“The Icarus Factor” is episode fourteen of season two of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise is heading to Starbase Montgomery for engineering consultations regarding minor readout anomalies. In engineering, Data is saying to Commander Riker that they look insignificant. Riker asks what if Data is wrong. Geordi and Captain Picard are also there and Riker asks what if they are more than a mere discrepancy. Geordi replies that they have a problem in that case. Data offers some suggestions but, as they are stopping at Montgomery anyway, they can have an independent look at it. Riker says the stop isn’t on their mission; it’s apparently for personnel transfer. Riker asks if it’s boarding or disembarking but Wesley contacts them to inform them they are approaching the starbase and the captain asks Riker to join him in the observation lounge. When he does, Picard explains that the captain of the Ares is retiring and Riker has been selected as his replacement. The Ares‘s mission is months away at high warp. The commander has 12 hours to think it over.
On the bridge, Picard says the starbase is sending a civilian advisor to brief Riker. The latter hopes the briefing is complete, as it will play a large part in his decision. He’s summoned to transport room 3 and the advisor beams onboard. Riker’s father, Kyle Riker. Kyle asked Picard to keep his presence quiet. It’s been 15 years since Riker last saw his father and, if that gap wasn’t a clue, it’s pretty clue that they are not that close and their relationship is not great.
Wesley is enthusing to Worf about Kyle Riker and fathers when Worf snaps at him. In engineering, Geordi is complaining about all the help provided by the starbase, none of whom are listening, when Wesley joins him. Wesley thinks Worf is really upset; he must have said something wrong. Not just over Riker potentially leaving them.
In Ten Forward, O’Brien is attempting to guess what’s up with Riker when Riker says it’s family. Kyle Riker enters and some recognise him. One of them is Dr Pulaski. He offers to buy her a drink. She suggests a kiss instead. Riker comments that they know each other. O’Brien knows the doctor too, and that’s not how he greets her.
Wesley has now involved Data in the Worf problem. He’s their friend. Geordi wants to keep him friendly. Data suggests empirical study; watch for unusual behaviour. No, they are not starting, Wesley is. He found the problem; they will assist as needed.
In Ten Forward, Riker comes and tells his father that he’s ready for the briefing, then leaves. Afterwards, Kyle Riker and Pulaski talk about marriage. Geordi and Data are now watching Worf; Wesley has duped them with ‘study time.’ Data thinks Worf looks perfectly normal. But he’s alone. Data will join him. Worf yells at Data to begone. With all due respect. Sir.
Riker is in his quarters looking at photos of his childhood when Worf arrives. Riker doesn’t know what he feels about his father. Worf would like to join Riker when he leaves; there’s the potential for combat. Kyle Riker’s briefing, when Riker gets it, could have been transmitted. Riker senior wanted to talk to his son. He’s terrible at it.
Kyle Riker then sees Pulaski in sickbay, where Counsellor Troi is as well. The doctor thought they should meet. Kyle asks why does he get the feeling this is a setup. Because it is. Troi would like to help, if he’ll let her. Troi talks about how Kyle feels towards his son and what he wants from him. He doesn’t seem entirely certain, but she senses he’s also very competitive with Commander Riker.
Geordi gets concerned that maybe he has missed something with the engines. The two major threads are Worf and Riker. Wesley, after searching the Klingon cultural database, discovers what’s wrong with Worf. Then, there’s the antagonistic relationship between Riker and his father. That needs sorting out. And will Riker accept command? In the middle of the series would be an odd time for a major character to leave, but Tasha Yar was brutally killed off in “Skin of Evil” in the middle of a season. No exploration stuff, just family and personal issues.