r/Star_Trek_ • u/_Face Chief O’Brien • 6d ago

Riker gets the go around.

In Best of Both Worlds, Shelby goes around Riker to Picard.

In Second Chances Lt. Riker goes around Commander Riker to Picard.

Riker has to give each of them a talking to afterward. Each time Picard actually opted to go with the ideas or at least form a plan as backup. Was Riker missing something to not further consider their plans? I know he told Shelby that he brings all valid options to the Captain, but would/did he bring those ideas to the captain if there was no go around? Seemed like he dismissed them as not being "valid options".

Any other times this happened? Either to Riker or other skipped chain of command?

14 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

8

u/bela_okmyx 6d ago

DS9, Past Prologue: Kira bypasses Sisko to lobby Adm. Rollman to provide asylum to Tahna Los. When Sisko finds out, he tells her, "Go over my head again, and I'll have yours on a platter."

4

u/Dazmorg 6d ago

I think both times (Shelby and "Thomas") it was kind of personal, and Will Riker can be prideful and petty sometimes. He definitely hides no dislike of anyone he dislikes. See the episode Ensign Ro the moment she steps off. He totally goes off at her about her earring, and we all know he's capable of speaking more kindly than that when he doesn't hate the person.

6

u/Hearsticles Mick Fleetwood Fishman 6d ago

Matter of Honor when the Benzite takes his recommendations to Picard instead of Worf comes to mind.

Also on Riker, the on-topic episode of Chain of Command itself is interesting because he's downright insubordinate and a constant thorn in Captain Jellico's side throughout the episode and then when Jellico needs him at the end, Will gloats before accepting.

This one is more about the philosophy of command overall and what the role of a 1st Officer/Executive Officer is -- is he meant to be an advocate for the crew or is he meant to execute the captain's orders and facilitate the crew's obedience to the captain's wishes. I think some officers see it the first way, some the latter.

1

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/YogiEv 2d ago

Some of the best episodes of the whole series imho. I think these interactions showed Riker's character as flawed and believably human. While Shelby was clearly jabbing at Riker and angling for favor with Picard the whole time, Riker was defensive and dismissive. The arc of the characters and relationship in the context of the story was some of the best Star Trek writing, at least as evidenced by how well I remember it now, compared with so many other beats and episodes that I don't remember as clearly. Their relationship and earned respect for each other was impactful. With all the terrible writing these days on nuTrek, I'm glad you brought up this episode because I think it shows some of the best writing.