked? Pantellis P

1811. Unlike Picard, Kirk rarely had to communicate his intentions more than once. Aliens, Starfleet, and villains of any stripe rarely had second guesses! Dennis B

1810. In the TNG episode "Homeward,"  Picard allowed the destruction of a planet. Picard let millions of lives die without hesitation .  And why?  There was NO reason. Nothing to win. A whole culture was destroyed because of... NOTHING.

1809. In the TNG episode "Redemption," Picard stands by and does nothing while Gowron's ship is attacked by two Birds of Prey. His rationale? "We will be pulled into the feud."  Kirk has never done anything this offensive.

1808. When Picard reveals that the Federation developed a practical phasing shield, that was treasonous. His superiors had decided that they were not going to honor the Romulan treaty. It wasn't Picard's place to overrule that decision. It was his job to do as he was ordered. Having to explain the phase-cloak to the Romulans (who'd never believe that the Federation was really abandoning such technology, even if they said they were) would potentially lead to far more problems that it would solve. He made his decision arbitrarily, not as a diplomat OR a soldier.  Kirk has never resorted to such behavior that would get the Federation into deeper trouble.

1807. In the TNG episode "The Wounded," Picard hangs Maxwell out to dry, even though he believes Maxwell is right about the Cardassians!  How could any Trek fan get behind his, "I'm going to pretend you're not doing what you're doing." attitude?  Kirk never ignores such things.

1806. Picard refuses to order Worf to donate blood. This was just another instance in which Picard's petty moralizing annoys Trek fans to no end. Kirk, on the other hand, risks his own mortality in order to get Spock to donate blood to save Sarek.

1805. In the TNG episode "Descent," Picard, while being pursued by a Borg ship over three times the size of the Enterprise, sends nearly his entire senior staff on an away team to an unknown Borg-occupied planet, in an unknown location, and leaves command of the ship to the chief medical officer!  Kirk never makes such blunders.

1804. No one ever said to Kirk "Where's your arrogance now?" like Q said to Picard in "Q Who."  This is because Kirk never displayed such arrogance. Garfield Nut

1803. Picard was investigated for conspiracy against the Federation in the TNG episode "Coming of Age."  Kirk has never been, and would never be, accused of such activity. Garfield Nut

1802. Kirk has a much more plausible scheme of probability-- he has a great crew of living, breathing people, all under his excellent leadership-- but has no more advanced equipment than any other starship. However Picard, despite having an incompetent crew, somehow also has an impossible, inexplicably advanced robot like "Data" to save him every time, while no other starship has anything even close to Data in terms of technology. Translation: Data is quite literally a "Deus Ex Machina." The Bermanator

1801. Kirk's ship surgeon had a daughter who was never on the ship, while Picard's doctor had a pantywaisted son she dragged along and who was always underfoot. The Bermanator

1800. Kirk actually has legitimate reasons for his actions. The Romulans have a cloaking device and Enterprise is the only ship there. The device and their plasma torpedo makes any ship in the area a sitting duck. They have to act, even if it means risking war. In another he voiced the 'balance of power' argument. If the leaders of OUR time were listening to it... the arguments are convincing.  Picard? On learning of a thing that's going about killing, and trashing worlds, and a mother eager to avenge her kid's death, he compares the monster to a whale, and don't whales deserve to live? So he suggests talking it out of it! After planning to infect Hugh with the virus, he sees members of the crew get all maternal and caring over the poor little borgy boy. (Including Guinan...I still don't get it!) And he does as well, saying we can't let ourselves get as bad as our enemies. Ergo, if we all get assimilated-we won the moral argument! He refuses to take Kevin the dowud in, saying we have no law for your crime; Press release! We do! Its called Genocide! Or hasn't he heard of the Nurenberg trials? Kirk has a real basis for his actions. Picard? Just says what comes into his head...Of course it avoids him actually taking a stand if you'll notice. Pantellis P

1799. Picard as a role model? Let's look: He treats Kligons as genetically programmed robots, putters around in very known space, kisses admirals butt whenever he can, is plainly scared of active females, whines and sulks when emotionally hurt, and takes years to realise that he was missing something by not being one of the crew. Kirk as a role model? Let's look: He goes where no one has gone before, is able to match blows with agressive women, has friends including one who is closer than a brother, is able to win admiration of his foes, is able to sit down by the camp fire and talk frankly, and have a good time with his people, keeps going when hurt, is capable of putting visiting Admirals in their place. I rest my case! Pantellis P

1798. Unlike Picard, Kirk DID inspire Zefrem! "A thousand worlds, and we're still pushing out!" He was plainly wild about what was waiting for him in the federation, even the idea of losing his eternal youth didnt worry him! Picard had no influence on Cochrane whatsoever. Pantellis P

1797. Kirk fights real combat tests. In the ultimate computer, the Enterprise was pitted against other craft like itself. True, it had M5 at the helm.  Picard? War games for him involve an 'obselete relic', that Riker and company have to get into working condition. And even then he almost gets nailed! Kirks Enterprise takes on the real ships! Picards gets trashed by relics! More than once! Pantellis P

1796. Picard lives in the past, wishing he had done things differently. Kirk lives in the present, and does what needs to be done! Shawna W

1795. Kirk rose to the Captain's chair by continual bravery and excellent work. Picard had a big secret how he rose to the Captain's chair because he did it by naively protecting a Captain who was doing something illegal. His whole career was one of luck and shame. Shawna W

1794. In "The Naked Time" even under the control of the virus, Kirk walks confidently through the corridors with dignity. When Picard was under the control of the virus, he just acted silly. Garfield Nut

1793. On the May 30-June 5,2004 "TV Guide" 25 Top Cult shows ever, The original Star Trek is listed #1 with Kirk and Spock on 1 of the 4 different covers for that week. Picard's show isn't even listed! Garfield Nut

1792. Picard's crew is so incompetant that in TNG episode "Schisms" Riker and several other crew members are abducted and at the end of the episode, they still haven't found a way to ensure those abductions won't occur again. Garfield Nut

1791. Cadet Picard committed a serious offense while at the Starfleet Academy he needed the help of Boothby to do the right thing as we see in "The First Duty."  Unlike Kirk, who got a commendation for original thinking. Garfield Nut

1790. Kirk has no horrible ancestors.  Unlike Picard, who is embarrassed about having anscestor Javier Maribona-Picard who was in the infamous crushing of the Pueblo Revolt on Earth in 1692. Garfield Nut

