It's all well and good but Riker was also a bully sometimes, as Barclay and some non hot female lower deck people can attest. Sisko or Martok are way better examples of positive masculinity.
Everyone was bullying Barclay. It makes for a good story, but it does put a stain on the "humanity is oh so advanced in the future" thing TNG was leaning on
The one that springs to mind is where he has sex with the Irish woman Brenna. Yes she's into it but he is a senior officer on a star ship and they are presented as being quite primitive and are essentially refugees on his ship so the power imbalance is pretty huge.
I disagree with that one. She was an adult and he never ever hinted that her status as a refugee was in danger should she displease him. And honestly even if he had wanted to kick her out federation rules and Picard would have overthrown him.
But Riker is not made to be perfect. Yes, he has trouble managing Barclay, but the crew of the Enterprise is supposed to be the best in Starfleet and lord is Barclay far from that in the beginning. That's why Picard reminds them all of what they have to do to help Barclay.
Again, Lavelle is not really the best at that point, yes, he's an ensign but still. The biggest problem Riker has with him is that he comes across as a kiss @ ss. Troy reminds him he acted in some of the same ways when he was an ensign and Riker's perspective changes.
Yes, he is imperfect, but he listens to the people around him and adjusts the best he can. That is the mark of a true leader.
Oh well you sure demolished the point that Riker was made to be perfect. But nobody made that point. I like Riker, but because he be such a bully to his subordinates I maintain that he's not, as the OP proclaims, "the best male role model in all of Star Trek". Contrast with Martok who was a bully once, and it was with a noble klingon who absolutely had it coming, and even then Martok immediately felt terrible about it. About being rude to the guy who had try to keep him down. Martok didn't need Picard to come tell him to stop being a prick. And obviously Martok and Sisko have their flaws too, but if you're looking for the best masculine role model, someone who sometimes bullies his non hot girl subbordinates isn't it.
You kind of have to watch through the whole series to get this. At least, I did. But it is 100% true. I also like the story about how the first time he saw Galaxy Quest, Patrick Stewart called up Frakes outraged. And Frakes was like “NOOO it’s a brilliant tribute, you see!”. I remember reading that somewhere. Who knows if it’s true
I love it when Captain Picard explains his reasoning for picking Will as his First Officer from all the candidates whose credentials crossed his desk. Riker is steadfast and a great Starfleet officer, but yes, also charming. I also enjoyed his brief sojourn with the Klingon crew where he was eating all their gross food. "Delicious!"
That episode is one of my favourites because it shows Riker not only being willing to explore vastly different cultures but enthusiastically doing so. He listened and learned when he was on the Klingon ship, even though he did inject some human values such as when he encouraged the one officer to visit his father before he died. However, he also clearly understood that said Klingon was feeling regret and needed the encouragement to do what he wanted to - and was afraid to do.
There is a scene in Liaisons where Riker is talking to Geordi about losing a parent. It was literally written as filler, but is one of my favourite scenes of Riker's. Frakes is absolutely at his best in those one-on-one scenes where he's dispensing advice or trying to help a friend. He's a way better character than the "What the hell" montages and sitting memes would have you believe. My one big Trek regret is we never got a full look at Captain Riker, especially as we see him in Picard. I love Old Man Riker.
Other than his appearances in Lower Decks, I feel like the closest thing we’ve got to Captain Riker is Pike in SNW. I feel like Riker’s command style would have an almost identical blend of avuncular charm, professional focus, and open compassion.
I actually thought I was going to hate this video. Most video essays suck. I thought this was well done!
I think one thing that ages really well is Riker’s consent. He always got enthusiastic consent with partners. He wasn’t forceful, he always went with the flow. And ya the video was right, they wrote him to be very secure in himself and his masculinity, he wasn’t a perfect human being but he wasn’t mentally messed up.
When I was a kid I thought Picard was the best role model. Now that I'm an adult man myself, I realize Riker is my actual role model in basically every way. I, too, want to be competent and supportive and get laid at the same time. Also I grew a beard.
