This is a really far out episode. Many years prior to the current events on the Enterprise, during a transporter malfunction, a carbon copy of Will Riker has been abandoned on the planet, trying to keep himself alive, dealing with a dying ship. What is weird is that an away team, during a narrow window (once every eight years) finds themselves aboard the ship, hoping to download the computer banks, meets this the new Riker. What is even more interesting is that our familiar Will is on the away team. The new Will (or really old one) is perfectly whole in every way. He is not a clone or a partial person. Hence, he is beamed aboard and the two of them must coexist. There is enough tension, but a previous love affair with Deanna Troi becomes another complicating factor. She has moved on while he has carried his love for her all this time. All this is really entertaining and leads to a really interest denouement. Well worth the time.
18 Reviews
One of the most interesting & original episodes of any Star Trek...
karacter12 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, it's true, the "duplicate" and "clone" stories are pretty ubiquitous in the Star Trek Universe (the two Kirks in TOS "The Enemy Within", the "alternate universe" duplicates in TOS, ST:NG and "Star Trek; Enterprise", etc), but this installment presents a startling, fresh, and thought-provoking twist on this frequently re-visited concept- the "second Riker" isn't just a copy, clone, or evil twin, he's another original, complete with childhood memories, career goals, and romantic thoughts identical to the first Riker (at least up to 8 years ago in the story).
Being exactly the same person in all respects- sharing everything in common (including Riker's legendary individualism, ambition and stubbornness), the two Rikers are forced to work together on the Enterprise and find themselves competing with each other in almost every respect (including a moving & sometimes heart-wrenching contest for the love of Deanna Troi).
What a fascinating idea- imagine being forced to work with & compete with yourself! This is a great episode because it makes full use of Star Trek's wonderful imaginary technology (in this case the transporter) to present the viewer with a unique situation that could only happen here, in the Star Trek Universe.
Not much action in this one (unless one includes the romantic scene(!) with Riker#2 and Deanna in the workout room but that's a different kind of action- lol), but that is more than compensated for by a well written script, excellent acting and directing, and of course a highly intriguing premise. Jonathan Frakes follows up his outstanding performance in "Frame of Mind" with another tour de force here in a dual role that showcases his excellent acting skills.
The only negative aspect of this installment (if there is any) is that it's only an hour long- all the avenues of such an interesting concept just can't be explored fully in 60 minutes. This story could have easily made a great two-part episode or even a feature film (with a little more action added in).
Being exactly the same person in all respects- sharing everything in common (including Riker's legendary individualism, ambition and stubbornness), the two Rikers are forced to work together on the Enterprise and find themselves competing with each other in almost every respect (including a moving & sometimes heart-wrenching contest for the love of Deanna Troi).
What a fascinating idea- imagine being forced to work with & compete with yourself! This is a great episode because it makes full use of Star Trek's wonderful imaginary technology (in this case the transporter) to present the viewer with a unique situation that could only happen here, in the Star Trek Universe.
Not much action in this one (unless one includes the romantic scene(!) with Riker#2 and Deanna in the workout room but that's a different kind of action- lol), but that is more than compensated for by a well written script, excellent acting and directing, and of course a highly intriguing premise. Jonathan Frakes follows up his outstanding performance in "Frame of Mind" with another tour de force here in a dual role that showcases his excellent acting skills.
The only negative aspect of this installment (if there is any) is that it's only an hour long- all the avenues of such an interesting concept just can't be explored fully in 60 minutes. This story could have easily made a great two-part episode or even a feature film (with a little more action added in).
A second Will Riker
Tweekums24 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Eight years previously a young Lt Riker was working on the USS Potemkin; one of his missions was the evacuation of a research base on Nervala IV before a disruption field would prevent all transporter use the next eight years; he was the last person to be evacuated. Now Commander Riker is part of the away team that are tasked with retrieving the data from that mission. There will only be handful of short windows to go down and do the job before it disruption field returns for another eight years. The away team is shocked to find that there is somebody in the base
Lt Riker!
