Why is Riker the one that always calls for Red Alert?
Posted by baebae4455@reddit | TNG | View on Reddit | 80 comments
Why not Picard or Troi?
Posted by baebae4455@reddit | TNG | View on Reddit | 80 comments
Why not Picard or Troi?
kBlankity@reddit
When things get dangerous Riker pops a chub… He’s just warning the bridge crew
CoconutDust@reddit
The captain has to think. Tasks that can be done by others should be done by others. There’s no need for the captain to do it.
Evening-Cold-4547@reddit
Troi isn't a command officer so it's not her job.
Picard's job is to carry out any mission Starfleet gives him with the tools at his disposal. That's what he focuses on.
Riker's job is to look after the ship and crew and help the captain. His immediate focus is not how to resolve the matter but to defend the ship.
Picard and Riker's working relationship is such that Picard trusts Riker to hold things together while he focuses on big-picture stuff and Riker knows that he can take the initiative in these situations
owlpellet@reddit
And adding: Red Alert is not by itself a command decision, but a preparation step to make the ship maximally ready to respond to the Captain.
Geetright@reddit
This is an excellent answer!
PaintedClownPenis@reddit
The ship command structure in TNG is actually way more admiral-like, and Riker's role is far more captain-like. Almost like they formalized the awkward command structure that shook out in Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
But whatever the case it always provides an excellent exposition scene because Picard has his combat arm and his diplomacy arm sitting right next to him on the bridge.
TEG24601@reddit
Especially one would think the flagship would have an Admiral in command, rather than a Captain. Then again, many smaller ships should be captained by those of lower ranks. Which we only really see in Redemption, Part II, and when Dax or Worf is in command of the Defiant in DS9.
markleo@reddit
I'm a real military (obligatory "which starfleet is very often not consistently portrayed as"), Picard probably should have been a rear admiral or commodore. I bet there would have been a whole thing about the difference between the rank of captain and the position of captain, though, complete with studio meddlers insisting the audience wouldn't be able to understand what was happening with the ranks.
Also, it's hard to imagine now, but lots of Trekkies were hostile towards TNG at first. Having Picard outrank Kirk (except for, what, 3 and a half movies?) would probably have further rankled those people.
A consistent "Captain" is just easier all around. It's not like Trek has ever been too precious about these things, anyway (see also: rear admiral/commodore).
twilighteclipse925@reddit
From my experience it’s not uncommon for the XO to actually run things if the captain is older and getting ready to retire. Not saying this is the case with Picard but from real military experience it’s not unheard of for the commander to be the captain in everything but rank and title. I’ve also seen on smaller boats where the commander is the captain and someone with rank of captain is in charge of the flotilla.
But I agree with the parent comment points that Picard makes more sense as a rear admiral. Honestly a Star Trek following a small fleet would be very interesting, seeing how an admiral would use frigates and destroyers to protect their main cruiser in the Star Trek setting. Especially something like voyager with a battle star galactica vibe would be very fun. Maybe a remote Star Fleet military base on the other side of a wormhole forced to evacuate by a hostile alien threat and then trying to make it back to federation space with as many ships as they can while being hounded by the enemy.
sarcastibot8point5@reddit
The CO and XO (as well as the flight officer, but he's basically in control of a completely separate ship function) are usually at the rank of captain on a US aircraft carrier. If there is an admiral on ship (commodore is an obsolete rank in the US Navy), they are out of the ship's command structure and focus on the whole group they are in command of. They can issue commands to the skipper, but the skipper determines how to execute them.
TEG24601@reddit
Agreed.
There is sort of a similar issue with DS9, as one would think the head of an installation, like DS9 wouldn’t just be a commander, but an Admiral of some stripe.
What they did in TNG worked, mostly.
threedubya@reddit
They wanted it to work is thry put a commander there. Also it wasn't that important to them.
citybadger@reddit
Certainly wasn’t an important post before the wormhole opened.
Jgorkisch@reddit
In a weird way, the way Starfleet treats Picard almost as an unofficial admiral - deferring to him - feels on par with the way Riker seems to command the Enterprise.
It almost makes one wish for the simplicity of the Klingon command structure
FortunesBarnacle@reddit
He is the Fleet Captain, I believe.
HookDragger@reddit
He’d be the equivalent of a fleet captain on the flagship. Picard, being effectively a commodore.
ads1031@reddit
Huh, I never thought of it that way. Angel on one shoulder, devil on the other. And the angel and the devil have an unusual romantic relationship, too.
PaintedClownPenis@reddit
A somewhat similar dynamic began to emerge in the Aubrey-Maturin series of books just before TNG. That's the book series from which the film Master and Commander was made. In 1977 The Mauritius Command came out and I think Gene Roddenberry liked it a lot.
Eventually, Captain Aubrey is often acting as a commodore or other admiral-like commander, his XO Pullings acts as captain much or most of the time, and Maturin is his spy/diplomat.
