When Picard Meets Riker, vs 6 Years Later (Extended Version)

See how Picard treats Riker on his first day on the Enterprise, vs chatting 6 years later. Both episodes involving Q -- Encounter at Farpoint, season 1, and Tapestry, season 6.
Riker's First Day: 00:00
6 Years Later: 3:17

[@johnnynorrisjr.39]

Early Season 1 TNG: "WOOOOO look at all these special effects" Late Season 6 TNG: "WOOOOO look at all the good dialogue and acting"

[@Doogie2K3]

They *were* good effects, at least: I was pleasantly surprised how well the ship model work held up in HD, though maybe I shouldn't have been since it was peak ILM. Shame about 90% of the actual stories back then.

[@cmillerg6306]

Yeah, I recall in that old book, the Making of Star Trek, that the producers wanted to show this ship feature in TOS, but did not because of budget constraints.

[@dashkataey1740]

Also early season 1: How much music can we cram into an episode.

[@MrGittz]

@@dashkataey1740 Yeah it’s jarring. Although that’s what most shows would do Star Trek’s lack of music was always something I appreciated. I love just hearing the humming of the ship. I wish more recent Star Trek would’ve kept that aesthetic.

[@Alamandorious]

@@Doogie2K3 Yeah, they had trouble distinguishing themselves from TOS-style writing. In the end though, the did it...while still respecting what came before.

[@ajheller4383]

Picard: Riker will perform the operation manually. Riker: Watches as O'Brien performs the maneuver. Everyone: Well done, Riker!

[@Vespyr_]

The military in a nutshell.

[@ProfTuNichts]

Suprised Pikachu face

[@Italian69Boi]

🤣

[@junbh2]

O'Brien didn't do anything but blindly punch in all the commands Riker told him to, with the numbers Riker told him to put in, at the times Riker told him to.

[@jacksonheathen2092]

Exactly. The guy who barks out orders gets all the applause. Yet the helmsman who did the actual flying (which he probably could have managed just fine without Riker) is treated like an irrelevant worker.

[@antonysutcliffe9105]

I think that rather then testing Riker, who Picard would have done in-depth research on his career so knew what he was capable of already, Picard was actually giving him the opportunity to gain the respect from his bridge crew which he would continue to have throughout his career.

[@rjmeyers81]

I really like this interpretation a lot!

[@fukuoka-musician]

This theory makes a lot of sense in the overall context of the series. (Picard's portrayal as a clever and effective leader in particular.) Thanks for sharing.

[@willh1655]

i agree.. i also think its a bit of "hazing the new guy"

[@cage1138]

You're exactly right!

[@Pyriander]

Yes, and he established the role of a first officer being a connector between captain and crew by giving him an not to easy start; showing first, that he is not the captains new pal, making it easier for the crew to trust and bond with Riker

[@TheVergile]

three levels of friendship. 1) Episode 1 2) Six years later 3) the actual actors

[@shadowhenge7118]

3) "I learned from the best."

[@andrewwong2399]

then we have Picard the show

[@Mrskmdumas12]

@@andrewwong2399 Agreed

[@frankcabanski9409]

"You say you will do this with no automation." Yes, giving orders to an android at the controls.

[@ShatnerLover]

They likely meant he would guide the connection versus having the computer guide itself.

[@ImpendingJoker]

But Data wasn't at the Conn. O'Brian was. On the Battle Bridge the stations were reversed at first in an homage to ToS placements but later they went with the more Conn on the right and Ops on the right.

[@Maracaroni]

He's there to be a commander, not a pilot. That's why he's showing off his delegation skills! :D

[@littlesnowflakepunk855]

automation means "working by itself with little to no human control" data is technically automatic, but given that he is sentient i would argue that despite his superhuman abilities he wouldn't count as automation, even if he were piloting

[@Italian69Boi]

🤣

[@piotrd.4850]

Openly smiling Tasha, Surprised Data, Approving O'Brien - characters without single word.

[@VoidplayLP]

"No automation?" "As ordered" *android takes station* Well

[@outside7]

And then the commands: angle minus 3 degrees... connect!

[@PanAndScanBuddy]

Starfleet command is all about loopholes.

