Captain My Captain

For all us trekkies, we discuss a lot of things about the show, including who was the best character. And I’ve had many conversations as to who was the best leader. 

I could never buy Kirk as a ship’s captain. He was too emotionally fragile, always throwing fits and falling in love with that week’s guest star. This guy couldn’t manage a lemonade stand.

I preferred Captain Picard. Cool under fire, intellectually curious, deliberate in action yet capable of thinking fast. And he always won. 

But the one I most identify with is Benjamin Sisko, the commander of Deep Space 9. He had a temper but became old enough to keep it in check, most of the time. He had a cool deadly voice when facing danger. That same voice became much warmer when he spoke to his young son—I like how he cupped his hand behind his son’s neck and kissed the top of his head.  And I appreciate how he loved his wife and grieved for her after she died.  Unlike Kirk, he didn’t fall for every woman who came on the show. In time he came to love one woman and committed himself to her. 

I know, I know, it's just a show. There are those who just don’t get it about Star Trek—please accept my nonjudgmental compassion for your limitations. 

Just kidding. Ha ha…. (throat clearing).

Regarding strength of character, I’ve known some women to mistake a man’s temper tantrums as strength.

When I was growing up, the family lived in fear of my father’s rages. I didn’t realize until much later that my mom sort enjoyed the old man’s fireworks even while she feared him. 

When I look at those years when he was a much younger man than I am now, I see his rage for the childish tantrums they really were. I’ve come to terms with that part of my past.  I can see that my father as an older man is also a better man, although he’s never owned up to his jealous, bullying ways.

Captain Kirk reminds me of my father throwing a tantrum. 

We practice spanking and DD in our marriage, but I don’t use it as a means of expressing rage. I use it as a means of leadership. I use it to help Lynda become all she can be. Our home has become much more stable and calm since we began. 

I’m not always as cool as Captain Picard, but I’m usually controlled like Commander Sisco. 

 

Okay… I realize that I left out Captain Janeway. I thought she was cool too. Anybody want to guess what she’s waiting for in this picture?