Picard vs. Riker

[AlboOfBorg]

So let's say Picard got killed at the end of Best of Both Worlds Part II. Would Riker have made as good a captain (or better) for the rest of the series? Would the fans have reacted as positively or negatively to this?

 

[Michael]

Always liked Picard, but it would have been interesting to have Riker as the captain. Would have been bold of the writers to remove Picard from the series and replace him with Riker.

 

[Red Ranger]

I think if Riker became the star, the tenor of the show would have changed a bit. He's not as serious as Picard, but I also think he would of necessity attained more gravitas as captain.

Shelby would have made an OK first officer, but it would've been cool if she got her own ship after two seasons, and Data then became Riker's Number One for the rest of the show's run.

Since Riker is such a good shouter, it would have been fun to see him holler, "THERE . . . ARE. . . FOUR . . . LIGHTS!"

Red Ranger

 

[SeanMcC]

I'd have loved to have seen how that would have turned out had Stewart left the series. I think Frakes would have done a good job, assuming the writing was good.

 

[Mr. Fergy]

I love Riker, it just wouldn't be the same without Picard.

 

[DanCPA]

I don't think the series would have been as good. The character of Jean Luc Picard drove the show.

With Riker in command, TNG would have become more of a TOS rip-off and not find its own solid footing it was able to establish

 

[Good Will Riker]

Seasons 1-2: I preferred Riker over Picard due to the show's emphasis on action-adventure and space exploration.

Seasons 3-7: I preferred Picard over Riker due to the show's emphasis on comingup with conference/strategy/diplomacy to solving their crises.