I like this so much. With all the focus on toxic masculinity these days but so little talk about positive masculinity… it gives the impression to some that anyone who talks about toxic masculinity believes that masculinity is toxic in itself, which is not true at all. We need to focus more on positive masculinity
I like that they called out The Price and his exchange with sleazeball Ral in that episode. Here's the scene they're referring to. It really makes Riker shine.
Isn’t he supposed to be the same age Kirk was in the series? The Next Generation was supposed to be the fully realized idea where the First Officer did all of the Kirk swashbuckling while the Captain stayed aboard the ship.
GargamelLeNoir@reddit
It's all well and good but Riker was also a bully sometimes, as Barclay and some non hot female lower deck people can attest. Sisko or Martok are way better examples of positive masculinity.
disp0sableacc0unt@reddit
Everyone was bullying Barclay. It makes for a good story, but it does put a stain on the "humanity is oh so advanced in the future" thing TNG was leaning on
GargamelLeNoir@reddit
Only Riker and that little shit Wesley were bullying him. Geordi found him annoying but was staying professional.
parasoralophus@reddit
Also not convinced some of his romantic encounters are really very appropriate.
GargamelLeNoir@reddit
Do you have examples in mind?
parasoralophus@reddit
The one that springs to mind is where he has sex with the Irish woman Brenna. Yes she's into it but he is a senior officer on a star ship and they are presented as being quite primitive and are essentially refugees on his ship so the power imbalance is pretty huge.
GargamelLeNoir@reddit
I disagree with that one. She was an adult and he never ever hinted that her status as a refugee was in danger should she displease him. And honestly even if he had wanted to kick her out federation rules and Picard would have overthrown him.
parasoralophus@reddit
It's not something I would think was ok to do when at work.
GargamelLeNoir@reddit
Well hopefully they had their fun times outside of working hours! If not that's really a fuckup from Riker.
Spectre_One_One@reddit
But Riker is not made to be perfect. Yes, he has trouble managing Barclay, but the crew of the Enterprise is supposed to be the best in Starfleet and lord is Barclay far from that in the beginning. That's why Picard reminds them all of what they have to do to help Barclay.
Again, Lavelle is not really the best at that point, yes, he's an ensign but still. The biggest problem Riker has with him is that he comes across as a kiss @ ss. Troy reminds him he acted in some of the same ways when he was an ensign and Riker's perspective changes.
Yes, he is imperfect, but he listens to the people around him and adjusts the best he can. That is the mark of a true leader.
GargamelLeNoir@reddit
Oh well you sure demolished the point that Riker was made to be perfect. But nobody made that point. I like Riker, but because he be such a bully to his subordinates I maintain that he's not, as the OP proclaims, "the best male role model in all of Star Trek". Contrast with Martok who was a bully once, and it was with a noble klingon who absolutely had it coming, and even then Martok immediately felt terrible about it. About being rude to the guy who had try to keep him down. Martok didn't need Picard to come tell him to stop being a prick. And obviously Martok and Sisko have their flaws too, but if you're looking for the best masculine role model, someone who sometimes bullies his non hot girl subbordinates isn't it.
ElectricMilk426@reddit
You kind of have to watch through the whole series to get this. At least, I did. But it is 100% true. I also like the story about how the first time he saw Galaxy Quest, Patrick Stewart called up Frakes outraged. And Frakes was like “NOOO it’s a brilliant tribute, you see!”. I remember reading that somewhere. Who knows if it’s true
Spectre_One_One@reddit
The second part is true, Frakes called Steward to tell him to go watch the movie, Patrick Steward said it himself.
Pynchon_A_Loaff@reddit
“If you love Star Trek, you’ll love Galaxy Quest. But if you hate Star Trek- you’ll love Galaxy Quest”
K1ngsGambit@reddit
I love it when Captain Picard explains his reasoning for picking Will as his First Officer from all the candidates whose credentials crossed his desk. Riker is steadfast and a great Starfleet officer, but yes, also charming. I also enjoyed his brief sojourn with the Klingon crew where he was eating all their gross food. "Delicious!"
Pynchon_A_Loaff@reddit
“One at a time? Or both at once?”
