Star Trek: The Icarus Factor

Episode: "The Icarus Factor"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 2, Episode 14

Original Air Date: April 24, 1989

via Memory Alpha

Riker has a big decision to make.  He has been offered command of the Aries.  As if that weren't enough, his estranged father Kyle is sent to give him a briefing on the ship's mission.  Meanwhile, Worf is grumpy.  It's the 10th anniversary of his Rite of Ascension and his disconnection from his Klingon heritage is hitting him hard.

I actually liked this episode a lot.  The Will-Kyle troubles are resolved far too easily at the last minute but otherwise, it offers great development for several characters: Will and Worf certainly but also for Dr. Pulaski, whose romantic past with Kyle is revealed, and Troi who admits to difficult feelings regarding Will's proposed departure.  The parallels between the two stories are clearly evident as is the implied father-figure Will sees in Picard that he no longer does in his own dad.  One can feel the relationship lines aboard the Enterprise settling a bit.

Oh, and spoiler: Riker stays.  However, his proposed new ship doesn't blow up this time!

Acting Notes

via Wikipedia

Mitchell Ryan (Kyle Riker) was born January 11, 1934 in Cincinnati.  He is a war veteran, serving in the Navy in Korea.  Over a half-century career, his most famous roles were as Burke Devlin in the '60s soap opera Dark Shadows, Greg's father Edward on Dharma & Greg and General McAllister in the original Lethal Weapon film.  His was a career compromised by alcoholism, a disease which got him fired from Dark Shadows.  He was in better shape by the late '80s, though, and was an early candidate for the role of Captain Picard.