From the moment Jellico steps onboard the Enterprise, it's clear his command style is vastly different from that of Picard's. Somewhat overbearing, Jellico wants everything done by the book, and he immediately begins giving orders upon his arrival. This approach initially catches Commander Riker off guard, as he points out how difficult it is for the crew to change things like duty shifts so drastically. Still, Riker does not become truly insubordinate until Jellico refuses to send a rescue mission for Captain Picard. While I agree with Riker's stance, his approach was unprofessional and could have cost him his career.
Riker May Have Been Right But He Was Unprofessional With Captain Jellico
Riker's Insubordinate Behavior Was Not A Great Look
After the Cardassians capture Picard, Riker understandably wants to plan a rescue mission. Not only does he prevent this, but Jellico also refuses to acknowledge that Picard was even on a Starfleet mission. This admission would have granted Picard the rights of a prisoner of war, preventing the Cardassians from continuing their torture. Jellico insists that this would be playing into the Cardassians' hands, prompting Riker to angrily retort: "I can't believe you're willing to sacrifice Captain Picard's life as a negotiating tactic."
Although Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) attempts to smooth things over, the damage is done, and Jellico relieves Riker of duty. While his heart was in the right place, Riker let his emotions get the better of him and momentarily forgot his place in the Enterprise. He is the first officer, after all, whose main job is to support his captain. There were other ways Riker could have approached Jellico if he felt the captain was making a mistake, but his angry outburst did not help anyone, nor did his apparent pride in his own insubordination.
What Would Have Happened If Jellico Remained Enterprise Captain In Star Trek: TNG?
Where Would Riker Have Ended Up?
Captain Jellico later needs Riker's help to pilot a shuttlecraft, and the two men hash out their feelings about one another. They agree but do not exactly end on the best of terms. If Captain Picard had not returned, it's unclear what Riker's Starfleet career would have looked like moving forward. Jellico would not have wanted Riker as his first officer, and would likely have kept Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) in that position. It's possible Starfleet would have offered Riker his own command, but Jellico certainly wouldn't have put in a good word for him.
As a viewer who had come to know Captain Picard and his crew throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation, I found it easy to side with Commander Riker, but he was playing a dangerous game going off on Jellico like that. Thankfully, Jellico does secure Picard's rescue in the end, and the status quo aboard the Enterprise is restored. But it leaves me wondering if there's a parallel universe out there where Jellico remained in command of the Enterprise and Riker got stuck in command of a second-rate starship on the other side of the galaxy.
