Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)
Tapestry (1993)
Jonathan Frakes: Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker
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Quotes
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Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : [in an alternate timeline, as Junior Lt. Picard] Excuse me, am I interrupting?
Commander William T. Riker : No, not at all. Have a seat.
Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : Thank you. I'd like to talk to you for a moment about my future on the Enterprise.
Commander William T. Riker : Of course, Lieutenant. Jean-Luc, is it?
Counselor Deanna Troi : Maybe I should go.
Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : No, please, Counselor, I would very much like to hear your thoughts. First of all, and I would like you to be absolutely straightforward with me... how would you rate me as an officer?
Counselor Deanna Troi : Well, um... your performance records have always been good. You're thorough, dedicated...
Commander William T. Riker : [searching desperately] Steady, reliable... punctual...
Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : I see. What would you say if I told you that I believed that I was capable of being very much more?
Commander William T. Riker : Perhaps we should discuss this at your next evaluation.
Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : I would appreciate it if we could discuss it now. You see, I feel that I would like to move beyond astrophysics to engineering or security, something that might even lead to command.
Commander William T. Riker : Frankly, Lieutenant... I don't think that's realistic.
Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : Why?
Counselor Deanna Troi : I really don't think this is the place to be discussing this.
Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : Please. This is important to me. I believe that I can do *more*.
Counselor Deanna Troi : Hasn't that been the problem all along? Throughout your career you've had lofty goals, but... you've never been willing to do what's necessary to attain them.
Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : Would that be your evaluation as well, Commander?
Commander William T. Riker : I think I have to agree with the Counselor. If you want to get ahead, you have to take chances. Stand out in a crowd. Get noticed.
Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : [dismayed] I see.
Commander William T. Riker : Now, we don't want to lose you. You're a very good officer.
Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : Just not one who stands out.
Commander William T. Riker : Why don't I talk to Commander LaForge in engineering and see what we can do?
Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard : But... command?
Commander William T. Riker : [smiles sympathetically] Well... we'll see.
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[last lines]
Commander William T. Riker : I was just trying to imagine a hellbent-for-leather young officer insulting a Nausicaan twice his size. I wish I'd had a chance to know that Jean-Luc Picard.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Oh, well, to tell the truth, that wasn't the first run-in that I had with a couple of surly Nausicaans.
Commander William T. Riker : Really?
Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Oh, yes. During my sophomore year, I was assigned to training on Morikin VII. Well, there was a Nausicaan outpost on one of the outlying asteroids, and one day...