Mad, Bad, and Dangerous To Know!

In the latest issue of Star Trek Magazine, Brian J. Robb examines the record of the Starfleet captains and admirals who have deviated from the straight and narrow – including Admiral Mark Jameson and Captain Benjamin Sisko. In this extract, two of Captain Kirk's heroes come under the spotlight...

A man once described by Kirk as "one of the most experienced captains in Starfleet" was equally crazy, due to isolation. Captain Ronald Tracey was trapped on planet Omega IV following the death of his crew due to a virus to which he was immune ["The Omega Glory" Star Trek Season 2 ]. Tracey picked a side in the ongoing war between the indigenous Kohm and the Yangs. His advantage was technological: his phaser made him a formidable ally and a fearful enemy.

Although driven mad by his situation, Tracey's motivation was not power, but immortality. He mistakenly believed the virus and his immunity meant he would live forever: if he could isolate the cause, it could be a boon to all. It was a motivation echoed in the actions of rogue Vice Admiral Dougherty in his attempt to harness the metaphasic radiation of the Ba'ku's homeworld to extend his life and that of others [Star Trek: Insurrection]. In Tracey's case, a well-trained Starfleet officer came undone when alone, isolated from the organization's support. With no crewmembers or advisors to try his ideas out on, Tracey saw his own 'superiority' to the planet's native inhabitants as justification enough for his actions.

Garth of Izar ["Whom Gods Destroy" Star Trek Season 3] was another of Captain Kirk's heroes, but hardly a role model. He was a Starfleet high-flyer who rose through the ranks to command an entire fleet. The inhabitants of Antos IV helped Garth recover from an accident that left him badly disfigured. However the Garth who recovered was not the same man whom Kirk once idolized. Grateful to the Antosians, he (bizarrely for a Starfleet trained officer) suggested he could lead them in conquering the galaxy! When they refused, he attempted to wipe them out. Found to be insane, he was exiled on Elba II.

You can read the full feature about the Bad Captains of Star Trek in Star Trek Magazine #38 (US numbering), on sale now.

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