Never try to own Riker

Star Trek TNG - The Price clip

[@ThatFadedAsian]

The most savage part is that he's an empath so he can feel the sincerity of everything Riker is saying, without question.

[@mmjahink]

He's like "Oh shit, I just got owned..."

[@jackkenefick2696]

thats why he looked the way he did after Riker left

[@vitamin9165]

no I'm an empath

[@imadrifter]

@@vitamin9165 I think its very clear all of us here in this comment are empaths.

[@TreeFrogOnATree]

OOF

[@pjpless2]

Data approaches the table afterward. Data: Shall I accompany you to sick bay? Perhaps Dr. Crusher has a hypospray for the sick burn you just received.

[@adamromero]

lol nice 😂

[@john-paulhunt2604]

Just lucky at having bad luck as you should never drink that, ya know!

[@cgamejewels]

😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@malindarayallen]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@ivobo6227]

Is it weird I can imagine how he says it with intonation and all :D

[@catjudo1]

I liked to imagine that a younger Will Riker was every bit as ambitious and cunning as Ral and Shelby, but as he has risen through the ranks and particularly as he has served as Picard's first officer, Riker has seen that a man of ethics and balance can live a contented life, knowing that he acts in the best interests of those he cares about and not just for himself. The beard just takes it to the next level. Will Riker. Crewmates respect him. Women swoon for him. Furniture fears him.

[@nicholashernandez4611]

The beard did it. Before the beard, he was Kirk. After the beard, he was Riker.

[@bhart3321]

Riker was a true giga-chad before anyone knew what that meant. Ended up with his woman & his own command & still retained a unbreakable bond with everyone he's ever served with cuz he commanded respect by showing it to others.

[@aidanfitzpatrick-oneill2072]

@@nicholashernandez4611 "Oh, you're so stolid. You weren't like that before the beard." -Q

[@hhale]

More like Jonathan's back feared the furniture. He sat a certain way for a reason. Picard could loosen up, go on away missions, and worry less about the crew because he had a Riker.

[@Grenn1471]

A certain speech from The Wire from Lt. Daniels about leadership comes to mind.

[@bees7604]

You've got to remember this guy is an empath. When he's needling Riker, he keeps up the pressure because he can feel that Riker is getting upset, he can feel that inner turmoil coming quick on the heels of his words. But sensing emotions isn't mind reading, and this is where Deanna's superior skill comes into play. People lampoon her for being too obvious, and she often is, don't get me wrong, the writing really suffers with her. But she doesn't make a bad play like this. Because sensing emotions doesn't mean you get to read minds. Yes Riker is upset at these words. But not because he's insecure. Not because he wishes he was captain, or is jealous, or quick to anger, or has a massive ego. He's upset because he genuinely liked the man in front of him who is now showing his true colors. He watched the guy in negotiations and grew to respect him, and then the man spat on that respect by trying such underhanded tricks as insulting him to gain an advantage, demonstrating conclusively that he doesn't respect Riker or care that Riker respects him. That's why he's so shocked at the end. He knows, Knows that Riker was getting upset. He doesn't understand how all that emotion just vanished into acceptance. He doesn't get what's happening, how it turned so fast. Because he read the emotion correctly, but failed to deduce it's cause.

[@theblasteffect4499]

Bro did a next level deep dive into the scene. Very insightful tho. I'm sure the writers thought of the same thing. Well written scene with great actors. Love the subtle nervous ticks going on with him as Riker destroys him. The subtle differences in breathing, posture, and ody language. Well acted and well written. Love this scene, thanks for the insight. Sounds like something the writers of the show/episode would have thought of.

[@nivekogilvie3368]

Own Riker? Pffft. You CAN'T, don't even try!

[@RXdash78]

I understood that reference.

[@brendalg4]

that was what I thought when I read the title "No you CAN'T, don't even try"

[@coeusdarksoul2855]

As in STOP TALKING!

[@robertwhelan6976]

You used a contraction!

[@KandiKlover]

Devon-OWNED-y Ral trollolololo

[@SwankyKitteh82]

Riker, basically: "Your entire existence is an unsalvageable shit sandwich, and Deanna would be the only redeemable part of it."

[@charliebalakan2397]

Shut up

[@KneelB4Bacon]

And it's not like Deanna really needed Riker's help. She figures out early on that Rahl is trying to manipulate her. There's no chance that she's going to fall in love. She knows that Rahl is a fling to her, like one of her chocolate sundaes.

[@joekamka8571]

No, Riker got it right the first time without lowering his verbal skills with offensive profanities.

[@princeofpersiaasdf]

xD

[@kentleytaggart5816]

Wow that was a incredible comment, on a scale of 1 to 10 about 27,-🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@matthewkosta]

What's so great about this scene is that it demonstrates the respect Riker has for Deanna.

[@theblasteffect4499]

​@@john-paulhunt in a way

[@rbarnes4076]

What Riker is showing is mature male behavior. He wants happiness for one he loves, without worrying about control or his own outcome. It's fantastic! And this scene is indeed one of my faves from the series.

[@AuspexAO]

The real screwed up part of this is the subtext. Riker says that he hopes Deanna will help Ral be a better man, but he knows her better than any other man (they share a connection that's beyond just a relationship). He know there is absolutely no way that Deanna won't see through the fake exterior of a weasel like Ral, so their relationship is doomed. Now Riker is too much of a man to throw that in his face, so instead he wishes him good luck. Ral is empathic, so he can read the combination of good humor and honesty coming from Riker. It's like someone giving you the kiss of death, and the actor wears it on his face really well.

