Review 123 - Episode 119 (Apr 3rd 1989)The One with Rikers Dad
I feel this could have been a lot better given the subject material, but it's merely okay.
Riker is offered his own command on a smaller rather insignificant ship and the man assigned to brief him on it is his estranged father, Kyle. Meanwhile, Worf is depressed.
The chance to see some of Rikers background and what makes him tick is largely thrown away here. His relationship with his dad comes across as a teenager with abandonment issues and his petulant responses to Kyle start to grate. Not that Kyle's much better. Maybe it's that actor, or because there no real follow up to this, but I didn't believe for a second that this man was Rikers dad. Add in the fact he had a relationship with Pulaski (eewoo, nasty!) which she has never mentioned before and the whole thing just falls flat. Their rebonding scene, through some made up futuristic gladiators fighting, is embarrassing to watch and makes no actual sense.
More interesting is Riker conferring with Picard and Troi about his reasons to leave as he accepts the assignment. This is interesting stuff, but then in the final minute he abruptly changes his mind with no real reason given. WTF? At least have a heart to heart with Picard.
The Worf subplot is enjoyable enough and O'brien really is part of the main crew now.
Watchable, but could have been so much more.
3/5
Overall Star Trek Franchise Rating so far: 360/620
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