[@STiBebi]

In the novel Riker actually sits in front of the console.

[@hudsonball4702]

The greatest irony in Star Trek is that these two first met each other is the captain's waiting room on the battle bridge. A room we NEVER got to see again for the rest of the series.

[@luckygitane]

I think we see it once or twice more in the first season, but good point. Very underutilized setting.

[@darthmocap]

@@luckygitane Ship separation in Star Trek is underutilized in general.

[@HHh-qe2ch]

Did we see it against the borg

[@markhine3232]

Arsenal of freedom uses the battle bridge as a way to defeat the minos weapon.

[@TNA-Aylin]

@@luckygitane primarily because the studio model was to big to film😅 which is why they made a smaller non separate-able model for later seasons

[@jt0n]

"There were loose threads; untidy parts of me that I'd like to remove... But when I pulled one of those threads, it unraveled the tapestry of my life" Legendary quote

[@bobito8997]

That faintest hint of a smile on Picard's face as Riker walks out of his ready room, that's part of what makes Patrick Stewart such a great actor.

[@BastardSon1]

Seems like O'Brien and Data did all the work lol.

[@idajugernaut]

So like, business as usual for O'brien

[@FiftyStates5]

He was showing his commanding skills, they followed his orders as they were given so he and them could become familiar with eachother

[@brianhanson5110]

Actually, it was Tasha Yar in the background. She used her mind abilities to bring the sections together. 😉

[@robert7737]

How could they when they were looking at eachother the whole time?

[@douglasschmidt2869]

I was just about to say the same thing! O’Brien did a great job! Data however could have done it with his eyes closed.

[@Daanikduul]

Nice to go from a somewhat distant superior-inferior officer relationship to them sitting around and talking like old friends. There's so much chemistry between the two actors, I'm sure they were actual friends by that point.

[@TheBlarggle]

Superior-Subordinate, not 'inferior' lol.

[@leogosrjp4093]

Just the way data and everyone looks when they say ‘manually’ makes me think there’s a ‘re-attach saucer section’ button somewhere, and they’re all like, ‘but there’s a button’ ‘why can’t we just press the button’ ‘manually?! they didn’t even try and teach us that at the academy’

[@dlc1119]

Not a button, but an automated procedure with finely tuned feedback loops guiding it into place. Riker is doing this by eye and 'feel'. Like landing a jet on an aircraft carrier (which is still a 'manual' procedure.)

[@thiagodeandrade7081]

@@dlc1119 OK, but imagine a guy by the pilot's side with no benefit of instruments giving numerical orders by eye and feel. It would be strange.

[@FlyingMonkies325]

Cos Picard was just testing Riker testing his metal i suppose and also testing his ability to work with a team and his communication. Plus they still need to know how to do it manually incase the Automated Systems should fail... and they often do it's not as perfect as it seems and we're starting to see that in our world where everything is starting to go into Automation, so you have to be ready to use the manual methods both have to be used together to back each other up :P

[@junbh2]

@@FlyingMonkies325 I think Picard knew he could do it and was giving him a chance to win the respect of the rest of the crew. It's hard to believe Picard would actually risk crashing the ship. I think he was confident Riker could do it and wanted to show the others (and maybe Riker himself) that he was capable of his position.

[@darthvadersith514]

This pretty much sums up how much better the writing became as the show progressed.

[@Iamjimpage]

"Commander Riker will stand there while a human-looking computer does the docking"

[@tech_N2999]

He did give him orders

[@HHh-qe2ch]

Technically Obrien is flying, data runs ops

[@auturgicflosculator2183]

@@HHh-qe2ch Except that both the conn and the ops consoles can accept helm commands, and Data was shown to be controlling the ship's pitch, with O'Brien controlling velocity and roll. It was a collaborative effort.

[@westsidetrucker7943]

Not only did Riker manually dock the saucer section, he eyeballed the entire sequence with pinpoint accuracy. Even modern day jets have a guidance hud.

[@epicmemer7543]

That look Picard gave him after he walked out to dock the saucer had "Let's see what the boy's made of" written all over it.

[@coolopotomus556]

I love all of the non verbal communication in the docking scene. The mild horror at the announcement of manual docking, the apprehension of the sequence slowly melting into confidence, and then the pride and teambuilding of the crew as the ship connects. Great acting and writing.

