10 Best Riker Episodes In Star Trek
7. Future Imperfect
This story serves as both a dream sequence and a supposed time travel escapade as, for almost half of the episode's runtime, it plays with certainty that Riker has indeed travelled (through his memory loss) sixteen years into the future. He is now in command of the Enterprise and Jean Luc has now risen in rank to Admiral, ready to sign a peace treaty with the Romulans.
Is this starting to sound familiar?
Whether Star Trek Picard takes inspiration from this episode or not, this fourth season entry shows what could be a positive view of the future. Things really aren't that bad in Barash's dream world. Everyone seems more or less happy with their lot. However, it is being made up on the fly and suddenly they are plunged into a Romulan act within an act, before the heart warming (albeit showcasing extrememly dodgy make-up effects) ending.
The episode's title is a ploy on grammar, referring to Past Perfect - this Future Imperfect is a sense of something being wrong with everything. Frakes plays the role of fish out of water well, attempting to hold on to his professional manner while still struggling with everything around him. His side swipe at discovering he has a son is handled with grace. He settles into the role of father quickly, and holds on to this even when he discovers the deception. Overall, a strong episode in showing the human side of Riker.