1789. In "Generations" before the Saucer section of the Enterprise-D was seperated a group of several kids were left unattended before Geordi showed up, assuming kids would ever be on any of Kirk's ships this would never happen! Garfield Nut

1788. Since July 1986, EVERY new classic ST Novel has been a New York Times Paperback best seller, to date the novels have sold close to 30 million copies making it the best selling series in publishing history.  Novels involving Picard without Kirk are nowhere near this. Garfield Nut

1787. They can't even get the opening credits for Picard's show right! From the 1st and 2nd season: during the opening sequence graphics show a departure from the Sol (Earth) system beginning with Earth with the Sun in the background and featuring fly-bys of Jupiter and Saturn,during this sequence, the camera pans right and we see sunlight off the left side of Earth & Jupiter, but the right side of Saturn, indicating that Saturn is backlit!  In the opening credits from 3rd season on, the opening sequence, at the end of the planets, watch closely the starfields, the stars go in two completely different directions! Garfield Nut

1786. Kirk said at the end of ST:TMP "Ship's status: Fully operational." When was Picard's ship ever fully operational at the end of the TNG films? And with Picard in command, how could you expect it to be? Garfield Nut

1785. Kirk's Enterprise had a cool Retinal Scan (ST:II TWOK). Garfield Nut

1784. The Romulan commander in "Balance of Terror" and Kirk thought the same tactily, and were alike enough that they anticipated each others moves, thus letting Kirk survive, and win. The Romulan commander even said that they could have been friends. He would have treated Picard like a bug that needed squashing. Estelendur

1783. Kirk has emotional intelligence! When his brother is killed by the parasites, he only pauses for a moment, then does what needs to be done: save his brother's family! When he learns of David's death, he expresses his pain, then states..."We aren't finished yet!". Kirk understands his pain, and understands what needs to be done. Picard? Whines with his folks in FAMILY and even considers leaving Starfleet. And in FIRST CONTACT gets all whiny over a death in the family....its just lucky the alarm wasn't on at the time. And the events also show he hasn't gotten over his angst over his capture by the Borg. Kirk would have taken that on board and dealt with it. Picard's behaviour shows he's still unable to cope with what happened to him. Pantellis P

1782. Kirk is the man of peace! Watch the end of Space Seed, and his feelings about Khan and McGivers. He even offers to Save Khan, during the second film. Kirk spares the life of the Gorn commander. Kirk finally puts to rest his hatred of the Klingons. Picard? Tears into the Borg queen when shes helpless....and for all his talk higher morality, bitches about what the Borg did to him. Picard shows no particular 'fellow warrior' feeling to the Romulans, that Kirk had plenty of. He tries to have it both ways with the Cardassians in THE WOUNDED, and just plain snappish to the Ktarians after they showed him up. Pantellis P

1781. Picard's Star Trek movies never began with a cool intro like "In the 23rd Century..." like Kirk's in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Premonition_45

1780. Kirk's entire crew, let alone his senior officers, keep their minds on their assigned duties and saves leisures activities for their own free time in off-duty hours; they don't goof off by doing things like rehearsing lousy Gilbert & Sullivan songs ("Catastrophe") (which is perhaps-- thankfully-- why Kirk didn't use such to appeal to HIS rogue science officer in "The Menagerie" or "Amok Time" like Picard did in "Insurrection.") The Bermanator

1779. Picard's crew made Zefram Cochrane afraid and squeamish about his destiny. Kirk's crew would have made him look forward to it. Garfield Nut

1778. Picard is an expert... in surrendering. In "The Last Outpost" he tries to surrender to the Ferengi. In "A matter of time" Picard surrenders to Riker who is in command of the Klingon vessel Pagh.  In "The Outrageous Okona" Picard orders the shields dropped "In case we decide to surrender to them."!  Garfield Nut

1777. In "Aquiel" Picard badly mispronounces the name of the Klingon battle cruiser Qu'vatlh.  When Kirk is confronted by Klingons, he doesn't make such errors. Garfield Nut

1776. No member of Kirk's crew ever said to Kirk disrespectfully "Please, no lectures..." like Crusher said to Picard in Star Trek: First Contact. Garfield Nut

1775. Picard said in Nemesis "It seems as though we are truly sailing into the unknown."  So what?  Kirk did this in nearly every episode!  Garfield Nut

1774. In TNG episode "Phantasms" Admiral Nakamura didn't believe Picard's reasons to avoid the annual Starfleet Admiral's Banquet, about the ship having propulsion problems. Kirk is far more convincing. Garfield Nut

1773. Further proof of how Picard wastes precious time, in ST: First Contact, after Picard is told the fleet is ready to fire on the location on the Borg Cube given, Picard wastes several precious seconds(and ships are destroyed,lives lost) before he FINALLY gives the order to "Fire" Garfield Nut

1772. In Star Trek: First Contact, when Picard smashes the Enterprise display case in the briefing room with his rifle, he breaks the models of the Enterprise-C, and the Enterprise-D (Truly a self-destructive personality). But Kirk's Enterprises, obviously, still remained intact!  Neptune_437

1771. Further proof of how each captain watches over his respective crew is given in "Amok Time," where Kirk, who knew that a ship is only as good as its crew, easily realizes that something is troubling his alien officer which involves a barbaric home-world ritual-- and Kirk does everything in his power to save his officer and friend, including risking both his career and his life.  Meanwhile, when Worf goes through a similar problem, Picard doesn't even care-- and so does NOTHING, leaving his crew to watch out for their fellow officer (since their CAPTAIN sure won't)-- and as a result, Worf gets a crappy holo-simulation while Spock got the real McCoy. The Bermanator

1770. On Kirk, the green shirt looks stylish. On Picard, it would more resemble baby poop. Vegemite

1769. With Kirk's past, we know there is plenty that wasn't on the show, that could have been used.  Such as his connection to Kodos, The Kobayashi Maru, etc. Picard? He hardly did much till an accident threw him into a command position, and after losing it nothing much happened till he was put on the Enterprise D. Kirk's behind-the-scenes events are stories in themselves. Picards are...well.... Pantellis P

1768. In ST: II TWOK, Captain Terrell, even under the control of the Ceti Alpha eel, and urged by Khan to kill Kirk, found it impossible to eliminate the beloved Starship Captain, and struggled against Khan's orders, ultimately turning the phaser on himself.  If Khan told Terrell to kill Picard, Picard would be DEAD. Garfield Nut

1767. "No one ever described Kirk's crew as "weak and incompetent" like Q did in "Q Who." Garfield Nut

