Once in a while I get a truly awesome submission to my Trekkie Quiz. I just had to share this one (by permission, of course):

Q: Who is the best Star Trek Captain

A: Wow! Now that's a question. I guess I need to start from the first one.

Jonathan Archer, he was an innovator, sort of a MacGyver of early Starfleet. His mission definitely set the stage and focus of Starfleet going forward, but was he the best? He impressed the Vulcans for sure, and when he was elected President of the UFP it definitely helped pave the way for future exploration. He paved a course through uncharted territory and that was no small feet.

James T. Kirk, depending upon the timeline you're currently talking about, he was a vagrant, a villain, or a soldier in many ways. The one constant in all the timelines is that he had a heart, and determination. Whether or not his actions were right, he definitely proved that we need to stand up for what we believe in, even if no one else will stand with us. I believe this is a trait that carried over throughout all generations of Enterprise Captains.

Captain Jean Luc Picard, was and elegant diplomat. He would be my favorite personally, however, when I look at all the captains I have questions. He saw the Stargazer through some horrible times, and ultimately lost the ship. He was a tactician, but I believe that was just a young and ambitious version of the diplomat he was to become.

Commander Benjamin Sisko, was a soldier, a father, and grew into his position in Starfleet as Captain in Season 3. His growth wasn't just in Starfleet, but also for Bajor, as well as the Galaxy as a whole. He grew to the point where he became the Emissary of the Profits. Now he serves as a mediator between the races of the physical and the ephemeral.

Captain Nog, the son of the Grand Nagus, and nephew of Quark. He rose in Starfleet through adversity. I mean, its not easy being a Ferengi with a moral compass! Trading the rules of acquisition for the prime directive is definitely a feet, but does it make him the "Best Starfleet Captain of all time?"

Captain Harry Kim, yes I'm going to say it, because, well, let's face it, Kim isn't really Kim, now is he? Even Nog was promoted to Captain before Harry was even considered. its important to note that the real Harry Kim sacrificed himself for the crew of the USS Voyager, and gave his life so that his alternate universe self could go on to serve in his place. Looking back, was the Ultimate Sacrifice worth being the Best of All Time?

Captain Janeway, in my opinion is the greatest of all time. Why? Her character took parts of each of the captains before her, and molded her personality. Faced with an impossible task of bringing fugitives to justice while also being stranded in the Delta Quadrant, she had to form alliances, build a Starfleet in distant space and rally allies to help her bring her crew home. When depression set in, she faced it with the determination of Kirk. In adversity she handled it diplomatically like Picard. Like Sisko, she fought to see that right won out. Like Archer she paved the way forward for Starfleet in a universe that didn't know they needed Starfleet. So, yes, Janeway is my choice for Best of All Time.

- Alex Stroud