For many Star Trek fans, Jonathan Frakes will always be remembered as Commander William Riker from Star Trek: The Next Generation, and there's a reason why. For all seven seasons of TNG, Riker served as the first officer on the USS Enterprise-D under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). Riker served as Picard's first officer for fifteen years, and Piker came to regard him as one of the finest officers in the fleet. Throughout TNG, Riker led numerous away missions and expertly commanded the Enterprise when Picard was occupied or incapacitated.
It was not until Star Trek: Nemesis that Riker finally accepted a promotion to captain, and he was given command of the USS Titan. Captain Riker and the Titan popped up in Star Trek: Lower Decks to help the USS Cerritos deal with the Pakleds. Subsequently, Riker later returned to live-action in Star Trek: Picard. Riker was taking time away from Starfleet when Jean-Luc encountered him in Picard season 1, but he soon got pulled back into Picard's adventures. Despite becoming an accomplished Starfleet captain, Riker is still better known as the commander from TNG.
Why Jonathan Frakes Is Better Known As Star Trek: TNG’s Commander Riker
Frakes Portrayed Commander Riker In Nearly All 178 Episodes Of Star Trek: TNG
Not only has Jonathan Frakes portrayed Riker multiple times since Star Trek: The Next Generation, but he has also become one of Star Trek's most beloved and prolific directors. Still, he remains most well-known for playing Commander Riker. Considering Commander Riker appeared in nearly all 178 episodes of TNG, plus the four subsequent films, it's not particularly surprising that it remains his most famous role. Captain Riker only appeared briefly in Star Trek: Lower Decks, and while he had a more substantial role in Star Trek: Picard season 3, it still doesn't compare to his time on TNG.
Although Star Trek: The Next Generation got off to a bit of a rocky start, it went on to become one of the most well-known and beloved science fiction television shows of all time. Throughout TNG's seven seasons, Captain Picard and his crew became like family not only to one another but also to many viewers as well. Commander Riker defined what it meant to be a first officer in Star Trek's TNG era, and he turned down numerous offers to command his own ship to remain on the Enterprise.
Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Commander Ransom Is A Parody Of Riker
Ransom Serves As The First Officer On The USS Cerritos
On Star Trek: Lower Decks, Commander Jack Ransom (Jerry O'Connell) serves as the first officer on the USS Cerritos under the command of Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis). Throughout Lower Decks' five seasons, he has grown into his own as a character, but Ransom has always had a lot in common with Commander Riker. Initially, Riker was meant to be a ladies' man type character, much like Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) was on Star Trek: The Original Series. Although Riker grew out of this role quickly, Ransom embraces it, with his flirtatious nature and obsession with his physique.
Ransom may have begun as a parody of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Commander Riker, but he has slowly become an interesting character all on his own.
Ransom embodies many classically masculine traits, but turns them on their head by being a decent officer who masks his insecurities with apparent arrogance. Riker could be overconfident, too, but Ransom takes this trait to a whole new level. Still, Ransom cares for his crew, and he's willing to risk his life to keep them safe. He tries to help out the lower-level officers on the Cerritos and is loyal to Captain Freeman. Ransom may have begun as a parody of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Commander Riker, but he has slowly become an interesting character all on his own.
