"Second Chances" ~ would you like you?

I'm newly returned to TBBS, so forgive me if this has been a recent issue.
But I re-watched 'Second Chances', TNG. ~ (when the other Riker appears) the other night and fell asleep thinking 'What would I think of myself, if I was introduced to "me"?'
It's not just a Star Trek question, but do you think you would get on with "you"?
I think JF played it well, the disbelief, the distrust and I also think he saw bits in him that he didn't like.
I think I would like me. As long as the bad and the good bit of me balanced themselves out. Otherwise...

So what would you think of you?

 

I'd punch myself in the throat.

 

Exactly.

If I encountered myself from 8 years ago. I'd kick my own ass. Then put it on a modified diet. She might be happy being obese, but it cost in the end. I think she would be shocked to see a slimmer version of her. Then it will look like that commercial where the one chick who is now slimmer consoling her former heavy self.

 

Oh guys, it can't have been that bad!
But if you think it was, then think how much you've changed.

Please tell me you are happier. I have been away for a while and have not caught up with everybody yet.

Have I made a total and utter cock-up already

 

I'd invite that beautiful bastard I am out on the town, find us a sexy lady ... and have ourselves a 3some!

>>SNORT!!!<<

 

Now there is a man who knows himself!

Nice to meet you 2takes

 

Hello, K'Ehleyr! Good seein' ya!

 

We would put out a Federation APB out for 'Frakes and 'FFrakes, find them both, and I do not know what kind of 5 or 6 or whatever'some we would have, but it would be Sum Thing... ...We're buyin', 'Frakes!...rock and roll!!!!

 

Ditto. I'd do it twice, for good measure! Welcome back K'Ehleyr.

 

Sperm Banks in the area are offering Top Dollar for my seed - and for good reason: The Best in Life Ain't Free! And were I to contribute to such a worthy cause and find out later - much later - that my DNA sample was used to make an exact replica of me, what can I say? I wouldn't be the way Picard took it, when he found out about Shinzon ... I'd be flattered! I've always thought it absurd, this ban against cloning. Women would thrill at having a 2takesfrakes for every mood and Fine Art Circles would collectively kiss my asses, when I - we - became the avant-garde of the new asthetic! Strength in Numbers! I'd finally get to make ALL of my dreams come true ... simultaneously! Oh, I'm liking this idea ... cloning would do me good.

 

Back to the original topic.

In the context of this darn fine TNG episode (one of my favorites, I was positively surprised how the producers screwed my expectations, i.e. one of the Rikers being killed at the end) Thomas Riker had lived like Robinson Crusoe, isolated from the rest of the world with plenty of time to think about himself.

Considering I probably never devoted enough time of my life to think and reflect my previous actions and biography, it would be a truly fascinating idea to hear what my other self has come up and could enlighten me with.

Bob

 

It would be like having a really annoying brother. The 2nd me would want all of 1st me's stuff.

 

I tried to have this debate with someone once. I tried to convince them that the person they are today is related to the person they were two-decades ago, but that the accumulated experiences of that 20 years means the "now" you has got perspective that the "then" you doesn't, which means however much you are the same person, you are also very different on a fundamental level.

The other guy didn't bite. He simply said he knows he's the same person, even if looking back at his past self makes his present self cringe.

Really, that's what "Second Chances" is all about. Will Riker gets cold water splashed in his face when his (effectively) decades old self comes back and gives him a stark reminder how much he's changed in all those years... but then, he decides those changes aren't necessarily such a bad thing after all.

 

Did we ever see Will Riker talk about the events of this episodes again (i.e. after the episode)?

 

I don't think that it was. It would have been nice to have an odd comment once or twice from Will or Deanna about how Tom was doing.

 

I do find it regrettable that they never followed up on Tom. DS9 really should've devoted one last episode to tying up this loose end, especially after hanging such a sequel hook in "Defiant".

 

I know! I wish they'd rescued him, or at least given us an update.

 

If I met a past version of myself that was stranded similarly to Tomas, I'd think we'd get along. I'd spoil him with all of the things I've enjoyed over the years, avoid the things I didn't.

 

Thanks, WillsBabe

 

I don't know whom it would be harder on: Me seeing who I was, or past me seeing what I've become.