10 MORE Character Reveals That Didn’t Have To Go THAT Hard

10. Will And Deanna's Tragedy

The death of a child is a tragedy that is often impossible to overcome, so adding it to the backstories of beloved characters must be handled with care. While Riker and Troi were a strong couple, having already withstood much adversity in their time, the death of Thaddeus Riker felt like a cruel blow.

In Nepenthe, Jean-Luc and Soji arrive on the planet and are accosted by Kestra Riker, clad in her finest hunting gear. They quickly arrive at the Rikers' cabin and a warm reunion of old friends follows, bunnycorn-pizza and all. 

The reason for the family's relocation to Nepenthe is quickly revealed. Thaddeus Riker, born in 2381, contracted a terminal illness, and there was hope that the planet's regenerative properties would cure him. It didn't work, leaving the family devastated, and the audience shocked at this terrible blow. 

Though this was a truly heartbreaking addition to the Rikers' story, it helped to set up one of the most heart-wrenching moments in The Last Generation. Will Riker, believing his luck had run out, said to the air and to anyone who was listening that he, and their son, would be waiting for Deanna. It was all she needed, empathic abilities in full force, and she was able to find and save him.

There is a risk with including a reveal like this, much of which revolves around how it is handled. For Star Trek, and for the Rikers, it was handled well.