Is Commander Riker a Womanizer?

[@katieschmid988]

I adore the framing device you used in this video

[@euansmith3699]

It is picture perfect.

[@justinaclayburn2248]

Buh-dun-cha!

[@itsOasus]

It really did paint the scene quite well if I say so myself

[@chelmrtz]

A cinematic tableau if you will

[@GeeksandGrub]

Now that's the very portrait of comedy!

[@codasylphanthi2187]

I love the idea that Steve has a portrait of Commander Riker in a slightly too ornate frame just hanging somewhere in his house.

[@andrewness]

Don't we all?

[@renatocorvaro6924]

... you don't?

[@codasylphanthi2187]

@@renatocorvaro6924 Well I'm getting one now!

[@francoislacombe9071]

In a perfect world, Jonathan Frakes would see this video and release a version where he overdubs all of Riker's lines.

[@arbjbornk]

Maybe if Steve were to offer the whole fifty bucks to Frakes, this could happen.

[@TheMadMaple]

You ask me, Riker was framed at first to basically be Kirk in all but rank, right down to his way with the ladies, but he overcame that portrait viewers had of him, and he eventually was hanged as the serial monogamist we know and love.

[@michaels.9871]

And I bet he was also hung. Yes, I went there.

[@Seal0626]

Kirk wasn't a womaniser either.

[@MrSkills123]

@@michaels.9871 yeah he has that big D energy for sure!

[@willmfrank]

The pun is strong with this one Whoops wrong franchise.

[@coletteb.8889]

I know this is supposed to be a pun about the picture, but the way it's worded I thought you meant he was hung (executed) for being a serial monogamist. It really threw me for a couple of seconds. Was it just me or did anyone else go there?

[@TrueYellowDart]

Jessie Gender also observed (in her Sex in Trek: TNG opus) that Riker is all about others gettin’ it on too and that’s he’s one of the most sex-positive characters in TV history.

[@violetsunprops]

I really liked hearing the words from the man himself. He really managed to paint a picture.

[@helixspiral]

😂

[@JDW79]

I disagree, I thought he was painting with broad strokes.

[@bigshow771]

I don't know whether I should adore you for this, or declare you my hated nemesis.😉 Have a "like", either way.

[@PyronusSouria]

I think he really brought his canvas to life

[@heysmithify]

It was a nice framing device

[@mikeoyler2983]

He never walked on to the bridge and started slappin' high fives with the crew and bragged about his romantic exploits. I think one of his best lines is when he even says that Diana can be with whomever she wants and how he supports her and just wants her to be happy.

[@justinaclayburn2248]

While watching an episode of Star Trek I turned to my dad and said: people sure fall in love fast in Star Trek. He turned to me and replied: They fall in love fast on The Bachelor, too.

[@TheGerkuman]

I was a bit confused about Steve saying Riker and Troi weren't together but then I realised that the picture on the wall is Season 7/Generations/First Contact Riker. The events of Picard haven't happened to him yet

[@creditsunknown7974]

Ngl I expected Riker to say "I don't engage in casual sex, I engage in COMPETITIVE SEX"

[@ryanedwards7487]

Wow, you really hit the difference between a womanizer and a serial monogamist on the head there. It did always bother me that people call Riker and Kirk womanizers. They aren't. Kirk is too in love with his ship to ever really find meaningful love (great video about that by the way) -- the man is like so many lifelong military personnel and race car drivers: He's in love with the job, and any partner he does love is along for the ride. Riker is someone who loves some would say too freely, but he does treat his partners with respect and shows their relationships integrity, which is key. A womanizer does not respect their partners and has little problem with promiscuity and subterfuge about it. Good video--thank you for doing Number one a solid.

[@georgelionon9050]

Wait a minute tough, I'm not that firm on the exact plots of all of TOS, but as far I remember Kirk more than once used his charm on women to get something else (plot related) he wants.. Riker never did something like that.

[@DrknssRules1]

Can Riker can be a recurring character from now on? Just like whenever you talk about an episode of TNG you just hear him in the background "I remember that! That was fucking cool!"

[@tonyjackson4078]

I agree with the statement that he's not preying on defenseless or unaware women. They are consenting adults who either wish to pursue a relationship or are down for a little bedroom bop for fun. In essence, Will Riker isn't a creeper.

[@FistoftheSnackBar]

"Easy there big fella!" "FLATTERY WILL GET YOU NOWHERE!" That is one of the single best jokes I've ever heard in my entire life.

