Kirk And Horatio

Kirk And Horatio - Thanks Calexical and Judith 

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This puts so simply something I've been mulling over in my head ever since seeing the movie. I'm sure you know Kirk was based in large part on Horatio Hornblower, but much as I like Shatner's Kirk, he never hit me on the same level as Hornblower, either the book character or Ioan Gruffudd's portrayal, and it's for exactly the reason you outlined. Hornblower claws his way up through the ranks despite the disadvantages of his birth and relative poverty. He doesn't lead a charmed life, but he's tenacious through every hard knock the story gives him, he has natural tactical brilliance, and inspires fierce loyalty in his men. (Also, both he and all incarnations of Kirk are basically like Wedge Antilles: *beep* just happens when they're around.)
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