[@sicksock435446]

I mean Deanna literally reads minds, obviously she wouldn't fall for a cheap facade...

[@sicksock435446]

@Ein Kunde yikes

[@sicksock435446]

@Ein Kunde Touch grass

[@sicksock435446]

@Ein Kunde It means get off the internet, go and touch some grass, do nothing. If you're leaving multiple replies to a reply to a comment on a youtube video of a clip of a tv show from 20 years ago you probably need to leave the internet alone. Maybe for a day. Maybe forever.

[@Stealthwilde]

Let's see what's going on in this reply chain, I'm sure there won't be any toxic incel shit going o... OH NO

[@terraclaiborne2088]

And this, my friends, is why Deanna Troi married Riker.

[@clayoto6619]

and didn't marry Lloyd Braun.

[@mygaffer]

Naw, she married Worf, within TNG that is canon.

[@flinty8121]

@@mygaffer … how is that canon?

[@arturarruda8151]

Yea she married worf. They really shipped them every now and then after that worf episode where h3 jumps from reality to reality and find one where she's his wife. To be honest I like it the way it ended

[@flinty8121]

@@arturarruda8151 an alternative future isn’t canon. 🤦

[@weiserthanyou2052]

Riker did not mention the fact that he keeps getting offered command of a ship but reacts the same way as Picard reacts to becoming an Admiral

[@weiserthanyou2052]

I've always viewed it as A: command of his own ship is almost certainly going to be less fun/interesting/whatever-motivates-him than XO on the Enterprise, B: it's the damn Enterprise, and C: the crew. also the fact that if Picard leaves command he's much more likely to become the new captain than if he's a captain elsewhere.

[@Inspadave]

It is one thing to be the aggressive subordinate. It is another to the THE person responsible. Riker can say bullshit about how he likes being where he is, but the truth of it is that he is afraid to be a captain.

[@donsample1002]

weiserthanyou In any sort of real military organization, turning down a command when it's offered to you is career suicide. If you do it once, you will never be offered a command again

[@Prime1976]

Inspadave except that he is Captain of the Titan.

[@Inspadave]

After how many years as a number two?

[@BillinHungary]

This guest character was really well written - but the actor also did a great job - You really grow to despise this guy - which makes Riker's "burn" all the more satisfying.

[@alessandrozigliani2615]

Yeah, unlike Deanna who was written so bad. I am rewatching the entire run of tng and I have to admit that there are two characters that seem stupid: Deanna and Worf. Deanna just wanders around the others as a pretty face, while Worf is always trying to be a Klingon - which is basically unbelievable since he was raised by humans. It doesn't help that Klingons are generally just silly, BTW. I would add the Crushers to the list frankly, but both mother and son still represent interesting ideas that are simply not developed very well. Deanna has nothing outside her relationship with Riker, while Worf is a didascalic character for debating racism and diversity, which are recurring themes in Star Trek. Countless characters serve those themes; they are so many and well written that ultimately the show does not even need Worf.

[@tzvikrasner6073]

@@alessandrozigliani2615 Honestly, Mirana Sirtis herself treats Deanna as having two different periods in TNG: when she was a pair of tits, and when they gave her her brains back.

[@SaberViper]

@@alessandrozigliani2615 Worf became so much more interesting in DS9.

[@furrykef]

@@alessandrozigliani2615 Worf is probably overcompensating for being raised by humans, just as Spock overcompensated for being only half-Vulcan. Both of them (but especially Worf) basically end up as idealized caricatures that are out of step with how most members of their races actually behave.

[@dwaterson21]

@@SaberViper I agree. They really could have saved him for DS9 and it would have been fine. But, ya know, hindsight is 20/20.

[@alonzotanner1226]

Matt McCoy was great in that role. And this conversation showed another dimension to the Riker persona that made me love him even more as a character. Jonathan Frakes often states he thinks he’s a terrible actor which is why he never did much acting after the show aside from the movies, but he doesn’t realize how wrong he is. He is a magnificent actor.

[@ZakEmber]

And he crushed some serious voice acting in "Gargoyles" alongside Marina Sirtis and Brent Spiner. His "David Xanatos" was a perfect villain/anti-hero, depending on the story. The showrunners loved TNG, and they used a lot of the cast as voices... and it totally worked! I think you're right on; he really doesn't give himself enough credit.

[@imadrifter]

@@ZakEmber we made it up

[@JustJay1281]

Frakes also has admitted he enjoys being behind the camera more then being in front of it. I do agree that he underrates himself, which is in part what makes him such a good actor. He isn't cocky, there is an old saying "you can't fill a cup that's already full." He didn't think he was a good actor so he was always striving to do better.

[@imadrifter]

@@JustJay1281 nice, thank you for sharing that.

[@JnEricsonx]

@@ZakEmber I so wanted to meet Jonathan. And then covid killed a con he and John De Lancie were both gonna be at. :(

[@TheTattorack]

I love how this guy misunderstood Riker completely. Besides what Riker already said about Diana, he _chose_ to be second in command on this starship.

[@bandrukesucks]

Playing insult on ranks was such a dumb move.

[@AdmiralKarelia]

He chose to be second in command on **this** starship. That's what Ral doesn't get. It's not about being first or second in command, it's about being on the Enterprise. If Picard retired and Starfleet offered Riker command of the Enterprise, he'd have taken it in a heartbeat.

