William Riker
Encyclopedia
William Thomas Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes
, is a fictional character in the Star Trek
universe
primarily appearing as a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation
. Throughout the series and the series of films, he is the Enterprise First Officer until he accepts command of the USS Titan at the end of the Star Trek: Nemesis
.
, and then through the Paramount execs, including the vice-president himself and the heads of television."
. He is also usually (and informally) called "Number One" by Captain Picard, due to his position as First Officer on the Enterprise.
Riker's background is first explored in the second-season episode, The Icarus Factor. In the episode, Riker's estranged father Kyle visits the Enterprise to offer his son the command of the USS Aries, which Riker refuses. We learn that Riker grew up in Valdez, Alaska
, that his mother Elizabeth died when he was two years old, and that he was raised by his father until the age of 15, when he left home. In the episode, Riker has not spoken with his father for fifteen years, but they manage to partially mend their relationship over a game of martial-arts sparring
called Anbo-jitsu. In the episode "Lower Decks" a junior officer mistakenly believes that Riker is Canadian.
In two-parter "The Best of Both Worlds" Riker takes command of the Enterprise assuming the rank of Captain through a field promotion and orchestrates Picard's rescue. The sixth-season episode "Second Chances" reveals Will Riker was duplicated long ago by a transporter
malfunction. The "second" Riker takes the name "Thomas
", which is revealed to be William Riker's middle name. In the seventh-season episode "The Pegasus", Riker must confront his former commanding officer, Admiral Eric Pressman, over a cover-up related to the destruction of the USS Pegasus.
Before the beginning of the series, Riker was involved in a romantic relationship with Counselor Troi
on her home planet of Betazed
. They often refer to each other as imzadi, which is a Betazoid term of endearment, meaning "beloved". The novel Imzadi
takes place before the beginning of the series and explores the history of the relationship between the two characters. The two characters are close friends throughout the series, but their relationship does not resume until Star Trek: Insurrection
, the third Star Trek film set in the Next Generation era, although Thomas Riker, the duplicate created by a transporter malfunction, attempts to re-spark their relationship in "Second Chances". The following movie, Star Trek Nemesis, begins with their wedding on board the Enterprise-E. By the end of the film, Riker finally accepts a promotion to Captain
and an offer to command the USS Titan; during the movie's final scenes he bids Picard, and the Enterprise, farewell.
Riker was originally scripted as a much more serious, by-the-book officer—by the middle episodes of the first season, however, it was felt that he was too "official", and his character was toned down, and became more of a ladies' man. Although Riker was cleanshaven for the first season, he grew a beard at the start of the second that later would become something of a trademark. Frakes had grown a beard between seasons, and Gene Rodenberry asked him to keep it, as he thought it made Riker look more dignified. As many believe the show improved significantly after the first season, some fans joke that the quality of an episode can quickly be discerned by the presence or absence of Riker's beard.
", a TNG episode in which it was established that Riker had a "twin
" created years earlier by a transporter malfunction. A similar scenario had previously been explored in Star Trek: The Original Series
with Captain Kirk's evil twin being created. Frakes appeared as the twin, Thomas Riker
, in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
episode "Defiant
", in which he impersonates the other Riker in order to commandeer the starship Defiant as a member of the Maquis. The following year he guest-starred as Commander Riker along with Q in the Star Trek Voyager episode "Death Wish". Frakes reprised his role of Commander Riker in the 2005 Enterprise
series finale, "These Are the Voyages...".
Jonathan Frakes
Jonathan Scott Frakes is an American actor, author and director best known for his role as Commander William T. Riker in the Star Trek franchise, as well as for his tenure as host of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction ....
, is a fictional character in the Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
primarily appearing as a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
. Throughout the series and the series of films, he is the Enterprise First Officer until he accepts command of the USS Titan at the end of the Star Trek: Nemesis
Star Trek: Nemesis
Star Trek Nemesis is a 2002 science fiction film directed by Stuart Baird, written by John Logan , and with music composed by Jerry Goldsmith. It is the tenth feature film in the Star Trek franchise, and the fourth and final film to star the cast from the television series Star Trek: The Next...
