Why does Commander Riker assume that the simulation isn't real?












11















In "True Q," Commander Riker is whisked away to a planet of some kind (presumably) by the Q, Amanda Rogers. Amanda wishes to be romantic, but Riker rejects her, saying that "none of this is real."



Amanda seems to admit to this, when she follows with "But my feelings are real."



Why does Commander Riker assume that the simulation isn't real? Perhaps in Season 1 this may be excusable, but by Season 6 it's pretty darn clear that the Q are extremely powerful.



Even in "Hide and Q," after being sent to the "vicious-animal" planet, Data remarks, in response to Geordi's questioning of their location, "Considering the power demonstrated by Q the last time...anywhere, assuming this place even exists."



Can Riker really be certain that Amanda didn't send him to a Voth planet, or a moon outside of Vidiian or Bajoran space? Is Will Riker that knowledgeable concerning every planet/moon/etc. in the universe? If so, how?










share|improve this question



























    11















    In "True Q," Commander Riker is whisked away to a planet of some kind (presumably) by the Q, Amanda Rogers. Amanda wishes to be romantic, but Riker rejects her, saying that "none of this is real."



    Amanda seems to admit to this, when she follows with "But my feelings are real."



    Why does Commander Riker assume that the simulation isn't real? Perhaps in Season 1 this may be excusable, but by Season 6 it's pretty darn clear that the Q are extremely powerful.



    Even in "Hide and Q," after being sent to the "vicious-animal" planet, Data remarks, in response to Geordi's questioning of their location, "Considering the power demonstrated by Q the last time...anywhere, assuming this place even exists."



    Can Riker really be certain that Amanda didn't send him to a Voth planet, or a moon outside of Vidiian or Bajoran space? Is Will Riker that knowledgeable concerning every planet/moon/etc. in the universe? If so, how?










    share|improve this question

























      11












      11








      11








      In "True Q," Commander Riker is whisked away to a planet of some kind (presumably) by the Q, Amanda Rogers. Amanda wishes to be romantic, but Riker rejects her, saying that "none of this is real."



      Amanda seems to admit to this, when she follows with "But my feelings are real."



      Why does Commander Riker assume that the simulation isn't real? Perhaps in Season 1 this may be excusable, but by Season 6 it's pretty darn clear that the Q are extremely powerful.



      Even in "Hide and Q," after being sent to the "vicious-animal" planet, Data remarks, in response to Geordi's questioning of their location, "Considering the power demonstrated by Q the last time...anywhere, assuming this place even exists."



      Can Riker really be certain that Amanda didn't send him to a Voth planet, or a moon outside of Vidiian or Bajoran space? Is Will Riker that knowledgeable concerning every planet/moon/etc. in the universe? If so, how?










      share|improve this question














      In "True Q," Commander Riker is whisked away to a planet of some kind (presumably) by the Q, Amanda Rogers. Amanda wishes to be romantic, but Riker rejects her, saying that "none of this is real."



      Amanda seems to admit to this, when she follows with "But my feelings are real."



      Why does Commander Riker assume that the simulation isn't real? Perhaps in Season 1 this may be excusable, but by Season 6 it's pretty darn clear that the Q are extremely powerful.



      Even in "Hide and Q," after being sent to the "vicious-animal" planet, Data remarks, in response to Geordi's questioning of their location, "Considering the power demonstrated by Q the last time...anywhere, assuming this place even exists."



      Can Riker really be certain that Amanda didn't send him to a Voth planet, or a moon outside of Vidiian or Bajoran space? Is Will Riker that knowledgeable concerning every planet/moon/etc. in the universe? If so, how?







      star-trek star-trek-tng star-trek-q riker






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked 10 hours ago









      Ham SandwichHam Sandwich

      5,91722372




      5,91722372






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          12














          Riker is not literally questioning whether the setting is a real place or a simulation. He is speaking about Amanda's infatuation.




          AMANDA: Don't you like me? Even just a little bit?



          RIKER: You're a very lovely young lady. But none of this is real.



          AMANDA: My feelings are real.



          RIKER: I know. But you can't make someone love you.




          The line you mention is a direct response to Amanda wanting his affection. He is dismissing her feelings as a one-sided infatuation, a hollow fantasy that won't lead to anything deeper. We can see this again when she echoes his line.




          You're right. None of this is real. I thought it would be romantic, but it's empty.







          share|improve this answer



















          • 1





            I'm fairly sure "none of this" refers to the entire world in which Riker finds himself.

            – Ham Sandwich
            9 hours ago











          • @HamSandwich Why would whether the world is real be relevant?

            – Acccumulation
            9 hours ago






          • 1





            He even agrees that her feelings are the only real thing here

            – Valorum
            9 hours ago






          • 7





            @HamSandwich I would strongly argue that it's the situation itself he's calling unreal, regardless of whether the place is a physical reality. It's a romantic getaway away from the Enterprise, but he both doesn't love Amanda and has duties and responsibilities to the ship that are far more important to him. It's a hollow fantasy created by an infatuated young woman. Whether the place was a real setting that she brought him to or just an illusion conjured from thin air is immaterial to that.