Most of his missions combine the efforts of Pullings and Maturin, although Pullings' job is usually to be offstage doing all the hard work.
There is a particular angle in those stories, rarely directly mentioned, which is that the Royal Navy and the spy world isn't willing to risk a quality ship or an admiral on the shoestring missions they're sent on. It's possible that Picard is still a captain because he's expendable.
LeftLiner@reddit
In the Hornblower novels you also explore this a lot. Once hornblower gets promoted to commodore he laments having to keep his mouth shut about the running of the ship he's on because that is not his business anymore: he commands the fleet and Captain Bush commands the ship they're on.
SolutionBrave4576@reddit
Having an admiral on a ship to make command decisions, especially when meeting a new species makes sense. Can’t expect to call home every time a situation comes up. Then you have the first officer who is more like the captain taking care of the ship and crew directing them in defense and tactics.
WhatWouldTNGPicardDo@reddit
It’s exactly right too. While not a star ship: this often happens at work. You hear about people having “work husbands” and “work wives” and these kinds of teams where one is focused on the day to day and one is focused on long term strategic stuff like described here is the norm. These partnerships often allow the pair to survive layoffs and other actions like that…..because the two are better together then apart and it means they do 2.2 people’s work vs 2 for the exact same effort. I literally left a job because my work husband left and I wasn’t doing that job without him; it would suck. This is not just an excellent example and explanation it’s a great thing you can take back to your own life…..like many Star Trek lessons
TeaKingMac@reddit
CEO vs COO
ItsFuckinBob@reddit
I don’t even like Star Trek but enjoyed your answer. Thanks.
KashiofWavecrest@reddit
It always seemed to me that Picard delegates a lot of his authority to Riker, and this analysis backs up what I have always thought.
laffingriver@reddit
You see this highlighted by Data during the Ferengi attack in Peak Performance during Season 2.
When the Enterprise gets hit, Picard and Data are taking turns giving orders and its cool to see. But Data responds to Picard rather than how you say Riker owns his lane.
Its a huge difference.
Sure-Routine6449@reddit
And this, is at the heart, of competency porn. Great answer!!!!
The_Demolition_Man@reddit
Spot on. The captains job is to analyze and solve the big picture problem. The XO and OPS are who run the nuts and bolts of the ship.
HackTVst@reddit
In Voyager, Chakotay (the first officer) also called "battle stations" a lot. Though in Voyager they did not have to say "Shields up" like Riker did. "Battle stations" immediately took the ship to red alert and raised shields
Unhappy-Plastic2017@reddit
Riker is racist and has a long history of being against and calling out the "reds"(native americans.)
HisDivineOrder@reddit
Picard is too busy thinking up cleverness.
maggie081670@reddit
And being all around awesome
StOnEy333@reddit
Because he’s got that great voice. He sounds great saying it.
TinyDoctorTim@reddit
Came here to say this!
Top_Benefit_5594@reddit
No-one else in the franchise can hit “Red alert. Shields up!” like Frakes, and if we get an “All hands to battle-stations!” then oh boy!
CrazyDizzle@reddit
As a Navy Sailor, I will tell you that the XO is the Damage Control Leader.
Michael-Aaron@reddit
What u/Evening-Cold-4547 said about this is absolutely true; let it be known, however, that Picard had called for Red Alert in Seasons 1 & 2
seolchan25@reddit
I even heard it in his voice in my head reading that 😂
DamphairCannotDry@reddit
Troi's job is to explain what emotions bad across are trying to portray
jchester47@reddit
Of all the captains we saw, Picard was by far the one who was most hands off and comfortable with delegation.
He trusted Riker implicitly. Picard handled the mission critical decisions and priorities, but he delegated most of the day to day operations and crew issues to Riker. I suppose he also bucketed alert status in this area.
jessek@reddit
Because he’s the executive officer
Sea_Violinist3328@reddit
I’ll step in and address why our girl Deanna does NOT call red alert.
1) She has people to do it for her 2) She is BUSY 3) She is luxuriating in her chair, do not disturb!
4) She is way too gorgeous for such tasks 5) She’s shopping on Prime.
All make sense?
rootxploit@reddit
She is sensing something but can’t tell.
Sea_Violinist3328@reddit
Nor does she care to tell. “I sense something” is all you’re getting from Deanna and you love it.
ninjaoftheworld@reddit
It’s because she can sense that Riker is absolutely living to say it and she doesn’t want to take that away from him. They all know that’s the thing that keeps him going on the months-long transits in boring space.
Sea_Violinist3328@reddit
This is 100% factual and canon
Early_Essay3173@reddit
And the romance between them
System-Plastic@reddit
In naval tradition it is the watch officer who calls the ship to arms or red alert if you will, to set hands to station. Basically hey something outthere is a threat everyone be ready.
however, the captain or the senior officer in command is the one who orders the firing of the weapons or the action of the station.
