Jonathan Frakes’ 10 Best Star Trek Performances As Riker
Throughout the show’s seven seasons, Frakes delivered a magnetic performance as Captain Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) loyal yet fiercely independent first officer. Over time, Riker became one of the most capable and well-rounded officers in any version of the Enterprise.
His influence reached far beyond The Next Generation, with appearances across Deep Space Nine, Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Picard, and several other Star Trek shows. Jonathan Frakes’ nuanced acting and command of the role made Riker an enduring fan favorite - and his best episodes prove why.
The Outcast (TNG Season 5, Episode 17)
Frakes Brought Empathy And Conviction To One Of Star Trek’s Most Quietly Revolutionary Stories
“The Outcast” remains one of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Jonathan Frakes’ performance here is subtle and sincere, blending Riker’s trademark confidence with an understated tenderness rarely seen from the character. His chemistry with Culea sells the forbidden romance at the episode’s core, grounding its science fiction premise in real emotional stakes.
Seventeen Seconds (Picard season 3, Episode 3)
Frakes Reminded Fans Why Riker’s Maturity And Command Presence Still Matter Decades Later
By the time of
As an older Riker, Jonathan Frakes shines in this modern Star Trek episode, showcasing the weight of years spent making impossible choices. His restrained performance conveys experience and fatigue, yet also warmth and humor that recall his
Frakes directs several Picard episodes himself, but as an actor here, he reclaims the spotlight effortlessly. “Seventeen Seconds” proves that even after decades, Riker in
The Offspring (Season 3, Episode 16)
Frakes’ empathy shines through in the episode he calls his personal favorite
“The Offspring” marks Jonathan Frakes’ directorial debut, and his favorite
Though Frakes directed, his performance as Riker remains vital. He balances humor and sensitivity in the early scenes, reacting to Lal’s naive attempts at understanding humanity with warmth and patience. It’s an understated but deeply human portrayal that reinforces Riker’s compassion for his crewmates.
Frakes’ dual contribution - both behind and in front of the camera - captures everything that makes Riker in Star Trek such a multifaceted character: professionalism, heart, and respect for the unknown.
No Small Parts (Lower Decks season 1, Episode 10)
Frakes Brought Riker’s Swagger Into Animation Without Missing A Beat
In the Lower Decks season 1 finale, “No Small Parts,” Jonathan Frakes returns to voice an animated Riker commanding the USS Titan. The moment he appears, horns blaring and grin wide, it’s like he never left.
“No Small Parts” demonstrates Frakes’ natural ability to adapt his performance across mediums. Whether live-action or animated, his Riker remains unmistakably heroic and hilariously himself.
The Drumhead (TNG Season 4, Episode 21)
Frakes Turned Quiet Defiance Into One Of Riker’s Most Principled Moments
TNG season 4’s “The Drumhead” is best remembered for its courtroom drama and exploration of paranoia aboard the Enterprise. When a witch hunt for supposed traitors begins, Riker is forced to weigh loyalty against conscience.
Jonathan Frakes delivers a restrained yet powerful performance, showing Riker’s internal struggle as duty collides with moral integrity. His exchanges with Admiral Satie (Jean Simmons) crackle with intensity, revealing a man deeply aware of the cost of blind obedience.
It’s a showcase of subtle strength rather than grand gestures. Frakes captures Riker’s moral backbone, the quiet certainty of a man who’s grown into his own command philosophy, setting the stage for his eventual captaincy.
Time’s Arrow (TNG Season 5, Episode 26)
Frakes Gave Riker A Mix Of Urgency And Charm In One Of Star Trek’s Wildest Time-Travel Adventures
Riker’s leadership and decisiveness anchor the ensemble, and Frakes balances the humor of the premise with genuine urgency. His rapport with the rest of the cast - particularly with Picard and Data - reinforces the unshakable loyalty that defines Riker in
The episode’s lighter tone gives Frakes room to play with Riker’s swagger and quick wit, proving that the character’s confidence never overshadows his compassion or courage. It’s also a perfect example of Riker being an engaging character off the bridge as well as on it.
Second Chances (TNG Season 6, Episode 24)
Frakes Faced Himself - Literally - In One Of His Most Technically Challenging Performances
In The Next Generation season 6’s “Second Chances,” a transporter accident reveals a duplicate of Riker created years earlier. The result is two Rikers, each representing different paths the man could have taken. It’s not only a great episode of The Next Generation, but a standout example of how much Frakes understands Riker as a character.
“Second Chances” is a thematically deep episode, even for The Next Generation, and explores regret, identity, and ambition (all themes central to Riker’s arc). Frakes captures the pain of confronting one’s own lost potential, creating one of the most memorable acting showcases in Star Trek history.
