‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘Second Chances’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One impossible scenario that we often run through our heads, is what it would be like to speak with our younger selves and impart the wisdom we have now… upon them. A scenario that comes to fruition, usually after we learn something embarrassing in nature. You know, the kind of thing that would have helped us out greatly when we were younger, if we had just known better. But those scenarios are often fleeting since other life responsibilities, require to us to move along. But while we do that and use our newfound knowledge to our advantage, the creative mind… feats upon such possibilities and is eager to dive into it post haste when it sneaks its way into a writer's brain.

For print and television and film… can take this concept to all kinds of new heights and explore every outcome of being able to communicate with our younger selves, including how such an interaction could be extremely uncomfortable and how it might go south and it just so happens… that the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation lets the awkward aspect of this scenario play out in an intelligent manner, courtesy of a surprise for Commander William T. Riker. For when he and the crew of the Enterprise return to the planet that launched his career, and nearly cost him his life, in order to retrieve data that’s been unavailable for eight years due to the planet’s wild atmosphere in ‘Second Chances’, Will encounters… himself.

No joke, a full-on Lieutenant William T. Riker is there to greet Will and the away team, and after some investigating it becomes clear that when Riker Prime was beaming off of this godforsaken rock eight years ago, a transporter quirk, created Riker 2.0, whose existence was unknown to the Riker's crew, forcing them to abandon him, and well... while this should have been a joyous and fascinating reunion. One grounded in paths not taken and the ability to learn from a senior version of oneself… the Riker boys simply do not get along. In fact, they fight constantly, and they consistently try to one up each other and, to top if all off... younger Riker is eager to rekindle his romance with Deanna. Meaning that a vast majority of this episode is basically dedicated to these men staying out of each other’s way until they can finish the mission and part ways and well, what makes that uncomfortable and angry twist of note… is what it teaches the audience about why this kind of reunion would be a terrible idea and why it would likely be sour in nature.

In that, let’s be honest… our younger versions of ourselves, aren’t exactly a beacon of nobility or inspiration. For we are goofy and awkward in our younger years and immature in some form or fashion because the big events that made us the person that wants to impart wisdom on ourselves from yesterday… haven’t happened yet. Which means, if we could speak to our younger selves, we’d basically be talking to a brick wall. Since the person we left behind… thinks they know better and may not like what we have to say. Which in turns leads to the most important lessons of all. Specifically, that thinking about such a scenario is a waste of time, because that person is gone thanks to the various experiences that come our way, and rather than even remotely worry about what we could have been with today's lessons in hands, we should celebrate what we've learned and who we are now and continue to do our best to grow. 

If anything, this is just... a wildly intelligent and philosophical episode for certain. Since we’ve likely just scratched the surface of its meaning here. Since encountering oneself all over again, regardless of how, also brings about all kinds of musings on the male ego, in this instance, and more. Making this episode a psychologist’s (or psychiatrist's) dream come true since it explores all the tenants of their passion and field of study and well, kudos to this episode for exploring one hell of a concept. Because this one really does leave you with a lot to chew upon and as an added bonus, it also deserves a round of applause for exploring the Riker/Troi dynamic at last. Since we came to learn all about their relationship here and how important it is to both of them and well, this episode likely lays down the foundation for their eventual marriage. And now that we’ve reached of this engrossing tale… it is time to turn our attention to a palate cleansing adventure before we hit the season six finale. Until next time.

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