[@stevendodd2828]

In the first instance he's testing out a new First Officer. In the second talking to a long trusted friend and colleague. Great bit of character development.

[@WadeWilson_]

I love the idea that Jean-luc was a total rebel without a cause when he was young

[@myoungho12]

This is what made TNG so special. Character development, good stories and complex relationships. Not simply cgi.

[@frglee]

The two actors have spent so much time together in the intervening 6 years that they became great friends, and work superbly well together. Which is exactly what happened with Picard and Riker in the story.

[@drewevans3054]

He's much more softer and you can tell that there's a genuine friendship between them

[@jswillis73]

I love how their personal relationship from just officers doing a job to a true friendship filled with mutual respect over the season's.

[@jonnydude69]

"You're gonna manually dock this ship?" "I sure am, now everyone sit down and land this ship for me while I tell you how."

[@strings1586]

The initial interaction between riker and Picard always gets me. If I’m being honest that scene alone shaped how I interact with new authority figures in my life. You learn to pick up on a new bosses vibe pretty quickly in my line of work, and if the boss is bad, you need to get the hell out before you get abused. Thanks TNG

[@Doublebarreledsimian]

I loved how the relationship evolved over time between the 2 guys in charge. As Captain, Picard trusted and looked to him to carry out his will when it came time for away teams and the day to day ops on the Enterprise. As his XO Riker found a mentor and a great friend. It was just good writing.

[@zagnorch1336]

Heh... "carry out his Will"... I see what you did there.

[@sonicguyver7445]

The whole battle bridge threw me for years. As a kid I thought that was the same bridge we usually saw so I was so confused when later the show made it clear the bridge was on the top of the saucer section.

[@Andy1076]

Data is surprisingly human here, half expecting his script to have included "Da faq!?" 😅

[@brianwalendy3735]

I pretty much watch this show nonstop. When I finish the series, I start it over again lmao.

[@uk1941]

Hope you are still watching. I do the same thing. I go to sleep every night to this.

[@banananotebook3331]

The Docking sequence has all the majesty of "Stealing the Enterprise" from Searching For Spock, the IIIrd movie, and along with the music and Bone's blessing, a beautiful way of passing the torch to the next generation.

[@ProtoFalcon07]

4:47 - To this day, I'm STILL disappointed about never being able to hear this story XD

[@hagamapama]

You actually get enough to get the gist actually. One day, the Federation trainees slipped off to a bar frequented by the Nausicaans and got into a fight. Picard probably got his ass wupped which is why he wanted a fight the day he lost his original heart. He wanted a rematch.

[@spyder357]

@@hagamapama "in particular I was thought to be extremely....overconfident"

[@gambitbullet]

Agree wholeheartedly

[@tomcline5631]

I've always loved the scores of the Next Generation! The composer obviously loved the French horn,and I played the horn for 8 years!

[@rockdog2584]

Kinda wishing they had allowed that last conversation to reach it's conclusion. Still...my favorite SNG episode was one, I believe, is titled "The Inner Light" (which I believed to be called "The Probe")(Which I think I have on VHS, somewhere....). THAT...was one of the most touching episodes I had ever seen. What I really LOVED about SNG was how they maintained continuity through the program. Captain Picard would, on occasion, be seen playing his flute, during times of interreflection, after that episode.

[@Redshirt434]

Meeting one...Picard testing this fresh faced young man whose resumè so impressed him, he wants to make sure he picked the right man as his XO. Fast forward to Tapestry, it's just two friends talking. Picard confiding in Wil the extraordinary experience Q put him through, and of course, the story of the surly Naussicans.

[@danieljensen2626]

The manual docking would have been more impressive if he gave more than like 3 orders.

[@trashcandy.]

He basically did all the hard parts just by eyeballing the information. The crew just listened for which buttons to press and then pressed them.

[@globalunconscious]

It would be more impressive to only do it with 3, than 100 micro adjustments .... To know the exact moment where a 3 degree adjustment would exactly align two objects is skill beyond anyone I know.

