History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS6E22SecondChances

* {{Technobabble}}: How else could we explain the sudden existence of ''two'' Rikers? Long of the short, when Riker was getting beamed up, the ''Potemkin's'' transporter chief used two beams to bring him aboard, and when Riker successfully materialized on the ship, they shut down the second beam, which got reflected off the atmosphere and rematerialized on the planet's surface. Though this brings up some [[DestructiveTeleportation disturbing implications]] as to how the transporter works.

* DuplicateDivergence: Thomas, having been stranded for eight years alone on a badly damaged outpost, has some old injuries and scars that Will lacks while still having the youthful arrogance that Will matured out of.

* DoubleVision: A few background plates showing the two Riker are used similar to the Lore episodes, along with a number of over-the-shoulder stand-ins. This was Creator/LeVarBurton's directorial debut and said it caused a lot of headaches.
* DuplicateDivergence: Thomas, having been stranded for eight years alone on a badly damaged outpost, has some old injuries and scars Will lacks while still having the youthful arrogance Will matured out of.

* StatusQuoIsGod: While uniquely the episode doesn't kill off one of the Riker's to make things simpler, Thomas Riker is transferred off ship so he can remain out of sight and out of mind for the Enterprise. His reappearance in [=DS9=] was deliberately staged as a shocking twist to avoid this, as Thomas impersonated Will to gain access to the Defiant.

* TimePassageBeard: The justification that Lt. Riker also grew a beard. In addition to his parted hair, he's visually distinct from Cmdr. Riker by the fact that his beard is trimmed wider.

* CloningBlues: Riker was split into two people eight years ago, so they both have an equal claim to being "Will Riker."

Riker is leading a jazz performance on trombone, and Troi teasingly demands that he play "Night Bird," a song he's been failing to master for a decade. Just before he can play a note, he's called the to bridge, which he happily accepts. The ''Enterprise'' is orbiting Nervala IV and preparing to retrieve some scientific data that was abandoned when the station got evacuated. Riker was the last one to leave eight years ago, back when he was still a lieutenant, and only narrowly beamed away. When Riker and the away team arrive at the station, however, they discover that it has been occupied for the last eight years... by Lieutenant Will Riker.

* OtherMeAnnoysMe: The entire episode alternates between IHatePastMe and FutureMeScaresMe. Riker is annoyed by the youthful ambitions and tendency to go your own way seen in someone else. The other Riker chafes at seeing the man who didn't accomplish any of his ambitions (captaincy of a ship, marriage to Troi) despite having multiple opportunities to do so. Data and Worf discuss this amongst themselves.

* OtherMeAnnoysMe: The entire episode alternates between IHatePastMe and FutureMeScaresMe. Riker is annoyed by the youthful attitudes and social difficulties of the other. The other Riker chafes at seeing the man who had the career he should have had and who gave up the woman he still loves (Troi). Data and Worf discuss this amongst themselves.

Riker is leading a jazz performance on trombone, and Troi teasingly demands that he play "Night Bird," a song he's been failing to master for a decade. Just before he can play a note, he's called the to bridge, which he happily accepts. The ''Enterprise'' is orbiting Nervala IV and preparing to retrieve some scientific data it had to abandon when the station got evacuated. Riker was the last one to leave eight years ago, back when he was still a lieutenant, and only narrowly beamed away. When Riker and the away team arrive at the station, however, they discover that it has been occupied for the last eight years... by Lieutenant Will Riker.

Troi visits Lt. Riker, who passionately sweeps her off her feet and kisses her. From his perspective, their romance never cooled to friendship, and he wants to pick this up right where they left them eight years ago. Troi is hesitant. Riker burned her before by choosing his career over her, and she doesn't know if she can trust this other Riker not to do the same. Cmdr. Riker awkwardly tries to stay out of their way, but he's been having difficulty getting his other self to heed his commands. Lt. Riker isn't used to following orders anymore, and he's obviously jealous of the "better hand" that Cmdr. Riker was dealt.

Lt. Riker woos Troi with a romantic scavenger hunt and presents her with a picture of their last date together. He's giving her the full-court press to get back together. Meanwhile, he goes over Cmdr. Riker's head by pitching his idea to access the science station's computer from underground. Cmdr. Riker chews him out for insubordination but admits that Picard has accepted the plan. While making preparations for the final away mission, Lt. Riker gets offered a position on the USS ''Gandhi'', a fantastic opportunity to jump-start his languished career. He eagerly tells Troi that all she needs to do is marry him and she can follow him aboard. Troi, however, is dismayed that history seems to be repeating itself.

During the away mission, Riker and Riker head down to the subterranean passage where they can access the station's computers. The pair are sniping at each other the whole way, but when Lt. Riker loses his footing, it's up to Cmdr. Riker to save him. Lt. Riker tells Cmdr. Riker to give up and save himself, but there's no chance of that. Cmdr. Riker manages to save them both, and they complete the mission.

While Lt. Riker is preparing to leave for his new post, Troi visits him and lets him know that she's not ready to drop her life to follow him. Riker accepts her decision graciously. Cmdr. Riker stops by to give a parting gift to his other self: their trombone. As Lt. Riker says his goodbyes, he gives Troi one last kiss and tells his other self, "Take good care of her."

* ExpendableClone: Averted. Both Rikers survive this episode, though for a brief time it looks like one won't.

* AntiClimax: In the teaser, Troi calls for Riker to play "Nightbird," a jazz song whose trombone solo Riker has spent ''years'' trying to get right but hasn't been able to. Fortunately, Riker is saved by a call from the bridge just before his solo starts. Riker happily accepts.

* TimePassageBeard: The other Riker's beard was the result of 8 years of being stranded.
* {{Troll}}: Riker thinks Troi is being this when she requests "Nightbird", which she knows he is having difficulty with.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons "I'm seeing double here! Four Rikers!"]]]]

Returning to a desolate world where Riker had lead a rescue mission years earlier, the ''Enterprise'' is surprised to find an exact duplicate of Riker still on the planet's surface.

** A few of them, such as Riker's reconciliation with his father, and the frequent offers of his own command which he declined. The other Riker can't understand either of them.

* CloningBlues: UpToEleven, because rather than just a genetic clone that is raised from childhood, Riker is duplicated as an adult, meaning that the two Rikers have the same experiences prior to the transporter incident, including the prior relationship with Troi. Thomas even comments in a poker game that Will "always had the better hand".