[@Gregnier]

This is the high quality content which we have come to expect.

[@PeacefulJuggernaught]

VERY impressed with how well Steve got his beard to mesh with Riker’s. It looks fantastic. But I couldn’t stop picturing Brian Griffin the entire time he was doing his Riker voice 😂

[@tyrongkojy]

WOMANIZER? No. He doesn't cheat. But he DOES play the field, and plays it HARD.

[@ThatWeirdo04]

I don't think womanizer necessarily implies cheating

[@TrueYellowDart]

You have that Riker portrait hanging up all the time just so you can get the daily thrill of Frakes giving you that dreamy look of his.

[@jameshagan2832]

Who doesn't

[@euansmith3699]

The painting hangs in Steve's Disrobing Room.

[@TrueYellowDart]

@@jameshagan2832 Hey I’m just trying to find my Fellow Frosted Frakes Fans out there.

[@chrisbcakes4949]

@@TrueYellowDart are you Jessie gender in disguise? She has the hots for him too.

[@TrueYellowDart]

@@chrisbcakes4949 I am not Jessie but Riker does indeed fall within my “Appealing Human Aesthetics” category.

[@joewhite4564]

That was fun. And just for a minute, before you showed the portrait, I thought you actually had gotten Jonathan Frakes. 🤣

[@krazyglue60]

@@tparadox88With the speech balloons and everything? That would have been epic! 😂

[@cartoonkelly7924]

“I’m not a Lower Decks character” “Welk, you kinda are” BURN!

[@Brahmsonite]

No reference to that time Riker was accused of murder and womanizing? Star Trek does Rashomon. The version from the husband's perspective was hilarious!

[@brandonlordbaltimore5182]

I just got this huge smile when I saw the title. And I'm like "What? Is that a real question? It's Halloween not April 1st. What's going on?"

[@dkSilo]

I do love the jab at Lower Decks. Also a nice reminder (seeing you are actually Riker in that scene), that you as well can't be expected to know everything there is is about Trek. Cool video, nothing unexpected about the topic at hand. I really liked how you played Riker and while I feared the mouth on the picture would look meh, you made it fit pretty well. Also kudos to the voice, comes close. All in all: Thanks for awesome vid.

[@marienbad2]

omg this is fantastic. I love how full of cool references it was and how you wrote them into the script!

[@nickkladky8396]

The recommendation after I finish this was Captain jellico is actually a good captain. You should redo that one as a discussion with the Riker portrait.

[@sunyavadin]

NGL, I thought Steve was gonna create a transporter duplicate of himself to do the video. I did not see this coming. But seriously, Riker's right, you could at least have had some kind of pun about trying to find a.... "framing device"

[@joshuagiehll3737]

Season 2 finale is literally "Let's recap all the women Riker banged".

[@ByrdieFae]

I was howling with laughter the entire time. Best framing device ever.

[@Trekpanther]

A small detail I appreciate is that when you have to get into Trek mode you put on the DS9 hat like you were Mr.Rogers putting on the sweater.

[@rmeddy]

I love how Steve and Riker's beard matches up so well

[@reptomicus]

6:03 "I believe they prefer the term biracial" You sounded just like Adam West as Batman when you said that. haha

[@yudeok413]

Only 50 bucks for this whole performance? That's an amazing deal!

[@SteveShives]

Yeah, if I open up commissions again I'm definitely jacking up the price.

[@yudeok413]

@@SteveShives that's inflation I'm not going to complain about ☺️

[@Bethos1247-Arne]

I commissioned this one and the 50 bucks are well spent. Steve only quickly mentioned things I was thinking about but overall, he modified my opinion about Riker's hunt for ladies. And the performance was funny as fuuu...

[@bjbierlein5566]

Thanks for commissioning this!

[@wyattcastle7225]

And here I thought Jessie Gender was the only KZbinr with a framed portrait of Commander Riker.

[@HaroldElbowmanIV]

The fact that you can actually dance to dixieland, and that it's New Orleans' signature contribution to jazz history always bothered me about that episode.

[@nathanieldaiken1064]

Yeah, you can (dance to it)!

[@annebaldwin4822]

The Charleston, The Bop, The Twist, and probably anything else in that family are pretty much perfect for dancing to Dixieland. My Dad proved that a couple of times when the Preservation Hall Jazz Band came to town. *Smile*

[@Bethos1247-Arne]

@@annebaldwin4822 I think the gist is that Riker would not be into women who dance to Dixieland. I personally like most of Jazz and Dixieland introduced me to Jazz.