After initial scepticism it is established that this man is indeed William T Riker; for some reason the transporter beamed one Riker back to the Potemkin and sent one back to the base. One went on to become the man we know, the other was left alone for eight years while nobody suspected anybody was there. The way this happened means that they are both the 'real' Will Riker. It is difficult for both of them to learn that they have a double and they don't get on well together. Things are further complicated by the fact that at the time of the accident Riker was dating Counsellor Troi and Lt. Riker would like to continue that relationship.
This is an interesting episode that raises an interesting question; how would we feel if we met somebody who was effectively oneself. Jonathan Frakes does a great job in the double role; he nicely conveys the way each Riker feels about the situation. The scene where the two play poker, along with Data and Worf, was particularly good as it demonstrates so well their now different situations. I feared that the episode would go for the clichéd ending of killing of Lt Riker but thankfully he survived so can potentially return in a future story. The part of the story involving Troi does feel a bit tacked on and it does seem unlikely that Lt Riker wouldn't realise Troi would have moved on with her life although to be fair after eight years alone it is understandable that he'd at least hope to restart the relationship. Overall an interesting episode that explores some interesting ideas.
After initial scepticism it is established that this man is indeed William T Riker; for some reason the transporter beamed one Riker back to the Potemkin and sent one back to the base. One went on to become the man we know, the other was left alone for eight years while nobody suspected anybody was there. The way this happened means that they are both the 'real' Will Riker. It is difficult for both of them to learn that they have a double and they don't get on well together. Things are further complicated by the fact that at the time of the accident Riker was dating Counsellor Troi and Lt. Riker would like to continue that relationship.
This is an interesting episode that raises an interesting question; how would we feel if we met somebody who was effectively oneself. Jonathan Frakes does a great job in the double role; he nicely conveys the way each Riker feels about the situation. The scene where the two play poker, along with Data and Worf, was particularly good as it demonstrates so well their now different situations. I feared that the episode would go for the clichéd ending of killing of Lt Riker but thankfully he survived so can potentially return in a future story. The part of the story involving Troi does feel a bit tacked on and it does seem unlikely that Lt Riker wouldn't realise Troi would have moved on with her life although to be fair after eight years alone it is understandable that he'd at least hope to restart the relationship. Overall an interesting episode that explores some interesting ideas.
Thomas Riker.
russem3130 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
ST:TNG:150 - "Second Chances" (Stardate: 46915.2) - this is the 24th episode of the 6th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
8 years ago, a Lt. Riker evacuated with other crew onto his previous ship, the U.S.S. Potemkin from the surface of the planet Nervala IV. Now they are back to retrieve what the Potemkin left behind - including unexpectedly another Riker! It turns out that a second Riker was created by the planet's distortion field when Riker transported off the surface. Now, this new Riker (which he names himself Thomas, Riker's middle name) must pick up where he left off and it isn't easy - especially for his former love, his "Imzadi" Troi.
Another intriguing 6th season episode, with great performances by Jonathan Frakes as the twin Rikers and Marina Sirtis as Troi.
Trivia note: Dr. Mae Jemison makes a cameo appearance as Lt. Palmer (she was the first African-American woman to travel to space, having gone into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on Sept. 12, 1992). Also, Riker plays his beloved trombone again (and he can't get through the solo of the song "Nightbird" which he's saved from playing at the very last moment!). Further, we see the crew poker game again.
AND, Riker tells "himself" about how he reconciled with "their" father (which Riker did during the 2nd season episode "The Icarus Factor").
8 years ago, a Lt. Riker evacuated with other crew onto his previous ship, the U.S.S. Potemkin from the surface of the planet Nervala IV. Now they are back to retrieve what the Potemkin left behind - including unexpectedly another Riker! It turns out that a second Riker was created by the planet's distortion field when Riker transported off the surface. Now, this new Riker (which he names himself Thomas, Riker's middle name) must pick up where he left off and it isn't easy - especially for his former love, his "Imzadi" Troi.
Another intriguing 6th season episode, with great performances by Jonathan Frakes as the twin Rikers and Marina Sirtis as Troi.
Trivia note: Dr. Mae Jemison makes a cameo appearance as Lt. Palmer (she was the first African-American woman to travel to space, having gone into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on Sept. 12, 1992). Also, Riker plays his beloved trombone again (and he can't get through the solo of the song "Nightbird" which he's saved from playing at the very last moment!). Further, we see the crew poker game again.
