Star Trek: 10 Worst Things William T. Riker Has Ever Done
3. That Whole Cover-Up Fiasco
Riker did his best to excel at Starfleet Academy, working harder and eventually graduating as eighth in his class. Fresh-faced and ready to impress, 'Ensign Babyface' was posted aboard the USS Pegasus - and quickly had his illusions about service in Starfleet shattered.
We will not hold him responsible for Eric Pressman's actions - it was hardly Riker's fault that the then-Captain chose to break the Treaty of Algeron - nor even will we find particular fault with Riker grabbing the phaser and defending his captain as they ran toward the shuttle bay.
There are things like loyalty and service that are baked into the brains of every Cadet in Starfleet - but 'cover up' raises a red flag wherever one hears it. The surviving officers of the Pegasus deliberately set out to falsify exactly what happened aboard the ship and Riker, naive as he was, certainly participated in that. This, however, is an entry where we both call-out the man for his earlier actions, but praise him for his later actions.
Time to reflect is a wonderful thing and when faced with a similar choice again, Riker elects to tell his captain the truth about what happened. We can even forgive his hesitancy, as this all stems from a very dark period in his career.
The less said about trying to find himself on the NX-01 the better, though.