Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Chain of Command, Part I (1992)

Jonathan Frakes: Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker

Photos 

Quotes 

• Commander William T. Riker : May I present Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Admiral, welcome on board.

  Vice-Adm. Alynna Nechayev : Thank you. That'll be all, Commander.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Can I get you some coffee, tea...

  Vice-Adm. Alynna Nechayev : Thank you, no, Captain. I'm afraid there's no time for the usual pleasantries. I'm here to relieve you of command of the Enterprise.

• Gul Lemec : [sitting in the Enterprise's Observation Lounge displeased when Jellico suddenly walks in, followed by Riker and Troi; he gets to his feet]  What is going on? I've been waiting here for over an hour...

  Captain Edward Jellico : [talking over him]  I'm Captain Jellico. I believe you know Commander Riker and this is Lt Commander Troi. Let's get to it, shall we?

  Gul Lemec : [with great disdain]  This treatment is a deliberate insult to the Cardassian Union! I have been kept waiting here for over an hour!

  Captain Edward Jellico : Then I'm sure you're ready to talk.

  Gul Lemec : [Jellico, Riker and Troi sit but Lemec is suddenly uncertain]  I did not agree to allow others into this meeting.

  Captain Edward Jellico : If it alarms you, I can ask them to leave.

  Gul Lemec : [defiant]  I am not alarmed, but we did agree...

  Captain Edward Jellico : [interrupts again]  A great many people are depending on our efforts here, Gul Lemec. We don't need to quibble over minutiae.

  Gul Lemec : [leaning in, inches from Jellico's face]  I have come to negotiate a Federation withdrawal from the borders... not to be dictated to by some mere Captain.

  Captain Edward Jellico : [suddenly gets to his feet and locks eyes with Lemec]  I can see you're not serious about these talks.

  [Lemec narrows his eyes at Jellico's] 

  Captain Edward Jellico : If the Cardassion Union truly wishes to discuss peace... they can send someone who can negotiate in a civilised manner!

  [Jellico storms out, followed by Riker and Troi, leaving behind Lemec, more uncertain than ever] 

  Lt. Commander Data : [announcing Jellico's presence when he sees the three of them]  Captain on the Bridge.

  Captain Edward Jellico : [amused, but also businesslike]  Let him stew for a few minutes, then go in and tell him that you've convinced me to meet with him one more time. Tell him I'm a loose cannon and that he needs to be more reasonable because I'm such an unreasonable man. Lemec will want to bring his own aides on board. Pretend to be worried that I'll object and then give grudging permission for two aides... no more. Understood?

  Commander William T. Riker , Counselor Deanna Troi : Aye, Sir.

  Commander William T. Riker : [Jellico heads off for the Ready Room]  Well, I'll say this for him... he's sure of himself.

  Counselor Deanna Troi : No, he's not.

• Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge : [after Jellico becomes captain of the Enterprise]  I wonder how permanent this is gonna be.

  Commander William T. Riker : I don't know. They don't usually go through the ceremony if it's just a temporary assignment.