We expect Starfleet captains to be the embodiment of resilience, fortitude and courage. Sure, we've seen many a captain embark on a perilous adventure or daring escapade, but it's usually tempered by curiosity, calculation and a list of Starfleet regulations as long as their arm.

Still, even Starfleet's finest have their breaking point, just like the rest of us. Sometimes, all it takes is the straw that breaks the starship's back to set tempers flaring, perspectives flying, and crewmembers diving for cover.

Whether it's exhaustion, rivalry, guilt, grief or the weight of command, every captain has that one moment where they just have to let it all out. And, as it happens, watching the galaxy's greatest leaders unravel makes for some of Star Trek's most compelling drama.

This is by no means a list of the worst things a captain has ever done (looking at you, Sisko), rather a foray into those rare occasions when something inside them just snapped.

So settle back for a guilt-free dose of schadenfreude as we delve into some of the most memorable times a captain lost the plot.

Someone really should have just sat them down for a long rest and a nice cup of tea...

Benjamin Sisko has faced Cardassians, Klingons and the Dominion. He's done dubious things in the name of war. But it's a game of baseball that finally makes him lose all sense of perspective.

From the moment Captain Solok arrives in Take Me Out To The Holosuite, Sisko's frosty welcome suggests something isn't right. Sisko is baited all too easily into accepting a challenge from the smug visitor. A tactical simulation, perhaps? Wargames? No...baseball.

This leads to an absurd (but entertaining) competition between the two fully grown men, which we later find out is driven by unresolved rivalry.

It doesn't take long for Sisko to go from inspiring speeches to blasting poor Rom's efforts and throwing him off the team. Meanwhile, Rom, who had been so excited about playing, insists the rest of the team continue without him rather than mutiny over Sisko's heartless decision. He even cheers them on from the stands. Justice for Rom.

Sisko's spiral continues...he chews out the team when the game starts to go south, shoves Jake, almost blows a fuse yelling at Odo, and finally gets himself thrown out of the game for jabbing the umpire. Which might have been a blessing in disguise; he looked ten seconds away from being sent to Sickbay with steam coming out of his ears.

Thankfully, watching from the sidelines makes Sisko realise what he's taken from Rom by not letting him play. And so with suitable fanfare, he puts Rom back on the field for one last try.

Of course, none of this stops Take Me Out To The Holosuite from being a thoroughly enjoyable episode of Star Trek. And it's good to see Sisko find a sense of perspective in the end; because it's not like there's anything more important going on, like a war...

Contributor

Katherine Lewington

Katherine has been boldly going since childhood, when the BBC Two 6pm Star Trek slot changed her life. She was drawn in by the franchise's optimism, compassion and flair for character-driven storytelling. She's been writing stories since she could pick up a pen and has spent far too much time immersed in television, films, books, music and theatre. She loves any chance to talk or write about her favourite fandoms, of which there are many. When not busy writing, she can usually be found playing video games or explaining why the concept of a transporter is actually terrifying.

See more from Katherine