[@victorpradha9946]

@@AdmiralKarelia The Enterprise is the most coveted assignment in Starfleet. It is the premiere Galaxy Class Starship in the fleet and it's mission is one of exploration, interspecies first contact, and diplomacy. Military defense lags substantially behind those priorities. That's why Riker prefers the 1st officer slot versus captain on any other starship.

[@Ariarne12345]

This dude is all ego.

[@CCCW]

Being the second in command on the flagship under a captain as great as picard is pretty prestigious in itself- plus, he's learning from the best, and he's seen enough to know that this is what he needs and wants

[@blackangel720]

Medical team to Ten Forward, Stat! We have a major Burn victim here!

[@DinnerBells]

2:43 he's in shock!

[@JeanBaptisteEmanuelZorg]

blackangel720 ohhhh sick burn!

[@JasonAchilles]

@blackangel720 best comment :)

[@skynetprime82]

blackangel720 LMAO 😅😅😅

[@Philip02K]

blackangel720 medical team to 10-forward we have a man with a nasal fracture and head trauma

[@Mintylight]

People may joke all the want re Riker, but this here, this and when he ordered to fire on the Borg cube that held Picard captive as Locutus, is the definition of bad ass and emotionally intelligent. I just love the writing here, and what a superb example of positive masculinity Riker is, along with almost every main male on Enterprise D.

[@lordslothrop365]

I've always loved Riker. He's a more emotionally mature and stable Captain Kirk.

[@MrArcadia2009]

Wholeheartedly agreed, Minty. He's always been a great character, and commander.

[@Kronosfobi]

@Apsoy Pike I dont think he is scared of being on his own. I think he wants the command of the Enterprise. Of course he cannot outright state that because he is loyal to Picard, but we saw he had no problems commanding another vessel or taking control when needed. Hell, on one episode where he was stuck on a planet with an alien imitating a false reality of everything he wished for, We saw he was the captain of the enterprise. In that reality Picard was an Admiral, Geordi had no visor, Worf and Data were promoted, he was married to Minuette (the perfect woman in his eyes) and had a child. I do agree him being naturally good at most things he never did is a bit annoying but thats a writing issue, not an inuniverse one. Personality wise he is no manchild. He is more mature than Kirk, and I really like Kirk. More loyal to Star Fleet code than Picard, who'm has violated no interference rule several times where'as Riker chose to abandon the confrontations outright when given the chance. Hell, the entire ''Tasha's daughter'' storyline is because of Picard being sentimental, Riker would have never allowed it.

[@wjzav1971]

@Apsoy Pike I don't think he is scared of having a command on his own. In that one episode where he temporarily took command of the Heatherway for a tactical exercise, he was so freaking prideful when seating in the Captain's chair. I tell you, he LOVES being in command. I simply think the reason why he declined so many promotions was that he valued his friendships and experiences he got to have on the Enterprise. Here he was on the flagship of the Federation with some of the best officers in Starfleet, always on the frontline of anything interesting happening, be it a hostile engagement, a first contact or discovery of a new world or new life under the command of one of the highest decorated and most experienced captains. Any other command would certainly have the upside of being his own but while he patrols some border somewhere, he would always know that the Enterprise is at some fascinating place right now, communicating with an entity beyond his imagination or solving a never-seen before crisis.

[@themermaidstale5008]

25th Century men

[@davidsanders9723]

I think this is one of my favorite scenes in the series. It was educational for me, frankly. When Raul started digging at Riker over Diana, I remember thinking to myself, "Oh shit, Raul's got him now." But Riker's response was perfect. Riker basically said, "Hey, look. I don't think of Diana as property because I truly love her as person. But overgrown manchildren like yourself do. So thanks for showing me that, in this contest, I'm basically up against a child. I think I'll sleep a lot better at night now."

[@1978rharris]

*Ral *Deanna

[@shep9231]

Amen sir. it was educational for me as well.

[@kelseyrobinson1917]

Ral said 'you're a misogynist too, right? mwahaha' and Riker really went 'No. Goodbye.'

[@wolfehologram3539]

@Rando so you're in Ral's manchild corner, then?

[@chrisrobinson3494]

In later "Trek" years, Riker ends up marrying Deanna, so he won in the end after all.

[@snyderman001]

You have been weighed, you have been measured and you have been found wanting.

[@JakkFrost1]

Welcome to the new world. And God save you... if it is right that he should do so.

[@AluminumHaste]

Man, I miss Heath Ledger

[@Motivic167]

Man I miss quake I

[@jasonmartin4775]

Mene mene tekel parsin

[@jordanmicahcook]

Oooooo!

[@KalibreSteelblast]

First Officer William Thomas Riker- proving that it's more than possible to be both civilized and savage at the same time.

[@eclogite]

Riker is such a good role model for emotional maturity. Come to think of it, most characters in this show are. So good.

[@Bryce3189]

Data is not, until the emotion chip that is.

[@jonno9238]

Ral: He underestimates me, I'm gonna bring up Troi. Riker: Don't try it Ral. I have the high ground.

[@maxacorn]

ral: you underestimate my pettiness riker:............don't try it.

[@Aerojet01]

The moral of the story is never try to outwit a skilful poker player.

[@mytruepower2]

I love this scene, and it's even better once you understand the context. Devinoni Ral (the man he's talking to here) is also able to read people's emotions, like Troi, and he still screws this up. Sometimes, it's just not enough to know what the other guy is feeling.