AND, Riker tells "himself" about how he reconciled with "their" father (which Riker did during the 2nd season episode "The Icarus Factor").
Some guys have all the luck
Mr-Fusion23 July 2017
'Second Chances' benefits from one of the great science fiction hooks: duplication. A transporter accident creates an identical William Riker, one who's been marooned for eight years and returns to find that the people around him have moved on;further complicated by his still-burning fire for Counselor Troi. It's gotta suck when you're rescued only to find out this other you has been living your life for you.
It's a very good episode, ably directed (LeVar Burton), fairly somber but offering a ray of hope for the newly-minted Thomas Riker.
8/10
It's a very good episode, ably directed (LeVar Burton), fairly somber but offering a ray of hope for the newly-minted Thomas Riker.
8/10
Incongruency
gregoryboyko8 May 2021
Enjoyable Riker and Troi episode
snoozejonc21 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
On an away mission Riker discovers a duplicate of himself.
This is an enjoyable episode with a good central concept and some nice character moments.
The idea of another version of a character is a good one. The writers do some interesting scenes but I don't think they quite make the most of it. The focus is so much on the romance with Counsellor Troi that I think it misses opportunities to do more character work on Riker. This is a matter of taste on my part but I would like to have seen more exchanges between the two Rikers as commander and subordinate. They could have done more reflection on his personality with a slow burn plot where they start off friendly enough, but then the relationship breaks down as they get to know each other more.
That being said the subplot with Troi is good and it works better than the average Star Trek romance episode because of their history. Marina Sirtis is great in all her scenes.
Jonathan Frakes is on good form in this one and the visual effects that allow the duplicated characters to interact is very good.
It's worth watching before seeing the Deep Space Nine episode 'Defiant'.
This is an enjoyable episode with a good central concept and some nice character moments.
The idea of another version of a character is a good one. The writers do some interesting scenes but I don't think they quite make the most of it. The focus is so much on the romance with Counsellor Troi that I think it misses opportunities to do more character work on Riker. This is a matter of taste on my part but I would like to have seen more exchanges between the two Rikers as commander and subordinate. They could have done more reflection on his personality with a slow burn plot where they start off friendly enough, but then the relationship breaks down as they get to know each other more.
That being said the subplot with Troi is good and it works better than the average Star Trek romance episode because of their history. Marina Sirtis is great in all her scenes.
Jonathan Frakes is on good form in this one and the visual effects that allow the duplicated characters to interact is very good.
It's worth watching before seeing the Deep Space Nine episode 'Defiant'.
It was very entertaining !
nicofreezer18 January 2022
It was amazing to see two William Riker, a lieutenant and our Commender, I loved the Deanna Will relashionship, and to finally Learn the truth about it was great
9/10 , season 6 continue to be the absolute best in star trek history.
Beardriffic.
thevacinstaller2 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A great premise.
Marina Sirtis was pretty darn good in this episode. I could see the pain in her face when discussing how Riker had ditched on the plans to visit Risa.
I do not know how comfortable I would be if I had an exact duplicate of myself roaming about the universe. That is a lot to process.
The episode leans more towards the Troi/Riker love rekindling story arc and steps away from the Riker vs Riker existential meltdown that should be taking place.
The premise is great but I can't help but think there was a way to tell this story with a bit more urgency and dramatic effect. It's a bit of a snoozer despite compelling moments.
Marina Sirtis was pretty darn good in this episode. I could see the pain in her face when discussing how Riker had ditched on the plans to visit Risa.
I do not know how comfortable I would be if I had an exact duplicate of myself roaming about the universe. That is a lot to process.
The episode leans more towards the Troi/Riker love rekindling story arc and steps away from the Riker vs Riker existential meltdown that should be taking place.
The premise is great but I can't help but think there was a way to tell this story with a bit more urgency and dramatic effect. It's a bit of a snoozer despite compelling moments.
Ménage Troi part 2
snarky-trek-reviews10 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The episode opens with Riker entertaining Troi with his bone in front of an audience. Data breaks up the party and an away mission soon follows. Surprise! A second commander Riker, let's call him Fake Riker.