            – Kyle Doyle
            9 hours ago











          • @HamSandwich Similarly, Riker and the bridge crew tasted the Q's power in "Hide & Q" and rejected it. Worf rejects his gift of a "mate". Wesley wants to grow up on his own. These are things they want to happen naturally, develop, and earn. Just like the romance.

            – Schwern
            4 hours ago





















          12














          The original screenplay would suggest that Riker recognises that it's too perfect. It's quite literally the romance scene from a (bad) holo-novel with just the right amount of moonlight peeking through the perfectly spaced gazebo struts deep within the world's least realistic forest.




          31 EXT. A GAZEBO - NIGHT (OPTICAL)



          in the woods, as Amanda and Riker APPEAR under its roof. Amanda wears
          an elegant evening dress; Riker is formally attired.



          The gazebo's white slatted joints are intertwined with vines. It is
          night, and the few leafy branches that are visible are enough to
          suggest that the gazebo is deep in an enchanted forest.



          Riker realizes that the very elaborateness of what she's now doing
          demonstrates the depth of her infatuation with him, and he knows he
          needs to be careful with her feelings.




          You might also want to note that Riker previously was a Q, albeit only for an afternoon so if anyone could be expected to spot a Q fantasy environment, it's him. He also seems to have something of a knack for spotting when he's stuck in someone else's reality.






          share|improve this answer





















          • 4





            He seems to have a knack for getting stuck in someone else's reality in the first place. How does stuff like that keep happening to him?

            – Mason Wheeler
            8 hours ago






          • 1





            @MasonWheeler - Perhaps women are drawn to a man who's really just not that picky

            – Valorum
            8 hours ago











          Your Answer








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          2 Answers
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          active

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          2 Answers
          2






          active

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          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

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          12














          Riker is not literally questioning whether the setting is a real place or a simulation. He is speaking about Amanda's infatuation.




          AMANDA: Don't you like me? Even just a little bit?



          RIKER: You're a very lovely young lady. But none of this is real.



          AMANDA: My feelings are real.



          RIKER: I know. But you can't make someone love you.




          The line you mention is a direct response to Amanda wanting his affection. He is dismissing her feelings as a one-sided infatuation, a hollow fantasy that won't lead to anything deeper. We can see this again when she echoes his line.




          You're right. None of this is real. I thought it would be romantic, but it's empty.







          share|improve this answer



















          • 1





            I'm fairly sure "none of this" refers to the entire world in which Riker finds himself.

            – Ham Sandwich
            9 hours ago











          • @HamSandwich Why would whether the world is real be relevant?

            – Acccumulation
            9 hours ago






          • 1





            He even agrees that her feelings are the only real thing here

            – Valorum
            9 hours ago






          • 7





            @HamSandwich I would strongly argue that it's the situation itself he's calling unreal, regardless of whether the place is a physical reality. It's a romantic getaway away from the Enterprise, but he both doesn't love Amanda and has duties and responsibilities to the ship that are far more important to him. It's a hollow fantasy created by an infatuated young woman. Whether the place was a real setting that she brought him to or just an illusion conjured from thin air is immaterial to that.

            – Kyle Doyle
            9 hours ago











          • @HamSandwich Similarly, Riker and the bridge crew tasted the Q's power in "Hide & Q" and rejected it. Worf rejects his gift of a "mate". Wesley wants to grow up on his own. These are things they want to happen naturally, develop, and earn. Just like the romance.

            – Schwern
            4 hours ago


















          12














          Riker is not literally questioning whether the setting is a real place or a simulation. He is speaking about Amanda's infatuation.




          AMANDA: Don't you like me? Even just a little bit?



          RIKER: You're a very lovely young lady. But none of this is real.



          AMANDA: My feelings are real.



          RIKER: I know. But you can't make someone love you.




          The line you mention is a direct response to Amanda wanting his affection. He is dismissing her feelings as a one-sided infatuation, a hollow fantasy that won't lead to anything deeper. We can see this again when she echoes his line.




          You're right. None of this is real. I thought it would be romantic, but it's empty.







          share|improve this answer



















          • 1





            I'm fairly sure "none of this" refers to the entire world in which Riker finds himself.

            – Ham Sandwich
            9 hours ago











          • @HamSandwich Why would whether the world is real be relevant?

            – Acccumulation
            9 hours ago






          • 1





            He even agrees that her feelings are the only real thing here

            – Valorum
            9 hours ago






          • 7





            @HamSandwich I would strongly argue that it's the situation itself he's calling unreal, regardless of whether the place is a physical reality. It's a romantic getaway away from the Enterprise, but he both doesn't love Amanda and has duties and responsibilities to the ship that are far more important to him. It's a hollow fantasy created by an infatuated young woman. Whether the place was a real setting that she brought him to or just an illusion conjured from thin air is immaterial to that.

            – Kyle Doyle
            9 hours ago











          • @HamSandwich Similarly, Riker and the bridge crew tasted the Q's power in "Hide & Q" and rejected it. Worf rejects his gift of a "mate". Wesley wants to grow up on his own. These are things they want to happen naturally, develop, and earn. Just like the romance.

