Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About William Riker

[@justinringrose22]

I thought for sure they were going to talk about the other Picard Maneuver-the one where he pulls down his top uniform. Fun video-gotta love Riker!

[@joelellis7035]

I think it was tongue-in-cheek that they used the in lore "Picard maneuver" rather than directly referencing the uniform adjustment. 😉

[@HahnsVideos]

Me too.

[@b1oh1]

The "Riker Maneuver" is where you mount a chair in the very particular way Jonathan Frakes does due to a back injury.

[@markp4767]

Yep..I immediately became a Fan when he grew his beard.. I got a ..'soft spot' for men with beards🥰🥰🥰

[@paulbabcock2428]

I think that along w there being two Picard Manuvers, similarly there is another Ryker manuver. When Ryker ejected the warp core and exploded it in the Briar Patch Star Trek IX, wasn't that refered to as "the Ryker manuver"?

[@mancingtom]

"Tecumseh" is a reference to General William Tecumseh Sherman, who fought for the Union during the American Civil War. That's why it's revealed in the Voyager episode "Death Wish" that Riker's ancester Thaddius served under Sherman. Sherman himself was named for a Native American leader who resisted American expansion in the early 19th century. Tecumseh's courage and ingenuity made him a folk hero throughout North America for years after his death.

[@MattTee1975]

Thanks for mentioning it - drove me nuts when she said "baffling".

[@marilynsobel7414]

@@MattTee1975 I wouldn't really expect someone from England to know that much about American history.

[@MattTee1975]

@@marilynsobel7414 If you're making an entire video on Star Trek, I suspect you can Google a character's middle name?

[@marilynsobel7414]

@@MattTee1975 I just Googled it. You get results for Tecumseh himself; none of the immediate results are for W.T. Sherman. In a deservedly long Wikipedia article about Tecumseh, you learn about William Tecumseh Sherman in one line at the end of the article. I assume that William Tecumseh Riker was meant to echo William Tecumseh Sherman, rather than honoring the original Tecumseh, especially with the Civil War connection. So I think it would be reasonable to be confused about the connection between Riker and an indigenous chief.

[@jorymil]

I was going to say the same thing! It's an obvious reference for Americans.

[@jamesbrooking1287]

Riker is a legend his beard, his maneuver and his trombone playing makes him awesome

[@MOSMASTERING]

He's firm, but fair. Picard actually describes his character perfectly to the Zachorian strategy master. Something like.. his joviality is the means by which he cultivates trust.

[@gordol66]

The real "Picard Maneuver" is him tugging down on his tunic.

[@gregoryliedtka7510]

The man's a legend! I got to meet him in 2017 and he was loving the fans. Dare I say best Trek director.... I do

[@knitcrochettiger361]

i can confirm that lower back injuries are NO fun at all....when it's hard on the lower back to stand or sit up straight in a chair, you just want to get into positions that will stop the pain....if Frakes has to lean forward to sit in the chair with no pain, more power to him

[@B-Hathaway]

His director’s commentary for First Contact is absolute gold. He explains the need for the Riker Maneuver there too.

[@MightyAttackTribble]

As enjoyable as the First Contact commentary is, the one he and Marina did for Insurrection is legendary.

[@B-Hathaway]

@@MightyAttackTribble Alright, I’ve listened to the commentary he and Marina did for Insurrection, and it is indeed priceless. Also I melted every time Marina called him Johnny … and that isn’t even my name.

[@markbade565]

Scuse me... The Picard maneuver is when he adjusts his uniform top with both hands. 🖖

[@tautau1a]

There are two Picard manoevres. You describe the IRL one; the ship thing is ST:TNG lore.

[@aceinternetfighterpilot]

I think in the episode "in theory" Riker was the only one to tell data to "go for it". The set up to that was perfection.

[@Davidofsmeg]

Didn't expect the Bristol Pusher to be referenced here but I'll take it none the less!

