One of the most heated debates among Star Trek fans has always been, and may always be, whether James T. Kirk or Jean-Luc Picard was the better captain. Of course, each fan’s answer depends on myriad personal preferences like which show they liked better, which actor they liked better, what good leadership means to them, and what character traits they value.

Though it’s difficult to approach the question objectively, many have tried, time and time again. They’ve weighed each captain’s strengths against their weaknesses, their successes against their failures. They’ve examined the impact each captain has had on the Star Trek universe. After all that examination, most still don’t come up with a definitive answer. As StarTrek.com pointed out, even some of the greatest minds in science and science fiction haven’t been able to come to a consensus.