[@Dunybrook]

Definitely gave the vibe of two people who know nothing about jazz acting like they are experts.

[@MrAngryThing13]

That beard/mouth match up was perfect! Lol😂

[@MrAngryThing13]

I also almost died laughing when you said “How much time do I have… FUUUUUU!!!” That is my normal working day! Great job Steve!

[@Stairdweller]

"we don't talk" Ahh the future utopia where humankind has evolved beyond greed and bigotry... but not child abandonment.

[@donaldcantrell7166]

The delivery of that joke at the very end was comedy gold

[@Bastion90]

You missed an opportunity to call out Riker for telling Kamala he would never open someone else's gift. Referring to her as property doesn't really help his case.

[@rebbeccahoneycutt7941]

Beautifully executed, I too thought the answer was no, he is very comfortable with himself and explored the worlds with a willingness to be explored in return. Always loved Riker, and I gotta admit, it took me longer than I want to admit how you got Riker to come hangout and talk to you.

[@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond]

This was a really fun way to do this video, thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@MurrayTheMac]

Counterpoint: in Conundrum where the crew's memories are wiped, Riker has no problem getting romantically involved with both Troi and Ro Laren at the same time without seemingly giving much thought about the women's feelings. You can argue that their memories were wiped so it's not indicative of anything, but everyone seems to be acting completely in character (Worf's proclivity for putting security and battle-readiness first, Troi's sensitivity about people feelings, Picard's sense of tact and not rushing to conclusions, etc). I concur that Riker doesn't treat women badly just because he has a lot of consensual casual sex, but I'd be hesitant about describing Riker as committed to monogamy either.

[@TheSingularParent]

Good point. And it didn't feel out of character either. There was no suggestion that he wasn't acting like himself. Riker never came across as someone who turn down a good shag just because he happened to be dating someone at the time.

[@kaitlyn__L]

TBH I didn’t feel like he was interested in Troi in that episode, just that he didn’t shoot down her interest in him. He never really corroborated, just went “hmm, I see” and “interesting”.

[@MaikuWotaharu]

I'm surprised Amanda Rogers didn't get mentioned. I figured her forcing him to "love" her would have been brought up, despite how very brief it was.

[@Gormathius]

I can't believe he filmed the whole thing in portrait mode.

[@PaulMcElligott]

Underrated comment.

[@shawarden]

Georgi: Computer, create an adversary capable of defeating Data. Moriarty: Sup? Riker: Computer...

[@darklink539]

There is a difference between a "womanizer" and a dude who women genuinely like. Even in the future. Every woman in my life when this show was on TV, my wife, my Mom, my sister, virtually every woman that I knew agreed he was "cute" or "nice looking".

[@TheSingularParent]

Being cute or nice looking doesn't actually mean you can't be a womanizer. A womanizer, as I understand it, is someone who lies to get women in bed. Tells them he is serious and wants a long term relationship when he really wants a one night stand, that sort of thing. A womanizer also cheats, is never content with one woman at a time, and lies about that, too. A good looking man can certainly act like this. In fact it probably makes it easier for him to get away with it. Same goes for charming. Not saying this is Riker, just, I don't agree that a womanizer can't be a dude that women like (at least until they know him better)

[@georgelionon9050]

@@TheSingularParent Story time, In school we wants caught by chance one of the teacher talking up a woman in a bar. The next day one of the pupils had the audacity to confront him and asked "mr. teacher, are you a womanizer?" (of course he knew we saw him), well he responded "how would you define womanizer?".. "umm, someone who is good talking with women".. "in that case my answer is yes". I found it impressive how he handled the situation.

[@StormsparkPegasus]

The limited animation actually works in this case, because you happen to have Riker's beard almost exactly. Back before my time, there were "animated" shows where this is literally all they did. I'm cool with this because this is done for comedy. Having a serious show in this format is baffling, lol.

[@boxybrown6900]

Remember Riker also piped down Lilith from frasier in the episode first contact.

[@chrisbcakes4949]

I like the set up of this video. It's a great way to 'see the big picture' when it comes to Riker. He had a great perspective. He produced a great self portrait.

[@costelinha1867]

I really love how you framed Riker in the video's narrative. It really puts him on display.

[@johnchedsey1306]

I especially appreciated the well done Lower Decks joke. You're the portrait of professionalism, Steve!