[@lloydi]

Wonder if he's found any oil for his spaceship yet?

[@GrymmSoul]

Thank God I'm not the only one that got excited about that! To boldly go, where no Yognaught has gone before....!

[@lloydi]

@@GrymmSoul not going to lie was a pleasant suprise

[@ricknick5318]

I can speak from having a damaged back that sometimes something looks super athletic is just the only way to go to avoid hurting your back people think I'm weird for sleeping sitting up but my back don't hurt when I sleep sitting up in my recliner

[@Convoy00X]

As someone else with a bad back I can concur. In face I'm leaning forward at my desk right now.

[@Linerunner99]

And being 6' 4" made the famous maneuver an easy thing for him to spare his back with.

[@lokisgodhi]

Be careful with that. Sleeping upright can cause one to develop varicose veins, which can lead to skin ulcers.

[@VoxVeritas1776]

Actually Johnathan Frakes grew the beard for North and South and liked it so much he told GR he wanted to keep it and GR agreed.

[@samtaholo]

Actually, North and South Book 2 was filmed in 1986, a year before TNG debuted, so you're wrong.

[@OrdinaryDude]

When TNG came out I remember while watching the first episode thinking that Picard was only going to be there a few episodes and die; so Riker could become the Kirkesque Captain. Picard seemed to old and stodgy to be the lead at first.

[@michaelcalico8702]

The REAL Picard Maneuver is how he always pull down his shirt to straighten it. He does it a little more often than Riker sits I think.,

[@cherryleegee1182]

Talking about that killer smile, my 12 year old self got to see that smile in person at a convention in 1990 in San Antonio. Let’s just say that the camera does not do that smile justice. And he is an absolute sweetheart as well.

[@shumworld]

I would have chuckled if they commented on the line he had a hard time saying for being a tongue twister. I don't remember the episode but the line ended with "It was his assistant".

[@lyledal]

Jeffrey Combs? That would have been different and AWESOME.

[@estudiordl]

I'm introducing TNG to my girlfriend after watching TOS, TAS, and TOS movies. Last week we saw Encounter at Farpoint and when Riker appeared for the first time, I literary say to her "that is this series Kirk..." 🤣

[@QueenAngelCakes]

As much as Riker is an iconic name and face in Trek, I wish they'd followed through with the mention in Nemesis that his name after marrying Deanna was "Mr Troi"!

[@IMDARKFIRE007]

WTF?!?!?!?!?! after all these YEARS I thought that line was directed at the new first officer and Riker was like "really, not me?" but Picard was calling him Troi....holy sh!t that never clicked with me.

[@paulbabcock2428]

Really? Is that like a Betazoid thing?

[@QueenAngelCakes]

@@paulbabcock2428 i guess so!

[@edwardrhoades6957]

@@paulbabcock2428 Picard was teasing him.

[@paulbabcock2428]

@@edwardrhoades6957 Ok. Well, that is what I was asking. I haven't seen Insurection in over 20 years. So Idr clearly at all that incident. I was hoping someone who knew for sure could give a definitive answer. But I seem to be getting conflicting info.

[@trekwars5400]

I Don't know what the Riker maneuver was... and I love you for it.👍

[@DeeViningUK]

Love love LOVE Riker ❤️

[@rainythorsday2858]

I grew up with this series, and very often perform the Riker maneuver, without thinking about it.

[@peabody1976]

As much as we know about Riker, we all know he still can't play "Nightbird". And "T" for "Tecumseh" was US Civil War general William T. Sherman's middle name, which isn't too odd if you get the reference. As for item 6... It's not just ladies who were taken by the roguish charm and smile. :) (And had Trek been a bit more progressive, that appeal would have shown up on screen too. And "The Outcast" doesn't count.)

