Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Pen Pals (1989)

Jonathan Frakes: Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker

Quotes 

• [Data is about to beam down to the planet] 

  Commander William T. Riker : O'Brien, take a nap. You didn't see any of this, you're not involved.

  Chief Miles O'Brien : Right, sir, I'll just be standing over here dozing off.

• Commander William T. Riker : You did a good job. I'm proud of you.

  Wesley Crusher : Thank you, sir. Does it get any easier?

  Commander William T. Riker : Nope.

• [Wesley is having trouble with his role as a team leader] 

  Commander William T. Riker : One of the reasons you've been given command is so you can make a few right decisions, which will lead to a pattern of success and help build self-confidence. If you don't trust your own judgment, you don't belong in the command chair.

  Wesley Crusher : But what if I'm wrong?

  Commander William T. Riker : Then you're wrong. It's arrogant to think that you'll never make a mistake.

  Wesley Crusher : But what if it's something really important, I mean, not just a mineral survey? What if somebody dies because I made a mistake?

  Commander William T. Riker : In your position, it's important to ask yourself one question: what would Picard do?

  Wesley Crusher : He'd listen to everyone's opinion and then make his own decision - but he's Captain Picard.

  Commander William T. Riker : Well, it doesn't matter. Once Picard makes his decision, does anyone question it?

  Wesley Crusher : No way.

  Commander William T. Riker : And why not?

  Wesley Crusher : I'm not sure.

  [Riker is ordered to the Captain's cabin over the comm] 

  Commander William T. Riker : When you figure it out, you'll understand command.

• Lt. Commander Data : Captain, your orders were to deliver the message, correct?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Yes.

  Lt. Commander Data : Then, what is the difference between sending the message and delivering it personally?

  Commander William T. Riker : A whopping big one, and you know it.

  Lt. Commander Data : Sir, we have come this far.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : In for a penny, in for a pound. Is that what you're saying, Mr. Data?

• Commander William T. Riker : What a perfectly vicious little circle.

• [the Enterprise investigates unusual geological activity in the Selcundi Drema sector] 

  Lt. Commander Data : Commander, I have been reviewing the unmanned probe scans. At some point during the last 150 years, the fifth planet of Selcundi Drema has shattered, forming an asteroid belt.

  Commander William T. Riker : I'd call that geological instability.

  Lieutenant Worf : Is there any indication that this is the work of an unknown intelligence?

  Commander William T. Riker : This is geology, not malevolence. These planets live fast and die hard. The question is, why?

• [the crew debates whether to stop the geological disintegration of Drema IV, with regard to the Prime Directive] 

  Commander William T. Riker : If there is a cosmic plan, is it not the height of hubris to think that we can or should interfere?

  Lieutenant Geordi La Forge : So what're ya saying, that-that the Dremans are-are fated to die?

  Commander William T. Riker : I think that's an option that we should be considering.

  Lieutenant Geordi La Forge : Consider it considered and rejected!

• Commander William T. Riker : In your position it's important to ask yourself one question: what would Picard do?

  Wesley Crusher : He'd listen to everyone's opinion and then make his own decision.