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From: markv@dartvax.UUCP (Mark Vita)
Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: Command Precedence??
Message-ID: <1494@dartvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-May-84 13:48:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: dartvax.1494
Posted: Wed May  9 13:48:34 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 13-May-84 00:34:26 EDT
Organization: Dartmouth College
Lines: 26



   I'll agree that there is probably no definite answer to the
command precedence question.  The progession of command seems
entirely too arbitrary.  I disagree that the command goes to 
whoever has the most 'command experience'.  How many episodes are
there when an Incompetent Commodore takes over command in Kirk's
absence?  The one that really sticks out in my mind is the 
Commodore (Ferris?) who appears in "The Deadly Years".  With
Kirk out of action in Sickbay and Romulans threatening the ship,
this guy takes the conn and then comes to the realization, "I don't
know what to do.  (Gulp.)  I've never commanded a starship before."
(I recall that at one point Kirk refers to him as a "paper-pusher".)
  Anyway, the real decision about who got to command the Enterprise
was made by the director and production personnel working on the
show, and was probably more often influenced by who was available
for what part then by any kind of internal logic.

-- 



                            Mark Vita
                            Dartmouth College
                            {decvax,cornell,linus}!dartvax!markv