Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation Nearly Replaced Riker With His Doppelgänger

Jonathan Frakes just returned as Will Riker this year in Star Trek: Picard, the first time he'd reprised the role in 15 years. But, in another timeline, Riker could've been killed off during Star Trek: The Next Generation and Frakes would've been playing Riker's doppelganger Thomas ever since. 

Jonathan Frakes just returned as Will Riker this year in Star Trek: Picardthe first time he’d reprised the role in 15 years. But, in another timeline, Riker could’ve been killed off during Star Trek: The Next Generation and Frakes would’ve been playing Riker’s doppelgänger Thomas ever since.

Recommended Videos

In season 6’s “Second Chances,” the Enterprise-D crew discover that a transporter accident several years ago created a double of Riker. While he beamed back aboard the U.S.S. Potemkin, another Riker rematerialized on Nervala IV, where he was eventually discovered and rescued by Picard and co. The episode saw Riker and the rest deal with the sudden appearance of this new Riker, who took the name Thomas, before Picard got him a new posting on the U.S.S. Gandhi.

The original idea for “Second Chances,” however, was for Will to die and for Thomas to replace him, thereby keeping Frakes around but giving him a whole new character to play. Thomas would’ve joined the Operations crew, while Data would’ve been promoted to First Officer. EP Michael Piller vetoed the idea at the time, but this didn’t stop the same thing from being pitched the following season.

This time, Star Trek boss Rick Bergman was the one to pull the plug on the plan, worrying about the repercussions of this on the wider franchise. For instance, the movies would have to explain why Riker was a different character now for audiences not up to date with the show. Instead, Thomas later reappeared on Deep Space Nine, where he ended up sentenced to life imprisonment on a Cardassian labor camp.

Unfortunately, this is the last time we heard from him, as DS9 writers put a ban on future episodes based around the character. Still, Jonathan Frakes likes to think he was involved with the Cardassian resistance during the Dominion Wars. And who knows, now that Picard is bringing back various characters from Star Trek: The Next GenerationThomas could one day return. After all, Will being killed off and Thomas replacing him seems like just the sort of bold move Picard would pull.


We Got This Covered is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article How did the Korean war end?
Read Article ‘He has done nothing for conservatives’: Marjorie Taylor Greene announces who she will be nominating as tribute in the next GOP Hunger Games
Read Article ‘Me and my baby are gonna die’: Pregnant woman survived fatal abduction and arson attempt by treacherous friend
TikTok screenshots via Angelique Cruz/Getty Image of house burning down
Read Article ’90 Day Fiancé UK’ season 3 release window, cast, and more
Jose and Louise pose together, arm in arm, on a couch.
Read Article Disney Plus just took the first steps to launching the Marvel sequel series we desperately need, but there’s one big roadblock
Silhouette of Spider-Man overlaid on the Marvel Disney Plus banner
Related Content
Read Article How did the Korean war end?
Read Article ‘He has done nothing for conservatives’: Marjorie Taylor Greene announces who she will be nominating as tribute in the next GOP Hunger Games
Read Article ‘Me and my baby are gonna die’: Pregnant woman survived fatal abduction and arson attempt by treacherous friend
TikTok screenshots via Angelique Cruz/Getty Image of house burning down
Read Article ’90 Day Fiancé UK’ season 3 release window, cast, and more
Jose and Louise pose together, arm in arm, on a couch.
Read Article Disney Plus just took the first steps to launching the Marvel sequel series we desperately need, but there’s one big roadblock
Silhouette of Spider-Man overlaid on the Marvel Disney Plus banner
Author
Christian Bone
Christian Bone is a Staff Writer/Editor at We Got This Covered and has been cluttering up the internet with his thoughts on movies and TV for over a decade, ever since graduating with a Creative Writing degree from the University of Winchester. As Marvel Beat Leader, he can usually be found writing about the MCU and yet, if you asked him, he'd probably say his favorite superhero film is 'The Incredibles.'