[@Deltaflot1701]

Brits moan when we don't get some oblique reference to their history, it's only right they occasionally don't get ours/ :p

[@QueenAngelCakes]

Frakes has gone on record sayinghe wanted his love interest in "The Outcast" to be played by a male actor

[@scottmcintosh4397]

The "T" is for Thomas. William Thomas Riker, NOT Tecumseh. 🌌🔭

[@RLplusabunchofdumbnumbers]

@@scottmcintosh4397 Who are you correcting here? Did you even watch the video?

[@jeffreycarman2185]

Gotta love the Ryker maneuver.

[@leytonjay]

Excellently researched, I didn't know about Cybill and I never thought about how the fact he's been in all subsequent Star Trek's except Discovery (and soon to be Strange New Worlds).

[@kadria8338]

Now I'm hoping he'll be on Prodigy too. He'd be a great role model for Dal.

[@foegettergames252]

They finally stopped letting her write her own shit

[@DarkManSonian]

Star Trek is like the best and to think that we wouldn’t have it if it weren’t for Lucy.

[@tonyah.960]

Excellent show today Trekculture! To all my Trekkies Live Long and Prosper! Plus Resistance is Futile! We need a Captain William T. Riker show on the USS Titan!

[@paulbabcock2428]

I'd watch it.

[@tonyah.960]

Like in Star Trek Lower Decks Trekkies friend!

[@alm2187]

3:46 Do the reveal that way and we'd have to discover his name is William Tee Riker! (Now it'd really be something if it turned out he was named after Mister T.)

[@HariSeldon913]

I pity the fool who tries to make that canon! 😼

[@PurelyJimbo]

I knew about the Riker maneuver, but I never knew about Frakes' reason behind it; his back injury. That's pretty cool! (the reasoning, not the injury)

[@romewilliams3526]

Tecumseh works for both historical figures for Riker.

[@scottmcintosh4397]

Riker's middle name is Thomas, NOT Tecumseh. 🌌🔭

[@Jobutron1]

I most indubitably approve this video, I learned many things!

[@starrieyedGirl]

Omg I never noticed how Jonathan Franks mounted a chair🤣

[@KatsuRyu]

6:42 - I would say William Riker was in 5, not 6 as Thomas Riker showed up on DS9 not William Riker. Secondly, Spock beats him as he will be in 7 come May (Currently 6) they are: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Discovery, Prodigy, Brave New Worlds) if you count the transporter double, Riker is tied with Spock until the next tv show airs.

[@paulbabcock2428]

The Spocks are played by different actors, but yeah, you are right. For Ryker to lead this list he needs a caveat added that the character be played by by the same actor.

[@lukecorwin4589]

Spock also appears in Deep Space Nine in "Trials and Tribble-ations"

[@KatsuRyu]

@@lukecorwin4589 Good catch

[@frankmoniz1467]

He's got the Riker stuff!!!

[@gage2925]

haha Yogscast is on Trek Culture! So cool. Shadow of Israphel never got an ending. I hope Boba gets that back on again.

[@robertt9342]

Rikers behavioural changes was kind of written into the show, they talked about how driven he was to make captain, this could explain his seriousness, but his position on the enterprise probably changed his goals.

[@happyslapsgiving5421]

I swear to God, if you're gonna tell us he has a teleporter clone...

[@tmoore4075]

Honest Trailers put it well. "The horniest first officer in the fleet."

[@Linerunner99]

Except when Pon Farr comes rolling around. Then he slips to third place.

[@sureshmukhi2316]

@@Linerunner99 who is in second?

[@Linerunner99]

@@sureshmukhi2316 Depends on who you think is hornier... Spock or T'Pol...

[@sureshmukhi2316]

@@Linerunner99 Spock definitely. He even got it on with Saavik.

[@Linerunner99]

@@sureshmukhi2316 True... but T'Pol was getting it on even when she wasn't in Pon Farr.

[@hbeachley]

The Riker character offended me often, but Frakes does have an undeniable smile.