1766. Kirk's crew had a more interesting and entertaining encounter with the quasar Murasaki 312 ("The Gaileo Seven") as opposed to Picard's Enterprise-D "encounter" using long-range sensors ("Data's Day"). Garfield Nut

1765. Kirk never had to drift for weeks in a shuttlecraft waiting to be rescued like Picard did after the Stargazer was destroyed... by the Ferengi. Garfield Nut

1764. Kirk's Enterprise and Enterprise-A didn't need a seperate "Battle Bridge" because unlike Picard's ships, Kirk's vessels were true battleships.  Garfield Nut

1763. If Kirk and Picard were swords, Kirk would be Excalibur. Picard would be one of those flimsy foils they use in the theatre that break if you drop them. Katharos

1762. Kirk is the fearless pioneer, blazing new trails and setting new boundaries – then crossing them. Picard is the politician who comes afterwards, when the wilderness has already been ‘tamed.’Katharos

1761. Q tested Picard and his crew as representatives of humanity at Farpoint, and he needed a half-Betazoid to save them. If Kirk and his crew had been tested, Q wouldn’t have got past the trial scene. Katharos

1760. Kirk never lost a photon torpedo! Even when it seemed there might be one missing, Kirk knew better (ST6).  Picard has to go on a "Where are you, you naughty photon torpedo?" hunt across an asteroid field to find one. Pantellis P

1759. Its easy to hate a torturer, the man with the whip...how do you hate what is being...nice to you.   Kirk handles that with ease.  Made to believe he's in love with Lt. Noel, he manages to hold on to his memories, and try to fight it.  Under the spell of the ultimate Love Potion, even though it's tearing him apart, he tells his would-be lover that they have to remember their greater obligations.  Her planned marriage means peace, and that has to come before their happiness.  And in the end Kirk manages to beat it! He is able to fight the Scalosion tranquilising factor and free himself from the power of the spores, by sheer strength of character.  Picard?  A few shots at an addictive game and he's about to hand over the Federation to the enemy.  Kirk can stay on his course even when the sirens start calling.  In comparison, Picard almost begs to go on the rocks! Pantellis P

1758. Kirk had awareness of the struggle for freedom and liberty.  On the planet Omega IV he helped the Yangs discover what the freedom and liberty that they had fought to win back meant.  Before Shinzon was revealed to be the villain, he told Picard of his struggle to win freedom and liberty for the Remans.  All Picard seemed worried about is how many of the Romulan oppressors died. Jim S

1757. In "Charlie X," Kirk gives Charlie sound, caring advice on growing up and relationships, while Wesley doesn't bother with Picard (knowing him to be hopeless) and just goes to Riker-- who just nauseates him by showing how to make cheap pick-up lines to women who look like Whoopi Goldberg (no wonder the kid's messed up!). The Bermanator

1756. Kirk, being both a wise and caring leader, took an intense interest in the feelings and relationships among his crew; in "That which Survives," for example Kirk make extensive, almost poetic, commentary in his log regarding Scotty's finding a love-interest after years of devotion to only the ship. Picard, meanwhile, proved every day that he had a steel heart--literally-- by sniffing at such matters until they blew up in his face, like the conflict between Worf and Riker over Dianna Troi. The Bermanator

1755. Spock referred to Kirk as "a  man of deep feelings." When did anyone say this about Picard? GarfieldNut

1754. "The Chief in Command said to the Federation President in ST 6 "Those men have literally saved this planet." When was such an honor said about Picard and his crew? GarfieldNut

1753. Kirk is tough and acrobatic. This is proven when a nearby explosion sends him cartwheeling into a shell crater (without a stunt double!) and he shrugs it off enough to set up and fire a photon mortar (Arena).  Tim

1752. In "Chain of Command," Picard cracked under torture into hallucinating what he was told to see. Meanwhile, in "Whom Gods Destroy," Kirk, under torture, wouldn't even say the simple words "Queen to King's level one." The Bermanator

1751. In the TNG episode "The Offspring", unlike Picard, Kirk would have praised Data for his ingeniuty, creativity, and boldness in continuing his creator's work. After all, the mission of the Enterprise is to "boldly go where no man has gone before", and creating fits right in with that mission. Kirk would have warned Data though, out of genuine concern, that some in Starfleet might try to take Lall away from Data and experiment with her, but he would have done it as a caring father, firm but with love. But what does Picard do? Yells and derides Data for doing this without first CONSULTING HIM ABOUT IT! That's how bad things are on Picard's ship. No one can create anything without his permission, because he views his crew as his personal slaves and ensures they do nothing without his knowledge. After all, he can't afford anyone standing out as being creative, for that might be a threat to his position as Captain, seeing how starved Starfleet is of creative thinkers. Kirk Man

1750. Have a look; Kirk is the first to find out what the Romulans look like.  Kirk meets a race we definetly have not seen enough of; THE GORN! Kirk meets a race of super psis, able to keep a Constitution class vessel in check; The Platonians.  Kirk meets two MEAN races, shaped in the form of past nasty groups on earth; the gangs of Chicago and the Nazis! What does Picard get?  People who other people have met! A race like the Tellarians who everyone tells him are no where joes.  And when he meets a race that not many have met before-the Sheliak...they plainly are NOT impressed by him.  And again, Kirk has some nice events in these contacts; A world where the native americans never had their less than likeable meeting with mr white man....What is Picards equivelent: A second rate California like Risa, or the lifeless 'haven' in the Briar patch.  You meet a better class of good guys and bad guys with Kirk! Pantellis P

1749. If someone had refused to vacate the bridge on command, Kirk would have had security remove him-- or done it personally. Picard did neither when Wesley did this to Picard in "Encounter at Farpoint."  This makes it pretty obvious who's on top of things on the Enterprise! The Bermanator

1748. A lot of the characterization of Kirk and Picard is rooted in the actors that portray them.  William Shatner: "A sense of the unknown has always lured mankind and the greatest of the unknowns of today is outer space. The terrors, the joys and the sense of accomplishment are epitomized in the space program."  This is exactly the kind of attitude Shatner put into Kirk.  Patrick Stewart: "I'm a bit of a wet blanket when it comes to the whole business of space travel."  That's exactly the attitude Stewart put into Picard. Kilgorehendel

1747. The phrase "we are forever in your debt" was never uttered to Picard, but was uttered to Kirk by the Federation President (STIV).  The Heater

1746. In Kirk’s time, Starfleet ships did not have names like ‘Crazy-horse’ (see TNG’s "The Pegasus"), such a name is offensive to the Native American community, because it's not in their native language. The Heater