[@starwarsroo2448]

Couldn't read past the beard

[@Grizabeebles]

Don't forget that Riker is Canadian. Part of the reason we're all so polite up here is that being a prick will get you thrown out in the snow for the night. That wasn't a burn, that was frostbite.

[@solarisone1082]

Riker is from ALASKA.

[@Grizabeebles]

+John Carr -- My mistake. In the TNG episode "Lower Decks" one member of the crew tells another that Riker is Canadian. Either that character was misinformed or Alaska was annexed by Canada sometime following the Third World War. As most governments collapsed during the Third World War, I prefer to believe the latter theory.

[@crazylarryjr]

Odds are Riker flashed a little contempt, knowing he'd pick up on it. Remember, Short of data not really having any tails, Riker is the best poker player on the ship. It's my opinion, he played this guy like a ukulele.

[@brothermaleuspraetor9505]

Picard would not be Picard without Riker. Each member of the team provides a foundation for the other even in a leadership way; just as Riker leads the Captain towards making the right decision.. through advice. He may be 2nd in Command, but he'll always be Number one :)

[@smartabl]

Well said..

[@SidneyBroadshead]

Riker's thing is he's the Ship's Dad and Deanna is the Ship's Mom. They handle all the interpersonal problems and keep an eye on all the crewmembers' well-being so Picard doesn't have to involve himself with them.

[@lokidecat]

Riker is Pippen to Picard's Jordan

[@AmericanEinherjar]

@@lokidecat I respectfully disagree. Riker was Jordan to Picard's Phil Jackson.

[@Sphendrana]

it is also the first officers duty to question the decisions of his Captain, to ensure the safety of ship and crew first, and adherence to the prime directive, and to the mission. Picard admires that about Riker. And that is one of many reasons why he's the best as 2nd in command. He's an extremely important cog in an entire machine, and without a doubt he's very well oiled. A true copper sprocket!

[@newpageone]

“You don’t have any values” is probably the most badass thing you can say to somebody’s face

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

There's something so great and effective with the ambience in these earlier Star Trek series. No longer musical cues or constant scores over everything, even dialogue, just the sounds like being on a ship or plane where the show gives the characters time to just talk, without any interruption or distraction.

[@ForceMaximus84]

And very well-written banter. You just don’t have that in Modern Trek.

[@tsm688]

violence has replaced banter now

[@Scripture-Man]

These aren't "earlier" Star Trek series, these are the ONLY Star Trek series! Modern "Trek" is toxic waste, and the sound editing is intolerable dystopian horror soundtracks, I could never bear to watch anything like that. Star Trek is meant to be UTOPIAN, set on a ship you'd WANT to spend time on!

[@naturestillness]

Totally agree. The lack of forced ambiance or flash cuts makes it feel more real. And pulls you in.

[@igg3937]

Agreed. Overused scores seems to be a theme in lots of modern TV shows. Just let the dialogue and the characters do the heavy lifting FFS.

[@jmj1002]

I didn't understand Riker's reaction when I was a teenager. I would've kicked Ral's ass for taking it there. 20+years later,I get it. I totally get it. Well played,Commander.

[@jmj1002]

Then you're ahead of the game,Dude.

[@ghenulo]

Why would you kick his ass?

[@immortalis1001]

@ghenulo--> Because violence is the international language.

[@paulcarter9918]

Violence doesn't keep a jerk from being a jerk. But out witting him... Ohhhhh, so good!

[@Sage2000]

And that is true Star Trek

[@Crowbars2]

I love how the empath dude is all like "You're second in command." When Riker had already been offered a promotion to captain in Season 2, but turned it down. The way he looks away acting like it's something that really bothers him, but is instead thinking "What is up with him?! _This_ guy's dating Deanna?" Then he mentions her name and Riker gets a bit worried wondering what the guy plans on doing with her. And the empath guy picks up on it, thinking Riker's worried about losing Deanna to him. Then Riker is like "Oh... He just keeps talking. Time to end this man's whole career."

[@jsullivan2112]

As much as I hate the cocksucker, he meant specifically that Riker was not captain of the Enterprise, not just of his own ship.

[@LeutnantJoker]

Riker had been offered a command before season 1 already. He turned it down for the gig on the enterprise

[@Bryce3189]

Thanks for repeating what happened in the video. Real insightful....

[@Crowbars2]

@@Bryce3189 Thanks for that insightful comment. Twat.

[@victorpradha9946]

Riker is a master poker player. He reads people's tells before they even realize they have any tells. Riker is patient and studies the people around him, and especially his "opponent/rival" (a skill even further refined with tutelage from the greatly philosophical and reflective Picard). This guy was out of his depth from the first syllable with Riker!

[@bluewren65]

You can't outsmart a guy who has had sex with every species in the universe.

[@jont8555]

I don't think it's ever seriously explored in the series but in the novels Riker is also proficient in aikido, a martial art which effectively specialises in turning an opponent's attacks against himself. Which is exactly what he does here (in a conversational sense).

[@victorpradha9946]

@@jont8555 While the ship as probably sailed on any Netflix or Amazon or HBOMax series depicting some of the expanded Trek materials, I always felt Riker wasn't really given a lot of depth on STNG.

[@ssjcosty]

@@jont8555 While in real life Aikido is pretty poor for actual combat, its nature as a non-violent martial art fits very well with the Star Trek principles of humanism and diplomacy.

