The Riker Maneuver
July 26, 2023 6:39 PM Subscribe
Trying to avoid spoilers: would it be enjoyed by someone who's only seen Lower Decks, not any of Strange New Worlds?
posted by Riki tiki at 7:14 PM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Riki tiki at 7:14 PM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
I’d say it would be trickier than the other way due to an ongoing Spock plot but would probably work.
Might suggest watching the prior two episodes as a warm up, as they’re pretty good also and fill you in on most of that.
posted by Artw at 7:22 PM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Might suggest watching the prior two episodes as a warm up, as they’re pretty good also and fill you in on most of that.
posted by Artw at 7:22 PM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Stepping over the back of the chair?
He deserves more than that...
posted by Windopaene at 8:39 PM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
He deserves more than that...
posted by Windopaene at 8:39 PM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
qui facere non possunt, dirigunt
posted by clavdivs at 9:21 PM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by clavdivs at 9:21 PM on July 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Frakes has directed a bunch of very good Star Trek, not to mention just coming across as good-natured and friendly in just about every interview I’ve seen. Happy to see him getting some recognition.
posted by learning from frequent failure at 10:01 PM on July 26, 2023 [19 favorites]
posted by learning from frequent failure at 10:01 PM on July 26, 2023 [19 favorites]
I never felt much amity for Riker on TNG, he was too cocky and sometimes seemed reckless, but I was glad he was there, and I always felt like he'd be a pretty good officer to work under.
Frakes, however, has some questions for us.
posted by sudasana at 11:37 PM on July 26, 2023 [7 favorites]
Frakes, however, has some questions for us.
posted by sudasana at 11:37 PM on July 26, 2023 [7 favorites]
He directed the best Star Trek movie (First Contact) and the worst one (Insurrection), so that's a wash.
What breaks the tie for me is the woefully underrated Thunderbirds movie. As someone raised on the classic Supermarionation series, this was everything I could've wanted from a live-action remake. Frakes understands cheese.
posted by fairmettle at 1:48 AM on July 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
What breaks the tie for me is the woefully underrated Thunderbirds movie. As someone raised on the classic Supermarionation series, this was everything I could've wanted from a live-action remake. Frakes understands cheese.
posted by fairmettle at 1:48 AM on July 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
Riki tiki: Trying to avoid spoilers: would it be enjoyed by someone who's only seen Lower Decks, not any of Strange New Worlds?
I’m in the same boat and watched the episode twice, it’s definitely more a live action Lower Decks episode than an animated SNW episode. Great fun and you’ll only need a cursory google to plug any gaps.
posted by dr_dank at 3:48 AM on July 27, 2023
I’m in the same boat and watched the episode twice, it’s definitely more a live action Lower Decks episode than an animated SNW episode. Great fun and you’ll only need a cursory google to plug any gaps.
posted by dr_dank at 3:48 AM on July 27, 2023
the woefully underrated Thunderbirds movie
I recently stumbled into a Gerry Anderson fan group on Facebook. It was because of a post on UFO, which got syndicated by one my local stations and was the entry vector for me as an American kid. I never saw most of the super-marionation shows, and don't have an opinion. But the group is mainly brits who grew up watching Supercar and Fireball XL-5 and all the Anderson deep cuts. And man do they HATE that Thunderbirds movie!
posted by Naberius at 5:25 AM on July 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
I recently stumbled into a Gerry Anderson fan group on Facebook. It was because of a post on UFO, which got syndicated by one my local stations and was the entry vector for me as an American kid. I never saw most of the super-marionation shows, and don't have an opinion. But the group is mainly brits who grew up watching Supercar and Fireball XL-5 and all the Anderson deep cuts. And man do they HATE that Thunderbirds movie!
posted by Naberius at 5:25 AM on July 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
He directed the best Star Trek movie (First Contact) and the worst one (Insurrection), so that's a wash.
