In my opinion, one of the two greatest captains in fiction (the other is Captain Barnacle from the Octonauts).  William Adama from the Battlestar Galactica series, is the lead commander, actually the only one left, after almost the entire human race gets wiped out.  Considered obsolete and waiting to be converted into a museum, his ship is the only one standing because he stubbornly refuses to update its computer system, ironically saving it when some type of virus incapacitates the rest of humanity.

Outnumbered with a ragtag crew (young, inexperienced, uncertain) and outdated technology (he uses fighters meant to be exhibits) – responsible for not only his ship, but others with the remaining survivors, he somehow fights off a superior enemy.

Adama is no Picard or Kirk.  He doesn’t have the backing of an intact, powerful Starfleet.  Picard’s crew, while quirky, leans more to the professional and mature side of the spectrum.  My daughter’s godfather remarked incisively that Picard would often cite some technobabble to get himself out of a jam or rely on deux ex machina.  Kirk to me was just a cowboy.  Both had the most modern ships in the fleet with the latest technology.

Adama is flawed.  Inconsistent in discipline, allows his feelings for his crew to affect his judgment, prone to outbursts of anger, too loyal to staff at times, allows himself to be stuck in apathy, falls in love with the civilian President and quarrels with her.

But he is a hell of a leader.  Principled, realistic, seasoned, resourceful, willing to take risks when warranted (roll the hard six), tough, understands human nature, forgiving of his crew’s many mistakes, etc.

The show’s writers included a brilliant, powerful scene where he is speaking at a funeral to the demoralized crew and civilians.  They are running out of supplies, fuel, ammunition, many dead.  Adama gives them hope and motivates them to get on board by repeatedly yelling “So say we all.”

He does lead them to a new home – something that he didn’t even really believe in, told the lie to give hope.