Captain Tom Paris: Sisko Says He's Ready to Command a Starship!
Star Trek #25: Sisko's Bold Prediction for Tom Paris
Captain Benjamin Sisko? An amazing judge of character, folks! In Star Trek #25 (written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, art by Liana Kangas), he declares that Tom Paris (Voyager's pilot) is ready for a promotion– to captain! This happened during a seriously intense situation, an attack from Species 8472; the situation requires that Tom Paris step up; using highly effective crisis management; and this becomes what leads to Captain Sisko noticing his qualities.
It begins after Sisko gets knocked out! Paris takes command and with truly brilliant strategic thinking manages to lead his ship, The Theseus, to safety and his response creates a situation that convinces Sisko. And once he wakes up? Sisko praises Paris; noting "a violent situation produced a scientific outcome." Then that killer line: "Starfleet Captaincy 101." The entire situation and subsequent events surrounding that scene emphasize just how far Tom Paris has grown throughout those significant moments throughout his entire career, proving his capacity.
Tom Paris: From Maquis Outlaw to Theseus' Star Pilot
Tom Paris is indispensable to both Voyager’s journey through the Delta Quadrant, and to the Theseus' mission too. He was initially assigned as pilot to this new crew and alongside Sisko, undertaking some amazingly complex and dangerous assignments that challenged even experienced captains; negotiating peace, battling serious uprisings and visiting the Pleroma. The entirety of those key moments creates an undeniable arc showing both growth and character; showing the potential and importance and growth behind him that made him a valuable person. He has been there during an attempted destruction of all existence. The guy has proven to be incredibly competent even through dangerous scenarios, showcasing his resilience and willingness to accept the demands.
His career however did not start in that position. Those viewers remember him in Star Trek: The Next Generation; as Cadet Nic Locarno, but we’ll discover just how significant this appearance became to the history and development of Tom Paris's own history. This new role shows that he rose far from his initially less-than-ideal early life; demonstrating his overall amazing character development.
Paris on the Theseus: Even More Dangerous Than the Delta Quadrant
His service on the Theseus presents an interesting comparison with the earlier stages of his life; emphasizing how far he grew throughout all this. This proves to be much harder; even facing Klingon uprisings and navigating some insane locations and perilous, extreme events— even surviving that insane trip to the Pleroma and surviving the near-complete destruction of the universe!
And there was this insanely important moment which shows his capabilities: the rescue and protection of his own ship while remaining entirely capable throughout intense trauma, ultimately showing off his inherent leadership and survival skills in intense and desperate situations. This leads to Sisko giving a critical assessment.
Sisko's Recognition: A Master Captain's Judgment
It isn't mere coincidence: Sisko is recognizing talent, making that comparison, creating another level of narrative importance; This shows Sisko's incredible judgment. He himself proved his potential long ago; this moment conveys the important comparison and his incredible intuition is what made Tom Paris’ role critically significant. Even though we have not seen this prediction play out, Paris’s ability, leadership and performance in these assignments and previous successes; this overall showcases that Paris has all that is necessary; showcasing his worth; it shows the future potential for this character!
Conclusion: The Case for Captain Paris Is Strong!
Tom Paris's career arc shows immense character growth— moving past his less-than-ideal history and achieving great things, even developing deep levels of emotional resilience that ultimately make this promotion a great possibility; as is supported by Sisko's own insight, demonstrating both competence and experience that showcase he’s absolutely ready to captain his own ship! While this hasn’t happened, Star Trek #25 sets up exactly just how great and impressive a Captain Paris would be!