Geordi discovers an effective means of human cloning via the transporter beam. Initiating a second containment beam with "the exact same phase differential" as a planetary distortion field does the job.
Fake Riker hasn't lost his mind despite 8 years of isolation. He still loves Troi so he sends her on scavenger hunt then woos her with phaser art and Tai Chi.
Real Riker and Fake Riker don't get along all that well, mostly because Real Riker is Mr. Play-it-safe-and-by-the-rules these days. Fake Riker and Troi bang. Real Riker is cool with it.
But Fake Riker can't bluff Real Riker. Gets played. Plays himself?
Data and Worf (who sucks at poker) ponder human nature while the Rikers settled their differences without resorting to murder. Real Riker gives Fake Riker his bone.
Unfortunately, the three way we all want to see never happens.
A very watchable episode if you look passed the missed opportunities.
Geordi discovers an effective means of human cloning via the transporter beam. Initiating a second containment beam with "the exact same phase differential" as a planetary distortion field does the job.
Fake Riker hasn't lost his mind despite 8 years of isolation. He still loves Troi so he sends her on scavenger hunt then woos her with phaser art and Tai Chi.
Real Riker and Fake Riker don't get along all that well, mostly because Real Riker is Mr. Play-it-safe-and-by-the-rules these days. Fake Riker and Troi bang. Real Riker is cool with it.
But Fake Riker can't bluff Real Riker. Gets played. Plays himself?
Data and Worf (who sucks at poker) ponder human nature while the Rikers settled their differences without resorting to murder. Real Riker gives Fake Riker his bone.
Unfortunately, the three way we all want to see never happens.
A very watchable episode if you look passed the missed opportunities.
Since they BOTH have beards, it's hard to know which one is evil!
planktonrules30 November 2014
Riker and others land on a place where Will had landed eight years earlier. There, they meet ANOTHER Will Riker--identical in every single way. It turns out that the transporter created another Riker and abandoned him on the planet all that time! The big difference is that their experiences and memories from the last eight years are different--otherwise they both are Riker! And, the newly discovered Riker REALLY wants to pick up where he left off with Deanna Troi.
This is a very odd episode, as Riker I seems VERY defensive and competitive towards his newly discovered self. This didn't make a lot of sense--one of the downsides of this otherwise decent episode.
This is a very odd episode, as Riker I seems VERY defensive and competitive towards his newly discovered self. This didn't make a lot of sense--one of the downsides of this otherwise decent episode.
Doppleganger
bkoganbing10 December 2018
In this TNG story, the Enterprise is heading for the crash site of the Potemkin where Jonathan Frakes was a lieutenant years earlier. But when he was the last
of a party to beam out, temporal distortions the cause of so many futuristic problems created a doppleganger William T. Riker.
Still at the rank of Lieutenant the second Riker presents an interesting dilemma for all concerned. It certainly makes Riker prime a bit uncomfortable. I know it would me in that same situation.
Of course this episode belongs to Jonathan Frakes who delivers a great dual performance. We never do get to hear him on the trombone though.
Still at the rank of Lieutenant the second Riker presents an interesting dilemma for all concerned. It certainly makes Riker prime a bit uncomfortable. I know it would me in that same situation.
Of course this episode belongs to Jonathan Frakes who delivers a great dual performance. We never do get to hear him on the trombone though.
Another quick fix show
hubbardamanda18 March 2021
Much like The Captains one episode borg recoup, this one was rife with problems. A man has been isolated for 8 years after believing he has been abandoned and after being rescued, there is no counseling, no emotional upheavals. Just, I love Deanna and I'm mad you had my life. I was irritated that they could have taken a great story line and done something with it, instead it's a quick fix.
I found myself yawning
hmoika20 November 2017
Okay episode only.
I enjoyed it well enough, but just think Jonathan Frakes was a better director for the series than as an actor. I found myself yawning about midway through the episode.
Somehow, this would have worked better if it had been a 30-minute episode. It just felt to be padded a bit too much.
I enjoyed it well enough, but just think Jonathan Frakes was a better director for the series than as an actor. I found myself yawning about midway through the episode.