[@jonellis6231]

Director probably thought that a 45 minute docking scene would have bored the hell out of us

[@alextirrellRI]

Plus he's doing it completely off the viewscreen, which is basically just a camera? Ironically helm and ops would have a lot more data in front of them to get the job done.

[@matthewperris]

And this, ladies and gentleman, is how you do character progression.

[@malbourne805]

....and the legend that is Cmdr. William T. Riker was born. Their relationship went from captain and first officer to trusted comrades to a bond that transcended brotherhood. They became like soulmates, forever intertwined. Of all the relationships that each of them had with others, the relationship between the two of them became the stuff of dreams and legend. To have a friendship that close, so deep, should be humanity's goal amongst ourselves.

[@blargd]

I love how in the end of Tapestry Picard goes from "I will never tell a soul this story" to "This story makes me who I am today so lets share it"

[@polyemphis]

I like how they get Riker up to speed by having him watch the episode

[@MrMittens1974]

When docking the saucer was presented as one of the most dramatic moments in TNG history.

[@kjamison5951]

Classic! Thank you for uploading these clips. Picard knew Riker would reconnect with the saucer section like a boss. That knowing smirk as Riker left... then the deep friendship that grew between them, Riker content to put his career on pause to continue to serve with Picard. Good times, good times.

[@stratfordbaby]

That cleft chin and the pecs, Frakes was a heartthrob in those days.

[@mathewdeering]

Seventh season Picard would never have allowed his ship to be endangered like that by a man with no beard.

[@shawnr888]

A Captain trying to get a feel for the capabilities of his new first officer vs. a Captain keeping confidence with a competent officer and close friend. Beautiful!

[@karebuskusa6301]

The growth of their friendship is one of my favorite character development arcs in TNG

[@ChromaMatrix]

Honestly is so amazing to watch this show from start to finish and watch the actors grow into their roles and also grow closer with one another. I feel like we've lost a certain quality in the shows we have now compared to the ones from the era of TNG and DS9. It's honestly kinda sad to see that era come to a close, hopefully we'll regain that which was lost someday but it'll never be the same. Thank you for the video, honestly needed it right now.

[@RobsonRoverRepair]

Test you metal on day 1 in front of the crew, balls of steel and calm under pressure. Absolutely fantastic writing for establishing character ability and audience tension.

[@WarrenGarabrandt]

Picard was giving Riker the opportunity to prove to the crew what Picard already know about his new first officer. This inspired the crew and started building the necessary trust the crew must have in it's leadership to function properly.

[@NateSean]

Look how convincing this scene is with ship models as opposed to cgi.

[@DarMokChannelSTMoments]

Both great episodes, I enjoyed watching this again thank you. All the best. DarMok.

[@marchofsaints]

Picard loosened up within a few episodes. He understood the value of showing rigid strength. However, he himself recognized how curt he was with Riker when they first met and had a conversation with him roughly a year later about it. Gave at least a short explanation as to why he was like that at the first meeting.

[@MrPuppetMaster96]

The acting, editing, writing, framing, pacing, suspense, and visuals of the first scene are truly amazing! The love and chemistry of second scene are beautiful.

[@idekenterprises9734]

Shows how much they have both grown accustomed to each other. Amazing

[@DJ_Force]

Really shows how the series mature over the years.

[@Spider-Dad40]

In one of the books I read Picard in his older years often though of Riker like a son in reflection

[@dominick253]

What an amazing show. Better writing in any average episode of this than almost anything else I've seen.

[@Ry-ss5dz]

Everyone looked pretty nervous. They worried he would say 'warp speed' at some point during that connection sequence

[@shelleywantiez7964]

Those two were like peanut butter and jelly. Each had mutual respect for the other. Brothers in arms.

[@thecowboyofoklahoma5866]

I like these episodes, all cards on the table from the start, the absolute worst enemy, the fastest ship of the time, and a saucer section seperation never seen before.

[@cqtaylor]

Friendship and respect is earned over time. A cautious captain, or person, doesn't give that immediately.

[@HaydenPlaysGames]

I see this as an example of picards faith in him from the start.

[@gohan98981]

Always so nostalgic i can sit anywhere anytime any episode.