1745. When an admiral inquired as to why there was a "Captain Picard Day" banner hanging in the Enterprise-D, Picard said: "It’s for the children. I’m a role model." To this, the admiral replied in a rather sarcastic, monotone voice: "I’m sure you are." Had there been a "Captain Kirk Day" banner hanging in the original Enterprise or Enterprise-A, the admiral’s tone of voice would have had no sarcasm in it whatsoever because Kirk really was a role model. The Heater

1744. When Kirk went against Starfleet and put his career on the line, it was a personal matter to help his friends.  Why did Picard go against Starfleet in Insurrection?  Because an Admiral was taking people from a lifeless society to another world so they can extend peoples lives!  Kirk and Company's CHARACTERS drive the plot.  Picard needs the PLOT to drive, because he and his crew are too feeble, one-dimensional, and shallow to drive anything.  Pantellis P

1743. With Kirk, it's plain that character drives the plot, and vice versa.  Kirk is exhilarated in the first film to be back where he belongs: on the Enterprise.  With Picard, we get none of that, even when Picard gets the Enterprise E! Pantellis P

1742. Kirk has intense feelings about his enemies (Khan) in one way or another, yet is able to show humanity.  Picard sounds whiny and humiliated and has no interest in showing anything.  How do they get Picard emotionally involved in events in the Romulan realm?  Make the villain a clone of him!  Pantellis P

1741. Kirk's crew had strong characters and personalities, and this didn't get in the way of bringing in science to the show.  In fact, it actually helped the integration of technology and science.  Such as Spock facing the Companion, and getting a shock as a result.  Or Scotty going right up to the magnetic bottle effect in a last ditch attempt to save the Enterprise.  And, of course, Kirk putting together a primitive cannon when facing the gorn.  Picard's science and technology is presented as a given fact.   This makes science and technology seem like things that only rather unlikable characters like Leah Brahms and oddballs like Soong get involved in.  Pantellis P

1740. Kirk's movies have their own individual personality and feel, and their stories have heart and substance.  Picard's movies, however, are all prefabricated, cookie cutter, by-the-numbers orgies of typical 90's mediocrity which are formulated with the failed intention of convincing us that TNG belongs on the big screen. And, as such, they're nothing more than expensive, shallow failures.  Ray K

1739. Let's take a look at Picard/Riker's fighting style: Fire a quick phaser burst, let the ship get pummeled, fire another phaser burst, let the ship get pummeled, surrender. They RAN AWAY from an 80 year old Klingon ship after firing a single phaser burst! (ST VII) They also lost to a Ferengi ship in the same manner (Rascals). So what if the Enterprise took some damage charging towards an old Bird of Prey with torpedoes and phasers firing? That's the way to win a battle. If Kirk was in command of the Enterpise-D against an 80-year-old Klingon warship, he'd had charged into battle, not run away after firing a single burst of phasers. Tebok

1738. Captain Kirk's crew had to venture into the unknown in a ship technology inferior to Picard's.  Yet they did what they had to do to get the job done - and did. When Picard's crew is asked to do a little extra work (by Worf's brother acting as first officer and later by Captain Jellico)  they cry and complain.  Tebok

1737. Unlike Picard, Kirk's uniforms are advanced enough in design that they don't need constant adjustment and tugging to keep them presentable-- or at least he isn't so anal-retentive that he needs to keep doing it! Instead, he has a uniform-mirror at shoulder-level in his quarters ("Journey to Babel") so that he can make sure he gets his uniform on right the first time, and doesn't need to keep re-adjusting, fussing, and fidgeting like a nervous child in Sunday-school. Likewise, only the JANITORS on Kirk's ship wear overalls-- as it should be, while the officers and crew wore regulation uniforms. Picard's ENTIRE crew, however, seems to be a group of sanitation-engineers, judging from the appearance of their ugly, odd-looking jumpsuits. The Bermanator

1736. Kirk's engineer knows more about the Enterprise than the people who designed it, while Picard's engineer had to practically have an affair with a holographic image of an arrogant and unqualified female design-engineer, merely in order to figure out how to fix a problem using a simple dryer-hose. Consequently, Kirk's engineer doesn't later get into trouble by developing crushes on such ship-designers-- particularly without even bothering to check if they're married first! The Bermanator

1735. Kirk's engineer would never give unknown alien races the power to destroy the Enterprise, like Picard's engineer did when Georgi gave the Pakleds (the "Stupid People" ) photon torpedoes (which he claimed would have destroyed the Enterprise)-- on the hope that he could disarm it seconds before the idiots did so. The Bermanator

1734. Ever see Picard smile? It's always forced through layers of stifled emotions, like someone forced to attend some unwanted festive event (such as the ceremony in "Nemesis"); meanwhile Kirk has a warm, charming and spontaneous smile,  and his emotions come through naturally in the face of life or death alike. The Bermanator

1733. Kirk had LIFE, and was driving by a spirit and lust for it which contrasted well with Spock's supreme control, as when "Errand of Mercy" showed Spock calmly preventing Kirk from attacking the Klingon soldier who challenged him. Likewise, his crew were charming, vibrant and unique characters who formed a team based on the strength of each bringing their individual talents, molded by Kirk into a very LIVING unit. For this reason, it's no wonder he volunteered -- and was chosen-- for the mission to seek out NEW life, since like attracts like!  Picard, however, had NO life, but rather lived depressingly and bitterly in FEAR of it, having  little purpose (except merely simply complain nonstop whenever anything happened), while his First Officer-- as well as the REST of his crew-- were simply flat, annoying, but ultimately EMPTY uniforms pumped up with  cheap, manipulative and equally annoying gimmicks like the empath, the android, the boy-wonder, and the visor. Picard was chosen to seek out new life only since opposites attract-- and it's no wonder that he drove people away.  Kirk laughed with the world, while Picard cried alone.  The Bermanator

1732. Each of Kirk's episodes was entirely self-contained, each having its own plot and story progression and resolution, while hardly ever referencing prior episodes, and the only common reference was Kirk's five-year exploratory mission.  Picard's series, meanwhile, was so much like a boring soap-opera, that it literally made all of "Star Trek" series' INTO one, shifting the entire "Star Trek" format from episodic to serial starting with  DS9 (i.e. premises extending between episodes); likewise each show's reference about the common reference of the "mysterious alien" (Q, Prophets, Caretaker, Suliban) is nothing but a mindless annoyance. The Bermanator