Insurrection had a somewhat troubled development phase (previously), so that's probably not completely Frakes' fault.
posted by AndrewInDC at 5:48 AM on July 27, 2023
Insurrection had a somewhat troubled development phase (previously), so that's probably not completely Frakes' fault.
posted by AndrewInDC at 5:48 AM on July 27, 2023
Man...bummer to learn that Discovery was cancelled through this interview :(
posted by UltraMorgnus at 6:28 AM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by UltraMorgnus at 6:28 AM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Frakes understands cheese.
Having just re-watched First Contact, I think this is key to Frakes' best output as a director, actor, and gleefully hammy conspiracy theory presenter. He can do serious if he has to, it's not like Riker had no authority to him. But it was the little twinkle in his eye during a lot of his scenes on TNG that made them special, especially once the writers understood that he wasn't James T. Kirk Jr. and could play up that joviality. He's the fun uncle on the bridge.
First Contact is a movie that tells a pretty good story and has some reasonably competent set-pieces, but more than that it's a movie where it seems like everyone (particularly Frakes and Sirtis) is having a really good time with each other, and a great deal of the fun is just the chemistry of the cast.
posted by Four String Riot at 7:00 AM on July 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
Having just re-watched First Contact, I think this is key to Frakes' best output as a director, actor, and gleefully hammy conspiracy theory presenter. He can do serious if he has to, it's not like Riker had no authority to him. But it was the little twinkle in his eye during a lot of his scenes on TNG that made them special, especially once the writers understood that he wasn't James T. Kirk Jr. and could play up that joviality. He's the fun uncle on the bridge.
First Contact is a movie that tells a pretty good story and has some reasonably competent set-pieces, but more than that it's a movie where it seems like everyone (particularly Frakes and Sirtis) is having a really good time with each other, and a great deal of the fun is just the chemistry of the cast.
posted by Four String Riot at 7:00 AM on July 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
Frakes is utterly beloved by the rest of the Star Trek actors and very highly regarded by the fans. In his older age, with his daddy-bear persona, it feels like he grew into the person he was always meant to be. Honestly, Riker is probably my least favorite TNG character, but Jonny Frakes is absolutely "Mr. Star Trek" in a way none of the other actors even have been, including Shatner and Nimoy.
True story - I saw Frakes at a Star Trek convention in Andover, MA in 1991 or '92. Just as the ballroom was filling up and he started his presentation, there was a fire alarm in the hotel and everybody had to go stand in the parking lot. He let everyone gather around him, and he talked to us right there, mostly taking questions. I somehow got into the inner circle of people standing around him, and I asked him what he wanted to do after Star Trek, and he was very clear even then that he wanted to be a director.
posted by briank at 7:04 AM on July 27, 2023 [23 favorites]
True story - I saw Frakes at a Star Trek convention in Andover, MA in 1991 or '92. Just as the ballroom was filling up and he started his presentation, there was a fire alarm in the hotel and everybody had to go stand in the parking lot. He let everyone gather around him, and he talked to us right there, mostly taking questions. I somehow got into the inner circle of people standing around him, and I asked him what he wanted to do after Star Trek, and he was very clear even then that he wanted to be a director.
posted by briank at 7:04 AM on July 27, 2023 [23 favorites]
I never felt much amity for Riker on TNG, he was too cocky and sometimes seemed reckless
I'm on my third or fourth rewatch of TNG at the moment, and for some reason I'm finding a soft spot for both Riker and Wesley, characters I previously didn't have any time for. Not sure if it's age or something else that's softened me, but I guess Riker is okay with me these days.
posted by terretu at 7:17 AM on July 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
I'm on my third or fourth rewatch of TNG at the moment, and for some reason I'm finding a soft spot for both Riker and Wesley, characters I previously didn't have any time for. Not sure if it's age or something else that's softened me, but I guess Riker is okay with me these days.
posted by terretu at 7:17 AM on July 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
He's the fun uncle on the bridge.
