S6E24 · Second Chances

The Enterprise is sent to the inhospitable planet Nervala IV to retrieve data from a Federation research base that was abandoned eight years earlier due to the onset of a disruption field that prevented transporter use. Commander William Riker is chosen to lead the team, having been part of the rescue team that helped evacuate the base; Riker notes that during that mission he was the last person beamed out to the Potemkin, where he was serving.

Using a break in the disruption field, the away team beams down and discovers a man who looks exactly like Riker. He says that he is Riker and explains he has been living alone on the base for eight years ever since the Potemkin was unable to transport him back aboard and presumed him lost. He holds the rank of Lieutenant, Riker's rank before he was promoted as a result of this mission.

Returning to the Enterprise, Dr. Beverly Crusher determines that this person is truly a second Riker. Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge postulates that when Riker was beamed off the planet eight years ago, the Potemkin split the transporter beam to cut through the distortions, but one beam was reflected back to the base, so that Riker materialized in both places.

Cdr. Riker suggests that Lt. Riker join them on a second attempt to recover the data. At the base, their personality styles conflict, and the attempt ends in failure when Lt. Riker refuses to follow Cdr. Riker's orders. Lt. Cdr. Data postulates that the two men are resentful towards each other due to the loss of their sense of uniqueness. Lt. Worf suggests another reason: each one sees in the other something of himself he does not like.

While helping plan a third attempt to recover the data, Lt. Riker tries to learn about what he has missed. He attempts to rekindle his relationship with the ship's counselor Deanna Troi, with whom he was romantically involved eight years ago. She has come to accept that her relationship with Riker is no longer a romantic one, and is hesitant to take the second chance Lt. Riker offers. However, they enjoy their time together; and Lt. Riker suggests leaving the Enterprise together for a new posting. Troi tells him she will consider it.

For their third attempt to recover the data, Captain Picard selects Lt. Riker's plan over Cdr. Riker's, leaving Cdr. Riker further upset. The plan is successful, but as they are exiting, a walkway collapses, placing Lt. Riker in mortal danger. Rescuing him would also put Cdr. Riker in peril. Lt. Riker tells him not to risk it, but Cdr. Riker saves his double, and both return to the Enterprise.

The two Rikers reconcile their differences. Lt. Riker states that he has been given a new assignment on another ship. He plans to use his middle name " Thomas " to distinguish himself from William. As a parting gift, Cdr. Riker gives his double his treasured trombone, noting that it belongs equally to both of them. Troi tells Lt. Riker that she will be staying on the Enterprise, but she thanks him for the time they had.