Theory Re: Why Riker's Such A Jerk Sometimes

[MikeH92467]

The XO of any ship (or any military organization) is not going to win any popularity contests. It's the Captain's privilege to be the impressive "old man" and make decisions and sometimes soften the impact when he/she thinks the XO is being too tough. It's a "good cop/bad cop" type of situation.

"If the crew doesn't hate the XO, he's not doing his job." - Saul Tigh

Very much what I was getting at. However, I think Riker did a pretty good job of balancing his personality with his job. It looks like he was fairly popular and managed to be pleasant at most times. Of course, he was always going to be feared to a certain extent, because getting on his wrong side could break your career track.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I agree with the assertion that Riker was only a jerk to...well, jerks. Ro Laren, for example. She needed to be taken down a peg, and Riker was the perfect person to do it. And in that case, if Ro hadn't decided to be a jackass right back to him, then there wouldn't have been a problem.

 

[desfem79]

Well jerk and fancy concurrently lol.. At least he "had his piece" in Conundrum, which Deanna endorsed lol..

As for scolding poor performers, it's his job. Which manager (which all senior officers in any military installation are by definition*) wouldn't? Was Picard a "dick" to Worf for killing Duras? To Beverly for doing an autopsy on the Ferengi scientist? To Data for being duplicitous in Clues?

* I know Starfleet is not exclusively military but it's structure, norms, customs and regulations are copied from the US Navy.