And the only time I've ever seen a Commander take control of a ship was in the absence of a Captain. Although it may be canon that Commanders can command ships, according to the various series anyway, they rarely do.
We know that the Commanders on the Enterprise regularly take command when the Captain is off duty. Riker and Crusher in particular. We also saw the Commander on board the Enterprise C take over when his Captain died. Or was he a lieutenant?
As for the numerous amounts of them aboard the Enterprise, I would venture three guesses.
1. They have a ton because they always have several high ranking officers on Away Missions, which could potentially result in heavily casualties. Thus requiring command staff at the helm of the ship.
At the outset of the series, it was just Crusher and Riker, then the others started earning the rank too. Pointing to option 2 as more likely.
2. The distinguished career of the Enterprise allowed these select officers to reach ranks they normally wouldn't have attained in the time period given.
The Enterprise did do quite a bit, so her crew did have more opportunity to climb ranks.
3. More command staff makes for better tv 
I was Phelix on wotmania, I will always be Phelix in the "real" world, and now I am Phelix on RAFO.
You will make all kinds of mistakes; but as long as you are generous and true and also fierce you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her.- Churchill
*MySmiley*
You will make all kinds of mistakes; but as long as you are generous and true and also fierce you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her.- Churchill
*MySmiley*
Star Trek
- 07/09/2010 05:29:20 AM
964 Views
Well I'm a huge Trek fan.
- 07/09/2010 06:00:10 AM
685 Views
Nice. 
- 07/09/2010 07:06:44 AM
718 Views
- 07/09/2010 07:06:44 AM
718 Views
