PoP! Top Six-Pack: Star Trek’s Non-Captain Characters

The PoP!-Stars narrow it down to the cream-of-the-crop in categories ranging from (but not limited to) Comics, Movies, Toys, and Geek Culture in general. This is The PoP!-Top Six-Pack.

In conjunction with the release of J.J. Abrams sleek, sexy new Star Trek flick on Friday, May 8th, we here at PanelsOnPages.com will be running a few weeks of Trek-themed Six-Packs that will boldly go where no man has gone before (not true in the least… but still, definitely worth a click).

6. Q (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager)

"No, I'm not that old dead inventor from the James Bond movies"

Being some kind of an omnipotent being from space, Q first appeared in Star Trek: TNG annoying the hell out of everyone. And this is pretty much what he did ever since in all the appearances he made on the show and the franchise’s future series, DS9 and Voyager. But lame as it sounds, the character was based much on actor John de Lancie’s talents, and it worked well. Think Mr. Mxyzptlk in a human form. Besides that, Q didn’t lack any dram in his life, like the time he was made a mere human by his people or when he rebelled against the Continuum. Bottom line, Q was the best recurring character on TNG.

5. Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (Star Trek)

"I'll trade anything to be Zooey Deschanel's sister"

Oldest of the USS Enterprise’s crew, Bones was more than just a doctor. He was Captain Kirk’s best friend (besides Spock) and in that three-way relationship, was the counterpoint to Spock when advising Kirk on any subject. Sometimes overlooked and under-appreciated, McCoy is possibly the best Star Trek doctor ever, with all due respect to future shows’ doctors (Beverly Crusher was more of a Captain Picard flirt, really) and an aspiration to many fans of Star Trek.

4. Odo (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"My greatest joy is pretending to be a figure in wax museums"

Part of shape-shifting species that hasn’t fully learned how to control his abilities, Odo was the DS9 space station’s chief of security. While mostly portrayed as a stiff by-the-book tough guy, eventually Odo forged a romantic relationship with the Bajoran (the same race that raised Odo) first officer of the station, Kira Nerys. While that relationship took Odo’s character to new places, throughout the whole series he went after the Ferengi bar owner Quark, which resulted in some comic reliefs.

3. Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

"I was told I display more emotions in my acting than William Shatner"

The USS Enterprise’s resident android, Data despite his lack of flesh and heart was the most lovable character due to his long quest of learning about humanity and serving as an actual Pinocchio. Isaac Asimov would have been proud. The most memorable Data moment for me is when Tasha Yar under an outside influence seduces him and have herself an android steamy sex.

2. Spock (Star Trek)

"...and this is how you satisfy a Vulcan female"

Not at number one? No, but close enough. The ultimate Star Trek character, no-human species that spends his life locked with a human crew and learns how to adapt to their weird customs. Like displaying emotions. Coming from the Vulcan race of emotionless logic-based beings, Spock had great relationship with Captain Kirk and mostly served as his sound of logic while Dr. McCoy was Kirk’s conscious. Despite his features and personality traits, Spock is probably the most popular character of the franchise.

1. Worf (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"Why yes, my good lad, I do favor highbrow culture"

So why Worf takes #1? Because he’s my favorite. during the original show Klingons were portrayed as a violent race, but only in TNG they were redesigned and had one of their own serving on the USS Enterprise. They were still ruthless, but their features and behavior were scarier than before. While Worf was a product of his own world, he was also an honored warrior and member of the Starfleet and most of the time acted as a respected man. In DS9 Worf had a beautiful romantic relationship with Jedzia Dax and has more interactions with his Klingon heritage, and its conflicts with Worf’s Starfleet position.

Honorable mentions: Montgomery “Scotty” Scott, Geordi La Forge, Natasha “Tasha” Yar, The Doctor, Seven of Nine, T’Pol, Jadzia Dax, Quark, Gul Dukat, Deana Troi.

To Contact Tomer Soiker: tsoiker@panelsonpages.com

Filed Under: Columns • PoP! Top 6-Pack

Tags: Bones, Data, Deep Space Nine, Dr. McCoy, Enterprise, Odo, Q, spock, star trek, The Next Generation, Voyager, Worf