Mama Robotnik
Member
First, I present the runners-up:
Lieutenant Reginald Endicott "Broccoli" Barclay III
One of the most human characters in all of Trek, Barclay is a neurotic, shy, nervous mess who we first meet living out his power fantasies in the holodeck. Each successive appearance introduces a new phobia and eccentricity, and his development and growth throughout the series is sublime.
Shining moments: Accidentally turning into the smartest human to have ever lived ("The Nth Degree"); Turning into a giant spider ("Genesis").
Chief Miles Edward O'Brien
The most down-to-earth character in the series, Miles was a survivor, enduring the inevitable "Torture O'Brien" episode that came once per-season. He's fought in over 235 space battles, been Worf's drinking-buddy, fought famous wars in the holodeck, and provided the only example in all of Star Trek of a succesful marriage. His friendship with Bashir is the best relationship the show has ever produced.
Shining moments: Being the only character to use the word "Bollocks" in all of Star Trek ("Time's Orphan"); Travelling back in time to get shouted at by Captain James Kirk ("Trials and Tribble-ations").
Spock
The first alien the show introduced, Spock's appearance, manner and opinions highlighted the humanity in everyone else, while introducing an alien that could be related to. Spock personified trust, reliability and intelligence, and is the best first officer you could ever want. Spock, Kirk and McCoy became one of the best character groups ever.
Shining moments: The end of Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan; Using the vulcan neck pinch on an obnoxious punk on a 20th Century LA bus (Star Trek: The Voyage Home).
Odo
The quiet man who wants no fuss, no attention, and just to get on with his job. As the series only liquid officer, Odo is ironically one of the most contained characters. He's restrained, sensible, gruff and direct. He has an array of amazing powers, and uses them only when absolutely needed. It is one of Trek's greatest twists that Odo, a character who prides himself on having no ambition or imagination, discovers his origins as a member of the cruel oppressive tyrants of the Dominion.
Shining moments: Having a spiky ball thrown at him in the first episode to no effect; Surviving being locked in a lift with the amorous Mrs Troi; Saving absolutely everyone at the end of Deep Space Nine; Throwing Sisko out of his own basbeball game.
Picard
The man who launched a thousand facepalms, Picard's quotes speak for themselves:
The anti-Kirk, Picard brings the British stiff-upper-lip to space (while simultaneously being French). Picard is a calm, smart professional who maintains his cool as pandemonium errupts around him.
Shining moments: Saving everyone in "All Good Things"; Hiding in the holodeck from Mrs Troi repeatedly; Awkwardly justifying 'Captain Picard Day' to a haughty Admiral ("Its for the children...!"); "THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!"
And the winner:
Garak.
The most complex, layered, morally-grey, ambiguous character of all of Trek, Garak is many things: a friend, a traitor, a spy, a warrior, a murderer, a thief, a torturer, a tailor, a soldier, an ally, an enemy and a hero. What he is above all though, is a liar.
Garak lies about everything to everyone. For practice, for fun, for the challenge of finding someone who believes him. Even in the face of those who know his backstory, he still argues that he is "Plain, Simple Garak".
Any appearance of Garak makes an episode better. He is intelligent, funny, charming, and has a sinister sense of humour. He gets the best lines of the show:
Garak is one of the best recurring characters in all of television. He's played masterfully, and taken on a spectacular character arc. He is always awesome, more so than even Jim Kirk. He's the best character Trek has to offer. And he is almost always smiling.
Shining moment: Every one of 'em.
Now I turn the thread to GAF. Agree? Disagree? Discuss.
Lieutenant Reginald Endicott "Broccoli" Barclay III
One of the most human characters in all of Trek, Barclay is a neurotic, shy, nervous mess who we first meet living out his power fantasies in the holodeck. Each successive appearance introduces a new phobia and eccentricity, and his development and growth throughout the series is sublime.
Shining moments: Accidentally turning into the smartest human to have ever lived ("The Nth Degree"); Turning into a giant spider ("Genesis").
Chief Miles Edward O'Brien
The most down-to-earth character in the series, Miles was a survivor, enduring the inevitable "Torture O'Brien" episode that came once per-season. He's fought in over 235 space battles, been Worf's drinking-buddy, fought famous wars in the holodeck, and provided the only example in all of Star Trek of a succesful marriage. His friendship with Bashir is the best relationship the show has ever produced.
Shining moments: Being the only character to use the word "Bollocks" in all of Star Trek ("Time's Orphan"); Travelling back in time to get shouted at by Captain James Kirk ("Trials and Tribble-ations").
Spock
The first alien the show introduced, Spock's appearance, manner and opinions highlighted the humanity in everyone else, while introducing an alien that could be related to. Spock personified trust, reliability and intelligence, and is the best first officer you could ever want. Spock, Kirk and McCoy became one of the best character groups ever.
Shining moments: The end of Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan; Using the vulcan neck pinch on an obnoxious punk on a 20th Century LA bus (Star Trek: The Voyage Home).
Odo
The quiet man who wants no fuss, no attention, and just to get on with his job. As the series only liquid officer, Odo is ironically one of the most contained characters. He's restrained, sensible, gruff and direct. He has an array of amazing powers, and uses them only when absolutely needed. It is one of Trek's greatest twists that Odo, a character who prides himself on having no ambition or imagination, discovers his origins as a member of the cruel oppressive tyrants of the Dominion.
Shining moments: Having a spiky ball thrown at him in the first episode to no effect; Surviving being locked in a lift with the amorous Mrs Troi; Saving absolutely everyone at the end of Deep Space Nine; Throwing Sisko out of his own basbeball game.
Picard
The man who launched a thousand facepalms, Picard's quotes speak for themselves:
Picard in "The Perfect Mate" said:
Picard in "Encounter at Farpoint" said:
Picard in "In Theory" said:
Picard in "Datalore" said:
The anti-Kirk, Picard brings the British stiff-upper-lip to space (while simultaneously being French). Picard is a calm, smart professional who maintains his cool as pandemonium errupts around him.
Shining moments: Saving everyone in "All Good Things"; Hiding in the holodeck from Mrs Troi repeatedly; Awkwardly justifying 'Captain Picard Day' to a haughty Admiral ("Its for the children...!"); "THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!"
And the winner:
Garak.
The most complex, layered, morally-grey, ambiguous character of all of Trek, Garak is many things: a friend, a traitor, a spy, a warrior, a murderer, a thief, a torturer, a tailor, a soldier, an ally, an enemy and a hero. What he is above all though, is a liar.
Garak lies about everything to everyone. For practice, for fun, for the challenge of finding someone who believes him. Even in the face of those who know his backstory, he still argues that he is "Plain, Simple Garak".
Any appearance of Garak makes an episode better. He is intelligent, funny, charming, and has a sinister sense of humour. He gets the best lines of the show:
Garak is one of the best recurring characters in all of television. He's played masterfully, and taken on a spectacular character arc. He is always awesome, more so than even Jim Kirk. He's the best character Trek has to offer. And he is almost always smiling.
Shining moment: Every one of 'em.
Now I turn the thread to GAF. Agree? Disagree? Discuss.
