10 best Star Trek characters (and the worst one that everyone loves to hate)

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5. William T. Riker

Commander William T. Riker, ~~second handsomest~~ only ~~to Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk~~ the First Officer aboard the USS Enterprise-D in Star Trek: The Next Generation, is undeniably one of Star Trek‘s standout figures.

Played with the biggest charm and charisma by the fantastic Jonathan Frakes, Riker is the embodiment of a seasoned Starfleet officer who makes balancing his natural leadership capabilities with a playful demeanor look easy and a pleasure to watch. His fierce loyalty to Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the Enterprise crew is clearly seen throughout the series, showing commitment that is both admirable and relatable.

Whether he’s leading away missions, dealing with difficult diplomatic situations, or just doing his thing and either sitting on chairs by swinging his legs over their backrest or playing the trombone in Ten Forward, Riker’s layered personality and growth over the series solidify his place as one of the whole franchise’s most beloved characters for the vast majority of Star Trek fans.

Nov. 2, 2015 – CBS Television Studios announced today it will launch a totally new “Star Trek” television series in January 2017. The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966. The new series will blast off with a special preview broadcast on the CBS Television Network. The premiere episode and all subsequent first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in the United States on CBS All Access, the Network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.Pictured: Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock in STAR TREK (The Original Series)Screen grab: ©1967 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. /

4. Spock

Spock is the ultimate and most complex mix of human emotions and Vulcan logic. Serving as the science officer on the USS Enterprise, this half-human-half-Vulcan has been teaching us all a masterclass in inner conflict for decades now. If you ever thought you had self-control issues, just look at this guy. Somehow finding a balance between his logical Vulcan side and the emotional human part of him isn’t just a small plot to give the viewer breaks from intense space action – it’s literally the essence of his character.

But it’s not all about the internal drama all the time. Spock’s intelligence and unique point of view have solidified him as a crucial and respected member of the Enterprise team. Those unforgettable interactions with Captain James T. Kirk and Dr. Leonard McCoy, whether he was debating ethics with Kirk or trading sarcastic remarks with McCoy – Spock’s relationships add layers to the series that are as compelling as they are iconic and relatable.

We all know that one person in our lives who could absolutely pass off as a half-Vulcan-half-human. Spock is one character who can truly go to where no one has gone before, both in outer space and the human and not-so-human mind.

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