[@reboxtherapy]

I got a poster with him on it from one of the first tng magazine I got from Smittys supermarket. On the back it has a picture of Mr. DORN. Well my sister thought that Riker was a rendition of Kirk, especially before he had the beard.

[@joeloud1]

Literally watched this episode (11001001) last night, starting my kids on the show, season 1 & 2 warts and all

[@joearnold6881]

5:17 Holy shit, Riker and Picard had a kid and it grew up to join Starfleet!

[@Kaizer617]

This is great. Everything about this is amazing! The back and forth between Steve and the Riker photo is comedy gold! Also, glad someone recognizes Riker, and Kirk, aren't womanizing sex-crazed horn-dogs.

[@dhpbear2]

Jonathan Frakes DID play a womanizer in an episode of "The Waltons" in 1979, "The Lost Sheep". He played Ashley Longworth, a never-to-be future husband of one of the Baldwin ladies! "Call me 'Ash', Cora!" :)

[@hezekiahramirez6965]

Riker, literally: “Ya like jazz?”

[@castironchaos]

It's the Return of the Professional KZbinr!

[@getnohappy]

"I get it", "but unfortunately I didn't" almost made me spit my drink out, kudos!

[@lewdwig]

Commander Riker is fully functional and trained in many techniques.

[@jp12x]

NICE! This is the first on-screen appearance of your CMDR Riker shrine. :)

[@DaveGSound]

Ha! Great!!!! This is fantastic commentary and humor. Really great work here!

[@NimhLabs]

The real reason the commissions are closed is because he doesn't want questions about Chili Dogs and Root Beer

[@reptomicus]

If he was then it would explain his back pains and why he sits down like that.

[@sirB0nes]

I never noticed the first time I watched this video how often Riker shows Steve his pouty face.

[@bradbucknell3636]

"Easy, big fella!" "FLATTERY WILL GET YOU NOWHERE! I'm dead

[@donyerly528]

One of the (mostly) unspoken fantasy aspects of Trek is how much fun it would be to live in an era where society has evolved in a very non-possessive direction, medical science has progressed to a point of advancement and availability that things like STDs and accidental pregnancies aren't concerns, and you just happen to be a handsome space cowboy. I don't know why people don't talk about this more. I think it's a great selling point for the franchise as a whole. I guess it's one of those things that loses its appeal if you mention it out loud.

[@SunnyIntervalsORG]

Nice video! Although I'm a bit disappointed you didn't use your off brand holodeck again to chat with Riker.

[@renatocorvaro6924]

The only thing I took away from this is Hallowe'en MacGyver episodes.

[@maximborozenec8142]

"Oh boy... - More like Oh girl!" That is brilliant.

[@CannedFishFiles]

i have a youtube channel, and the thing about the waffle iron really resonated with me.

[@CoiledMoons]

Man, you really nailed this one to the wall! Nice job!

[@raymondtillotson6985]

Technically, from a 2022 perspective, the question is "Will Commander Riker be a womanizer?"

[@DeadDancers]

Favourite episode so far. “I WILL VAPORISE YOU! YOU KNOW IM CAPABLE OF IT!” 😂

[@jtzor5922]

I was thinking about skipping this one but it was next in the cue so I pressed play. Glad I didn't, this is hilarious.

[@LaughterOnWater]

The portrait of Riker behind my door doesn’t speak to me… 😢 😂

[@danielclement2832]

Clever idea. Too funny. Hope it was as much fun to shoot as it was to watch.

[@Vilamus]

firstly, I absolutely agree with the video. however, the episode "a matter of perspective" casts an unanswered question on Riker's conduct. He is accused by Manua Apgar of forcing himself on her. Whilst that was not the motive for Dr Apgar's death, it is something that is dismissed out of hand. This episode either does Riker dirty or victims of that kind of attack dirty as well.

[@TheSingularParent]

Troi tells us that Manua was telling the truth, as she saw it. So one way or another something problematic was happening.

[@darth-imperius]

It's been a while since I've laughed so much at the expense of Star Trek. 😅

[@larsfrommars1378]

A+ content. Your Star Trek Videos are the best, thank you!

[@hank_says_things]

Not a womaniser, just irresistible. Space Daddy ftw 💕 Also, Number One getting snippy with you was gold 👌🏼

[@peterlane1391]

He does realize the Minuet example is terrible because the Holodeck comes up with a full jazz club. Riker clears everyone out and dictates his perfect woman to the computer. He's two minutes from sleeping with her by the time Picard shows up.

