Star Trek: Top 10 Riker Moments

2. Burying The Hatchet In A Ground That's Frozen Solid - The Icarus Factor

Star Trek The Next Generation The Icarus Factor Will And Kyle
CBS Media Ventures

When offered command of the USS Aries, Riker is greeted by his father, who has been assigned to brief him on that ship's mission. The reunion is tense - Will left home at fifteen, feeling as though his father neither cared for him or loved him.

The Icarus Factor is essential in understanding why Riker is the way that he is. There was a certain level of pride keeping him aboard the Enterprise, though that is balanced by the care and respect he feels for his crewmates. That said, he's not perfect.

In an anbo-jyutsu match that irritates both Pulaski and Troi, the Riker men face off before finally admitting that they do love each other, despite their estrangement. Will goes through the ringer but ultimately decides to stay in his position, now with the knowledge that he had a relationship with his father once again.

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Seán is the host and head writer/presenter for TrekCulture, as well as a writer/presenter on WhoCulture and WhatCulture Horror. He has authored two novels, dozens of short stories, and hundreds of articles for WhatCulture. He holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from University College Dublin. As part of his work with TrekCulture, Seán has been invited to participate in collaborations with Roddenberry Entertainment, as well as contributing to several Star Trek community projects. An avid fan of Star Trek, Doctor Who, and the horror genre at large, Seán's expertise has helped develop these channels to the successes they are today. As host of the Ups & Downs series on TrekCulture, Seán has become internationally recognised for his positive yet critically informed approach to reviewing every episode of modern Star Trek, ensuring he is one of the go-to voices in the Trek community. Favourite Quote to describe himself: "I'm serious about what I do, just not always about the way that I do it"