As a long-time stoner, apparently he was at least somewhat high in just about every scene, that's where that twinkle and the base of his feel-good energy comes from, I expect. Frakes is a great director for Star Trek TV shows, and I think his episodes are consistently among the best in the various new series. From watching the Ready Room interviews with actors, he's also become pretty important glue for Trek, teaching all the new actors a lot about the habits and customs of acting on a ST show, welcoming them into 'the family,' etc. For them, he's a real center of Trek culture creatively, and is a dedicated keeper of that flame.
My favorite moment in the SNW/Lower Decks crossover episode might be Boimler hopping on Pike's saddle with a leg swing from behind and saying "Riker!" while he did it--that was improv from Jack Quaid, and he did it with Frakes sitting a few feet away from him, which makes it extra delightful.
(n.b. - TIL that "The Riker Maneuver" is an actual tactical maneuver that Riker uses in Insurrection, and that the chair thing is informally called 'the Riker Chair Maneuver.' An important distinction for the really pedantic fans.)
posted by LooseFilter at 7:18 AM on July 27, 2023 [15 favorites]
As a long-time stoner, apparently he was at least somewhat high in just about every scene, that's where that twinkle and the base of his feel-good energy comes from, I expect. Frakes is a great director for Star Trek TV shows, and I think his episodes are consistently among the best in the various new series. From watching the Ready Room interviews with actors, he's also become pretty important glue for Trek, teaching all the new actors a lot about the habits and customs of acting on a ST show, welcoming them into 'the family,' etc. For them, he's a real center of Trek culture creatively, and is a dedicated keeper of that flame.
My favorite moment in the SNW/Lower Decks crossover episode might be Boimler hopping on Pike's saddle with a leg swing from behind and saying "Riker!" while he did it--that was improv from Jack Quaid, and he did it with Frakes sitting a few feet away from him, which makes it extra delightful.
(n.b. - TIL that "The Riker Maneuver" is an actual tactical maneuver that Riker uses in Insurrection, and that the chair thing is informally called 'the Riker Chair Maneuver.' An important distinction for the really pedantic fans.)
posted by LooseFilter at 7:18 AM on July 27, 2023 [15 favorites]
I'm such a fan! thanks for posting this. I haven't seen the latest Lower Decks but it's on my list. Such a great show in all of its iterations and for me lots of memories of watching the original SK with my father.
posted by bluesky43 at 8:45 AM on July 27, 2023
posted by bluesky43 at 8:45 AM on July 27, 2023
for some reason I'm finding a soft spot for both Riker and Wesley, characters I previously didn't have any time for
Something I heard Wil Wheaton say in an interview podcast (probably Michael Rosenbaum's "Inside Of You") is that when the bridge of the TNG-era Enterprise was rebuilt for the final season of Picard, he got to tour it as part of his duties hosting "The Ready Room", Paramount's after-show. But before he could actually bring himself to sit in the captain's chair, he felt like he needed someone's permission, so he messaged the TNG-cast group chat -- which is apparently a thing that exists! -- and Frakes texted back "Mr. Crusher, you have the bridge."
On second recollection it might have been Patrick Stewart who messaged him, but I'm not re-listening to the podcast to check now.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 9:01 AM on July 27, 2023 [12 favorites]
Something I heard Wil Wheaton say in an interview podcast (probably Michael Rosenbaum's "Inside Of You") is that when the bridge of the TNG-era Enterprise was rebuilt for the final season of Picard, he got to tour it as part of his duties hosting "The Ready Room", Paramount's after-show. But before he could actually bring himself to sit in the captain's chair, he felt like he needed someone's permission, so he messaged the TNG-cast group chat -- which is apparently a thing that exists! -- and Frakes texted back "Mr. Crusher, you have the bridge."
On second recollection it might have been Patrick Stewart who messaged him, but I'm not re-listening to the podcast to check now.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 9:01 AM on July 27, 2023 [12 favorites]
As a long-time stoner, apparently he was at least somewhat high in just about every scene
uhhh does anyone have a source for this because that would be amazing
posted by Gerald Bostock at 9:03 AM on July 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
uhhh does anyone have a source for this because that would be amazing
posted by Gerald Bostock at 9:03 AM on July 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
I think he should get credit for an addition Trek for being on Futurama. That “first row at last!” line was terrific (note: that may not be quite right due to memory).