.
Casting
Frakes went to seven auditions over six weeks before being cast as Riker. Frakes stated: "I started with the cattle call, then the casting director, the producer, then other directors, to Gene RoddenberryGene Roddenberry
Eugene Wesley "Gene" Roddenberry was an American television screenwriter, producer and futurist, best known for creating the American science fiction series Star Trek. Born in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry grew up in Los Angeles, California where his father worked as a police officer...
, and then through the Paramount execs, including the vice-president himself and the heads of television."
Character story
For the first two seasons, Riker is portrayed as bold and confident, an ambitious young officer; however, over time Riker's character becomes more reserved, as experience teaches him the wisdom of a patient, careful approach. He becomes comfortable on the Enterprise, repeatedly turning down offers of his own command, and he learns to cherish the company of his fellow officers. Nonetheless, Riker retains a willingness to occasionally disregard the chain of command. Riker is usually referred to as "Will", although in early first season episodes of TNG he is sometimes called "Bill" by Deanna TroiDeanna Troi
Commander Deanna Troi is a main character in the science-fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and related TV series and films, portrayed by actress Marina Sirtis. Troi is half-human, half-Betazoid and has the psionic ability to sense emotions. She serves as the ship's counselor...
. He is also usually (and informally) called "Number One" by Captain Picard, due to his position as First Officer on the Enterprise.
Riker's background is first explored in the second-season episode, The Icarus Factor. In the episode, Riker's estranged father Kyle visits the Enterprise to offer his son the command of the USS Aries, which Riker refuses. We learn that Riker grew up in Valdez, Alaska
Valdez, Alaska
Valdez is a city in Valdez-Cordova Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 4,020. The city is one of the most important ports in Alaska. The port of Valdez was named in 1790 after the Spanish naval officer Antonio Valdés y...
, that his mother Elizabeth died when he was two years old, and that he was raised by his father until the age of 15, when he left home. In the episode, Riker has not spoken with his father for fifteen years, but they manage to partially mend their relationship over a game of martial-arts sparring
Sparring
Sparring is a form of training common to many martial arts. Although the precise form varies, it is essentially relatively 'free-form' fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely...
called Anbo-jitsu. In the episode "Lower Decks" a junior officer mistakenly believes that Riker is Canadian.
In two-parter "The Best of Both Worlds" Riker takes command of the Enterprise assuming the rank of Captain through a field promotion and orchestrates Picard's rescue. The sixth-season episode "Second Chances" reveals Will Riker was duplicated long ago by a transporter
Transporter (Star Trek)
A transporter is a fictional teleportation machine used in the Star Trek universe. Transporters convert a person or object into an energy pattern , then "beam" it to a target, where it is reconverted into matter...
malfunction. The "second" Riker takes the name "Thomas
Thomas Riker
William Thomas "Tom" Riker is a fictional character from the Star Trek universe, played by actor Jonathan Frakes. He is a duplicate of William Riker, a regular character on Star Trek: The Next Generation, also played by Frakes, who was created by a transporter accident when Riker served as second...
", which is revealed to be William Riker's middle name. In the seventh-season episode "The Pegasus", Riker must confront his former commanding officer, Admiral Eric Pressman, over a cover-up related to the destruction of the USS Pegasus.
Before the beginning of the series, Riker was involved in a romantic relationship with Counselor Troi
Deanna Troi
Commander Deanna Troi is a main character in the science-fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and related TV series and films, portrayed by actress Marina Sirtis. Troi is half-human, half-Betazoid and has the psionic ability to sense emotions. She serves as the ship's counselor...
on her home planet of Betazed
Betazoid
In the fictional Star Trek universe, Betazoids are a sentient humanoid species from the planet Betazed, a member of the United Federation of Planets.-Overview:...
. They often refer to each other as imzadi, which is a Betazoid term of endearment, meaning "beloved". The novel Imzadi
Imzadi
Imzadi is a non-canon Star Trek novel by Peter David, primarily exploring William Riker's assignment to Betazed and his early relationship with Deanna Troi....
takes place before the beginning of the series and explores the history of the relationship between the two characters. The two characters are close friends throughout the series, but their relationship does not resume until Star Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek: Insurrection is a 1998 American science fiction film directed by Jonathan Frakes, written by Michael Piller , and with music composed by Jerry Goldsmith. It is the ninth film in the Star Trek franchise, and the third to feature the cast from the television series Star Trek: The Next...