[@brianstiles1701]

In the MAD Magazine TNG parody, Riker was named ReKirk

[@Deuce_Tiberius]

I wouldn't be surprised if Frakes finds a way to get into Disco and SNW at some point

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

Bones made an apperance, too, as a 120 year old man.

[@philipingram1563]

You guys are awesome...

[@mg00k1]

Don't forget Q mentioning Riker's beard

[@joelellis7035]

He was never that way before the beard.

[@ericgjovaag7958]

What? No mention that the character is from Valdez, Alaska?

[@tetravega567]

Alaska-gain, no mention?

[@DocD173]

The last thing I expected to hear mentioned in a Star Trek video was the Yogscast. Man I watched the hell out of that back in the day

[@SoundwaveSG1]

it's WIllard Decker

[@BoundyMan]

I wish they had given Thomas a better story than having him join the Maque and end up in a Cardassian prison.

[@theblackgoatofthewoods]

It would make sence though, since he was (from his perspective) abandoned by Star Fleet and would hold a grudge against them and the copy who stole his life....

[@cwiggy34]

Riker is definitely my favorite.....

[@kayock2]

Yeah that is the Picard maneuver but not the one we always mean *pulls shirt down*

[@LizFahyScott]

I would guess that the proposed name Tecumseh was a tribute to William Tecumseh Sherman, who in turn was named for a Shawnee chief.

[@whatwho5244]

Yogscast in my 2022?? More likely than you think. ALSO: I had no idea Lewis was supposed to be Riker! I use to watch them all the time that's wild!

[@GabePuratekuta]

Isn't the real Riker Maneuver something with igniting Metreon gas?

[@paulbabcock2428]

I think there are two, just like w the Picard manuver. Tho, if I am remembering it correctly after Ryker ignited that metreon shit, Geordi said something like "I figure this will be remembered as the Ryker manuver". So it may or may not have caught on . Idt it's ever been referenced elswhere.

[@emtmike21]

He’s also the inspiration for commander Shepard in the mass effect series

[@skepticbb93]

I always thought the Riker maneuver was intentional- to add to his space cowboy mystique.

[@matthewsass9037]

Is it a brace or a griddle?

[@vassa1972]

Loved the next generation over the original series except for the Spock character of the original series. But thank God that Jonathan got the role as number"2", otherwise I'm not sure what would have happened to the character.

[@granddame1000]

Always loved commander Riker

[@jeffs2935]

Nicely done

[@willmfrank]

Fun Fact: William T. Riker was named after William T. Rice, the character played by Gary Lockwood on Gene Roddenberry's previous series "The Lieutenant."

[@scottphillips7198]

I'm such a nerd I actually knew all these. Dunno if I should be proud or ashamed 😛

[@sureshmukhi2316]

I knew all these to except for the Cybil part.

[@foegettergames252]

You should be proud and others ashamed for not knowing.

[@scottphillips7198]

I do think it's a bit surprising the mentioned Cybel but not that he played Xanatos on Gargoyles, but maybe too many people know that one

[@skitzcrasher]

"... once he grew the beard, that is..."

[@tetravega567]

William "The Beard" Riker *THAT'S* what the T stands for.

[@hbhamilton3]

Decker was Willard, not William.

[@malsimons]

Great video.

[@curtisberard7831]

The REAL Picard maneuver is his hand wave and sayjng "Engage!"

[@OnTheNerdySide]

I thought it was fixing his uniform front after he sat down.

[@curtisberard7831]

@@OnTheNerdySide That's Picard maneuver 1b. Funny thing m, I would unconsciously do that with my shirt so often in school some kids started calling me "Captain"

[@christopheraaron1255]

You said he was still appearing today, and then said that he had disappeared from the public consciousness... which is it?

[@jeremycunningham7897]

The riker manoeuvre sounds filthy … but that’s riker!

[@shannonbayley3684]

Can Sean do all the Star Trek videos please. Thank you.

[@foegettergames252]

For real, he at least watches Star Trek

[@baylinkdashyt]

It seems worth noting here that S1 Riker was *being an Executive Officer*; it's their job to say no so the Captain doesn't have to.

