Metrion Cascade wrote: And I'm not so sure Kirk's that much more popular than Picard. It's not like we see Federation news broadcasts. Besides. The crews don't have the character shielding that simple morale brings main characters.
Picard is so old that he's white-haired, bald, and impotent/asexual and still CorkyThatcher-Janeway earned an Admiralship before him. I think that demonstrates how remarkable a starfleet captain he's considered by his own military.
Even so, you're contending that Picard's tactical ability is superior to Kirk's because he's a starfleet captain 70 years after Kirk who can utilize all of Kirk's tactics and maneuvers in battle. Please show how starfleet tactical understanding improved between TOS and TNG. As far as I can tell, they have not improved at all.
Picard was offered plenty of opportunities to advance, as way Riker. However Kirks own advice to Picard was never to accept any kind of promotion that would take him away from his ship.
All this pro-Picard talk is assuming that Kirk even used a "playbook" that could be quantified.
The signs point to the fact that Kirk was just a straight-up badass that did whatever he wanted. It's a different way of thinking, not just some cut-and-dry tactics from a book.
Kirk simply tended to fly blind for the most part. He didn't even bother using half of starfleet regulations. Which picard tended to follow to the letter.
"It's you Americans. There's something about nipples you hate. If this were Germany, we'd be romping around naked on the stage here."
Picard is so old that he's white-haired, bald, and impotent/asexual and still CorkyThatcher-Janeway earned an Admiralship before him. I think that demonstrates how remarkable a starfleet captain he's considered by his own military.
There could be other reasons for why Picard is a captain and not an admiral. It is possible that Picard preferred commanding a starship rather sitting in an admirals office.
I have to tell you something everything I wrote above is a lie.
Picard is so old that he's white-haired, bald, and impotent/asexual and still CorkyThatcher-Janeway earned an Admiralship before him. I think that demonstrates how remarkable a starfleet captain he's considered by his own military.
There could be other reasons for why Picard is a captain and not an admiral. It is possible that Picard preferred commanding a starship rather sitting in an admirals office.
As i said a couple of posts ago Kirks own advice to Picard was to never accept promotion, to stay Captain of the Enterprise.