Summary
- Commander Will Riker's beard is a metric to determine the quality of Star Trek: The Next Generation, but the show's weak first season had nothing to do with Riker's lack of facial hair.
- Riker's most recognizable version is the one with the beard, where he grew into an accomplished First Officer, close friend of Captain Picard, and a ladies' man.
- Riker has encountered alternate versions of himself, including a transporter clone named Thomas Riker and holographic recreations, showcasing the show's love for doppelganger stories.
Since his introduction in the premiere episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, several different versions of William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) have made appearances across the Star Trek franchise. As the First Officer on the USS Enterprise-D under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), Riker led most of the away missions throughout TNG's run and commanded the Enterprise when Picard was incapacitated. Captain Picard once referred to Riker as: "the finest officer with whom I have ever served," which is high praise coming from a man as distinguished and difficult to impress as Jean-Luc Picard.
Throughout TNG, Riker became Jean-Luc's closest friend and confidant, and the two remained close friends thirty years later in Star Trek: Picard. Riker married Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) in Star Trek: Nemesis, continuing one of Star Trek's best romances. Whether due to transporter accidents, alternate timelines, or changes in facial hair, the character of Will Riker has gone through a few different incarnations throughout his Star Trek career. Every version of Riker has been portrayed by Jonathan Frakes, who has also become one of Star Trek's most prolific and beloved directors.