“The Hard-ass and the Harpy”

Recently, on a rather famous Trek-related BBS, I ran across a series of assertions that Alynna Necheyev and Edward Jellico were the "nastiest" characters ever featured in an episode of TNG.

Rather than responding with the entirely legitimate observation that such a conclusion was moronic, I answered thus:

It seems to me that most of the negative reactions to these two come from those who know little about the military rank structure (or choose to believe Picard's ridiculous assertion that "Starfleet is not a military organization"). Both Necheyev and Jellico are fine officers, if a little imperious and abrupt.

Like it or not, "Because I said so" is an entirely legitimate response from a commander when a subordinate asks questions or raises protests. He or she does not have to provide an explanation if he or she doesn't wish to do so. A superior may be curt, and even rude, at times. That does not excuse a response in kind. It's not polite society: It's the navy.

Well, it's the navy everywhere but on NCC-1701-D, that is.

There, it's reform school.

Clearly, Riker and his fellow delinquents stonewalled Jellico from the beginning. While their new captain's demeanor could use a tremendous amount of work, it is the crew's duty to make things easier for the captain, and obey his or her commands—if not without question, then without rancor should his or her decisions not jive with theirs.

Never in the series do the regulars come off more as whining brats than they do in "Chain of Command." While it was totally out of character for Geordi, the rest (to an extent Troi, but especially Riker and Crusher) richly deserved to be slapped down hard for their attitudes. They (or at least Riker) should consider themselves fortunate there were no insubordination charges leveled.

I practically stood up and cheered when Jellico told Troi to put on a uniform as opposed to her "Counselor Skank" outfit. He would have been entirely justified in saying, "This is Starfleet, Lieutenant Commander, not a singles bar. Cover up the cleavage."

You go, Ed!

The scene wherein Jellico asks Riker to pilot the shuttle was beyond absurd. Riker should have volunteered immediately (and, to be fair, Jellico should have ordered him to do it rather than pulling a Diogenes and seeking "an honest pilot"). Any true professional would have set aside his childishness and done so without question.

Instead, we get:

"I won't order you to fly this mission," Jellico gritted.

Riker smirked. "Then ask me."

What an arrogant putz! The mission should be more important than your pride, Riker. He came to your quarters. It was then time for you to concede in return.

Yes ... how dare Jellico expect the crew of the Federation flagship to act with professionalism surpassing any he'd ever encountered, vis-a-vis like the disgruntled staff of a passenger liner. He did nothing wrong—except failing to press charges against Riker for his behavior in nearly sandbagging their negotiations with the Cardassians.

As for Necheyev ... she is simply a strong female admiral. When did the woman ever do anything unreasonable or reprehensible?

Riker, in these two episodes and many others, is a presumptuous little git, and there should be no attempt to blame those officers who simply won't tolerate his particular brand of bullshit.