William Riker's Beard

[Amaraen]

The Deanna Troi post made me think of this.

Do you prefer William Riker with his beard, or without? I was always partial to his beard, and was a little sad when he shaved it off.

 

[JesterFace]

We're so used to it, seasons 2-7 with a beard, it wouldn't be the same without it.

 

[Mojochi]

It gave his face some definition & distinction. Before that, he was just a pasty white dough face. If it hadn't been for the cleft chin, I'd have never even noticed he was on screen

 

[Christopher Miles]

I would imagine the beard also serves a differentiator. No more ersatz Will Decker. Ryker's from Alaska, damnit, and has the beard to prove it!

 

[ManOnTheWave]

The beard gave Riker a second emotion. That's character development.

 

[Shark]

I guess with his beard. He said it himself, "Ensign baby face" and as a baby faced person myself, I can understand him growing a beard.

 

[Triskelion]

Who needs acting classes, grow a chin butt.

With.

 

[T'Girl]

Somewhat disappointed that in six seasons, and two plus movies, Riker never took out an opponent with his "beard fist."

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Like Chuck Norris' "third fist in his beard"?

 

[Tracy Trek]

I suppose with the beard. Until he grew it, I kept thinking of him as another character he played.

 

[maneth]

Definitely with!

 

[Lance]

My friends and I used to use the phrase ''Riker Syndrome'' to describe anyone in real-life who evidently looks better with a beard than without one. Kevin Smith being a prime example of ''Riker Syndrome''. He just looks wrong without his beard, as if his face isn't quite 'finished' yet without it, don't you think?

There was some critique when TNG started in '87 that Frakes looked like an adult Potsie from Happy Days. A not unfair comparison, but Frakes growing a beard between seasons changed that, and gave both the character and the actor who played him some much needed definition.

The beard gave Riker a second emotion. That's character development.

 

[at Quark's]

Well, at the very least it was more of a success than Data trying out a beard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-ZYzvD1rJ8

 

[Amaraen]

I suppose with the beard. Until he grew it, I kept thinking of him as another character he played.

Ashley Longworth?

 

[JesterFace]

How about women with beards? Some hot alien girl with a beard... that would be interesting.

As I wrote that I thought, there might be one somewhere? I've just forgot?

 

[Kilana2]

The Deanna Troi post made me think of this.

Do you prefer William Riker with his beard, or without? I was always partial to his beard, and was a little sad when he shaved it off.

I have been thinking about opening the same thread.

For me it's like other people have already said: I'm so used to Riker's beard, that seeing him without in one of the movies was very odd. TNG season 1 beardless Riker was younger and slimmer. The beard added maturity and dignity to him. Worf as a Klingon would certainly prefer him with beard.....

 

[The Wormhole]

William Riker's Beard is the Ultimate Power Source in the Universe. So, yeah, I prefer Bearded Riker.

 

[Amaraen]

I compiled this image of the various looks of William Riker for your viewing pleasure (I did not include Thomas Riker). Please forgive me, I am not an artist and I do not have Photoshop.

I think I do believe I like him best from image #3, throughout most of the series (I like the Season 3 uniforms better than Seasons 1-2).

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I think Images #1 & #6 show how he has a weak chin, as compared to the size and shape of his face.

That's why I think he looks better with the beard.

 

[Kilana2]

I like Nr. 2 and Nr. 5.