TNG’s Controversial Captain Jellico Explained

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TNG’s Controversial Captain Jellico Explained

Captain Edward Jellico (Ronny Cox) first appeared in the brutal Star Trek: The Next Generation two-parter, “Chain of Command,” and later returned as an admiral in Star Trek: Prodigy. All over TNG’s During the run, visiting Starfleet captains and admirals were often used to create conflict and Captain Jellico filled this role in the “Chain of Command”. In the first half of the century. TNG two participants, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) go on a secret mission to a planet along the Cardassian border.

In Captain Picard’s absence, Starfleet sends Captain Jellico to take command of the Enterprise. Jellico had previously helped establish an armistice between the United Federation of Planets and the Cardassian Union. While Jellico maintains current negotiations with the Cardassians, Captain Picard is captured and taken to Gul Madred (David Warner). Madred goes on to use various torture methods as he tries to get information from Picard. Picard manages to resist everything Madred throws at him, as he later reveals to counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) that he was about to give in.

Who was Captain Jellico in Star Trek: TNG?

Edward Jellico was portrayed by talented actor and musician Ronny Cox

With his authoritarian, by-the-book style of command, Edward Jellico proved to be very different from Captain Picard. This led to clashes with the crew of the USS Enterprise-D, especially Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes). Jellico even relieved Riker of duty when the First Officer openly disagreed with Jellico’s refusal to acknowledge that Picard was on an official Starfleet mission. However, Jellico later asked Riker to pilot a space shuttle to plant mines, knowing Riker was the best pilot for the job. Jellico then used the threat of the minefield to make the Cardassians return Picard and retreat.

Ronny Cox made his acting debut in 1972 Release and appeared in several films and television shows before landing his first big-budget film role in 1984. Beverly Hills Police Officer. Cox played Lt. Andrew Bogomil in both Beverly Hills Police Officer and its 1987 sequel, Beverly Hills Cop II. Also in 1987, Cox played Dick Jones in RoboCop, the antagonist of Peter Weller’s Alex Murphy. Cox also played Dr. John Gideon in Holy Elsewhere, James-Lee Delacroy in Sweet Justice, and President Robert Kensey in SG-1 Stargate. He continues to appear on television and in films and most recently reprized the role of Admiral Edward Jellico in Star Trek: Prodigy.

Why Jellico Is a Controversial Star Trek: Captain TNG

Jellico was disliked by Trek fans


Captain Jellico Star Trek

Because of his commanding style and conflict with the Enterprise crew, Captain Jellico has proven to be unpopular with fans. Whether or not Jellico was a bad captain is still up for debate, but his treatment of Riker and other crew members that fans came to love certainly didn’t do him any favors. In the end, however, Jellico’s stint on the Enterprise was a success. Not only did he see that Picard was safely returned to his ship, but he also had the Cardassian fleet withdraw from Federation space. Jellico perhaps should have been more open to the advice of his senior team, but ultimately he got the job done.

Jellico perhaps should have been more open to the advice of his senior team.

Jellico’s time in command of the Enterprise illustrated how well Picard and his crew worked together. No other captain could have arrived and had the same relationship with the crew of the USS Enterprise-D, so Jellico was already doomed to failure. Jellico would not have worked as a long-term replacement for Captain Picard not only because his commanding style was very different, but also because he refused to adapt to the needs of his crew. Jellico may have been what Starfleet needed for that specific mission, but Picard is much better suited for the Enterprise-D’s usual mission of exploration.

Captain Jellico changed Star Trek

Jellico’s time on the Enterprise-D certainly left a mark

Although Captain Jellico’s command of the USS Enterprise-D was only temporary, his time as captain left a huge impression on the Enterprise’s crew. A supporter of regulation, Jellico ordered Councilor Troi to change from her civilian attire to a Starfleet uniform. Marina Sirtis talked about how she enjoyed playing Troi in a Starfleet uniform, and the character would wear it from “Chain of Command” until the end of TNG. Troi often deserved better TNG, and finally putting her in a Starfleet uniform made the character feel like a more important and active member of the bridge crew.

“Chain of Command” events helped establish Star Trek: Deep Space Nine making the Federation’s conflict with the Cardassians personal. The species that tortured and almost broke Captain Picard were certainly some of the most formidable villains the Federation has ever faced. Jellico’s strong stance and strategy against the Cardassians helped establish how Starfleet dealt with them in the future. While commanding the DS9 space station, Commander and later Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) often had to be as unwavering as Jellico to combat an enemy as ruthless and cunning as the Cardassians.

Admiral Jellico returned in Star Trek: Prodigy

Prodigy saw the return of many classic characters, including Jellico

At the time of Star Trek: Prodigy, Jellico had become an admiral working at Starfleet headquarters and remained a thorn in the side of Starfleet’s less conventional captains. In Prodigy season 1, Jellico denied Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway’s (Kate Mulgrew) request to take the USS Dauntless to the neutral zone in search of the USS Protostar. Janeway reluctantly follows Jellico’s orders, but when he threatens to cancel the mission to rescue Captain Chakotay (Robert Beltran) in Star Trek: Prodigy In Season 2, Janeway tells her team that she will disobey Jellico if necessary.

At one point, Admiral Janeway even pretends she can’t hear Jellico through the screen, buying her some time to figure out what to do next. Janeway also finds ways to bypass Jellico’s orders sending the Protostar children (who are not technically Starfleet officers) to gather information. Admiral Jellico remains a sticker for Starfleet regulations and rules, but considers the bigger picture and tries to do what’s best for the Federation as a whole. During his tenure as admiral, Jellico faced several crises at the same time, making his work even more difficult.

Starfleet was so scattered that Jellico was unable to send any ships when Janeway requested help. Jellico greatly respected Picard and Janeway as captains, but feared that Janeway’s emotions might have been clouded by her desperation to find Captain Chakotay. Janeway, however, knew that she and her team were the best people for the job and found ways to succeed. Edward Jellico may not have been one of Star Trek: The Next Generation most popular guests, but he certainly left his mark on the Star Trek franchise.

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