Admiral Picard did one thing that Captain Janeway should have done

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As a long-time Trekkie who’s seen more Starfleet maneuvers than I can count, I must say that the decision to give Seven of Nine a field commission by Admiral Picard was a move that Captain Janeway should have made years ago.

Despite the fact that many fans adored Patrick Stewart’s performance as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, they found Star Trek: Picard less appealing. Some preferred to keep memories of Picard from his starship days rather than his role as a retired admiral. However, Admiral Picard had his share of notable moments on Picard, including an action that Captain Kathryn Janeway [Kate Mulgrew] might have executed earlier. In one such instance, Admiral Picard promoted Seven of Nine [Jeri Ryan].

Initially, Starfleet had reservations about integrating augmented individuals into their academy or ranks, and Seven of Nine’s Borg implants raised questions about her loyalty. Essentially, there were doubts about whether she could be relied upon to serve as an officer. However, these concerns were alleviated when Admiral Picard granted her a field commission. Not only was she entrusted with the role of second-in-command on the Titan, but she eventually rose through the ranks and was promoted to captain, commanding her own ship, the new Enterprise.

Captain Janeway was a commander who wasn’t afraid to seize opportunities and defy established norms. She managed to reintegrate the Maquis into Starfleet, despite their previous status as outlaws. Indeed, she required their assistance to bring Voyager back to Earth, but after returning home, those crew members continued serving as Starfleet personnel.

Behind the scenes, Captain Janeway suggested Seven of Nine to Starfleet. If Janeway was confident that Seven belonged there, she might have promoted her with a field commission before Voyager returned to Earth, thus removing Starfleet’s decision-making power. However, she didn’t do this, leaving us wondering why. It’s a question that could potentially be answered someday, especially if Seven and Janeway ever reunite again [which would undoubtedly boost ratings for any series].

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2024-10-09 00:23