PATREON EXCLUSIVE - Riker/Picard Dynamic Moving Forward | Star Trek Journey 182
Added 2024-08-22 12:01:01 +0000 UTCThis is a NEW Patreon benefit! For each TNG episode we will have a Patreon EXCLUSIVE discussion segment. TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC tier Patrons get to suggest these topic ideas, but this one was chosen by us
Comments
I think that Riker is happy and comfortable where he is. He thought he wanted it all but in actuality he likes the number 2 spot! He has a family there. It may be the same reason everyone on TOS hung together for so long. Chekov was the Xo of the Reliant then he spent like the next 10 years as 2nd officer.
Philbot
2025-06-15 16:23:46 +0000 UTCThis exactly! I think Riker's whole story arc here was realizing that ambition isn't everything. He's more than capable of being captain, but he doesn't NEED to be captain, and he realized that he's actually happier right now being second officer on the Enterprise. Good thing too. Look at what would have happened if he did what he was "supposed" to do and took command of the Melbourne? Not only would he be dead, but Picard would have been lost, and most likely Earth as well. I think he learned that he is already right where he needs to be.
BN13
2024-09-10 18:20:52 +0000 UTCI think you're reading too much into Riker's "My career is my own business" line. I never took it as being aimed at the fans.
Charlie's Illiteracy
2024-08-25 21:16:15 +0000 UTCAlso, keep in mind that Starfleet just lost 39 ships. That gives the writers a plausible reason why Riker necessarily wouldn't be offered a new captaincy for awhile.
Charlie's Illiteracy
2024-08-25 21:14:46 +0000 UTCWhile I would have enjoyed a Riker/Shelby show, I recognize that if you can get Patrick Stewart back for season 4, that's what you do. As an actor, he is far and away more talented than Jonathan Frakes. And don't get me wrong; Riker is one of my favorites. But Frakes just can't give you the same stuff Stewart does.
Charlie's Illiteracy
2024-08-25 21:13:47 +0000 UTCYou know the show is episodic. And you liked that. You know when it was made and the rules of the time. And you recognized that. You wanted the crew be together. And didn't like replacements like Pulaski. So why do you develop seeing "problems" now you never had before?
Sam Langanke
2024-08-23 15:43:27 +0000 UTCI interpreted the ending of BoBW a little differently, I think - I saw it as Riker saying, "I don't need to be a captain. The Enterprise is where I want to be, and being here is more important to me."
Steven Linden
2024-08-23 00:02:43 +0000 UTCIn reality, there's no way Picard would ever command Enterprise again. There would be months of therapy and rest, followed by a desk job, if not retirement. That said, Riker would remain as first officer for a time with unsaid orders to keep an eye on Picard to ensure he really is okay.
Mark Chrisco
2024-08-22 20:54:57 +0000 UTCRiker knows that the Enterprise is exactly where he needs to be.
Michael Metrick
2024-08-22 20:33:02 +0000 UTCA little bit yeah
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-08-22 18:57:33 +0000 UTCThere's lots more Shelby as XO to be had in the ST: New Frontier novels. I personally think they get weird and kind of fall off towards the end of the run, but the four novella omnibus that kicks it off is worth a read at least.
Avaria
2024-08-22 18:27:34 +0000 UTCDon't you think you're suddenly wishing for TNG to not be episodic anymore?
ellmo
2024-08-22 18:04:24 +0000 UTCYou know....I've heard that the original plan, or at least hope from the show runners, was to have Riker leave to command his own ship in an all new show...with Shelby as his First Officer. As much as I adore this series as it is...I'll kind of always consider that a missed opportunity. It would have been an awesome way to see Riker grow in new ways, and his dynamic would Shelby would have made a FANTASTIC pairing for Captain and XO. Plus, we'd still have gotten just AS MUCH of Riker, if not more, than we do on TNG, we'd have gotten a whole new cast of (presumably) amazing characters to love, as well as a new character introduced to the bridge of the Enterprise when the structure gets reshuffled to allow Data to step up and become Picard's First Officer. All around, I am...ultimately...sad it never happened.
Ragnarok
2024-08-22 17:40:12 +0000 UTCThe only way Riker could stay captain would be on his own ship and new Star Trek show.
Aaron Holden
2024-08-22 14:56:51 +0000 UTCI think that one key in universe explanation for Riker's ongoing reluctance to accept the offer of captain elsewhere is that the Enterprise isn't just any ship in Star Fleet but rather the flagship. So is it better to stay first officer there perhaps and be part of all the plum missions rather than be captain of a ship mapping dull areas of space?
DG
2024-08-22 14:55:47 +0000 UTC"That should be fun." Oh Josh, you have not idea. Looking forward to it.
Collin Freeman
2024-08-22 13:08:57 +0000 UTC
