Most Star Trek fans tend to say either James T. Kirk or Jean-Luc Picard is their favorite Starfleet captain. But Benjamin Sisko from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine deserves to be in the running. A flawed but always entertaining character, Sisko is one of the most compelling characters in the entire franchise.

There are plenty of arguments that can be made for why Sisko is a great Star Trek captain. His ability to command a diverse array of characters toward his goal is inspiring. His charm and wit make him a magnetic character to watch. But his best character trait is his duality. He is a passionate father and friend and a terrible enemy to have. Having two equally developed sides is what makes him a memorable protagonist.

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Sisko's Personal Relationships Are Unique

Star Trek Sisko Promo

Sisko is a very sociable and likable man. He maintains strong bonds with his crewmates until the series' end, often inviting them for food or to play baseball. The people on his ship are not just coworkers; he is very interested in befriending them. This is a notable difference from the aloof Picard, who usually prefers his own company. And despite being a widower at the start of the show -- his wife Jennifer having been killed in a Borg attack -- Sisko is shown moving on and beginning a new relationship with Kasidy Yates, whom he marries in Season 7, Episode 18, "Til Death Do Us Part."

But Sisko's strongest relationship is his connection with his son Jake. Unlike other captains in Star Trek, Sisko is a parent from the start of the series. The healthy father-son relationship isn't demonstrated very often on television, but Sisko is an exemplary father -- making sure to spend as much time with his son as possible, always affirming to Jake how much he loves him and encouraging his son's passion for writing.

And Sisko's ability to inspire doesn't stop at his crew and family. There are other residents aboard Deep Space Nine whom he motivates to better themselves. The most notable is Nog, who decided to become the first Ferengi to join Starfleet. He asks Sisko for a letter of recommendation to get into Starfleet Academy. Sisko, after testing Nog himself, gives the recommendation. Sisko's open-mindedness clears the way for more Ferengi to make their own paths in life.

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Sisko Is Also a Capable and Dedicated Leader

A serious-looking Sisko in Star Trek Deep Space Nine

Just as strong as his heart is Sisko's anger. His temper is usually controlled and his outbursts are well-placed, but they can be a terrifying thing to behold. Sisko is a stubborn man who will not back down when he knows he is right. He will stand his ground, whether facing off with superior officers, alien leaders like Kai Winn Adami or even the omnipotent Q. In the latter case, one punch is all it takes to make sure Q never went back to Deep Space Nine. Unlike Picard, Sisko is not a pacifist to a fault. He will strike back and can be a terrifying force when motivated.

During the conflict with the Maquis, Sisko was betrayed by a man named Michael Eddington, who turned him over to the other side. This betrayal shook Sisko and he did everything in his power to capture the traitor. In Season 5, Episode 13, "For The Uniform," he finally does so -- after firing quantum torpedoes at a Maquis planet and making it unable to sustain life. Throughout the episode Eddington paints Sisko as the villain, so Sisko wins by playing the role and forcing Eddington to play the martyr. Eddington has to turn himself in to make sure that Sisko would not use more torpedoes against other Maquis planets. That's not an action Picard or the spinoff-worthy Captain Kathryn Janeway would take.

Another more damning example is during the Dominion War. In Season 6, Episode 19, "In the Pale Moonlight," Sisko enlisted Garrik's help in an effort to turn the Romulans against the Dominion. This resulted in the death of a Romulan senator and a forged data rod that would drive the Romulans into the war against the Dominion. Though Sisko laments this unethical act, he admits that he can live with it because it will help the war effort. Sisko affirms that he will live with his choice by erasing the log to get rid of the evidence. It's one of the most thought-provoking moments in Star Trek history.

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Cardassians Gol Dukat and Garak from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Despite these two acts arguably being war crimes, both of them are done in the name of keeping the Federation safe and stable. And in both instances, Sisko comes to realize how close he came to the edge. But unlike any of his fellow captains, Sisko is willing to walk the line between principled captain and ruthless commander if it means accomplishing his mission and protecting the things he holds dear. It might make him less approachable than Kirk and he's certainly less righteous than Picard, but he will not allow something like the death of his wife to happen again.

Whenever Sisko is on-screen, one never knows how he will act. He could be one of the friendliest and nicest commanders in Starfleet, or he could be one of the hardest and most ruthless captains in the Alpha Quadrant. It's this duality of character that makes Benjamin Sisko one of the most compelling captains in Star Trek. He deserves to be in the conversation for the franchise's best captain, instead of being always overlooked like some of his lesser-known peers.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is now streaming on Paramount+.