BitterFuture@reddit
"You wanted a first officer with a history of disobedience?!"
Pressman's bafflement at Picard's command style is hilarious.
KukalakaOnTheBay@reddit
Well Pressman was very insistent about this - don’t tell me what I can’t do!
BitterFuture@reddit
Fair point, well made!
cybercuzco@reddit
Because the captain isn’t always right but Riker will only disobey when he is
terrajules@reddit
That episode is one of my favourites because it shows Riker not only being willing to explore vastly different cultures but enthusiastically doing so. He listened and learned when he was on the Klingon ship, even though he did inject some human values such as when he encouraged the one officer to visit his father before he died. However, he also clearly understood that said Klingon was feeling regret and needed the encouragement to do what he wanted to - and was afraid to do.
alanthetanuki@reddit
There is a scene in Liaisons where Riker is talking to Geordi about losing a parent. It was literally written as filler, but is one of my favourite scenes of Riker's. Frakes is absolutely at his best in those one-on-one scenes where he's dispensing advice or trying to help a friend. He's a way better character than the "What the hell" montages and sitting memes would have you believe. My one big Trek regret is we never got a full look at Captain Riker, especially as we see him in Picard. I love Old Man Riker.
mancingtom@reddit
Other than his appearances in Lower Decks, I feel like the closest thing we’ve got to Captain Riker is Pike in SNW. I feel like Riker’s command style would have an almost identical blend of avuncular charm, professional focus, and open compassion.
alanthetanuki@reddit
I can definitely see Riker having big dinners where he cooks. That's a great shout!
amandaem79@reddit
Great video, except they kept showing Tom, and they also said Will plays the trumpet.
decidedlyindecisive@reddit
You're right it's a trombone, right? My brass knowledge isn't top tier
germansnowman@reddit
Correct :)
MAJORMETAL84@reddit
His behavior during "Chain of Command" was atrocious.
ShasO_Mas_Saro@reddit
His behaviour during lower decks was as equally bad. It’s fine if you fit within his ideal set of parameters, but god forbid you fall outside that.
Bman4k1@reddit
I actually thought I was going to hate this video. Most video essays suck. I thought this was well done!
I think one thing that ages really well is Riker’s consent. He always got enthusiastic consent with partners. He wasn’t forceful, he always went with the flow. And ya the video was right, they wrote him to be very secure in himself and his masculinity, he wasn’t a perfect human being but he wasn’t mentally messed up.
weyoun_clone@reddit
Rowan Coleman is a really good video essayist. Has a lot of passion and love and knowledge on the topics he covers.
titlecharacter@reddit
When I was a kid I thought Picard was the best role model. Now that I'm an adult man myself, I realize Riker is my actual role model in basically every way. I, too, want to be competent and supportive and get laid at the same time. Also I grew a beard.
decidedlyindecisive@reddit
I always loved Pucard but turns out I married Riker. It was a great decision!
VikingSojourn@reddit
I hadn’t thought about this, but it seems on point.
DependentSpirited649@reddit
Yes!!! Riker is one of the best portrayals of positive masculinity I’ve ever seen.
PersonalityNo3044@reddit
I like this so much. With all the focus on toxic masculinity these days but so little talk about positive masculinity… it gives the impression to some that anyone who talks about toxic masculinity believes that masculinity is toxic in itself, which is not true at all. We need to focus more on positive masculinity
zeptimius@reddit
I like that they called out The Price and his exchange with sleazeball Ral in that episode. Here's the scene they're referring to. It really makes Riker shine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDJTG12NTg4&ab_channel=wiximar
Remote-Pie-3152@reddit
Toxin-free masculinity!
General-Skywalker_@reddit
Excellent video. Riker is a tremendous character.
GregGraffin23@reddit (OP)
Thanks, he's one of my favourites.
He's like how I would imagine a young Kirk imo
kamdan2011@reddit
Isn’t he supposed to be the same age Kirk was in the series? The Next Generation was supposed to be the fully realized idea where the First Officer did all of the Kirk swashbuckling while the Captain stayed aboard the ship.