[@petermcguinness5281]

I didn't know about the back...!?! Thanks 👍

[@schaferhundschmidt1798]

I like in Wil Wheaton's Reddit post where it says Confirmation: I served on the Enterprise for 5 years. That's Trekking! 😏

[@vortega472]

I have a confession about William Riker, I hated that character, cannot stand Riker, I despise him. But I love the actor Jonathan Frakes - he is a great actor and a fantastic director. So very talented. Weird huh?

[@jamesrhbarratt]

wait was that fez jumping the shark?

[@LegoManStu]

Data looks like General Zod with the Riker beard

[@AstralShine]

Regarding #10, Decker's first name is Willard.

[@megatronjenkins2473]

Where's Big Ben? In a cage?

[@insylem]

I hope there is an out take somewhere, when Picard says "Fire at will" and Worf phases Commander Riker

[@TheMelbournelad]

I want to see something with the Titan in lower decks where he does a move against a Pak’led ship. Let’s say the Titan swoops up and over while the Cerritos swings round and takes out the engines. Boom Riker manoeuvre

[@theblackgoatofthewoods]

I allways thought that when Riker shaves his beard, tells Data that he is smooth like an androids bottom. Data touch his face and shakes his head was Brent Spiner improvising, since Jonathan is smile/laughing right after... Jonathan Frakes would make a good John Blackthorn though if they ever did a Shogun remake or a Asian Saga universe with reused actors, American Horror Story-style

[@NicoLM]

Unexpected Yogscast

[@MajesticDemonLord]

The Picard maneovre is asjusting your jumper as you stand up.

[@theawesomeran7779]

You did include that damned smile!!!😊

[@wgrandbois]

It's not that baffling to name him after Sherman, is it?

[@YoudontknowMimi]

Deanna Troi preferred the beardless Riker.... YUK! 😂

[@alexeimscruz2893]

Ellie Littlechild? Are you in any way related to Adam Shadowchild from the movie PAUL??? sweet...

[@vasyear]

1. It was Willard Decker not William 2. The maquis aren't terrorists

[@SniffHeinkel]

Wait a minute. If a transporter malfunction while attempting to beam Riker off Navala 4 caused "Thomas" Riker to be stuck there for 8 years, wouldn't that imply that the Riker we all know and love is actually the transporter clone?

[@robynvorsa9283]

Either jumping the shark (Happy Days) Growing the beard (Next Gen) Shaving the head (Deep Space Nine)

[@7T_Primal_Wolf]

I'm 6'9" tall, Steppin' over the back end of most common chairs to sit down, Just seems natural to Me.

[@maxpiemuse9584]

Riker was in more episodes than Worf? That's surprising.

[@ashedarke]

It's more shows rather than episodes 👍

[@andeeharry]

So Riker IS he modern Kirk...I knew it

[@tetravega567]

Rikirk

[@Adroit1911]

Star trek is really a show about River.

[@scuttledspatula8837]

TNG Riker 😋

[@soulsphere1749]

Smooth face Riker is more chill and superior, don’t @ me

[@mikelittlefair8359]

Ah riker’s beard was one of my first teenagers crushes.. at 43 I still would 😘

[@burrahobbit]

Riker doesn't sit. Riker mounts.

[@0SgtRoadkill0]

Thomas Riker is rescued from the Cardassians/dominion in a few stories and games so he may not be gone!

[@ethannelson8656]

The real Picard maneuver is him pulling his shirt down all the time.

[@sandykennedy7958]

"Reticent"?

[@QuelSalius]

Cybil SHEPPARD, not Sheridan! 🙃

[@QueenAngelCakes]

Sheppard was the actress, Sheridan was the character

[@QuelSalius]

@@QueenAngelCakes OK!

[@ReelSpider]

Correction: Worf has been in more Star Trek than ANY other actor.