[@pumarem7956]

this scene is beautifully symbolic of riker's connection to the crew and as being a connecting force within the enterprise

[@dominictemple]

Just came across this, absolutely delightful. Left me with a huge grin on my face. Thanks!

[@fjkulwin]

Still love this show no matter how many times I’ve watched it.

[@DeejKelley]

Great combination of scenes!!

[@TakumoZ]

nice comparison, good cut and decent quality! thanks for your work.

[@qrogueuk]

Thanks for the edit and upload

[@psi9000]

This was a very sweet, well made comparison, thank you!

[@thebitsanpiecesman4423]

Fantastic thank you so so much for uploading it

[@JacobAnawalt]

Data was pretty emotionally expressive in that docking.

[@ShatnerLover]

Handsome handsome Riker

[@theworldasiknowit.5751]

"No automation," says the automaton that takes the helm.

[@r3cgm]

It's touching to see how far they came, from newly acquainted to a deep part of each other's lives.

[@dlc1119]

"the tapestry of my life." At the start of 'Picard' it's become a mosaic of breathtaking complexity.

[@abehambino]

Of course, “manually” is a pretty loose term here!

[@TookyG]

True but what would he actually do? Get out and push?

[@publiusvelocitor4668]

"Adjust angle by 0.3 degrees." (dramatic orchestral swell, supporting characters give each other worried looks)

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

And by “manually “, I mean give the helm orders to use the computers to dock the saucer.

[@SportyMabamba]

You can see the closeness of the bond they share 6yrs later. Great acting!

[@BrentHarmon]

Their Friendship grew over time. It's gotten better with new Star Trek Picard series

[@O1OO1O1]

That Data, "illogical humans" head tilt. Brilliant. So much conveyed in a simple gesture. Also, there are some scenes from ST: Picard that would go great here. Regardless of what you think of Picard, they did justice to the relationship between Picard and Riker.

[@rennavate]

You love to see how their relationship evolved over seven seasons. Thanks for this!

[@alexion2001]

I like how when they connect, the crew looks at Riker like "Damn, this new guy is good"

[@NateSean]

Which is what Picard intended, probably.

[@alextirrellRI]

Riker becomes an instant legend on the ship. "Did you hear the new first officer docked the ship MANUALLY?!"

[@brendansheehy8124]

“He didn’t even need to use advanced on ship computers to scan the ships surroundings……he just eye balled whilst posing heroically”

[@TippiGordon]

The absolute genius of this show was the evolution of the interpersonal relationships, right up through the final scene when Picard joins the poker game. They could have set this show in covered wagons or a Spanish galleon, and if they had written the characters as strongly, it still would have been brilliant.

[@philip7894]

Really enjoyed this vid. A testament to their relationship and how JL became most of our tv dads. Top content.

[@RaynmanPlays]

Picard casually risking the ship, his own life, and the lives of the crew so Riker can show what a good boy he is.

[@lukeflyswatter3203]

The beginning sends me chills.

[@vlastion]

This is beautiful, man

[@taratorchoful]

Data looking towards Riker when the docking is successful - priceless :D

[@haarp35117]

Glad to see them back together

[@ducklaser]

Such an endearing and sincere friendship we got the opportunity to observe develop.

[@linebeck1381]

Wow what a maneuver from Mr. Riker!

[@zimNvgcatsfan]

NG has some of the best character development that I've ever seen.

[@davidian7787]

"Dock with the saucer section manually, number one. No computer aids." "Yes, sir. Data, proceed with the docking manoeuvre." Riker turned to the camera and smirked. "Did you see what I did there?"

[@zodden01]

One of the best shows of all time.

[@argonunya1543]

Great video comparing the evolution of their relationship.

[@ELCHUCKO666]

Picard started out Cold and Impersonal. He opened up to the rest of the crew as the seasons went on and became a more warm character. I think this character arc is how we all came to fall in love with Picard. If he started out so warm it would be less impactful when we see him loosen up to his crew later on. His final act was joining the poker game....

[@mikekrcil]

The thing I found I enjoyed most about this was observing ENSIGN O'Brien at the conn...and knowing how Colm Meaney's character climbed the ranks, serving on the Enterprise-D and Deep Space Nine.

[@trents3515]

brilliant video.