[@bjbierlein5566]

Great job, very fun. Liked many comments- nothing useful to add. Thanks for this

[@Hawqis1]

Two thoughts: that crazy virus that made Tasha do Data, Crusher wanting Picard so bad, Riker got the virus thing and he had great control. There was (I can't think of the episode) with the robot things with the fountain and Riker was on trial for killing Dr. Apgar or something and she tried to show he seduced her where Riker was going nuts. Troi sensed no deception from the woman's testimony. Then the recreation of the lab blew up.

[@costelinha1867]

Now just you wait for the exciting sequel: "Is Captain Kirk a Womanizer?" On theaters this christmas.

[@TheSingularParent]

I think he already did that one

[@daleday3902]

Love this new concept idea of talking to the characters

[@SuspiciousKoala]

Huh, thanks Commander! The way he illustrated his point was artistic! Gotta say, Steve, this video feels like you started with all the killer jokes and puns just eating away at you and waiting for the perfect frame of reference to use them. Seriously though, well edited Steve. This is one of my favorites for all the in-references and well-designed jokes.

[@LightOfZeon]

A classic portrait of the Steve Shives format.

[@thegman1985]

I like how he says the majority of the time it's people he's interested in...and the first example I can think of is the time he slept with a woman in the hospital as he was trying to escape an alien civilization that was pre-warp. He was trying to get off the planet while getting off on the planet.

[@nfearnley]

This video made me realize that Steve's beard is most definitely inspired by Riker.

[@paulgunderson4721]

When watching the episodes when they first aired, we referred to Riker as "the Captain's d*ck". Usually followed by a bad Patrick Stewart impression saying some like, "Riker, we need a treaty, go seduce that lady." ;-)

[@analysisofscifi6051]

Did you guys ever consider that Riker and Troi might Be in an open relationship I mean the bar scene in the last episode of season 1 of Star Trek Lower Decks Seems to indicate they are a little bit more open Then anything we seen in TNG or the TNG films Or I'm just talking out of my butt

[@MultiMackD]

Short answer? Yes Long answer? Yeeeeees but deep down he'll always want his Imzadi

[@simondaniel4028]

laughed out loud at the "I get it." "Yes, but, unfortunately... I don't."

[@Voodooray007]

Commander Riker: TO THIS DAY! TO THIS DAY!!

[@Gardenlessbirb]

I loved this bit. You’re a treasure Mr. Shives.

[@JohnClay77]

I love your version of “Via Satellite” hilarious!

[@oOOoOphidian]

There's definitely good critique of gender roles and sexism in tng, but I think Riker's part in that is far more positive than otherwise.

[@hezekiahramirez6965]

First, I imagine that by the 24th century humans aren’t possessive of their partners. I would think they’re evolved enough to accept that people can have other sexual and/or romantic connections without feeling insecure or territorial. I think Troi and Riker are probably polyamorous and do value the time they spend together but understand that as long as their relationship remains strong other activities don’t impact it. Second, I have a lot of thoughts about this subject. Apologies for the lack of paragraphs. The line breaks get deleted for some reason. Anyway... There’s definitely still a stigma about casual sex and those who regularly enjoy it for most people. I am one of those people who enjoys casual sex and believe me, I’ve heard plenty of opinions about that. The whole “emotionally unavailable” trope is accepted by almost everybody. The fact that I like to have fun is almost always assumed to be a sure sign that I’ve never had a successful relationship and fear intimacy. It’s kind of exhausting

[@DarthEstebanMontoya]

Hit the line break twice. Like this.

[@hezekiahramirez6965]

I know. Like I said, the line breaks always get deleted for me

[@ShawnRavenfire]

I think even in the future, people's basic instincts will be the same, so the percentage of possessive partners would be about the same as it is today.

[@FistoftheSnackBar]

@@ShawnRavenfire the question is, how much of that is "instinct" and how much of that is social conditioning. I would say far more of it is the latter than most people realize. Including in themselves.

[@kaitlyn__L]

Roddenberry said they’d all be polyamorous and “omnisexual” (kind of an older word for pan) even by Kirk’s time, so I’m inclined to agree about the RikerTroi marriage.

[@Bananahammock681]

The guy treated every woman he enjoyed the company of with the same respect he treated Data, with a little less 'androids bottom' caressing and a lot more canoodling. He enjoyed intimacy, so long as they reciprocated. I'd say he was less about the sex and more about the companionship it fostered, but I'm a smooth brain who knows nothing.

[@biffstrong1079]

Riker definitely needs the cash to afford some sort of meaning to his poker games.