Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

The Best of Both Worlds: Part 2 (1990)

Jonathan Frakes: Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker

Photos 

Quotes 

• Guinan : Did he ever tell you why we're so close?

  Captain William T. Riker : No.

  Guinan : Oh... Then let me just say that... our relationship is beyond friendship, beyond family. And I *will* let him go. And you must do the same. There can only be one Captain.

  Captain William T. Riker : It's not that simple. This was his crew. He wrote the book on this ship.

  Guinan : If the Borg know everything he knows, it's time to throw that book away. You *must* let him go, Riker. It's the only way to beat him. The only way to save him.

• [the Borg have abruptly ceased their attack on the Enterprise] 

  Captain William T. Riker : Mr. Data, what the hell happened?

  Lt. Commander Data : I successfully planted a command into the Borg collective consciousness. It misdirected them to believe it was time to regenerate. In effect, I put them all to sleep.

  Captain William T. Riker : [baffled]  To sleep?

• Guinan : When a man is convinced he's going to die tomorrow, he'll probably find a way to make it happen. The only one who can turn this around is you.

  Captain William T. Riker : I'll do the best I can.

  Guinan : You're gonna have to do something you don't want to do. You have to let go of Picard.

• Locutus : We will proceed to Earth, and if you attempt to intervene, we will destroy you.

  Captain William T. Riker : Then take your best shot, Locutus, 'cause we are about to intervene.

• Captain William T. Riker : We're no longer just fighting the Borg. We're fighting the life experience they've stolen from Captain Picard. Now, how the hell do we defeat an enemy that knows us better than we know ourselves?

• Captain William T. Riker : How much do you remember?

  Jean-Luc Picard : Everything. Including some brilliantly unorthodox strategy from... a former first officer of mine.

• [Dr. Crusher has suggested introducing a destructive breed of nanites into the Borg] 

  Captain William T. Riker : How long would it take to execute that?

  Doctor Beverly Crusher : That's the problem. Two to three weeks.

  Counselor Deanna Troi : In two or three weeks, nanites may be all that's left of the Federation.

• Captain William T. Riker : [to Picard's empty chair]  What would you do?

• Captain William T. Riker : I'm sure Captain Picard would have something meaningful and inspirational to say right now. To tell you the truth, I wish he was here, 'cause I'd like to hear it, too. I know how difficult this transition has been for all of you. I can take over for him; but I could never replace Captain Picard, nor would I ever try. Whatever the outcome, I'm sure our efforts in the coming battle will justify his faith in all of us.

• Captain William T. Riker : Commander, we don't have to like each other to work well together. As a matter of fact, I'd like you to continue to keep me on my toes.

  Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Paula Shelby : Some might define that as the role of a first officer.

  Captain William T. Riker : Damn! You *are* ambitious, aren't you, Shelby?

• Captain William T. Riker : Commander Shelby, take an away team and confirm that the Borg are... asleep.

  Commander Shelby : Delighted, sir.

• Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Paula Shelby : Captain Riker, based on our past relationship, there's no reason for me to expect to become your first officer, except that you need me. I know how to get things done, and I have the expertise in the Borg.

  Captain William T. Riker : And you have a lot to learn, Commander.

  Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Paula Shelby : Yes, sir.

  Captain William T. Riker : Almost as much as I had to learn when I came on board as Captain Picard's first officer. A fact he reminded me of when I commented on what a pain in the neck you are.

• Captain William T. Riker : [while commanding the Battle Bridge from the stardrive section, Riker hails the Borg ship]  Locutus of Borg, this is Captain William T Riker of the USS Enterprise.

  Locutus : [while looking at Riker's image on the Borg equivalent of a viewscreen]  You may speak.

  Captain William T. Riker : We wish to end the hostilities.

  Locutus : Then you must unconditionally surrender.

  Captain William T. Riker : We are prepared to meet to discuss your terms.

  Locutus : It is unlikely you are prepared to discuss terms. It is more likely that this is an attempt at deception.

  [Locutus moves as if to leave] 

  Captain William T. Riker : Come now, Locutus. If Picard's knowledge and experience are part of you, than you know I've never lied to him.

  [Locutus turns back] 

  Captain William T. Riker : You should also implicitly trust me, is that not so?

  Locutus : Picard implicitly trusted you.

  Captain William T. Riker : Then trust me now. Meet to discuss your terms.

  Locutus : Discussion is irrelevant. There are no terms. You will disarm all your weapons and escort us to Sector 001 where we will begin assimilating your culture and technol...

  [Riker has the transmission muted] 

  Captain William T. Riker : [addressing the officer at the Conn]  Mr Gleason, can you pinpoint the source of the Borg's transmission?

  Gleason : I can put you within 30 metres of it, Sir.

  Captain William T. Riker : [on the comm system]  O'Brien, report.

  Chief Miles O'Brien : [in a transporter room]  The Borg have adapted their electromagnetic field to prevent main transporter functions, Sir.

  Captain William T. Riker : [Riker's comm voice]  As expected. Mr Data, Mr Worf. You will proceed as we discussed.

  Lt. Commander Data : Aye, Captain.

  [Data and Worf put on some sort of armbands] 

  Captain William T. Riker : [Riker reopens the hail]  We would like time to prepare our people for assimilation.

  Locutus : Preparation is irrelevant. Your people will be assimilated as easily as Picard has been. Your attempt at delay will not be successful, Number One. We will proceed to Earth, and if you attempt to intervene we will destroy you.

  Captain William T. Riker : Then take your best shot Locutus because we are about to intervene.

  [Riker closes the channel for good this time] 

• Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Paula Shelby : They operate as a single mind.

  Captain William T. Riker : One of them jumps off a cliff, they all jump off?