1731. Despite having a much more talented and capable doctor, Kirk would never DREAM of leaving him in charge of the ship-- let alone with a skeleton crew of newbies-- while taking everyone else including his First Officer down to an unknown planet to search for his SECOND officer (particularly while the ship was being hunted by a dangerous enemy like the Borg), like Picard did in "Descent, Part II." The Bermanator

1730. Remember the ‘B-4’ android in Nemesis? Well, in the second last scene where we saw him, Data was deactivating him "indefinitely" because he was "dangerous." Yet, at the end of the film, after Data had died, the B-4 was suddenly operational again and talking to Picard. Did the Enterprise-E crew forget that this android was programmed by Shinzon for an evil purpose? I can suddenly see a sequel story in which the B-4 goes psycho and tries to kill everyone. Serves them right too, I’d say. If Kirk was in command there, he’d have been more careful with B-4. The Heater

1729. The immortal superhumans of Kirk's era were better, as well as Kirk's reactions to them.  Kirk convinced the Metrons that humans were a promising race with their first meeting.  How long was 'the jury out' during for Picard?  Kirk said "We don't need you any more"  to Apollo, yet still admitted that the life he offered had very real attractions.  Kirk toughed it out with the Squire of Gothos, yet still was able to look back at him with sympathy.  Picard, faced with a rather feeble joker like Q, just gets huffy and pedantic.  So huffy he irks Q to send them off to meet the Borg just to show Picard's pedestal isn't as stable as he thinks.  Kirk doesn't need gods in his cosmos, but he's able to cope with them if he meets them, in more ways than one! Picard has only one way to deal with them, as he deals with people... by non-stop pontificating. Pantellis P

1728. Kirk was shown as a man with a high regard for Starfleet, the service he was part of, and didn't like hearing someone dissing its aims, like Garth of Izar. When people insult Starfleet to Picard, Picard does nothing to defend it.  Pantellis P

1727. The Neutral Zone between the Federation and the Klingons (and later the Romulans) was a well understood barrier zone.  No one lived there but perimeter defense crews.  It was plain that the Federation of Kirk's day was NOT afraid of a fight with the Klingons, or whoever, and just wanted to avoid it if it could be avoided, and try to hope for quieter times.  The Cardassian DMZ is a different kettle of fish.  Picard's Federation supposedly WON the war with the Cardassians.  Note, however, that there was no revolution on Cardassia.  The government was still the same fascist organization.  But the Federation gave ground and stated that it washed its hands of the colonists in the area.   But not really.   It demanded the Maquis stop being so nasty to the Cardassians, or else.  Kirk would NOT be happy with this, because it suggests that the Federation was SCARED of the Cardassians, and was bending over backwards to prevent a rematch.  Kirk's Federation was not scared of intervention, as in "A Private Little War."   Pantellis P

1726. In "Generations," Kirk is described as a "legend."  Picard?  Nope. NintendoManiac

1725. Kirk NEVER became involved with a female member of his crew, despite their lusting after him one and all ("Miri," "The Enemy Within"); clearly, he knew this would be an immense conflict of interest, while likewise it took an extraordinary woman to even merit Kirk's interest. But does Picard let serious issues like that stop him? Hardly; he only puts off a relationship with Dr. Crusher because he's chicken. And Picard had no trouble consorting with a female stellar cartographer until he was forced to realize by example the conflict. Kirk, having common sense, already knew this full-well from the start. The Bermanator

1724. Kirk's enemies were consistent in nature, and only changed for a plausible specific reason, like the Peace Treaty with the Klingons turning them from warriors to spies. However, the Q went from accusing Picard of being a "dangerous, savage child-race," to essentially attacking Earth (via the Borg) for Picard's race being too complacent, to finally threatening to wipe all of Earth's humanity from history just because Picard and crew were too BORING.  Likewise, the Ferrengi went from feared enemies to pesky salesmen, for no apparent reason other than their resemblance to clones of Elmer Fudd with bad teeth making them somewhat laughable as enemies.   Kirk's enemies were dangerous and ruthless, Picard's were just confused.  The Bermanator

1723. The scene in Star Trek VI where Michael Dorn portrayed Worf’s grandfather as Kirk’s attorney was obviously written to amuse TNG fans. Yet, the scene was written in such a way that it also served greatly to advance the plot and made sense even for those who never watched TNG. However, the ‘holographic doctor’ scene in Star Trek: First Contact did practically nothing to advance the plot and would be confusing to anyone that was not familiar with Voyager. The Heater

1722. When Kirk and all his male crew members fell prey to an alien force in the Animated episode "The Lorelei Signal," Uhura and Nurse Chapel were able to take command of the Enterprise and lead the female crew members to save the day. Had this been a TNG episode that took place after the death of Tasha Yar, Picard and his boys would have been goners. The Heater

1721. No one on Kirk’s ship took a system off-line without consulting him. But the same cannot be said about Picard’s ship (see the opening scene from "Lessons").  The Heater

1720. As much as the Klingons hated Kirk, they still gave him a defence lawyer when they put him on trial (ST6). But was Picard given a defence lawyer when he was put on trial by the Q? Nope. The Heater

1719. On Kirk's show, the Vulcan salute "live long and prosper" is taken from the Jewish religious tradition.  When did Picard's show take inspiration from real life religious tradition? NintendoManiac

1718. Among the many classic Trek conventions ripped off for Nemesis was the presence of a duplicate of the Captain. Only this time, the duplicate was not played by the same actor. Why? Because people can hardly stand watching a single original Picard, let alone two, that's why! Ray K

1717. The CNC at the beginning of ST6:TUC stated that they needed someone the Klingons respect and who knows the ropes. That was late in Kirk’s career. De Soto in "Tin Man," NOT an admiral, and not on first name terms with Picard, calls Picard’s ship the best. Does anyone state later on in Picard’s career, say in Nemesis or First Contact, that Picard and company are miracle workers? No. By that time, even De Soto had given up hope that anything would make Picard get his ass into gear!  Pantellis P

1716. Even the rejected scripts with Kirk are better...The original ideas for The Wrath of Khan had Khan develop Talosian-like powers, and use them to try to push Kirk to the edge, by putting him into a series of savage encounters, including a whip fight on a galleon! The original script for The Final Frontier had Kirk alone on the planet hunted by a growing army of stone demons where, each time he blasts one, another takes its place... before the Bird of prey comes in. And one rejected idea for one of the films was that Kirk finds a love interest on the ship -- an Irish female engineer-no doubt a protégé of Scotty’s... Any chance of similar drama in a rejected script for First Contact or Nemesis? Hardly.  Pantellis P

