Seven Of Nine Is The Fastest Captain Of The USS Enterprise Since Kirk In J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek

Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) is the fastest Star Trek character to become Captain of the Starship Enterprise since Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) in J.J. Abrams' Kelvin Timeline Star Trek movies. In the Prime Timeline, Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), and Captain Worf (Michael Dorn) waited years before securing the enviable position of Captain of the Enterprise. Captain William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) waited for 15 years, and never got it. Star Trek: Enterprise's Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) had a long Starfleet career before being appointed first Captain of the NX-01 Enterprise.

The only person to achieve the rank of captain in less time than Seven of Nine is Chris Pine's Captain Kirk, who went directly from Starfleet Academy cadet to Captain of the Starship Enterprise in a matter of days. In Star Trek (2009), Cadet Kirk isn't even assigned to the Enterprise but sneaks his way aboard with the help of Dr. Leonard McCoy (Karl Urban). From there, Kirk exhibits the kind of courage and quick thinking that Starfleet prizes in captains, so with the blessing of Admiral Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood), Starfleet Command gives Kirk the rank of Captain and command of the USS Enterprise.

Seven Of Nine Became Captain Of USS Enterprise Faster Than Anyone In Star Trek’s Prime Timeline

Seven of Nine Is Only In Starfleet For 2 Years Before Promotion To Captain

In just two years of Starfleet service, Seven of Nine became Captain of the USS Enterprise faster than anyone else in Star Trek's Prime Timeline. At the end of Star Trek: Picard season 2, which takes place in 2401, Seven of Nine gets a long-awaited Starfleet field commission, thanks to Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) recognizing Seven's aptitude. Star Trek: Picard season 3 picks up later in 2401, and sees Seven of Nine serving as Commander Annika Hansen aboard the USS Titan-A, under Captain Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick). One year later, in Picard season 3's epilogue, Captain Seven of Nine commands the Titan, rechristened as the USS Enterprise-G.

It's quick, but if Seven of Nine wasn't qualified to be Captain of the USS Enterprise-G, Starfleet Command would never have signed off on Seven's promotion. Seven of Nine's commanding officer, Captain Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick), gave Seven of Nine a glowing recommendation for promotion to captain after Seven's two years of Starfleet service at the rank of commander. Captain Tuvok (Tim Russ), who reviewed Shaw's recommendation in Star Trek: Picard, spent 7 years with Seven of Nine aboard the USS Voyager, and can also attest to Seven's competence. Seven of Nine's fast track to captain is no accident, and it's well deserved.

Is It Fair That Seven Of Nine Became Captain Of Enterprise So Fast?

Seven's Captaincy Is More Fair Than Kirk's Immediate Rise In The Kelvin Timeline

Is it fair that Seven of Nine became Captain of the USS Enterprise so fast? Seven never attended Starfleet Academy, and seemed to bypass Starfleet officers who worked hard to get where they are now, but Seven still paid her dues, just differently. After the USS Voyager's return to the Alpha Quadrant in 2371, Seven of Nine did apply for Starfleet and was even endorsed by Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), but Starfleet initially denied Seven for being ex-Borg. Instead, Seven of Nine became a Fenris Ranger for 20 years, independently helping those in need in the Beta Quadrant.

Seven of Nine and Chris Pine's Kirk benefit from some of the same Starfleet practices to achieve the rank of Captain so quickly. As a meritocracy, Starfleet can supersede traditional rank protocol when someone proves themselves in the field. Kirk became captain at Starfleet's behest, and Seven of Nine received a field commission from Admiral Picard commensurate with Seven's years of experience on Voyager and as a Fenris Ranger. If Starfleet had actually accepted Seven of Nine in 2371, then becoming Captain of the Enterprise by 2401 would follow the path all of Star Trek's Enterprise captains took ... except the Kelvin Timeline's Kirk.