Somehow, this would have worked better if it had been a 30-minute episode. It just felt to be padded a bit too much.
REVIEW 2022
iamirwar29 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Nervala IV in the hopes of retrieving scientific data which was left there by Starfleet researchers when they were forced to evacuate the planet eight years ago. Is that Earth years? Jazz in 10-forward. Entertainment is never up to much in 10-forward.
Mirror Mirror on the wall... Certainly a surprise but as they only have 26 minutes during the current window in which to retrieve the data, surely any awkward questions can wait.
What I don't understand is why Deanna is so reluctant to get involved with Me-2. If they had something going-on once, why can't they again? Technically, this is not the same Me-2. His experiences over the past eight years would mean that he has shaped-up differently from Me-1. It's not as though Deanna is getting a lot of attention and when you consider what a Betazoid women will go through when they reach maturity, isn't it wise for her to maximise her options. Her only real concern is whether Me-2 decides to follow the exact same career path as his Enterprise double.
This episode is designed to examine the failed relationship between Deanna and Riker that has been hinted at throughout the entire run of the TNG series. For my own personal tastes, this is the kind of episode that has me turning my attention away from the screen and musing on other matters. But I would agree that this episode is necessary if only to resolve the Troi-Riker love thang.
This Episodes Clue: Sam Bobrick, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond
(Answer's to all episode clues will appear in the reviews of season seven, episode 25: All Good Things, Part One.)
Mirror Mirror on the wall... Certainly a surprise but as they only have 26 minutes during the current window in which to retrieve the data, surely any awkward questions can wait.
What I don't understand is why Deanna is so reluctant to get involved with Me-2. If they had something going-on once, why can't they again? Technically, this is not the same Me-2. His experiences over the past eight years would mean that he has shaped-up differently from Me-1. It's not as though Deanna is getting a lot of attention and when you consider what a Betazoid women will go through when they reach maturity, isn't it wise for her to maximise her options. Her only real concern is whether Me-2 decides to follow the exact same career path as his Enterprise double.
This episode is designed to examine the failed relationship between Deanna and Riker that has been hinted at throughout the entire run of the TNG series. For my own personal tastes, this is the kind of episode that has me turning my attention away from the screen and musing on other matters. But I would agree that this episode is necessary if only to resolve the Troi-Riker love thang.
This Episodes Clue: Sam Bobrick, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond
(Answer's to all episode clues will appear in the reviews of season seven, episode 25: All Good Things, Part One.)
"I gave you an order, Lieutenant!"
classicsoncall2 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Those who might have read my previous reviews would know my thoughts on how the relationship between Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis) is fraught with inconsistency. This story takes that inconsistency to a whole new level in an episode that allows Troi to have it both ways - almost! When an away team from the Enterprise investigates a Federation research station on Nervala IV that was evacuated eight years earlier, they encounter Lieutenant William Riker, an exact duplicate of the Commander, who was somehow 'created' during a transporter anomaly that occurred during the evacuation. With Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) confirming that both are the same person, the Lieutenant version wants to rekindle his former relationship with Troi, and she appears only too willing after he makes a move. Actually, she made an even bigger move when Dr. Crusher left them both to pursue their martial art forms. I thought it odd that the resolution of this story wouldn't somehow negate the existence of the Lieutenant, not so much because his being there was so preposterous, but well, yeah, it was preposterous. For Counselor Troi, it was somewhat a bittersweet ending, even knowing that she had moved on from their relationship years earlier. Along with the contradiction of the same person existing in two different bodies, I was also struck by the sudden appearance of poker chips at an empty seat when Lieutenant Riker joined the Commander, Data and Worf in a poker game.
A Senior Trekker writes.....................
celineduchain3 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Golden Age of Star Trek: we had the 6th Season of The Next Generation and the 1st Season of Deep Space Nice on our televisions, Generations on view in our cinemas and First Contact due out soon. This season of TNG contains some excellent stand-alone episodes and several spectacular two-parters, with only the occasional make-weight. Despite the length of time it had already been on the air, it still represents some of the highest standard of television Science Fiction ever broadcast.