1715. Kirk is proud of humanity's past and its roots. This was proven in "Spectre of the Gun," and in "The Savage Curtain" where we meet his hero, Honest Abe. He doesn’t mind some faux hippie music by visitors either. Picard? For all his liking Dixon Hill, he disses most periods of the past -- even when he has members of that past alive on his ship.  Pantellis P

1714. Kirk can pull off stings! He convinced his crew that he was going over the edge in "The Enterprise Incident," even convincing McCoy, until he was told it was a scam by Starfleet! Kirk manages to convince the Iotians that he is much the same as them, and that the Federation is a combo, like theirs but far, far greater.... and wants in on their action, if they play by Fed rules. And while in a woman’s body, he manages to fool Nurse Chapel into letting "That nice Mr. Spock" see her, and so get his/her best chance at convincing people he/she is Kirk in a woman’s body! He’s a kick ass captain, yes! And that’s not the only string to his bow! Picard? He uses a technical trick in "Peak Performance," tries to convince some characters he is insanely in love with Laxwana, and makes a less then able plan in "Gambit." And if he was in the same situations as Kirk? Picard pretending he’s going over the edge -- he’s never been that driven! And really being with his back against the wall -- no one believes he’s him? He just has to be NORMALLY outshone, as by Jellico, and he already gets all depressed!? Pantellis P

1713. When Kirk's first officer calls him by his first name it is with clear friendship, respect and devotion. When Riker calls Picard by his first name, it is a rather ugly guttural sound -- so much so, that even Picard objects to him using it: "Have you noticed how we are all of a sudden on a first name basis?" ('Deja-Q'). Mona D

1712. In more than one universe, Kirk plays a primary part. And not just in this one. In the Mirror universe, the empire collapses, starting with most obviously Mirror-Spock’s manipulation then removal of Mirror-Kirk! Q himself tells Picard in "Tapestry," when Picard notices how little has changed, that, frankly, he never did anything important enough to change squat!  Pantellis P

1711. Kirk has a definite thing with the women in his life. In "The Deadly Years," the woman with him plainly feels pain for his slow collapse. Areel Shaw still has fond memories of their time, and wishes at the end they could have more time together. Carol, despite her conviction that Kirk and her were never going to make it to the altar, still plainly cares for him. And then there’s the doomed romance with Edith. And if they don’t like him, they loathe him, like Janice Lester! Picard? We have a couple of old flames who plainly do less, if that’s possible than he does...or doesn’t with Bev. We have a rose tinted version of Dickens in the Nexus. And when he tries to fan emotion? Permits Bev to drink with him in his room. Or his feeble attempts at trying to convince someone he’s madly in love with Laxwana Troi. Kirk leaves an impression on people. The closer he gets, the greater the impression. Picard leaves...boredom. Pantellis P

1710. Picard is NOT the image of the new caring man! Kirk is! Picard has NO strong, stereotype breaking women around him. He had once, but she vanished from the scene early on, and the strong figures that appear are either foes like Sela, and are safely a long way away most of the time. Or are demeaned at the end like Arda. Or they are stereotypes of different kinds like the Ligonians or the women of "Angel One." Kirk has a black female communications officer, he has had a real mean lawyer as a lover at one time, he has met a female Romulan commander at close quarters, and the two greatest bitches going -- T'Pring and Elaan...and more. Kirk admits his emotions and his doubts. At a crisis, Picard walks off and gets huffy and nasty and sulks. Picard admits he hates kids. Kirk was able to make a bridge with the Onlies. Kirk was able to win the respect of Tommy Stearns and his group. Picard and his crew? In the first few minutes, we’d be BEGGING Stearns and company to get Picard to stop pedantically moralizing!  Pantellis P

1709.  Kirk had no question what he was, or what kind of ship he was on. During TOS, it was plain that he recognized himself as a captain of a military vessel, in such a service. In the films it is even more evident. We have security people in body amour, security brigs, and plain references to the tasks of Starfleet. Picard has families and children, on what is supposed to be the flagship of the fleet. Picard insists, "We are not here to fight battles, we are explorers"...Yet he explores nothing...just once or twice they visit a place where not all that many missions have gone before. Picard needs Nechyev to remind him of his priorities as a member of Starfleet. And is so pompous, he has to meet the Borg to realize that Starfleet isn’t invincible! Kirk expects plenty of himself and of his team, even when retired, and he gets it. Picard expects ZILCH of himself especially when retired (the fantasy in the Nexus) and gets even less in return. Kirk has a clear idea of who he is, his mission, and his purpose, and doesn’t need to think Starfleet is all-powerful. Picard has NO idea what his mission or purpose is. And it shows! Pantellis P

1708. Aside from saving his own ENTERPRISE ships and crew countless times, Kirk risked/officially encountered death to save the Enterprise-B and its crew, when he did not even officially command them and the ship. When Picard has a chance to save another Enterprise and crew NOT commandered by himself (Enterprise-C), he turns fink and arrogantly lets them and the ship die. Eddie V

1707. Picard is supposed to be a "Frenchman"? He is TERRIBLE at pronouncing even the simplest French words and phrases!  Ask any native French speaker:  Picard's way of saying "mon ami", "merde", the words to "Frére Jacques", even his own name "Jean-Luc" as well as "Robert" in French fashion, is just ABOMINABLE, EXECRABLE.  The ABSOLUTE PITS.  It sounds like the way Maurice Chevalier or Gerard Depardieu would recite Shakespeare or Milton.   PATHETIC.  It's KIRK who speaks French correctly, including pronunciation (after all, William Shatner is a native of Montreal, Canada). Eddie V

1706. In the New York Post, Wed Oct 1,2003 on pg 4, Presidential hopeful General Wesley Clark is shown as Capt James T. Kirk!  NintendoManiac

1705. In First Contact, Zefram Cochrane asked Geordi Laforge "Is he always like that?" referring to Lt. Reg Barclay.  Kirk's crew doesn't cause such embarrassments. NintendoManiac

1704. An Admiral once said to Picard in "Best of Both Worlds" that Riker needed a kick in the rear-end for his own good, so Riker could advance in his career.  Kirk motivated his crew, while Picard didn't. NintendoManiac

1703. Kirk was an emotional, humble, and down-to-earth guy. He had a personality. He showed his feelings, and that moved people emotionally. In ST2, when Kirk is speaking at Spock’s funeral (".... Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most human"), the scene is very moving! Later on, when he quotes a "Tale of Two Cities" and then says it was "something Spock was trying to tell me on my birthday," it feels genuine and real. When has Picard spoken with such humble, genuine, and moving eloquence?  Rebekah J