[@Fatespinner]

@@ssjcosty Aikido is poor as a sole art, but its principles are a great boon to anyone. Don't stop the assault, redirect it elsewhere. Don't allow the momentum they built in the wrong direction go to waste, capitalize on it. It's not the only one, for sure, but it goes into the most depth on the subject. It's not a good first or second martial art to learn for self-defense, it's probably not even a good fifth one. But the theory can be employed far beyond actual combat.

[@the_narthex]

The greatest time to be a Trekker was when we had TNG on TV and TOS having big screen adventures AT THE SAME TIME. That era can never and will never be duplicated.

[@kaboom-zf2bl]

stargate .. stargate atlantis .. stargate on the space ship ... all were as good as or better ... and I am a trekkie to ... but stargate is more relatable because it is closer to our time than some fantasy in the distant future

[@ForceMaximus84]

I think Star Trek peaked in popularity in 1996 or 1997. You had both TOS and TNG in reruns, DS9 was in full-swing, the movies were box-office hits, there so many comics and books to dive into and Star Trek: The Experience debuted as a fantastic pseudo theme park for Trekkies. After 1998, especially with the incoming Star Wars prequels, Trek started to wane and only briefly recovered with the reboot.

[@tsm688]

@@kaboom-zf2bl As a diehard trekkie I must still admit Stargate was pretty good. The series made the blockbuster movie look like a cheap pilot. Something about military shows really rubs me wrong, but I'd still rate it above modern d/tdrek because it possesses a core of ethics and humor.

[@brandonhill2183]

@@kaboom-zf2bl totally disagree

[@hakageryu-hz7jz]

​@@kaboom-zf2bl Too many ellipses, not enough critical thinking. The fact that you need a show to be closer to our time period to be relatable shows just how shallow your thinking is, along with your incessant use of ...ellipses.

[@robjohn4842]

Such a good series, great actors, great story lines. Hard to believe it's been almost 25 years since it ended.

[@MightySheep]

It's honestly depressing, Ive watched almost every new TV show that comes out and getting increasingly more frustrated with terrible writing, terrible dialogue and terrible acting. Just look at the new star trek. Why dont they make shows like this anymore?

[@jordanmicahcook]

In the words of Q, “The trial never ends...” What this cast created in the Next Generation series, will never fade away.

[@anomad6314]

@@MightySheep can recommend some excellent shows if interested

[@GamingHelp]

This. To this day, I watch TNG almost every night as my "shut up tinnitus!" backing track so to speak and for one simple reason: It's one of the best series ever created.

[@NikolasThane]

@@anomad6314 a bit late buut sure

[@SamaritanPrime]

I wonder if this chump got an invitation to Riker and Troi's wedding.

[@jayteegamble]

I thought i saw his reflection in one of the green plastic drum cymbals

[@ztslovebird]

Reality Rejection Service Probably not. He may have gotten a Save the Date, though.

[@jeanlukvolker5130]

Probably just to show that Riker is a better man, to show he won and he lost, and to maybe see a glimpse of hope that he is a better man than what he was before

[@FaxModem1]

As a Starfleet officer, Riker is prohibited from using Weapons of Mass Destruction on unarmed civilians like that.

[@cellokid5104]

Probably, just to smash the last few bits that were still left of him after that conversation

[@daverage4729]

Love that smile at 1.57. Riker just has him at that second.

[@quonomonna8126]

As a kid growing up to this show, Picard was my favorite character on this show, but as an adult rewatching this series, Riker has become my new favorite. When I was younger I didn't think he was interesting or complex at all, but now I see just how amazing he is.

[@mmjahink]

Meh, Riker stagnated as a character after season 4.

[@llongone2]

Beardless Riker - you have a 1% chance of pulling the upset. But with the beard - don't even try.

[@lookoutlegolas]

There's only one way you can own Riker, and that's if your name is Ro Laren and you just got your memory back.

[@paulcavigliano6388]

Toa-Banshee ZZZZING!!

[@aarongreenfield9038]

Toa-Banshee. Row laren, and Deanna Troy, got their memory back, and then teamed up on him.. It's psychologically valid!

[@frankstyles5101]

The only drawbacks to that is you betray Starfleet and The Federation and end up getting killed by the Cardassians for joining a rebel group and you're never spoken of ever again and you're lucky if anybody even attends your funeral.

[@KH4444444444N]

Lol

[@KH4444444444N]

Or a request for "nightbird".

[@joshhutchison6201]

'Picard watching' "Well done number 1!"

[@GustafStechmann]

a battle with words and without weapons or starships, yet 1000x more enthralling than the battle of Exegol

[@synthetic240]

"Ho ho! Didn't anyone tell you I was happy in the friend-zone? When you date a psychologist, they never stop analyzing you and they're twice as neurotic. I learned the hard way."

[@SKBottom]

Synthetic Truth!

[@Keepgoing42]

sure it was not the other way around?

[@SKBottom]

hardtolivealittleand be Heh...positive.

[@TechnoMageB5]

+Synthetic ROFL!!

[@KneelB4Bacon]

Riker probably learned his poker face from Deanna.

[@theyaden]

8 years after the video was posted Ral is still warmed by the intensity of Riker's burn.

[@tigerlily0569]

One of my favorite Riker scenes. So well written and acted.

