"Which Star Trek First Officer Is Best?" Topic

"As has been demonstrated by previous articles, I have a fascination with the first officer/second-in-command position. As a role in the narrative, it's a strange one. The XO's job is to tell other characters what to do, but the captain is the final word on what other characters should do? Very strange.

First officers exist in many stories and franchises, but Star Trek unquestionably has the most, so it's time to decide which is the best. This will be done using the highly rigorous metric of which one I like the most. Every show is represented except for Picard, as that one skips the normal command structure to the point that it doesn't really have a first officer. Everyone else is about to be judged, though, starting with the very worst…"

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Armand

Riker was called #1.
But Spock is the answer of coarse.

Spock. No contest. While I liked Riker, he was a man- and that got to be a gag reflex after a few seasons of it.

I would say Major Kira is #2, after around Season 3; Chicote is a distant #3; and Riker an even more distant #4.

My opinion, and worth every Quatloo you paid for it! Cheers!

Majal Barret as #1 to Christopher Pike in the original Pilot episode.

Sgt Slag +1

First choice would be Vulcan Sub-Commander (later Commander) T'Pol.

Commander Jack Ransome comes second.

And both amusing & interesting is Lura Thok.

TBH, the old stuff largely bores me. I thought I'd re-watch DS-9 a few months ago. Yawn.

Spock (TOS)

Bones.

Chewbacca

Kurn. He understands the role of an XO is to both execute commander's intent and question it. And he's a great morale manager.

James T Kirk. Again, he provides direct support and counterpoint to Pike. Kirk provides a different kind of counterpoint than Kurn, but the job is not to do things, it's to get things done.

Also, Riker was called #1, but he was a big #2. Top tier liberty buddy on shore leave. As an XO … adequate attendance.

Another vote for Barret's #1. If TOS had followed Pike's pilot it would have been a very different show, more like traditional military movies.

I have to agree with etotheipi, on Kurn! He stood out. I loved Kurn as 1st Officer! He was perfect in his role, even when he corrected Warf -- in private, away from the rest of the crew. I wished Kurn would have become a regular cast member: you knew exactly where he stood, and what he expected from everyone; no nonsense; he was always on point. He really was the very best, IMO, and of course, etotheipi's opinion, too! Everyone else, in my previous post, "Please take a step back to make room for Kurn, at the front of the line!" Cheers!

Spock

Spock Spock Spock!

Followed by Riker.

I can't say I've followed the other series or films enough to have any other logical choices.

Spock

There is only one Spock! OK, two if you count the mirror universe.

OK, I'll nominate — Mirror Universe Spock.

An exemplary first officer:
"I do not desire the captaincy. I am much more content with my scientific duties. And, I am frankly content to be a lesser target… But if it should befall me, my operatives would avenge my death – and some of them are Vulcans."

Thanks…

Riker for me…

Armand

Spock

Riker is greatness but Spock is the "logical" choice.