Spoilers Santiago Cabrera as Captain Cristóbal "Chris" Rios

[Gilora]

I don't think these are clues pointing to Rios being a hologram, it's a pretty massive reach to try to make them so.
Reading a philosophical book about life and death? He has been shown to have deep-seated issues around the violent death of his former captain, so the book relates to his struggle with that - a very human reaction.
He did not seem happy about Picard automatically assuming command, he simply did not overreact - he gave a very pointed look the first time and Picard backed down at once, and the second time was in a fraught combat situation where not engaging in even a minor power struggle was the correct thing to do, especially since Picard was advocating a course of action he agreed with (and let us note that Raffi didn't comply until Rios confirmed the order). His reaction isn't evidence that he is secretly a hologram, but rather is strong characterisation, showing us what kind of captain he is - calm, measured, patient, not prone to losing his head in a crisis or to overreacting when elderly passengers long-accustomed to command (and who he secretly admires) default to giving orders in times of heightened emotion.
There is no evidence that the medkit was anything but what it seemed: a medkit, transported to the location where it was needed, as was his drink - which he offered to Picard, let us remember, so that was clearly not holographic.

There is absolutely zero evidence that Rios is a hologram, while conversely, all evidence both on and off-screen is that he is human.

Okay.

 

[DaveyNY]

As an aside, has Rios's ship been mentioned by name yet?

Yes, he said it in Hispanic at one point, I think he was talking to one of his EH's.
I can't remember which of the last couple of episodes it was though.

 

[zenophite]

Yes, he said it in Hispanic at one point

What language is "Hispanic"?

In general I've liked Cabrera in the stuff I've seen him in and this is no different. He definitely elevates the material beyond the Han Solo pastiche it could otherwise become.

 

[XCV330]

Rios flying with an as yet unknown number of Rios-holograms each with a different accent is one of the funnest personality quirks I have seen on trek in awhile. Why does Rios hate the EHH? Why does Emmet get a name when the others don't?

 

[Kilana2]

Rios flying with an as yet unknown number of Rios-holograms each with a different accent is one of the funnest personality quirks I have seen on trek in awhile. Why does Rios hate the EHH? Why does Emmet get a name when the others don't?

Kirsten Beyer is involved in the show. She has also....

Spoiler: Voyager books

... written several Voyager novels. USS Galen is commanded by Clarissa Glen and the crew consists of advanced holograms.... Kirsten Beyer obviously is fond of holograms...

 

[Morph]

OK, here's my take on it. I believe Rios is a hologram. I know it's a stretch, but I'm of the mindset that he's "The Doctor". When the attack on Mars came all synths were outlawed. Either he made a career change at some point or what I don't know. Being that "The Doctor" was a self-aware program I would think he might have been targeted liek all synths were. To protect himself he created a new personality and hides himself away on a ship. Doesn't like people or very apprehensive of them for the fact that if he's found out he's targeted for deletion.
The ship is made up of holograms. Right now he doesn't trust humans very much, and can only rely on the holograms.
He doesn't like the EMH very much, because he once was one.
Didn't the Doctor have a love of Klingon opera?
Reading books on life and death? Wasn't that a big thing for the Doctor? To identify if he was real or not? Living or "dead"? There was a whole episode around it when he had that malfunction.
He took command of Voyager once before. So who's to say when he went into hiding he could have re-written his programming and backed up "The Doctor" aspect of himself. It's there, but not "online" which could be some reason why he didn't know who 7of9 was in the last episode.

As I said, I know it's a stretch. But there have been a number of things that have made me think this. I can hope it's true. Heck, it'd be awesome if we find out that's exactly who it is. But there we go. My thoughts on Rios.

 

[The Old Mixer]

I believe Rios is a hologram.

I may have to create a jar for this.

ETA: And Brian Brophy.

 

[Hythlodeus]

He used a transporter, he smells, he's able to use drugs.. Yep, sure, he's a hologram.

 

[Morph]

He used a transporter, he smells, he's able to use drugs.. Yep, sure, he's a hologram.

Hey, I know, that's why I said it was a stretch.
But with the programming of The Doctor and his mobile emitter; you never know. He did strive to become more and more human.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I may have to create a jar for this.

ETA: And Brian Brophy.

Wait, Brian Brophy is a hologram???

 

[Succubint]

He's turning out to be quite interesting as a character. Less a Solo-type caricature than anticipated. I like his camaraderie with Raffi and amused acceptance of Jurati and Elnor. The various emergency holograms are giving me insight into other possible aspects of his personality. Can't wait to dig more into his backstory.

 

[DaveyNY]

Hey, I know, that's why I said it was a stretch.
But with the programming of The Doctor and his mobile emitter; you never know. He did strive to become more and more human.

It's more like a reach than a stretch.

Maybe his cigar is a hologram and he's only faking smoking.

 

[The Old Mixer]

It's a Reed Richards turning his body into a parachute stretch.

 

[Kilana2]

Wait, Brian Brophy is a hologram???

Indeed. Brian Brophy is the most wanted hologram in the Alpha Quadrant, created by Reg Barclay, with the help of Lewis Zimmerman.

 

[DaveyNY]

Brologram for Mongo ...

Brologram for Mongo ...

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[Yistaan]

I think Rios is going to be key to uncovering Maddox's murder. I'm waiting for the scene where his holograms surround Agnes and she desperately, repeatedly screams, "Computer, deactivate holograms!"

 

[ThreeEdgedSword]

Oooh, like a Greek chorus... That could be aewsome!

 

[Tarek71]

He's turning out to be quite interesting as a character. Less a Solo-type caricature than anticipated. I like his camaraderie with Raffi and amused acceptance of Jurati and Elnor. The various emergency holograms are giving me insight into other possible aspects of his personality. Can't wait to dig more into his backstory.

I think they will kill him off though. I don't think Rios survives the season. Cabrera will still be in the show because he plays the holograms too, but I suspect they will be opening up the Captain's chair for some else to sit in it for next season. Some obvious candidates for his replacement are already on board.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I think they will kill him off though. I don't think Rios survives the season. Cabrera will still be in the show because he plays the holograms too, but I suspect they will be opening up the Captain's chair for some else to sit in it for next season. Some obvious candidates for his replacement are already on board.

I don't think Agnes is Captain material.

 

[Tarek71]

Agnes is headed for the Federation Funny Farm.