Star Trek

I have to admit that I love Captain Picard from Star Trek.

The gravitas, the leadership, the empathy: he's the reason that I kept watching after I was first introduced to Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG for those in the know). I didn't watch it when it first came out in the late 80s, though. My ex-husband introduced me to it while we were dating. We watched the last few seasons "live", if you will, but I learned the whole history of the characters while watching.

I read the books, I watched the old series' movies, I re-watched several of the seasons many times...I became obsessed.

I loved the idealism of the series. I realize now that's it's an un-achievable idealism on this side of heaven, but I believe even know that seeing glimpses of (and striving for) an ethical humanity is something important enough to care about while we're here. Racism, sexism, defining humanity, dealing with workplace romance, watching kids mature...it was all there. I did watch some of the other series, but TNG was my favorite. Although, I do love the latest movies based on the oldest series. And there's one coming out next week! Huzzah!

Did I mention leadership? I feel like I could write an article just entitled "Everything I learned about leadership I learned from Star Trek." Picard is a hard decision-maker. He's willling to go on the toughest of missions. He also understands the importance of the chain of command. He commands respect. He understands most of LaForge's technical engineering-speak, showing his intelligence. He gave people positions because they earned them. He works with all races and species, even when they were intractable. He took time to relax in the Holodeck with a good mystery. He became part of another race and then conquered that part....oh wait, I can't use that skill.

Cheesy as it was, it had so many classy moments, especially in the last few seasons. There's a reason that its popularity endures to this day. Live Long And Prosper!