1702. Starfleet realized how important Kirk was, and even risked war with the Klingons to get him back as shown in the "Operation Retrieve" scene in ST6.  Starfleet would never take such risks for Picard.  This is illustrated in "Chain of Command" when Picard is sent into Cardassian territory on a spy-mission, and Starfleet doesn't lift a FINGER to help!NintendoManiac/The Bermanator

1701. Kirk broke stereotypes.  He did show his emotions, and didn't expect it of others.  Picard breaks NO stereotypes.  He enforces them! He has a clear, and fixed vision of people...Klingons, Ferengi, and Vulcans.  As to himself, he's been the standard American vision of a Frenchman, avoiding danger like the plague. Pantellis P

1700. Kirk has no problem with tough women.  He feels concern for Marta in "Whom Gods Destroy," even after she tried to kill him.  And theres that amusing thing in "The Cloud Minders" where Kirk is asked, "Aren't you going to move?" Kirk replies "Why should I? This seems a quite pleasant position." And after that, he develops a plain admiration for the woman who attacked him.  Picard meets a woman (Arda) who is pro-active, and tells her she is "Vulgar." Apparently all Picard can take is the "come-on-let's-see-something-happen-for-Christ's-sake!" relationship with Bev.  Pantellis P

1699. While Picard was at Starfleet Acadamy, he got stabbed in the heart in a bar. This could never have happened to James Kirk because there would have been too many people jumping to his aid. Everyone in the bar just stood there and watched Picard get knifed. SuzanPeachFuzz

1698. Kirk bounces back! In "And the Children Shall Lead," the residue of the past races evil shakes him, but he recovers.  The children hit him with his greatest fears.  Kirk is reminded of the reality...then he just walks back in and faces them again!  Pantellis P

1697. None of Picard's movies have a cool and entertaining cameo scene like Admiral Bennett in ST5.  The best Picard could do was... Janeway?  Yech.   NintendoManiac

1696. The members of Kirk’s crew took pride in their ancestry. For instance, Spock showed pride in his Vulcan heritage by dedicating himself to total logic; Scotty showed pride in his Scottish heritage by drinking Scotch, playing the bagpipes, and wearing a kilt at formal gatherings; and Chekov showed pride in his Russian heritage by claiming that great inventions or discoveries were made by Russians even if they weren’t. (This was a running gag that made his character so much fun). Now for Picard’s crew: Was Worf proud to be a Klingon? Nope. In fact, he was often disgusted by his people’s savage and corrupted ways. Was Data proud to be an android? Nope. He longed to be human. Was Deanna Troi proud to a Betazoid? Nope. If fact, she was often embarrassed by the behavior of Betazoids like her mother. Was Riker proud to be from Alaska? Nope. In fact, he was often so silent about his birthplace that some crewmen became mistaken into thinking he was Canadian (see “Lower Decks”).  Even Picard didn't seem to embrace his French heritage, as indicated by his accent.  The Heater

1695. When Spock and McCoy were missing in a past time period (“All Our Yesterdays”), Kirk refused to leave them behind and continued searching for them right up until the last possible moment. Also, in the episodes where Kirk went missing (e.g., “The Tholian Web” or “The Paradise Syndrome”), his crew refused to abandon their search as long as they had reason to believe that their captain was still alive and could be rescued. Yet, when Picard was trapped in 19th Century Earth (“Time’s Arrow”), his crew, who had since returned to the 24th Century without him, originally elected to destroy the aliens’ time-travelling device in order to defeat them, which of course involved leaving their captain permanently stranded in the past. (Luckily for Picard, another opportunity presented itself in the nick of time). The point? Kirk and his crew never leave their friends behind, but Picard and his crew do. The Heater

1694. Q’s son (in the ‘Voyager’ episode “Q2”) stated that Kirk “had pizzazz!” Did any member of the Q Continuum ever make such a flattering comment about Picard? Nope. Also, in that same ‘Voyager’ episode, Icheb (a teenage former Borg-drone turned Starfleet cadet) was referred to by Q’s son as having a “Kirk fixation.” Did any Starfleet cadet or ensign ever have a Picard fixation? Nope, even Wesley lost respect for him. The Heater

1693. There is no question that Kirk has greater will. Kirk had enough strength, even under the influence of the Platonians, to tell McCoy not to give into them. Kirk freed himself from the mind-controlling spores, and didn't need someone like Wesley to free him from it. Kirk has been infected by a love drug and fought against his growing need for Elaan, out of duty and ideals, till his love for the Enterprise freed him. Picard only has to have a 'growing attraction' and he immediately... gets shaky. He's never cared much for anyone but himself  before, and the poor dear is all worried. Dale S

1692. Kirk sees everything -- even challenges -- as a grand adventure. Picard treats everything as an annoyance that is interrupting his daily routine. Dale S

1691. When Kirk’s crew gets back together for a movie, the on-screen chemistry is perfect. When Picard’s crew gets back together for a movie, they awkwardly and half-heartedly talk as if they’re at a high school reunion they didn’t want to attend. Dale S

1690. On Kirk’s show, a first-year villian – The Romulans – was so well defined that they could be brought back throughout the past 30+ years as heavy-duty villians worthy of theatrical movies. On Picard’s show, a first-year villian – the Ferengi – was so ill-defined that they had to be changed into cuddly, “wacky,” salesmen of the galaxy in order to (unsuccessfully) avoid calling them a flop. Dale S

1689. If Kirk does something dangerous, it is a necessity that cannot be avoided and is built up to enhance the tension of the story (i.e. Kirk fights the Klingon leader to the death in STIII). When Picard does something dangerous, it is because he’s bored and not only is it non-essential to the plot (i.e. the “Mad Max rip-off” in STX), but is used to merely eat up running minutes in what would otherwise be a short film. Dale S

1688. When faced with defeat, Kirk finds a solution that saves his crew, defeats the bad guys, and still gives them a ride home. When Picard is faced with defeat, he just rams his ship into things and hopes someone comes by eventually to pick up the survivors. Dale S

1687. Windows on Kirk’s ship were relatively small, obviously reinforced to withstand tremendous pressure, and are in isolated areas of the ship that could be easily contained. Picard’s ship has huge freakin’ picture windows everywhere, ready to be smashed out at a moment’s notice in areas where a large number of people would be immediately sucked into space. Who designed this nonsense? Dale S

