Sorting “Star Trek: The Next Generation” Characters into Their Hogwarts Houses
Star Trek: The Next Generation brought the sci-fi franchise into the 24th century with a whole new cast of characters aboard the USS Enterprise. While the original series only features three crew members in the opening credits, the following series has a more robust ensemble, where each character has a chance to shine and show their colors. And what colors are those? The Sorting Hat hitches a ride aboard the Enterprise-D to find out.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard – Ravenclaw
While Captain Picard is a brave and noble leader, he is an artistic soul at heart who always tries to appeal to reason. He is an accomplished diplomat, able to outwit his opponents and deliver powerful and convincing speeches that turn the tides of complex political situations. He enjoys archaeology, music, classic literature, and solving mysteries on the holodeck. Picard is a true Renaissance man.
Commander William Riker – Gryffindor
Riker is a maverick. His swaggering confidence, the way he swings one leg over the back of a chair, his popularity with the ladies, and his loyalty to his captain (but willingness to challenge him) all point to Gryffindor. Riker is always ready to lead an away team into possible danger and take command when needed. He loves a challenge, and his red uniform suits him as a Gryffindor.
Lieutenant Commander Data – Hufflepuff
It might be tempting to place Data in Ravenclaw due to his intellectual prowess, artistic interests, and curiosity. But Data was programmed to be highly intelligent, and Dumbledore says that “it is our choices… that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities” (CoS 333). Although Data claims to not experience emotion, his passion is learning about human nature and attaining a level of humanity for himself. He is fascinated by social interactions and seeks to understand love, humor, and grief. Duty is of the utmost importance to him, and he consistently proves himself to be a dependable officer and friend, his loyalty to his captain and crew only wavering when his moral compass directs him elsewhere.
Doctor Beverly Crusher – Gryffindor
Doctor Crusher is the Hippocratic Oath come to life. She will do anything to help anyone and fight anyone who stands in her way, including her own captain. When Bev sees suffering, she’s there with a medical tricorder in hand, a caring bedside manner, and a voice to advocate for her patients. She believes in doing what is right no matter the risk to herself, even in a war zone.
Counselor Deanna Troi – Hufflepuff
As both ship’s counselor and a half-Betazoid empath, Deanna is all about helping people work through their emotions. She literally feels for others. Like any good therapist and Hufflepuff, she is patient and accepting of the time people need to open up and heal. You can trust Deanna to take your feelings seriously, not judge, and keep your secrets.
Lieutenant Worf – Gryffindor
The entire Klingon ethos is Gryffindor: glory, honor, courage. Klingons do not flee in the face of danger but charge toward it. Worf is steadfast in his commitment to his captain, crew, and culture. When he is conflicted between Starfleet and Klingon expectations, he aims to find the most honorable path forward. He is willing to sacrifice his public reputation to maintain personal honor and do what is best for his homeworld, though he can also be stubborn and aggressive.
Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge – Ravenclaw
The chief engineer is the Enterprise‘s ultimate problem-solver, always devising an ingenious solution to avert disaster in half the time it should take. When strange occurrences plague the ship, he is determined to find a scientific explanation. Geordi tends to befriend cybernetic lifeforms – namely the android Data and the Borg Hugh – because he has the open-mindedness to accept them and the patience and ability to explain humanity to them.
Wesley Crusher – Ravenclaw
Wesley is a prodigy – even compared to Mozart – and can understand scientific concepts far beyond his years, making him a valuable asset to the Enterprise at a young age. Often dismissed due to his youth and overeagerness, his hypotheses often turn out to be correct. In leaving Starfleet and becoming a Traveler, he recognizes the great potential of the universe beyond what most people imagine.
Guinan – Ravenclaw
The bartender of Ten Forward comes from a race of long-lived listeners. She is immensely wise and often able to help Enterprise crew members just by asking the right probing questions, challenging them to reexamine their preconceptions. Plus, she has great fashion sense.
Q – Slytherin
Q is a pure agent of chaos. He is the Peeves of the Enterprise, showing up to make mischief whenever he pleases. He has a superiority complex, seeing humanoids as puny compared to his omnipotence. They are merely his playthings, and he is their judge. Q will put the Enterprise through hell to make a point. In his mind, the ends justify the means. And the means are fun.
What do you think? Is this where the Sorting Hat would place the characters of The Next Generation?