[@robincondite]

Gawd. Riker's last words are so savage. This is what real confidence looks like. It's based on a grasp of values; namely his love and respect for himself and those close to him.

[@rbarnes4076]

Spot on.

[@Kurayamiblack]

2:41 When a man with empathic powers gets owned so hard normal people can read him equally well. Lol! He got knocked down so many pegs, the janitor forgot he had powers XD

[@martyg8137]

The writing in this show was on another level.

[@josephnorris4095]

That Riker character knows he has options and operates with the abundance mindset.

[@cgamejewels]

I always like Riker. He's the definition of a gambler. You got know when to hold, know when to fold them...

[@KosstAmojan]

And in this scene, he knows when to walk away XD

[@cgamejewels]

@@KosstAmojan XD

[@Amazin11000]

Good Job Riker sowing the seeds of an existential crisis onto a narcissist.

[@johnkitteral9841]

Riker's feelings were more hurt, when Ral mentioned his career decisions, than his relationship with Deanna. His career has always been a soft spot for Riker.

[@junbh2]

Because he has doubts about whether he did the right thing staying second in command, and whether it's a sign of weakness, and his doubt makes him vulnerable there. It's a little too close to home. But he has no doubt about wanting Deanna to be happy, so that doesn't stick.

[@Brian6587]

"Except you don't have any values" "values beyond today's bid that is" LOL burn!

[@lerkzor]

In the next scene, Devinoni is seen googling for a list of burn centers in his area.

[@sunnymon1436]

Lloyd Braun is not crazy, if he says he's on the enterprise talking to riker - then he's on the enterprise talking to Riker. That's a perfectly sane thing to believe.

[@blackfootedferret]

😂 boy... we gotta get that Deanna a boyfriend

[@automattic6315]

AND he sold more computers than Riker!

[@DLSacks]

@@automattic6315 He's crazy! He's just ringing the bell!

[@joemasters2270]

Nice burn, Riker!!

[@KandiKlover]

Devon-OWNED-y Ral trollolololo

[@OzzyRampage]

Joe Masters I wish data would have came over and asked he would like some cream for that sweet burn...

[@pwnmeisterage]

The Captain's parrot does get some good dialogue now and then.

[@banjopink4409]

Joe Masters: _"Nice burn, Riker!!"_ So that explains his walk then.

[@jonathanc.gillespie4897]

Possibly the most underrated combo of character, actor and focused episodes across all of Trek, with Gul Dukat running close behind.

[@IAmTheRealBill]

Behind the tailor of course. Garek was such a good character brilliantly played. Except for the parts where he has to be claustrophobic. Mostly because the actor was, so those scenes aren’t him acting. ;)

[@christinevanderschoot3372]

I wouldn't call Gul Dukat "underrated". He is generally acknowledged to be one of the greatest characters in the entire Star Trek universe.

[@SaberViper]

@@christinevanderschoot3372 Dukat was a constantly self-defeating idiot with idiot cartoon villain plans, however, that being said I LOVE the way he was portrayed by Marc Alaimo.

[@JustinSIsTank]

He was so badass at the end, he didn't even have to pull the Riker Maneuver as he got up from the table.

[@SaberViper]

Expel a cloud of gas into Ral's face and ignite it?

[@bryangrimes824]

"His encounter with Ral had left Riker confident and enthusiastic; never had anyone so thoroughly owned an empathy before. That night, he turned sideways to enter a dozen doorways, and twice stepped-over every chairs upon which he sat. No one owned Riker."

[@FallenRingbearer]

Ah yes, the Riker Maneuver.

[@vveet]

Owning punks by respecting women!

[@richardgates7479]

+strontiumXnitrate Actually, Riker was insulting his character.

[@SovietReunionYT]

strontium, the OP's comment refers to Riker being more interested in Deanna's happiness than in "winning" her. It was the other guy that was erecting a pedestal. All Riker said was that she might be able to bring meaning to his empty life, which hardly makes her "beyond the reach of any mere mortal".

[@Sage2000]

Indeed. By showing respect and true love for Diana, Riker dont let the dude turns her into a object/prize.

[@davecrupel2817]

Unfortunately, women prefer to go with the punks. So the respectful ones tend to lose in the end.

[@dragenfire68]

Daniel Cannata or, ya know, the nice guys are the douches that are manipulative, never hit, but constrict free thought and free choice, and those punks might be that way for reasons that you're not meant to know, only she is.

[@NikitaHunt]

Riker 😍 what a man.

[@jumbowana]

Fun fact: This is actually just a fever dream happening in Lloyd Braun's mind. All of TNG was a dream.

[@chromenomad1]

"Riker, you never could compete with LLOYD BRAUN!!"

[@jumbowana]

@@chromenomad1 Romulan now, Klingon later.

[@covariance5446]

Don't you see?! He was doing it to *FOOL* Lloyd Braun!

[@jessegrisham]

Set phasers to burn!

[@samsoncrosswood7259]

Riker. When they let him be a rogue, a little 23rd century, he's amazing.

[@tikletik]

He was basically the Kirk of the show.

[@ablethreefourbravo]

That explains why Troi liked him. Remember how she gushed when she met Okona, after all.

[@ziiofswe]

Okona... I remember him... I always thought he seemed quite... outrageous.

[@inusberard5848]

tikletik One commercial in Canada for a TNG marathon went thusly. As captain(Picard) you call the shots. "Engage!" As a Commander(Riker) enjoy all the perks. -making out with different women- As a lieutenant(Worf) kick boatloads of ass.-Worf kicking ass- And as an Ensign(unnamed extra) have a console blow up in your face.