1686. On Kirk’s bridge, even on the slowest days the personnel appeared to be hustling - pushing buttons, signing off on charts, moving here and there. On Picard’s bridge, everyone just sits or stands around, staring into space, as if waiting for a bus. No wonder several crewmembers eventually left – anything was better than being stuck on that bridge, even death. Dale S

1685. When Kirk had intentionally humorous adventures, they still involved exciting plots, character conflict, and sparklingly dialogue to progress the story. Attempts at humor in Picard’s adventures involved contrived “idiot” plots, the humiliation of one or more characters, and insipid name-calling.  Dale S

1684. When the bad guys captured Kirk, Kirk’s crew did everything they could to rescue him, even when they had hardly a clue as to where he was. When Picard got captured, his crew didn’t bother trying to save him, even though they knew exactly where he was! Dale S

1683. The ramifications of Kirk’s adventures are felt as a positive influence on all the other ST series. Picard’s misadventures create a negative and dangerous climate on all the other ST series (i.e. Borgs everywhere, including the past; Cardassians running loose; Romulans attempting to take over Vulcan; etc.). Dale S

1682. Friend and foe alike agree that Kirk has the heart of a warrior. Picard's heart? Well it's a fake, just like him. Mona D

1681. Do you think Picard would ever be referenced in a cool movie like "Fight Club"?  No?  Well, guess who IS!  Ray K

1680. On the TV Guide tribute to Star Trek, on all 3 different covers, Kirk is in the center. NintendoManiac

1679. When Kirk's crew called him on intercom or communicator, they always called "Enterprise to Captain Kirk," or "Engineering to Captain Kirk."  They respected him as their leader and demonstrated it when addressing him.  When Picard's crew called him, they said, "Engineering to Picard," or "Data to Picard."  It wasn't because they were being "friendly" to Picard, either; because they weren't using his first name. Referring to someone by their last name only, without a title attached, is a sign of disrespect.  Picard's crew demonstrated their lack of respect by refusing to call him a Captain. Jim S.

1678. None of Kirk's shows or movies had a corny scene like in the TNG episode where a child says to Dr Crusher "It hurts when I do this," and Dr. Crusher said, "Then don't do that." (groan) NintendoManiac

1677. When there is an Evil Kirk, he is INTENSE (just like the Kirk in our universe)! While an Evil Picard would be just as dull as the normal Picard. SusanPeachFuzz

1676. Kirk's people didn't have to have a Wolf 359 or a Dominion war to realise they needed more than phaser hand weapons! They had a photon mortar... meaning they had photon grenades. They also had a covering fire weapon in "The Cage"... a laser cannon! Throughout most of TNG...none of this! Because the Romulans had become bored with having few REAL opponents, and headed off elsewhere, the Klingons had made peace, and the (not nearly as powerful) Cardassians had fallen, they assumed that the galaxy was now a peaceful suburb...till the Borg told them to wake up and smell the coffee! Pardu P

1675. When Kirk's crew produces a 97% efficiency rating, he demands the extra 3% out of them ('Corbomite Maneuver'). Out of respect and admiration for him (and the knowledge that he is giving it his best effort), his crew delivers it. This happy symbiosis leads to an extraordinary crew and Captain. Picard's crew delivers a 50% efficiency rating for him. Even if he asks for a little extra (like another 2%), their contempt for him makes them ignore him and go frolicking about the holodeck. His crew knows that Picard himself is not delivering his best, and that creates a lack the motivation for them to do any better themselves. The result is a mediocre crew and Captain. Pardu P

1674. When using MS Word, if you type the name "Picard," the spell checker corrects it to "Packard," an old extinct car.  If you type the name "Kirk," there is no correction needed.  Kirk stands on his own, even in name!  E.P.

1673. Picard wonders if destroying the Crystalline Entity, which is zipping around the galaxy eating up entire planet inhabitants, is just another natural process and should be... left alone!?! Kirk would have had the humanity in him to recognize the Crystalline Entity for what it is, and what had to be done. Rockjock

1672. In Generations, Kirk manages to ride his horse around Picard's horse and park it right next to him with perfect control. Picard just sat there like a five-year-old on his first pony ride. I can only imagine that if Kirk makes rings around Picard on a horse, he's probably more capable with navigating a starship. Rockjock

1671. At Troi and Riker's wedding, Picard describes Will as his "right arm" and Troi as his "conscience," as if they're merely extensions of himself. We know Picard's statements weren't true, but even if they were: When Kirk pays tribute to his friends, he makes sure to give his friends proper respects, and not use it as an excuse to talk about himself, as does Picard. Rockjock

1670. On Kirk's ship, the self-destruct could actually WORK (ST3 vs Nemesis)! Rockjock

1669. Kirk always said, "Scotty, two to beam up," or something similar. Picard never acknowledged the people working at the transporter stations, it was always "Picard to Transporter Room 3." Not exactly a personable response to someone who's changing your molecular state. Rockjock

1668. In Insurrection, Picard asks "Does anyone remember when we were explorers?" After this, the audience replied "Nope!" Rockjock

1667. "Hide and Q", where Riker is given the powers of the Q, demonstrates the height of Picard's stupidity. He accuses Riker of being seduced by his new powers (and he's lucky he didn't get zapped into a sun's core). Then when Riker does all these great favors for the senior crew, Picard says it isn't the proper thing to do. This must include leaving the blind permanently handicapped (or leaving Wussley in his puny body). All of this was predicated on having to be thankful to Q, and they were all so spiteful that they would rather put up with the bad components of their lives than say thank you to someone they don't like. Rockjock

1666. Leonard Nimoy got to appear on The Simpsons as himself, and the entire TOS cast appeared on Futurama as themselves. Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes appeared on each show respectively, but had to play non-Trek related characters. This is because no one would recognize their TNG characters. Rockjock

1665. In "Time Squared", Picard seems to be the only one who snuck away from an exploding Enterprise. So much for the captain going down with the ship! This episode was only tolerable to watch, as we see one Picard kill another! Truly a self-destructive personality. Rockjock

1664. If Kirk and Picard were professors, Kirk would be like Indiana Jones: when he's not off on great adventures, he's making all the young ladies squirm in their seats with desire. Picard would be like Ben Stein in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, making the students fall asleep in puddles of their own drool. Rockjock

1663. Picard's show is in many ways a denial of the promise of Star Trek.  Why?  TOS was a first attempt, it had limited resources, and therefore had reason to worry about sponsorship, for all that it pushed the envelope a number of times.  People in a crisis talked like they were in a crisis. We had the dance scene from "Plato's Stepchildren," and the first interracial kiss on TV.  TNG KNEW it had appeal and had a larger budget.  I