Star Trek: 10 Worst Things William T. Riker Has Ever Done

This is one of the sadder entries on this list and one that would seem to be the most easy to forgive. Riker, acting both from a place of love and care, attempts to stop the J'naii from forcing Soren to undergo their reeducation program. His first attempt is by far the more 'proper', in terms of Starfleet.

Though he barges into a closed hearing, he offers himself up for discipline, claiming that he was the one who forced Soren to believe she was, in fact, female, rather than the androgynous 'norm' experienced by many of her species. She passionately tells her truth, which absolves him, though places her in direct jeoprady of being 'fixed'.

His second attempt, loathe as we are to say it, is a far worse judgement call, despite his best intentions. He, along with Worf, travels down to the planet to effectively 'kidnap' Soren to bring her to safety. Not only is this against every regulation in the book but it directly threatens diplomatic relations with the entire planet. 

The ending is a tragic one - Soren has already been processed, thus removing any need for Riker's rescue. Again, loathe as we are to admit it, from a diplomatic view, Starfleet would probably have been far less impressed with Riker had he managed to retrieve her. 

The Outcast remains a moral quandary to this day. Did Riker do the right thing? It is ultimately for the individual to decide, as Starfleet never quite seemed to mention it again, and it didn't seem to affect his career.