[@incredibleadventures1027]

Star Trek : the motion picture had this setup too, with Kirk as the experienced captain and Decker as the brash young first officer

[@EricNorcross]

The writing in this scene is stellar.

[@Offitshell]

I love how he was so confident in his relationship with Deanna that with the one miscalculation, Riker knew he had him.

[@theefrankguy]

Riker should have told that guy to go back to the "Police Academy"!!!.

[@Revan2908]

LOL! Yes!

[@theefrankguy]

Riker should have said "Get lost, Sgt. Lessard."!!!.

[@mbaxter22]

lol read my mind

[@zakcweber]

you'll never be as good as lloyd braun

[@NeoSef]

Serenity now...insanity later.

[@marsneedstowels]

He was just about to offer RIker a stick of Lo Mein chewing gum before he left.

[@MrRizo23]

Serenity now!

[@aviation_nut]

I was looking for the Lloyd Braun reference in the comments. Glad to see I couldn't go too far down.

[@noyerr0l3]

I heard they found a family in his freezer

[@brianpeck4035]

So here's what happened..Ryker felt the sting of the jab into his private feelings for Diana and then felt protective of her for the briefest moment until with a smile he realized that Diana was fully capable of taking care of herself and this dude. That's when he loved her even more and that's a love and respect that overrides Ryker's own insecurities. Beautiful.

[@JoeQuake]

George's mom: "Why is that man being so mean to Lloyd Braun?!?! Lloyd Braun is so perfect!!!"

[@arcticdragon3565]

Riker: the only dude that can one-up an empath

[@MrGrownman455]

LOL Riker is a very calm man. No wonder he is such a great poker player

[@MaximumWarp2099]

OWNED!!! Scenes like this showed what a badass Riker was. I really wished we had gotten a Riker series as he captained the Titan after ST:Nemesis.

[@jjr6929]

Riker gets up, and nails walking away ...walks just like John Wayne.....nails it.

[@TheAvidCautionist]

I used to own Riker. I gave him one command. I said "From now on you shall sit down in chairs in an awkward manner." That was many years ago and he still follows that command to this day.

[@Cobalt985]

IIRC he has some back problem that causes him to sit down like that, not just because he's tall lol

[@tonoornottono]

@@Cobalt985 yeah he had a back injury

[@xmisterpilgrimx4869]

Clearly, you don't even realize how badly HE owned YOU, because his response was the Riker maneuver, which is the coolest way to be seated in all the Galaxy.

[@blackstarafro2]

This was like watching a security officer beam down with the away team in the original Star Trek series. Dead within 3 minutes 😂😂😂

[@markeewell]

Might as well have given Ral a red shirt.

[@ponfed]

One of the greatest examples of positive masculinity on TV. And one that seems earned... and you believe that Riker won the fight by not entering it. Diana is his friend regardless of the past, or the future. That smile tells it all.

[@MichaelJones-wd5vq]

I miss this show and the values it holds. The world needs it again.

[@BIGGIEDEVIL]

I never understood this convo when first watching it as a kid early teen, now being a man i get how riker burnes him with kindness

[@terreliv]

Just noticed both dudes have dark hair/blue eyes... Deanna, do you have a type?

[@hla0roo]

... Until that whole Worf thing...

[@icarusfx]

hla0roo That never made sense to me. Worf and Jadzia was perfect - culture, interests, etc. Him and Deana felt so forced.

[@mathewdempsey16]

icarusfx it was forced and was a mistake

[@emmabradford1740]

oldgraphics: sadly true

[@claraf.6833]

I never really bought that Troi/Worf relationship. I mean, it was a less forced romance than Seven and Chakotay, but still any relationship starting during the last season somehow seems a bit unrealistic.

[@JeremyCuddles]

This scene is so amazing. The acting by both of them was second to none. The dialogue, verbal jousting always gets me excited. Then Ral makes one critical mistake that brings the veil of invincibility down and Ryker sees him for who he is. The final KO combo by Ryker as he tears down Ral was masterclass writing and acting. He shows how true his love is for Diana when he says "if you can bring her happiness into her life, nothing would please me more." He loves her and all he wants is for her to be happy. Regardless of who it is with. And he continues by saying that it would be the smartest thing Ral would ever do by having her in his life, cause she can add meaning to it. Implying she's more than just a trophy. But a beautiful soul that can fulfill your life and make you a better person. But the real takeaway is, Ryker is not threatened about this guy getting Diana. Cause he knows this guy doesn't have any sense to realize the value in companionship and others. So he's not worried about Diana and this guy. Beautiful, beautiful writing.

[@Scripture-Man]

Can I have a cuddle please?

[@martinaxe6390]

I love this scene because you can almost hear Picard in Riker’s rebuttle. Riker has watched Picard give countless speeches, and now he’s going to use all that observational knowledge to quietly shred a man at a table and walk away.

[@DblOSmith]

I was thinking the exact same thing. His rebut could have come from Picard besides the "to the last mile" line. That was Riker all the way.

[@kapnerad]

2:34 Cue Thug life music.....

[@christopherg2347]

Please. Do not devalue his anwesomeness with that new fad.

[@WillyShufflebottom]

Sometimes TNG was on point with these exchanges, they really defined the series.

