Star Trek: The Next Generation's Commander Riker embodied many of the personality traits of previous Enterprise Captain James T. Kirk. Perhaps this was to inject a little familiarity into the series for fans of the original, leaving room for Captain Picard to become the wise father figure that everyone wished they had.
Riker however, was a rebel. He was a risk-taker, he defied orders when he thought it was right to do so, and of course, he was a ladies man. With so much bravado and ego, Riker was bound to have quite a few jerk moments during his time on the Enterprise. Here's some of his worst and best moments.
Jerk Moment: He Was A Jerk To Himself
The season 6 episode "Second Chances" introduced a mind-blowing element to Riker's character - the creation of his exact duplicate thanks to a transporter accident that took place years before. When this copied Riker is found by the original, it creates a massive rift between them.
Things get worse when the duplicate pursues romantic feelings with Deanna Troi that both she and the real Riker had since put aside. The original Riker acts like a complete jerk through the entire episode by humiliating himself at every possible opportunity, which was perhaps his worst moment.
Awesome Moment: He Expressed Remorse To Data
The season 2 episode "Measure of a Man" put Riker in an extremely uncomfortable position. When Commander Data's rights and freedoms as a sentient life form were challenged, Riker was called upon to act as the official opposition in an arbitrary hearing. His job was to win at any cost, or else the case would be forfeit and Data proclaimed property of Starfleet.
Riker was forced to face the agony of this decision which ended up hurting him severely. Thanks to some stellar defense work on the part of Captain Picard, the case was thrown out. Riker felt horrible, but after Data pointed out that his actions had given him a chance to live, he set aside his guilt and embraced his crewmate.
Jerk Moment: Amorous Amnesia
Riker got into hot water when he attempted to have his cake and eat it too in the season 5 episode "Conundrum." A mysterious alien energy wave wiped the minds of the entire Enterprise crew and had them thinking they were at war with a vastly outgunned alien species.
While the crew attempted to piece their memories back together, old romantic feelings between Riker and Troi began to resurface for the first time, in a long time. Unfortunately, Riker also decided to have a roll in the hay with Ensign Ro, whom he had previously been antagonistic towards.
Awesome Moment: Riker Attacks A Klingon
In the season 2 episode "A Matter of Honor," Riker was given a rare opportunity to serve on a Klingon vessel as part of an exchange program between the Empire and the Federation. While most Starfleet officers would have ed on the idea, Riker was all-too-happy to oblige. Once on board, he was forced to deal with a far different and more brutal command structure that the one he was used to.
This included a scene where a Klingon officer directly challenged Riker on the bridge. Rather than back down and show weakness, Riker attacked the Klingon and beat him down in front of the Captain, much to his delight. This ended up scoring him immense points with the entire Klingon crew who were surprised to see a human rising to the level of a Klingon warrior.
Jerk Moment: His Prank On Captain Picard
A burnt-out Captain Picard was forced to take a vacation in the season 3 episode "Captain's Holiday," and Commander Riker convinced him that the best place to kick back was the planet Risa. All he asks is for Picard to bring him back a little souvenir - an object known as the Horga'hn.
Picard purchases one when he arrives, only to be propositioned by a number of beautiful women over the course of the next few hours. Finally, a woman named Joval tells Picard that the Horga'hn is the symbol of Risian sexuality, at which point Picard realizes he's the butt of a well-intentioned joke. As far as Riker's jerk moments go, it isn't the worst of the bunch. In fact, it's right up there with the funniest.
Awesome Moment: He Faced Down The Guardian
The first season found the Enterprise and a Ferengi vessel locked in a stalemate in orbit above a mysterious planet. At first they believed that either side was responsible for crippling the other's ship, until it was determined that a strange force on the planet was the true culprit.
Riker led an away team to the surface and was ambushed by the Ferengi. Before things got more heated, a mysterious humanoid calling himself Portal 63 emerged and claimed that humanity was a barbaric species. He moved to attack Riker with a killing blow, but Riker stood his ground with courage. When asked why he he seemed unafraid, Riker replied "Fear is the true enemy," which gained the respect of the Guardian.
Jerk Moment: Treating Ensign Lavelle Like Dirt
The season 7 episode "Lower Decks" (not to be confused with the animated series) from the final season took the focus largely away from the Enterprise crew and shifted it to four junior officers undergoing rigorous personnel evaluations in their quest to climb the ladder. One of them was Sam Lavelle, a young man lacking confidence as he tried (with great difficulty) to make an impression on Commander Riker.
While the four were relaxing in Ten Forward and talking about their difficulties, Lavelle spotted Riker at the bar and stepped up to try and break the ice. Rather than take the opportunity to get to know the young officer, Riker acted dismissively and in condescending fashion, which completely ruined the conversation, forcing Lavelle to leave in embarrassment.
Awesome Moment: No More Games
The season 4 episode "Future Imperfect" found Riker in a very traumatic conundrum. He woke up from a coma to discover that sixteen years had ed, and he was now Captain of the Enterprise. Worse yet, he had a family that included a deceased wife and a young son who he had named Jean-Luc in honor of his former Captain.
At first, the mirage seemed real until Riker put the pieces together and turned the tables. He verbally attacked and insulted multiple of the bridge crew, exposing a plot created by none other than his "son" Jean-Luc, who was an insectoid alien plagued with feelings of loneliness. Rather than stay angry, Riker forgave him and convinced him to the Federation where he wouldn't have to be alone anymore.
Jerk Moment: Riker Insults Worf
When Worf was left permanently paralyzed following an accident in the season 5 episode "Ethics," he confided in Riker and asked him for assistance with the hegh'bat, the Klingon suicide ritual. To Klingons, this would have been one of the highest and most honorable compliments another could possibly receive, and just another facet of their mysterious culture.
Riker didn't see it that way, and called the practice "despicable." In this instance, his words deeply dishonored Worf in the worst possible way. Though the outcome was a positive one, his approach was unacceptable for a Starfleet officer versed in the Prime Directive.
Awesome Moment: Outwitting Locutus
When Picard was assimilated by the Borg, it seemed like the Federation's chances for survival had gone from a dull glimmer to complete darkness. After all, Picard's knowledge was absorbed into the collective, which meant any counter-strategy to the Borg would be instantly nullified.
Rather than take defeat lying down, Riker devised a cunning attack on the Borg cube that involved a mixture of manipulation, distraction and precise timing. Data and Worf were able to beam onto the cube and apprehend Locutus to bring him back to the Enterprise for one last ditch hail-Mary attempt at victory.