Best Of Both Worlds Pt. 1 & Pt. 2 (TNG Season 3, Episode 26 & Season 4, Episode 1)
Frakes Proved Riker Could Lead The Enterprise Under The Most Impossible Pressure
“Best of Both Worlds” remains one of Star Trek’s defining moments, and a career high for Jonathan Frakes. When Picard is assimilated by the Borg, Riker takes command of the Enterprise and must decide whether to destroy his captain to save humanity.
Frakes commands the screen with intensity and confidence, portraying Riker as both decisive leader and haunted friend. His scenes of silent reflection reveal a man burdened by duty yet driven by resolve. It’s the closest Riker ever comes to surpassing his mentor, and he does it with grace.
This TNG two-parter cemented Frakes as a dramatic powerhouse within the franchise. Riker in Star Trek was never more human, or more heroic, than here. Riker would later come to command his bridge in the Trek timeline, and it’s in “Best of Both Worlds” that his true potential first shines.
Future Imperfect (TNG Season 4, Episode 8)
Frakes Delivered Emotional Depth In A Story Built Entirely Around Riker’s Heartbreak
“Future Imperfect” is one of the best Jonathan Frakes episodes of Star Trek not because it focuses on Riker as a Starfleet officer, but on the man behind the badge. It begins with Riker awakening 16 years in the future only to discover the life he remembers might be a lie.
The episode relies almost entirely on Frakes’ ability to carry its emotional weight. He portrays confusion, longing, and heartbreak with nuance, as Riker struggles to reconcile false memories of family and fatherhood. Frakes keeps the performance grounded, letting quiet gestures and fleeting expressions reveal the character’s pain.
Even when the illusion collapses, the episode lingers because of how authentically Frakes captures Riker’s loneliness. It’s a masterclass in restraint, proving that Star Trek’s most powerful moments often come from its most human performances.
Frame Of Mind (TNG Season 6, Episode 21)
Frakes Gave A Career-Best Performance In Riker’s Most Psychologically Intense Episode
In “Frame of Mind,” Riker finds himself trapped between reality and hallucination, unsure if he’s still aboard the Enterprise or imprisoned in an alien asylum. It’s one of TNG’s darkest and most disorienting episodes - and Frakes is extraordinary throughout.
“Frame of Mind” cemented Frakes as more than just the confident first officer, it proved his depth as a dramatic actor. For many fans, this remains the definitive example of Riker in Star Trek at his most human, vulnerable, and unforgettable.
The Bachelor’s Grant Ellis Opens Up About His Celibacy Journey, Jokes He’s Still ‘Good’ at S*e*
The Bachelor’s is ready to kiss and tell about his celibacy journey.
Weeks after revealing on social media that he is abstaining from sex until he finds the right partner, Ellis, 31, shared insight into his decision.
“I’ve been in two [relationships] my whole life. When I do, I put my all into it,” he shared on the Friday, October 24, episode of PodcastOne’s “When Reality Hits” podcast. “I want it to be meaningful and I want it to last, so I’m trying the best I can to withhold until I find my right person.”
After being eliminated on Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette, Ellis was named the lead of season 29 of The Bachelor. Although he got engaged to Juliana Pasquarosa during the March finale, the duo split three months later.
“I’m doing my best, and I want my next relationship to be the one,” Ellis shared with podcast host Brittany Cartwright. “If you’re not it, I’m just not gonna.”
When cupid does strike, Ellis joked that he will be ready to connect with his forever partner.
“When we do have sex, it will be great,” he said with a laugh. “I’m very good, but I’m waiting.”
On October 12, Ellis surprised some followers when he posted a video to social media confirming he was celibate. In his message, the former professional basketball player opened up about his personal decision to wait for sex.
“Me being the most recent Bachelor, I feel like I have a little authority in the dating space being that the show is about dating,” he explained. “I think finding something serious — finding something that’s worth pursuing — is really hard, especially out here in LA and major cities like New York.”
While choosing to be celibate can be “hard,” Ellis believes he’s making the right decision for himself.
“I’m a man,” he shared. “I definitely have my urges, my desires, and I’m just being fully transparent. I have messed up in the past.”
According to Ellis, what keeps him on the journey is his relationship with God.
“Mainly it’s because of my faith. … God knows the desires of your heart and he knows what makes you happy,” he explained. “The same God that knows how to make you happy, He would know how to give you a partner without having to test drive things.”
This isn’t the first time Ellis has been open about his views on sex and intimacy.
During an interview with ABC’s former Bachelor Nick Viall, Ellis said he handled his fantasy suites with care and understanding.
“People are going to think I’m a player or this or that — or that I’m trying to get my rocks off,” Ellis said on a March episode of “The Viall Files” podcast. “I wasn’t. I went in there with real intentions and prior to that, I was celibate for a year. I got out of a seven-year relationship and I was hurting, so, like, sex is great but I wanted to make sure it was with someone who was my person and then we could f*** all the time.”
