Star Trek: Top 10 Riker Moments
He's the beard with the grin and the Daddy with a pizza oven - he's Riker - he's simply the best
When Starfleet's 'Fleet Magazine' does a special section outlining your Top 10 Moments, you know that you're doing something. William T. Riker, not to be confused with Thomas, has had an illustrious career as the greatest beard in the quadrant.
His babyface burst into our hearts and minds back in Encounter At Farpoint, melting our resolve (and his own stern nature) over that first year. By the time he returned with a furry chin in The Child, Riker held a solid place on the pantheon of first officers.
He would tease us all with bouts of captaincy before the Enterprise-E finally sailed away from him, while he took up the top spot on the USS Titan. Since then, he's continued to simply be the best - so let's dive in to his top moments and see what all of the fuss is about.
10. Remove The Plank! - Star Trek: Generations
Despite some dodgy machismo in the final season of The Next Generation, Riker and Worf had been friends for the bulk of the show's run. Riker may have denied Worf almost as many times as Picard did, but there was a camaraderie there that couldn't be denied.
So, when Worf receives his promotion to Lieutenant Commander in Star Trek: Generations, Riker is on hand to celebrate with him. The badge of office is lowered, the plank is extended, and everyone erupts in cheers as Worf becomes the first person ever to make the jump.
So, Riker does the natural thing, and removes the plank from underneath him, causing Worf to plummet into freezing water. While Worf may not have been laughing in the moment, the rest of the crew (bar one) bursts into laughter. Surely, a simply error of phrasing, eh Will?