Star Trek: The Curious Fate of Riker’s Clone, Thomas
The universe of Star Trek is a playground for the wildest and weirdest narratives, all thanks to its futuristic technological blanket that fosters the exploration of concepts that are purely fantastical. One of the standout episodes from season six of Star Trek: The Next Generation showcases such eccentricity, introducing us to a most curious character: Thomas Riker.
During an away mission involving a teleporter malfunction while William Riker was serving aboard the U.S.S. Potemkin, something rather extraordinary occurred—he was rematerialized into two distinct versions of himself. One of these Rikers, Thomas, found himself marooned for an astonishing eight years before reappearing in the episode titled “Second Chances,” boldly asserting his claim to being the “real” William Riker.
While the notion of doppelgangers isn’t new to the Star Trek universe—recall Captain Kirk splitting into dual personas in “The Enemy Within”—this scenario was something entirely unique. Unlike Kirk, whose split resulted in an embodiment of his virtues and vices, both Rikers appeared identical, each grappling with the aftermath of their divergent experiences. Rather than merging the two Rikers, Thomas adopted his own path and chose to serve his own career within Starfleet aboard the U.S.S. Gandhi.
What transpired thereafter became just as gripping. Thomas Riker made a stunning return in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” specifically in the episode “Defiant.” His rebellion took a thrilling turn as he commandeered the newly minted and vital starship, the Defiant—a vessel fervently regarded as one of the coolest ships in the entire Star Trek lore.
Aligned with the Maquis, a group rebelling against the Cardassian regime that inflicted its rule on former Federation territories, Thomas’s intentions were just. Yet, he was soon apprehended and sentenced to life in a Lazon II labor camp. Major Kira, who had her personal struggles against Cardassians, recognized his motivations and hinted at a potential rescue.
However, it seemed as though the franchise had left Thomas Riker behind, his story relegated to non-canon novels and the imaginations of fans left wondering about his fate. Would Kira fulfill her promise and liberate him, or would he be condemned to remain imprisoned indefinitely?
In an intriguing twist, the animated series “Star Trek: Lower Decks” has stirred the pot, hinting that the saga of Thomas Riker might receive the resolution it deserves. The character Ensign Brad Boimler, embroiled in his own teleporter mishap, ends up creating a clone who takes on the name William—perhaps to earn favor with Captain Will Riker, who made a cameo courtesy of Jonathan Frakes. This clone’s journey leads him to the Titan, while Brad returns to the U.S.S. Cerritos.
As fate would have it, William Boimler becomes entangled with Section 31, an opaque segment of Starfleet, which fakes his demise. Hints throughout the fourth season suggest that this show is attempting to unravel the whereabouts of Thomas Riker, suggesting he may not be languishing in a Cardassian camp after all. The finale of season four left this subplot tantalizingly open, making room for the series to center back on it.
If anyone has a bone to pick with Starfleet, it’s Thomas Riker. Yet the story offers the potential for redemption—a chance for him to reconcile with Starfleet and perhaps reestablish his honor within the Federation.
With humor and drama fused into this double relationship, the stage is set for a profound exploration of unresolved Star Trek questions when the fifth and final season of “Star Trek: Lower Decks” debuts on October 24, 2024, on Paramount+. Fans are eagerly awaiting what answers—and surprises—await.
