But they are also two of the most treachorous characters inTrekhistory.
Admiral Cartwright
Star Trekhas a long history of terrible admirals who compromise Starfleets morals for their own ends.
Gul Madred
Speaking of David Warner… Captain Jean-Luc Picard is the picture of dignity and self-control.
So anyone who reduces him to a trembling, self-doubting mess must be truly evil.
Thats the case for Gul Madred, who captures and tortures Picard in the classicTNGtwo-parter Chain of Command.
Forever keeping his cool and even presenting himself as a friend, Madred plays a simple game with Picard.
As played byJason Isaacs(hello), Captain Gabriel Lorca is one of the highlights ofDiscoverystortured first season.
Mirror Universe stories tend to divide Trekkies, even more so thanDiscoveryitself.
But no one can deny Isaacss always-magnetic performance and his unique twist on the evil Starfleet trope.
Nero
None of the Kelvin-verse movies have good villains.
However,Eric Banasaves Nero from the reboot dustbin with a committed performance and surprising line readings.
Lore
Let it never be said thatBrent Spinerlet an opportunity pass him by.
Through Lore, Spiner channels the inherent kindness of Data and spins it into an evil other.
Kai Winn
Oh my child, you didnt think Kai Winn would make this list?
No villain worth their salt thinks of themselves as a villain.
Kor
With apologies to Worf, Kor might be the greatest Klingon inStar Trekhistory.
), making the two different takes feel of a piece.
Kor first debuted as a glowering opponent to Captain Kirk inTOS.
There, the boisterous figure prided himself on his ability to match wits and outsmart Starfleets finest.
The Borg
The terrifying part of the Borg is right there in their name.
There isnt one Borg, nor is there properly plural Borgs.
There is just the Borg.
Q
Then theres Q.
Like Mirror Universe or Holodeck episodes, Q is an acquired taste.
He brings the many god-like characters fromTOSinto theTNG-era, and their silliness along with them.
Yet, we can never forget the stories that bookend Qs appearances (at least at this point).
He was introduced as a powerful being who judges humanity for their brazenness to travel so far from home.
As the teaser at the end ofPicardseason three shows, that trail still continues today.
Gul Dukat
Everything hinted by Gul Madred came to full fruition in Gul Dukat, played by Marc Alaimo.
Its not just that hes delusional, wondering why there are no statues of him on Bajor.
Its that hes dedicated to a might-makes-right philosophy that the Federation shares, even if they wont admit it.
That sounds like an insult, but its truly not.
Khan is everything thatStar Trekneeds in a bad guy.
Hes an explorer and at the peak of human ability.
Hes strong and brave and philosophical.