, the third Star Trek film set in the Next Generation era, although Thomas Riker, the duplicate created by a transporter malfunction, attempts to re-spark their relationship in "Second Chances". The following movie, Star Trek Nemesis, begins with their wedding on board the Enterprise-E. By the end of the film, Riker finally accepts a promotion to Captain
Starfleet ranks and insignia
Starfleet ranks and insignia are fictional titles and badges that form the hierarchy of Starfleet in the Star Trek television shows and movies.-Overview:...
and an offer to command the USS Titan; during the movie's final scenes he bids Picard, and the Enterprise, farewell.
Riker was originally scripted as a much more serious, by-the-book officer—by the middle episodes of the first season, however, it was felt that he was too "official", and his character was toned down, and became more of a ladies' man. Although Riker was cleanshaven for the first season, he grew a beard at the start of the second that later would become something of a trademark. Frakes had grown a beard between seasons, and Gene Rodenberry asked him to keep it, as he thought it made Riker look more dignified. As many believe the show improved significantly after the first season, some fans joke that the quality of an episode can quickly be discerned by the presence or absence of Riker's beard.
Guest appearances
Frakes appeared in dual roles in "Second ChancesSecond Chances (TNG episode)
"Second Chances" is the 150th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Overview:In this episode, Commander Riker comes face to face with an exact duplicate of himself, created by a transporter phenomenon.-Plot:...
", a TNG episode in which it was established that Riker had a "twin
Twin
A twin is one of two offspring produced in the same pregnancy. Twins can either be monozygotic , meaning that they develop from one zygote that splits and forms two embryos, or dizygotic because they develop from two separate eggs that are fertilized by two separate sperm.In contrast, a fetus...
" created years earlier by a transporter malfunction. A similar scenario had previously been explored in Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
with Captain Kirk's evil twin being created. Frakes appeared as the twin, Thomas Riker
Thomas Riker
William Thomas "Tom" Riker is a fictional character from the Star Trek universe, played by actor Jonathan Frakes. He is a duplicate of William Riker, a regular character on Star Trek: The Next Generation, also played by Frakes, who was created by a transporter accident when Riker served as second...
, in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
episode "Defiant
Defiant (DS9 episode)
"Defiant" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the ninth episode of the third season. It maintains a fan rating of 4.7 out of 5 on the official Star Trek Website.-Plot:...
", in which he impersonates the other Riker in order to commandeer the starship Defiant as a member of the Maquis. The following year he guest-starred as Commander Riker along with Q in the Star Trek Voyager episode "Death Wish". Frakes reprised his role of Commander Riker in the 2005 Enterprise
Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek: Enterprise is a science fiction television series. It follows the adventures of humanity's first warp 5 starship, the Enterprise, ten years before the United Federation of Planets shown in previous Star Trek series was formed.Enterprise premiered on September 26, 2001...
series finale, "These Are the Voyages...".
Background
The following actors also auditioned for the role of William Riker; they have all appeared at least once on Star Trek: TNG or a Star Trek series that followed it:- Jeffrey CombsJeffrey CombsJeffrey Alan Combs is an American actor known for his horror film roles and his appearances playing a number of characters in the Star Trek franchise.-Early life:...
- Christopher McDonaldChristopher McDonaldChristopher McDonald is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore, Tappy Tibbons in Requiem for a Dream, and Mel Allen in the HBO film 61*.-Personal life:...
- Erich AndersonErich AndersonErich Anderson is an actor, sometimes credited as E. Erich Anderson, who has starred in film and on television. He is best known for his first film role in the 1984 horror film Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter as Rob Dyer...
- William O. Campbell
- Vaughn ArmstrongVaughn ArmstrongVaughn Dale Armstrong is an American actor.-Prior to acting:Armstrong served in the United States military and saw action in the Vietnam War.-Star Trek:...