Paramount
“Star Trek” is renowned for its ability to venture into the truly bizarre. The realms of science fiction permit exploration of concepts that are otherwise unattainable in our reality. The various “Star Trek” crews have faced numerous entertaining predicaments, thanks to time travel. However, in a season 6 episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” a teleporter mishap presented an intriguing dilemma for Captain Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) Enterprise crew: the introduction of Thomas Riker.
During an away mission, while William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) was stationed on the U.S.S. Potemkin, a teleporter mishap occurred. As a result, he was rematerialized into two separate entities. One of these Rikers was marooned for eight years before resurfacing in the “Second Chances” episode, asserting that he was the “authentic” William Riker. Teleporter-induced doppelgangers had occurred previously, such as when Captain Kirk (William Shatner) was divided into two in the original series episode “The Enemy Within.” However, this incident seemed unique. Unlike Kirk, who was split into good and evil versions, both Rikers appeared to be the same person, albeit with eight years of disparate experiences. The “new” Riker, instead of merging back with the original like Kirk, adopted the name Thomas and embarked on his own Starfleet career aboard the U.S.S. Gandhi. But what transpired next?
Thomas Riker’s Return in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Paramount
Thomas Riker made a dramatic return in the “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” episode “Defiant.” He revealed his rebellious nature by stealing the newly commissioned and highly significant ship, the Defiant. His sympathy for the Maquis, a Federation separatist group opposing the Cardassian occupation of former Federation planets, led him to use the Defiant to locate a secret fleet of Cardassian ships. Subsequently, he was captured and sentenced to lifelong imprisonment in the Lazon II labor camp. Major Kira (Nana Visitor), empathizing with his rebellion due to her own past as a Bajoran resistance fighter, promised to free him someday.
Seemingly, the “Star Trek” franchise overlooked Thomas thereafter, with only the “Star Trek” novels (which are technically non-canon) mentioning him. Fans were left wondering about Thomas’s fate post-imprisonment. Did Major Kira fulfill her promise, or was he unfairly trapped indefinitely? Fortunately, the creators of the animated series “Star Trek: Lower Decks” have hinted that future answers may be forthcoming.
The Animated Exploits of William Riker
Paramount
In “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) experiences his own teleporter accident that creates a twin. The clone Boimler adopts the name William, presumably to impress the ship’s captain, Will Riker (voiced by Frakes). William Boimler stays on the Titan with Will Riker, while Brad returns to the U.S.S. Cerritos. Regrettably, William Boimler is then recruited into Section 31, Starfleet’s dubious espionage branch, which then fakes his death.
“Lower Decks” might be planning to unite the two transporter twins in the fifth and final season, as the Federation was searching for Thomas Riker in the penultimate episode of season 4. If they were looking for him, he’s likely not still in a Cardassian labor camp. The search for Thomas was left somewhat mysterious by the end of season 4, as another character wronged by Starfleet took the spotlight. However, the stage has been set. Thomas Riker, who has every right to be aggrieved with Starfleet, might still attempt to redeem himself in the Federation’s eyes. Either way, this double dilemma could lead to significant drama and comedy. Hopefully, “Lower Decks” will finally provide answers to longstanding “Star Trek” queries.
The fifth and final season of “Star Trek: Lower Decks” will premiere on October 24, 2024, on Paramount+.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