You will often notice that when red alert is called and the scene is Riker or Picard not on the bridge the next command is calling them to the bridge. Likewise a watch officer may order a return fire if fired upon but not a first strike.
The TLDR, any one aboard a naval vessel or star fleet vessel can alert the ship.
amitym@reddit
He's not always the one who raises the alert level.
But it seems reasonable to assume that on a ship the size of Enterprise, Riker is frequently actually the duty officer at the moment. Even if Picard is there, it might be Starfleet command protocol for the duty officer to remain in direct command until superseded.
So if it's Riker's shift, or day, or however it works, it might simply be that it's Riker's job to make the calls and give the orders, unless and until Picard takes over directly.
Any-Key@reddit
https://i.redd.it/rwkxkoztzkrd1.gif
Alex_gold123@reddit
I feel like Picard does say red alert but I don't know which episodes
shep_ling@reddit
he does, in Season 3 at least once - the episode with the Romulan officer stranded with Jordi on the planet in the neutral zone.
Early_Essay3173@reddit
That was a great episode highlighting the differences between species, absolutely incredible
Alex_gold123@reddit
Oh, great
plitts@reddit
He says it as standard when he walks into a room as part of a deal he made with Starfleet to avoid a sexual harassment case.
DrTenochtitlan@reddit
In TNG, Picard, Riker, Data, and Dr. Crusher all have issued a red alert. Worf issued one in DS9, but not in TNG because he wasn't high enough rank yet. Geordi might have issued one as well, but I can't find a reference off hand one way or the other. Troi ranked high enough to issue one, but I don't think she ever did on screen.
senvestoj@reddit
Those episodes, he’s also director and it was code for stage commands
KobePippenJordan_esq@reddit
First officer gets to yell first
comfortablynumb15@reddit
“Dibs….in…..Spaaaaaacccee! “
Inevitable-Wheel1676@reddit
Starfleet crews are synergistically bonded. They are carefully analyzed and balanced teams and counseling psychology is utilized to strengthen the group dynamic. Picard knows Riker is his red alert guy. Riker knows to only order red alert when Picard wants it. They know each other very well - the whole bridge crew does. Anticipation and appreciation are baked in.
This is a natural thing among friends, close family, military, first responders, etc. … by the 24th Century, it’s an applied science.
Dantien@reddit
That’s why having a counselor on the bridge, especially an empathetic, is a force multiplier for teams like that. As essential as a medic or pilot. I always appreciated how that represented advanced strategic thinking.
Zippyversion1@reddit
Picard got fed up of Riker asking, "Are you sure sir? It would mean changing the bulb." So they came to an agreement that Riker would call for it only when he's ready to change the bulb.
haufenson@reddit
I was looking for this comment.
Throwaway_inSC_79@reddit
He’s announcing when he’s a little excited. Just happens to also coincide when the ship is in danger.
Stagnu_Demorte@reddit
He's got one job on this stupid ship, it;a stupid, but he;a gonna do it, ok?
BowserPong11@reddit
He's a nervous Nellie
GhostWatcher0889@reddit
It's his job.
ABC_Dildos_Inc@reddit
Look! Riker had one job on that lousy ship, it's stupid, but he's gonna do it! Okay?
strangway@reddit
The XO is the one who executes the COs plan, is in charge of discipline, organization, just getting stuff done.
Phreequencee@reddit
Troi: soft touch
Picard: covering his ass; red alerts usually lead to damage/casualties, and Picard would rather read the latest astro-archaeolgy lit, sip tea, and play that flute.
Riker: fuckboi
Mysterious-End-2185@reddit
Picard is a traditionalist and would rather sing Heart of Oak to beat to quarters and that takes too long.
https://youtu.be/WC2hOtMb9OM?si=KIhXY3bF-kHX893U
Cookie_Kiki@reddit
Troi?
thaeadran@reddit
I mean, I often remember Picard calling red alert, too.
Donjeur@reddit
In the fake future he called for red alert when the warbird decloaked which was a total EMBARRASSMENT because they were no longer at war. And he was captain at the time.
Astrocyde@reddit
Logical answer: he’s the First Officer
Cool answer: he makes it sound cooler
Cool_Butterscotch_88@reddit
too alarmist for either0
kristopherjhoff@reddit
Because he says it the best! Red alert!
Nawnp@reddit
Tri isnt an officer allowed to call for it, and presumably it was decided The First officer calls for it to alert the crew while the Captains actually deals with the situation.
PuzzleheadedProgram9@reddit
Picard often says he has implicate trust in Riker's judgement. He's developing his officers.
PuzzleheadedCook4578@reddit
They played a game of Buckaroo before the Farpoint mission. That was the prize.
ZyxDarkshine@reddit
Troi is not a line officer, Picard delegates that decision to his 1st Officer