Riker: Why The Hate?

[The Old Mixer]

It was especially dubious when just a handful of episodes before, Picard had literally begged Worf to donate his plasma to the dying Romulan, as a personal favor to Picard, and Worf had refused. So it was an out-of-left-field character choice in the first place, compounded by reset-button writing.

When Riker participated in Worf's holodeck program, Picard offered that some aspects of the Klingon psyche should remain unknown; when Riker dived into Klingon cuisine with gusto in preparation for his exchange assignment, Picard was clearly revolted at the sight of what Riker was eating.

But as a stand-alone, "Sins of the Father" worked very well, because it was Patrick Stewart at his Shakespearian finest. I can perfectly understand their choice, because Frakes just wouldn't have brought the same gravitas to that episode and Picard's later role as Arbiter of Succession. But they sure weren't doing the character of Riker any favors when they started down this path.

 

[The Old Mixer]

On the topic of Riker turning down promotions...viewing "The Best of Both Worlds" as a stand-alone, it's put to good use there...but that was the third time they'd rolled that story point out in three seasons! They could have avoided going there again so soon as a small concession to those of us who had stoically endured "The Icarus Factor".

 

[Nebusj]

CaptainStoner said:
Well I think some of those comments are obviously in fun, something that doesn't always translate in text. Just people goofing on him.

Most of it is in fun. The underlying truth to the jokes which makes them sting -- and stick around -- is that he didn't actually have anything to do so that most of his scenes after they got over the idea of having him turn down promotions is having him sit around needing the other characters to explain plot points to him. About the only episode where it actually mattered who Riker was was The Icarus Factor, and nothing happened in The Icarus Factor.

 

[MrPointy]

Riker's cool. He's the Kirk who got a bit too comfortable.

 

[Spider]

MrPointy said:
Riker's cool. He's the Kirk who got a bit too comfortable.

A role in life I myself wouldn't mind having.

 

[Emher]

Well I like Riker at least. I think Frakes did a great job with him, but the writers sure could have done a better job.

AstroMike said:
The novels are fantastic and have taken his character to another level.

Which novels are these that you refer to? I want to at some point start reading some Trek stuff.

 

[Jack Bauer]

Emher said:
Well I like Riker at least. I think Frakes did a great job with him, but the writers sure could have done a better job.

AstroMike said:
The novels are fantastic and have taken his character to another level.

Which novels are these that you refer to? I want to at some point start reading some Trek stuff.

Probably the Titan series starting with Taking Wing then The Red King
and Orion's Hounds.

 

[doubleohfive]

I liked Riker. Man opened up a can of whoopass on the Borg. How do you not dig that?

 

[Saxman1]

doubleohfive said:
I liked Riker. Man opened up a can of whoppass on the Borg. How do you not dig that?

Areed. Always liked the character and the actor. I liked all the TNG regulars except Yasha Tar, who bought the farm from the man made of tar!

 

[TheMasterOfOrion]

I think Riker was a fantastic character, great actor, very well written.

how could you not love the guy ?

 

[Jerethi]

I rather liked Riker in the earlier seasons, but towards the end of TNG's run he tended to be too much of a yes man. He based many of his words and actions on whether Picard would approve, rather than exercising any kind of independent thought or judgment.