William Riker quotes from Star Trek: The Next Generation

Geordi La Forge

Relinquishing command, Captain.

Jean-Luc Picard

As you were, Lieutenant!

Geordi La Forge

Sir?

Jean-Luc Picard

Mr. La Forge, when I left this ship, it was in one piece. I would appreciate your returning it to me in the same condition. Do you concur, Number One?

William Riker

Absolutely, sir.

William Riker

I'm Commander William Riker of the USS Enterprise.

I am Armus. Why are you here?

William Riker

We mean you no harm. We have injured crewmen in the shuttlecraft, and we need to get to them. May we pass?

You haven't given me a good enough reason.

William Riker

Preserving life. All life is important to us.

Why?

William Riker

We believe everything in the universe has a right to exist.

An interesting notion. Which I do not share! You may leave now, if you wish.

Tasha Yar

We're not going anywhere without our shuttle crew.

I warn you...

Tasha Yar

Enough! We have people who need attention. We won't hurt you, but we must help them.

Ten seconds to auto-destruct.

Captain?

Jean-Luc Picard

Abort auto-destruct sequence.

Riker, William T. Do you concur?

Yes, absolutely I do indeed concur, wholeheartedly!

Auto-destruct cancelled.

Jean-Luc Picard

A simple "yes" would have sufficed Number One.

I didn't want there to be any chance of a misunderstanding.

Jean-Luc Picard

(to Okona) Now please, follow Commander Riker's commands so our ship can go back to its normal routine.

Jean-Luc Picard

Something funny?

Well, the unexpected is our normal routine.

Worf

I've studied, and know everything about my heritage.

William Riker

Then you're just the person I need to talk to clear something up. It's been my understanding that one of the duties of the First Officer of the Klingon vessel is to assassinate his Captain?

Worf

Yes, sir.

William Riker

Isn't that gagh?

Very good. You did some research on our nutritional choices.

William Riker

Yes, but...

William Riker

It's still moving.

Gagh is always best when served live.

Would you like something easier?

William Riker

Easier?

Yes. If Klingon food is too strong for you, perhaps we could get one of the females to breast-feed you.

Data

Sir? There is a celebration on the holodeck.

William Riker

[despondent] I have no right to be there.

Data

Because you failed in your task?

William Riker

Oh, God, no, I was that close to winning, Data.

Data

[considers the statement] Yes, sir.

William Riker

I almost cost you your life!

Data

That is true, sir. But Commander... Will. I have learned from your example.

William Riker

[perplexed] What could you possibly have learned from that ordeal?

Data

That at times, one must deny one's nature, sacrifice one's own personal beliefs, to protect another. Is it not true that had you refused to prosecute, Captain Louvois would have ruled summarily against me?

William Riker

Yes.

Data

That action injured you, and saved me. I will not forget it.

William Riker

[smiles] You're a wise man, my friend.

Data

Not yet, sir. But with your help, I am learning.

William Riker

Looks like the poor devil died in his sleep.

Worf

What a terrible way to die!

Six. Six is your number.

Hell, my blind grandma can make a six, boy! Come on; roll 'em!"

William Riker

I thought seven and eleven had value.

Data

Actually, six is a valid point. Of course, now the objective is to hit a duplicate six before hitting seven.

William Riker

But the probability of making a six is no greater than that of rolling a seven.

Data

There is a certain degree of random fortune involved. I believe that is why they call it "gambling."

Yeah.

Data

Commander, these cubes are improperly balanced. I believe their final resting position would be a...

Riker

Can you repair them?

Data

I believe so. I will make another attempt.

Data

Baby needs a new pair of shoes.

Data

I wish to cash in, sir.

I'm afraid you've broken the bank!

William Riker

Just take out 12.5 million — the purchase price of this hotel — and spread the rest around.

You're the foreign investors.

Riker

That's right! We just bought this place, lock, stock and barrel. Consider it a done deal.

Travel time to the nearest starbase?

Data

[OC] At maximum warp, in two years, seven months, three days, eighteen hours we would reach Starbase 185.

Why?

Q

Why? Why, to give you a taste of your future, a preview of things to come. Con permiso, Capitan. The hall is rented, the orchestra engaged. It's now time to see if you can dance.

Jean-Luc Picard

Guinan, your people have been in this part of the galaxy.

What can you tell us?

Guinan

Only that if I were you, I'd start back now.

Q

The Borg is the ultimate user. They're unlike any threat your Federation has ever faced. They're not interested in political conquest, wealth or power as you know it. They're simply interested in your ship. Its technology. They've identified it as something they can consume.

You brought us here, you exposed us to it, and you cost us the lives of our ship-mates!

Q

Oh, please...

Jean-Luc Picard

(to Riker) Number One. (to Q) Eighteen of our people have died. Please, tell us that this is one of your illusions.

Q

Oh, no. This is as real as your so-called life gets. [disappears]

Jean-Luc Picard

Come. Yes, what is it, Number One?

William Riker

Is something wrong? This trip to Starbase Five One Five is rather unexpected.

Jean-Luc Picard

Ensign Crusher and I will rendezvous with you on your return from the Epsilon Pulsar Cluster.

William Riker

Forgive my saying so, sir, but you're being rather enigmatic.

Jean-Luc Picard

Consider it Captain's privilege.

William Riker

As First Officer, I have complete security clearance.

Jean-Luc Picard

This has nothing to do with ship's business, Number One. Suffice it to say, it is strictly a matter of image.

Jean-Luc Picard

I beg your pardon?

Geordi La Forge

Looks like things are back to normal.

Jean-Luc Picard

I'm pleased to report that Ensign Crusher's Starfleet exam results permit him to continue his studies on board the Enterprise. Furthermore, any rumours of my brush with death are greatly exaggerated. Is that clear?

William Riker

Yes, sir.

Jean-Luc Picard

Then, Ensign Crusher, set course for the Epsilon Sector, warp five. Engage.