This is the episode where we see a short cameo performed by real life astronaut and friend of Nichelle Nichols, Dr Mae Jemison. It was an important milestone for the series and a tribute to Ms Nichols' work on inclusivity over the years.
We also see a surprisingly interesting use of the perennial transporter malfunction and what is probably my favourite Star Trek romance.
The introduction of a second Will Riker with a quite different set of experiences since they were separated eight years before had the potential for all sorts of future plot developments. At the same time, it illustrated just how fed up the writers (and possibly the actor) had become with William "stuffed shirt" Riker. In this episode he is shown as particularly unsympathetic - surly, bullying and jealous and definitely in need of an attitude transplant.
The new version of the character, subsequently referred to as Tom, is just so much nicer that we really want to see and hear more from him. In fact there was a potential version of the storyline in which Will Riker was killed and Tom Riker became a regular crew member. Jonathan Frakes makes an extremely good job of distinguishing his two selves and we are never in any doubt about which Riker we are watching. When the two appear side by side, however, the special effects are a bit of a let-down.
The Tom Riker/Deanna Troi relationship is beautifully played out, possibly as a result of the two actors having struggled with questions about their on-screen relationship for years. They gave it everything that they could to make a fresh and convincing love-renewed story between two people whom circumstances had previously driven apart. Of course, the restrictions of the television series format meant that these lovers must part so that Troi could marry the stuffy version ten years hence while the more interesting version crops up in dubious company later on in Deep Space Nine.
What were you thinking Deanna? It's every woman's dream to have a man return to them tempered by experience and prepared to admit that they were wrong. Of course he's not going to be stupid enough to make the same mistakes again - especially when he can see the odious results standing right in front of him. Just dump Will, grab hold of the much nicer Tom and hold on tight.
Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5.
This is the episode where we see a short cameo performed by real life astronaut and friend of Nichelle Nichols, Dr Mae Jemison. It was an important milestone for the series and a tribute to Ms Nichols' work on inclusivity over the years.
We also see a surprisingly interesting use of the perennial transporter malfunction and what is probably my favourite Star Trek romance.
The introduction of a second Will Riker with a quite different set of experiences since they were separated eight years before had the potential for all sorts of future plot developments. At the same time, it illustrated just how fed up the writers (and possibly the actor) had become with William "stuffed shirt" Riker. In this episode he is shown as particularly unsympathetic - surly, bullying and jealous and definitely in need of an attitude transplant.
The new version of the character, subsequently referred to as Tom, is just so much nicer that we really want to see and hear more from him. In fact there was a potential version of the storyline in which Will Riker was killed and Tom Riker became a regular crew member. Jonathan Frakes makes an extremely good job of distinguishing his two selves and we are never in any doubt about which Riker we are watching. When the two appear side by side, however, the special effects are a bit of a let-down.
The Tom Riker/Deanna Troi relationship is beautifully played out, possibly as a result of the two actors having struggled with questions about their on-screen relationship for years. They gave it everything that they could to make a fresh and convincing love-renewed story between two people whom circumstances had previously driven apart. Of course, the restrictions of the television series format meant that these lovers must part so that Troi could marry the stuffy version ten years hence while the more interesting version crops up in dubious company later on in Deep Space Nine.
What were you thinking Deanna? It's every woman's dream to have a man return to them tempered by experience and prepared to admit that they were wrong. Of course he's not going to be stupid enough to make the same mistakes again - especially when he can see the odious results standing right in front of him. Just dump Will, grab hold of the much nicer Tom and hold on tight.
Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5.
It's good to see a real astronaut on Star Trek.
rhysellis-6430028 April 2019
This was an unusual episode: it had some fascinating moments, but generally the story wasn't particularly engrossing. The idea of two duplicate Rikers is good, but at no point did we really see the pair of them clash in a proper full-on argument (in relation to Troi & past career decisions). In anycase, this episode does form the basis for a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode entitled 'Defiant' - which turns out to be a really great episode. The real highlight of the show was the brief appearance of Dr. Mae Jamieson as Lt. Palmer: An actual former NASA astronaut and Star Trek fan. In many ways it would've been great if she had been featured in the episode more prominently.
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