The Surprising Backstory of Captain John Harriman: How He Became the Captain of the Enterprise-B

The Introduction of Captain John Harriman

The worst Captain of the Starship Enterprise, Captain John Harriman (Alan Ruck), made his debut in Star Trek Generations, but the story of how he obtained his command was never fully disclosed. Harriman's lone canonical appearance was in the prologue of the seventh Star Trek movie, which marked the transition of the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation to the big screen in 1994.

John Harriman and Enterprise-B in Star Trek

Star Trek Generations begins with Captain Harriman welcoming Star Trek: The Original Series' heroes Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Montgomery Scott (James Doohan), and Pavel Chekov to the brand-new Excelsior Class USS Enterprise-B's maiden voyage, which was a media event. However, both Harriman and his starship were unprepared to encounter the temporal energy ribbon called the Nexus, which endangered an El-Aurian freighter. After Harriman failed to come up with a workable rescue plan, he asked Kirk to step in. Kirk, Chekov, and Scotty led the rescue of the El-Aurians, but Captain Kirk was seemingly killed in the process.

Kirk Star Trek Generations

Fans were taken aback by Captain Harriman's ineptitude, especially after witnessing the leadership of the legendary Captains James T. Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard. This unexpected introduction of a seemingly inexperienced and ill-equipped Captain raised questions about how John Harriman ever succeeded Captain Kirk and became the Captain of the Enterprise-B.

Captain Harriman

The Mystery of John Harriman's Appointment

The portrayal of Captain Harriman in Star Trek Generations was particularly surprising to fans who were accustomed to the leadership of the esteemed Captains from previous Star Trek series. The contrast between Harriman and his predecessors, James T. Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard, was stark, leaving audiences puzzled about the circumstances that led to John Harriman becoming the Captain of the Enterprise.

John Harriman Star Trek Captain

In a 2018 interview with The AV Club, Alan Ruck, who played Captain Harriman, revealed an intriguing backstory for the character provided by Star Trek executive producer Rick Berman. According to Ruck, Berman explained that Harriman came from a wealthy, politically connected family, and they essentially purchased the Captaincy of the Enterprise-B for him as a stepping stone into a political career. This revelation shed light on Harriman's background, presenting a surprising explanation for his appointment as the Captain of the Enterprise-B.

A face-on shot of Saru (Doug Jones) in Star Trek: Discovery

Despite the unconventional backstory, Captain Harriman's handling of the Nexus crisis in Star Trek Generations' prologue showcased his earnest efforts and the challenges he faced due to his lack of experience and the Enterprise-B's inadequate preparedness. The revelation of Harriman's background raised further questions about the nature of Starfleet Captaincies and the implications of his appointment.

Chekov Harriman Scotty

Captain Harriman's Place in Star Trek Lore

The introduction of new starship Captains in the recent iterations of Star Trek has emphasized the unique qualities and capabilities of these leaders. From Captain Michael Burnham and Captain Saru in Star Trek: Discovery to Captain Carol Freeman in Star Trek: Lower Decks, the franchise has introduced a diverse range of Captains, each with their own distinct attributes and contributions.

Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) stares off-screen with the USS Discovery from Star Trek: Discovery in the background.

Furthermore, the elevation of characters like Seven of Nine and Worf to the role of Captain in subsequent Star Trek series has highlighted the evolving landscape of Starfleet leadership. The emergence of Captain Christopher Pike as a prominent figure in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has further solidified the roster of influential Enterprise Captains, setting a new standard for leadership within the franchise.

Anson Mount as Fleet Captain Pike in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

With the introduction of these dynamic new Captains, Captain John Harriman's role as the Captain of the Enterprise-B stands out as an intriguing anomaly, prompting discussions about the factors that led to his appointment and the implications of his unique backstory. As the Star Trek universe continues to expand and evolve, the legacy of Captain Harriman and the circumstances surrounding his tenure as a Starfleet Captain remain a captivating subject of interest for fans and enthusiasts of the franchise.

star-trek-enterprise-captains-harriman-garrett-jellico-explained