If Picard ever died, do you think Riker would...

I think Christopher made good points. Since Riker moved to the Titan, he would not be considered automatocally. Also as was said, he seems happy commanding the Titan.

 

Possibly. I was half asleep when I posted that.

 

All the events on film depicting Riker wanting and moving to become Enterprise captain have to be considered in context. He has his own ship and is making his own accomplishments now. It wouldn't simply moving up to the big chair, it'd be moving over to a new big chair. He has proven he doesn't need to do that, besides it isn't the same Enterprise as when he served.

 

Well, yes, it is. Riker served aboard the Enterprise-E for over seven years, nearly as long as he served aboard its predecessor.

 

Chris,

Good question about Tryla Scott. Is she still around? I thought she was an intriguing character being the youngest person to make captain, at that time in TNG anyway. Seemed like she would've had a lot of potential and could've gone places.

Also, I agree with the idea that commanding a starship isn't Picard's whole life. As much as I enjoyed Kirk's advice to Picard in GEN that advice probably suited Kirk more than Picard. Picard is a scholar, archaeologist, etc. TNG established that he is a renaissance man. I think he would make a great diplomat. I think it would be a natural progression for the character. Either that or following Professor Galen's footsteps.

 

^ I thought she died in the parasite crisis?

 

Scott and the other infectees were shot by Picard and Riker in the climax of "Conspiracy," but it's unclear whether they were killed.

 

I suspect that Picard's ultimate destiny (no play on the title intended) is to follow in the footsteps of Sarek and become an Ambassador. I would like to imagine that after the Borg war has ended, he may well decide that he wishes to spend his energy working for peace instead of seeking destruction. I would think that the lingering effects of his meld with Sarek might continue to influence his choices for the remainder of his life.

As for Riker, I would imagine that it's almost unheard of to turn down a command once it's offered to you and imagine you'll ever be offered another. In the Aubrey-Maturin series (I know, not Trek), there was a point made to the effect that even if an officer was offered the crappiest command available, if he had the stones to turn it down, he'd likely never command anything ever again. I know Riker turned down offers on a handful of occasions, so I guess Starfleet is either more lax on the subject than I expect them to be, or else he's just that much of a Big Damn Hero to where he can afford to be that choosy. Officers higher up found his decisions shocking. My guess is that Aubrey's navy isn't all that different from Starfleet in regards to taking ships when they're offered. Riker was "offered" commands, but I can also see times where Captains would be "required" to take another command. I dunno.

My guess is that eventually, Riker will move upward and accept another command. Who was it - Picard? - who said that you never forget your first command, and that even when you move on to other ships, you still miss her?

 

I think Picard should be killed... in the Voyager Relaunch -- in a book whose cover has a huge face of Geordi on it. It's only fair. But be sure to install the obvious reset button that may or may not ever get used.

Seriously though, I don't think Riker would or should take that command. I would even go so far as to say Starfleet shouldn't even allow him to take it if he asked for it.

 

I don't see Riker accepting any command as long as he has the Titan, and he would probably disagree with the idea that it would be moving 'upwards' to do so. Of course, a Trek captain can have multiple commands in his lifetime for the simple reason ships get destroyed or are decomissioned. But the Titan's a brand new design; she ought to have many more years of service left in her.

Creditorly yours, the Rent Woman

 

I always thought it felt right for Riker to eventually get a shot at the Enterprise, but you guys make a lot of good arguments for why he might stay on the Titan.

If Picard actually does step down, would TPTB actually create a new character to take his place or go with someone established, like promoting Worf? I just wonder if it's ever been pondered or proposed: the idea of introducing a totally new Trek lit character as a Picard successor.

Also, are there already any established/onscreen characters besides Worf or Riker that you could see taking over after Picard? Same question for previously established Trek Lit characters?

 

^ Many things have been both pondered and proposed, yes....

 

Martin Madden would come back from the cutting room floor to take the center seat.

 

Well, of course Picard will die - at some point.

My hope is that it won't occur anytime soon, as I'm really enjoying seeing him experience a little more joy in life - Beverly and the baby on the way - to balance the sheer tragedy of his personal life (if not professional) to date.

Book-wise, it doesn't make much sense to launch Titan under Riker's command, with all the rich, detailed, portraits of the crew, only to jettison them all so as to bring Riker back to the E.

In many ways, Riker is getting to live the life that Picard had on the Stargazer - that of an explorer. And I would have thought that he would relish it.

 

You know I was thinking of that as a possibility. Are there any plans to bring Madden into the current Trek lit continuity? I know he was in at least one alternate universe in Q & A, but is that the last we will see of him?

 

I doubt very much that Riker would leave Titan, but if he did, the series wouldn't necessarily have to end, it could always just continue with Vale or Tuvok in command.

 

Elias Vaughn.

Although something far more interesting and far less impossible (though still unlikely) would be something set 5-10 years after Destiny and the current relaunch timelines, with Worf commanding the Enterprise, Geordi as his first officer, a newly promoted Reg Barclay as chief engineer, and various guest star appearances by the current main characters who've moved on. Think Admiral Picard. Think Akaar running for president. The possibilities are there, but the real question is are the book storylines planned out anywhere near that far in advance?

 

Not necessarily. We've already seen a couple of Luna Class ships bite the bull... I mean phaser beam.

Spoiler: They are

Charon was destroyed, Luna's been listed as severely damaged in a training exercise, I don't recall it saying specifically if Rhea or just her crew was recovered (perhaps Christopher can clear this up?).

 

^ That's normal losses through accidents and battle casualties. When I speak of 'years of service', I refer to how much time before the class would be decommissioned. Short of getting blown up, the Titan ought to have many more years of service left in her.

Creditorly yours, the Rent Woman