[@richardkoroias2082]

One aspect of this people overlook is that Ral did not know that Troi taught Riker her people's ability to communicate empathically as well as how to shield himself from it to a certain extent. So while Ral could sense Riker, Riker was able to mask some of himself from Ral and turn that conversation against him. That's why the actor portraying Ral had to look stunned, because he couldn't read Riker well enough to see that coming until Riker wanted him to. Of course you could chalk that up to Ral being only one-quarter Betezed as well.

[@gfh110]

This scene has some serious Don Draper "I don't think about you at all." energy... 20 years before Mad Men.

[@Truenorth1000]

I love this HD quality !!

[@InMooseWeTrust]

Truenorth1000 They remastered all of TOS and TNG frame by frame.

[@Darjaboo]

When Riker smiles @ 1:55 is the best

[@1993bahamut]

"Oh, you've done fucked up now"

[@jojitsu5620]

Man, when writing, and acting and story telling was rich with nuance and wisdom. The show was absolutely one of the best shows ever. In any genre.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Yes, I noticed this was decidedly left out of _Picrap._

[@twosocks1976]

This was such a fantastic scene, and Ryker absolutely put him in his place. My favorite wine was the dig at how he has no values. That is absolutely right, and what went through my mind, in part, as I watched this scene play out, was that the other guy is a Greek personification of the business mindset in the corporate world. Oh I know, it exists in government bureaucracy as well. This idea that it's okay try to prove what a big man you are by stepping on others, and making them feel, and if possible, even believe, that they are worthless and insignificant, just because you were willing to take risks, and they supposedly were not. It was just flawless. And the best part is, Tyker it's so confident and self-assured, that nothing the other dude says can shake him or upset him.

[@mikeygoodboi]

No one plays Poker better than Riker. And he understood human/manly nature better than Riker. A true man's man.

[@Anonymous4283]

A stick of gum would have made this conversation go a lot smoother.

[@partyguy101ify]

Matt McCoy played the priest in one of the Christmas episodes of The Golden Girls about a month after "The Price" first aired. In 1997, he played the father of the main character in that TV movie about drunk driving many of us saw in school, The Accident: A Moment of Truth.

[@cerebrophage7709]

I love how Deanna rubbed off on him with her psychology and he was able to see the play by this guy for what it was. He totally recognized that the guy was not only trying to scare off Will because he was threatened, but threat in itself told Will how little this guy knew about her. How much she would change him to be a better man than he's being.. This was just a wonderful own in so many ways.

[@theredshirtsastartrekpodca5967]

Frakes was always a bit uneven as a performer IMO but when he was on, dude was ON!! This moment, his owning of Jellico, and him showing Cmdr Shelby that he was the MAN are some of my favorite TNG moments!!

[@glennheth3472]

The best part was that Jellico was totally in the right and Riker still owned him.

[@superexoticshrub]

@@glennheth3472 I don't necessarily think Jellico was 100% correct. Yes, a commanding officer can rearrange things to suit him or her, but it shows a lack of tact, even in their heighted threat situation, to bully your way through it like Jellico did. You saw exactly how he was undermining the morale and effectiveness of the crew through his forced changes, even if it didn't end up jeopardizing the mission at large. So, within his rights? Sure. Not the sign of a good leader? I think so. I agree with Riker in the episode when he dressed Jellico down once he was free to do so.

[@techracer2003]

People are forgetting Riker is a very good Poker player. You can't call him bluff or break him, and when he does show hand, he makes sure that you lose big.

[@SJAnubis]

GEORGE: The whole time that I was growing up, all I ever heard from my mother was 'Why can't you be more like that Lloyd Braun?'

[@MyFireVideos]

I've watched this clip so many times! I love that Riker puts her happiness over his own.

[@Rhythmicons]

Paul Ryan did such a good job in this scene.

[@Nonaggress]

The is the best fucking minute of dialogue ever to be put into Riker's mouth. Congratulations Jonathan Frakes, you've finally managed to impress me.

[@ztslovebird]

Nonaggress Watch Gargoyles. He plays a character named David Xanatos, who’s sort of a mix of Tony Stark, Bruce Wayne, and Lex Luthor in terms of wealth, charisma, and brilliance. One of Disney’s greatest villains.

[@Nonaggress]

@@ztslovebird I'm 30. *Of fucking course* I watched Gargoyles.

[@Mill_O]

That grin near 1:55 is just utter poetic justice, along with the dialogue that follows. Beautiful scene.

[@Commander76]

Riker is my favorite Star Fleet officer of all time. I have total confidence in him out maneuvering Kirk, Picard, or Sisko. He's as smooth as 300 year old bourbon.

[@kilroy987]

Nice turn of the coin, Riker. You get softened up by being insulted for being second in command, as if there's some world awareness you failed to impress, and lean entirely on how you care for Deanna and value her happiness more than losing her. I can only hope someone means that much to me to be so immune to the machinations of someone trying to tear me down. Love keeps you well in your place.

[@drmayeda1930]

Oh this one that guy is a bajoran, they are bidding on what might be an stable wormhole. Too bad it wasn't it changes endpoints. A pair of Ferengi ended up in the gamma quadrant till Janeway found them.

[@truluvpassions]

A pure burn at its finest. This is one of my favorite Riker scenes. I would tell Ral to sit the eff down, but...LOL.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

“Serenity now, Number One……. insanity later.”

[@ephraimalbertbelnap]

When Riker flashes that smile, you know SOMEONE'S about to get messed up 😆😆😆