Was Riker a jerk to Shelby?

[Gul Bones]

Was just watching BOBW yesterday and I still can't escape the conclusion - Riker was a douche to Shelby.

I genuinely think he was jealous of Shelby who seemed to be one step ahead of him all the time. Particularly the scene in engineering where they are trying to find ways to adapt their weapons to fight the Borg, Shelby is still full of ideas but Riker sends everyone to bed?

I will say that Shelby did take the initiative a bit too easily at times and she was wrong to go to Picard over Riker's head about her idea for the saucer separation rather than go through Riker first. I can understand his annoyance there.

However, I think Riker was almost intimidated by Shelby and was hyper defensive from the start, which got in the way of his professionalism.

Put it this way if Riker was the guest star and Shelby was the regular it would be pretty clear who was in the wrong in this situation but because we know Riker more we are inclined to take his side more even though if you look at it objectively he was in the wrong IMO.

Thoughts?

 

[trekkiebaggio]

Riker does seem to have a bit of a problem with people who come in and shake up the status quo.

 

[Satyrquaze]

In fairness, he professionally welcomed her as a collegue to work on an important project, and she let him know that she was after his job and she then disregarded his orders from there on in. She went from professional collegue to political rival right there, and she initiated it.

I'm not saying Riker was innocent here, but she put him on the defensive right out of the gate. She let her ambition make a dangerous situation even worse.

"The Borg are about assimilate earth? Oh, this is the perfect time to advance my career."

 

[Sysyphyx]

Riker was a territorial douchebag prick throughout the entire series, but by his own admission thats why Picard chose him as his first officer. Also, l don't think Will likes blondes. Shelby's late 80's glow-fro was a threat to his dark, slick demeanor.

 

[FreddyE]

SHE was the jerk IMHO...going "oh...and I´ll take your job".

 

[sonak]

SHE was the jerk IMHO...going "oh...and I´ll take your job".

At the time she said that she thought he was leaving to become a captain, so that's hardly the jerk line that you think it was.


I generally agree with the analysis of the thread-starter.

Riker comes off as jealous of a younger, hotshot rival, and her presence makes him uncomfortable as its a reminder of what he used to be.


And that scene where he tells Shelby in front of the whole senior staff that he's only "reluctantly" making her his XO? What a dick .

 

[Mytran]

Riker was similiarly unprofessional when Captain Jellico became his CO. He really does have issues when it comes to change...

 

[SchwEnt]

Yes, I think there's something more. It's not so much Riker having something personal against Shelby herself. I think there's quite a bit uncomfortable reminder of how he used to be (he says as much himself) and he takes it out on her.

But even though Riker says Shelby reminds him of how he used to be, I don't recall Riker ever acting like that. Maybe pre-Farpoint, before we met him.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Riker and Jellico both rubbed each other the wrong way, but with Shelby it was more like Riker getting a taste of his own medicine (prior to the Enterprise, Riker was probably very much like Shelby).

 

[BillJ]

But even though Riker says Shelby reminds him of how he used to be, I don't recall Riker ever acting like that. Maybe pre-Farpoint, before we met him.

I doubt someone who has "resistant to change" on his personnel file would rise to Executive Officer of the flagship or be offered three different commands (Drake, Aries & Melbourne) in less than three years.

 

[SchwEnt]

^^^ Oh I don't dispute it or reject Riker's claims.
I just don't recall any early eps with Riker acting like Shelby does (as he claims he did).

He says he used to be a lot like Shelby, but at least from what we see on-screen in eps, I don't recall any scenes like that. Got examples? As I said, probably true just pre-Farpoint.

 

[Relayer1]

Haven't seen it for a while, but I remember Shelby being a pushy ambitious ingratiating arse, backstabbing and too full of herself, needing taking down several pegs and Riker was defensive and resistant to change.

I'd say Shelby won the douche award hands down...

 

[Sindatur]

I think they're both at fault. She started it by coming in insubordinate, disrespectful and making it clear she was going to take his job. He should have handled it more professionally, but, he was jealous and his ego was hurt, and he acted vengefully, rather than simply putting her in her place

 

[BillJ]

After this episode the Riker character was no longer believable. They need experienced officers to command ships as the fleet is rebuilt and he's spinning his tires in the XO position.

 

[doubleohfive]

Riker was a territorial douchebag prick throughout the entire series, but by his own admission thats why Picard chose him as his first officer. Also, l don't think Will likes blondes. Shelby's late 80's glow-fro was a threat to his dark, slick demeanor.

I sincerely hope "dark, slick demeanor" isn't a euphemism for the ol' stinknuts.

 

[doubleohfive]

I wonder what it says about Riker that he was so standoffish with Ro, and only to go to bed with her after they'd both had their memories wiped?

 

[Relayer1]

Shelby's late 80's glow-fro was a threat to his dark, slick demeanor.

Yup, that weas a truly world class bad hairstyle...

 

[SchwEnt]

Slightly OT about Riker being a jerk, but I never liked his line about his career plans being his own business.

Really? Is that how Starfleet works? Aren't there such things as orders? Orders such as "you are requested and required to take command of..."

If Starfleet needs experienced officers to take command and assume postings, they issue such orders. Is it really Riker's option to choose his own posting where he wants to serve and in what capacity?

 

[Balrog]

Starfleet is not military in the modern sense, but more "quasi-military". Sounds like the people in it could mostly come and go as they pleased.

 

[Relayer1]

Slightly OT about Riker being a jerk, but I never liked his line about his career plans being his own business.

Really? Is that how Starfleet works? Aren't there such things as orders? Orders such as "you are requested and required to take command of..."

If Starfleet needs experienced officers to take command and assume postings, they issue such orders. Is it really Riker's option to choose his own posting where he wants to serve and in what capacity?

Starfleet cannot force you to do anything. Following orders is up to you, the alternative being resigning your commission, which seems rather easier than in todays military.