Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) are the only twoStar Trekcharacters who have appeared in three series finales. Introduced onStar Trek: The Next Generation,Riker and Troi served alongside one another on the USS Enterprise-D of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). TheTNGpremiere established that the two Starfleet officers had a previous romantic history, and they went on to have one ofStar Trek’sgreatest love stories. Riker and Troi eventually married, and the former took over command of the USS Titan.
Commander Riker and Counselor Troiappeared inStar Trek: The Next Generation’sseries finale, before popping up in the polarizingStar Trek: Enterprisefinale several years later.Troi and Riker also appeared inStar Trek: Picard’sseries finale, after playing a significant role in the show’s third season. This is impressive enough, but the couple almost made an appearance in anotherTrekseries finale,that ofStar Trek: Lower Decks. Although the Titan appears at the end of the final episode, the finale does not offer a glimpse of the ship’s crew.
Riker & Troi Appeared In Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Series Finale
Riker & Troi Both Played A Major Role In TNG Season 7, Episodes 25 & 26, “All Good Things…”
As two ofStar Trek: The Next Generation’smain characters, it’s not surprising that Commander Riker and Counselor Troi played a significant role in the series finale. The plot of “All Good Things…” follows Jean-Luc Picard as he jumps through three separate timelines to solve the mystery of a strange anomaly.The finale brings the story ofTNGfull circleas Q (John de Lancie) returns to facilitate this test for humanity. In the present-day timeline, Counselor Troi, who is dating Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) at the time, is one of the first people Picard tells about his experience.
Counselor Troi does not appear in the future timeline, as she has already passed away sometime between the present and future time periods. She does, however, appear in both the past and the present timelines, helping Picard work through his experience. Riker appears briefly in the past timeline, but plays a larger role in the present and future timelines. In this alternate future,Riker has risen to the rank of admiral and taken command of the Enterprise.Riker and Troi both help Picard throughout “All Good Things…” in different ways, and they are both present in its final scene.
Riker & Troi Appeared In Star Trek: Enterprise’s Series Finale
Riker & Troi Returned To Star Trek For Enterprise Season 4, Episode 22, “These Are The Voyages…”
For better or worse, Commander Riker and Counselor Troi both made a surprise appearance in themuch-maligned series finale ofStar Trek: Enterprise. The episode takes place during the events ofTNG’s"The Pegasus" as Riker contemplates whether to reveal the full truth to Picard. At Troi’s suggestion,Riker visits the holodeck and recreates the final mission of the Enterprise NX-01.These events occurred about six years after the previousEnterpriseepisode, and led directly to the founding of the United Federation of Planets.
Considering everything involving Archer and his crew is a holodeck simulation, it’s unclear if the depictions in this finale are one hundred percent accurate. Ultimately, “These Are The Voyages” feels more like a weirdTNGepisode than a proper finale forStar Trek: Enterprise.
Within the holodeck simulation,Riker takes on the role of the ship’s chef,allowing him to speak openly with several Enterprise crew members about their experiences. Riker witnesses the death of Commander Trip Tucker (Connor Trinneer), when he sacrifices himself to save Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula). Riker and Tori then watch Archer deliver his historic speech at the ceremony for the signing of the Federation Charter, and Riker comes to a decision regarding the Pegasus.
Riker & Troi Appeared In Star Trek: Picard’s Series Finale
Riker & Troi Reunited With Their TNG Crew In Picard Season 3, Episode 10, “The Last Generation”
AfterStar Trek: Picardseason 1 checked in with Riker and Troi and their life on Nepenthe, the pair made a more significant return inPicardseason 3. Admiral Picard recruited Riker to help him commandeer the USS Titan-A for a mission to rescueDr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden). Troi arrived later in the season, butboth Riker and Troi were instrumental in the fight to stop the Borg/Changeling attack on Starfleet.Now a captain, Riker expertly commanded the Titan and later traveled to the Borg cube with Picard and Worf to rescue Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers).
Troi’s empathic connection with her husband allowed her to locate Riker within the maze-like Borg cube, ensuring every originalStar Trek: The Next Generationcast member made it out alive. Riker and Troi endedStar Trek: Picardas a happy couple, preparing to go on a vacation with their daughter, Kestra (Lulu Wilson). A year later, Picard and his friends reunited for another game of poker, giving the crew of the Enterprise-D another pitch-perfect finale. “The Last Generation” also established Will Riker and Deanna Troi as the only twoStar Trekcharacters who appeared in three finales.