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 10:06 AM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 10:06 AM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
uhhh does anyone have a source for this because that would be amazing
Yeah, me too, actually, because looking now I can't find a citation, so don't want to be spreading made-up stuff on the internet. Not sure where I picked that up, but have encountered it as a 'known thing' among Trek fans for years. Of course, the Riker Chair Maneuver is still rumored to have started because of an old back injury, when Frakes has said that it was just him goofing off and seeing what he could get away with:
*it'd be a lot cooler if it did
posted by LooseFilter at 10:23 AM on July 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
Yeah, me too, actually, because looking now I can't find a citation, so don't want to be spreading made-up stuff on the internet. Not sure where I picked that up, but have encountered it as a 'known thing' among Trek fans for years. Of course, the Riker Chair Maneuver is still rumored to have started because of an old back injury, when Frakes has said that it was just him goofing off and seeing what he could get away with:
That started in Ten Forward because the backs of the chairs were so low, it was easy. And then I thought, this is really a hotdog, asshole thing to do. Nobody's going to let me do this. And then nobody stopped me! It's such a cocky, unattractive, kind of bad cowboy move…But my ten minutes of casual online searching has not, unfortunately, turned up any references to Stoner Frakes.* Retraction officially issued, pending any evidence.
*it'd be a lot cooler if it did
posted by LooseFilter at 10:23 AM on July 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
Is a Phish guest cut good enough?
Rikers Mailbox
posted by snuffleupagus at 11:12 AM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Rikers Mailbox
posted by snuffleupagus at 11:12 AM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Frakes is playing his trombone on that track.
posted by snuffleupagus at 11:57 AM on July 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 11:57 AM on July 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
“I’m starting to think this jam session’s got too many licks and not enough comp”
posted by Artw at 12:03 PM on July 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Artw at 12:03 PM on July 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
My dad and I grew up watching Star Trek together.
For my dad's birthday two years ago I had Mr. Frakes do a Cameo. It was everything I could have hoped. I'm a fan forever.
posted by kbanas at 1:11 PM on July 27, 2023 [11 favorites]
For my dad's birthday two years ago I had Mr. Frakes do a Cameo. It was everything I could have hoped. I'm a fan forever.
posted by kbanas at 1:11 PM on July 27, 2023 [11 favorites]
Frakes, however, has some questions for us
Previously (link to non-Twitter video)
posted by polecat at 1:23 PM on July 27, 2023
Previously (link to non-Twitter video)
posted by polecat at 1:23 PM on July 27, 2023
That is awesome kbanas!
Was never a favorite of mine on TNG, but he seems like a really good dude.
posted by Windopaene at 4:02 PM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Was never a favorite of mine on TNG, but he seems like a really good dude.
posted by Windopaene at 4:02 PM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Should possibly be noted that this weeks SNW is a hard, hard turn in tone from Those Old Scientists. Very very good, but maybe not what you might expect based just on that one.
posted by Artw at 7:23 PM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 7:23 PM on July 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
One of my favorite Frakes bits is Multimedia Celebrity Poker which was an early CD-ROM game featuring Frakes, Joe Piscopo and Morgan Fairchild. It was a white elephant gift that got passed around a lot.
posted by mmascolino at 8:59 AM on July 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by mmascolino at 8:59 AM on July 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
TNG is a show that everyone in the house enjoys so we're going through it together. For some it's a rewatch.
I didn't know any of the stuff in this post and I've really enjoyed reading it and watching the videos. Thanks to all!
posted by kingless at 9:42 AM on July 28, 2023
I didn't know any of the stuff in this post and I've really enjoyed reading it and watching the videos. Thanks to all!
posted by kingless at 9:42 AM on July 28, 2023
By the way, I should just mention that pretty much everyone in this thread is damned to hell for all eternity.
(Me too, I'm afraid.)
posted by Naberius at 6:29 AM on July 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
(Me too, I'm afraid.)
posted by Naberius at 6:29 AM on July 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
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