            – Schwern
            4 hours ago
















          12












          12








          12







          Riker is not literally questioning whether the setting is a real place or a simulation. He is speaking about Amanda's infatuation.




          AMANDA: Don't you like me? Even just a little bit?



          RIKER: You're a very lovely young lady. But none of this is real.



          AMANDA: My feelings are real.



          RIKER: I know. But you can't make someone love you.




          The line you mention is a direct response to Amanda wanting his affection. He is dismissing her feelings as a one-sided infatuation, a hollow fantasy that won't lead to anything deeper. We can see this again when she echoes his line.




          You're right. None of this is real. I thought it would be romantic, but it's empty.







          share|improve this answer













          Riker is not literally questioning whether the setting is a real place or a simulation. He is speaking about Amanda's infatuation.




          AMANDA: Don't you like me? Even just a little bit?



          RIKER: You're a very lovely young lady. But none of this is real.



          AMANDA: My feelings are real.



          RIKER: I know. But you can't make someone love you.




          The line you mention is a direct response to Amanda wanting his affection. He is dismissing her feelings as a one-sided infatuation, a hollow fantasy that won't lead to anything deeper. We can see this again when she echoes his line.




          You're right. None of this is real. I thought it would be romantic, but it's empty.








          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 9 hours ago









          Kyle DoyleKyle Doyle

          1,9281514




          1,9281514








          • 1





            I'm fairly sure "none of this" refers to the entire world in which Riker finds himself.

            – Ham Sandwich
            9 hours ago











          • @HamSandwich Why would whether the world is real be relevant?

            – Acccumulation
            9 hours ago






          • 1





            He even agrees that her feelings are the only real thing here

            – Valorum
            9 hours ago






          • 7





            @HamSandwich I would strongly argue that it's the situation itself he's calling unreal, regardless of whether the place is a physical reality. It's a romantic getaway away from the Enterprise, but he both doesn't love Amanda and has duties and responsibilities to the ship that are far more important to him. It's a hollow fantasy created by an infatuated young woman. Whether the place was a real setting that she brought him to or just an illusion conjured from thin air is immaterial to that.

            – Kyle Doyle
            9 hours ago











          • @HamSandwich Similarly, Riker and the bridge crew tasted the Q's power in "Hide & Q" and rejected it. Worf rejects his gift of a "mate". Wesley wants to grow up on his own. These are things they want to happen naturally, develop, and earn. Just like the romance.

            – Schwern
            4 hours ago
















          • 1





            I'm fairly sure "none of this" refers to the entire world in which Riker finds himself.

            – Ham Sandwich
            9 hours ago











          • @HamSandwich Why would whether the world is real be relevant?

            – Acccumulation
            9 hours ago






          • 1





            He even agrees that her feelings are the only real thing here

            – Valorum
            9 hours ago






          • 7





            @HamSandwich I would strongly argue that it's the situation itself he's calling unreal, regardless of whether the place is a physical reality. It's a romantic getaway away from the Enterprise, but he both doesn't love Amanda and has duties and responsibilities to the ship that are far more important to him. It's a hollow fantasy created by an infatuated young woman. Whether the place was a real setting that she brought him to or just an illusion conjured from thin air is immaterial to that.

            – Kyle Doyle
            9 hours ago











          • @HamSandwich Similarly, Riker and the bridge crew tasted the Q's power in "Hide & Q" and rejected it. Worf rejects his gift of a "mate". Wesley wants to grow up on his own. These are things they want to happen naturally, develop, and earn. Just like the romance.

            – Schwern
            4 hours ago










          1




          1





          I'm fairly sure "none of this" refers to the entire world in which Riker finds himself.

          – Ham Sandwich
          9 hours ago





          I'm fairly sure "none of this" refers to the entire world in which Riker finds himself.

          – Ham Sandwich
          9 hours ago













          @HamSandwich Why would whether the world is real be relevant?

          – Acccumulation
          9 hours ago





          @HamSandwich Why would whether the world is real be relevant?

          – Acccumulation
          9 hours ago




          1




          1





          He even agrees that her feelings are the only real thing here

          – Valorum
          9 hours ago





          He even agrees that her feelings are the only real thing here

          – Valorum
          9 hours ago




          7




          7





          @HamSandwich I would strongly argue that it's the situation itself he's calling unreal, regardless of whether the place is a physical reality. It's a romantic getaway away from the Enterprise, but he both doesn't love Amanda and has duties and responsibilities to the ship that are far more important to him. It's a hollow fantasy created by an infatuated young woman. Whether the place was a real setting that she brought him to or just an illusion conjured from thin air is immaterial to that.

          – Kyle Doyle
          9 hours ago





          @HamSandwich I would strongly argue that it's the situation itself he's calling unreal, regardless of whether the place is a physical reality. It's a romantic getaway away from the Enterprise, but he both doesn't love Amanda and has duties and responsibilities to the ship that are far more important to him. It's a hollow fantasy created by an infatuated young woman. Whether the place was a real setting that she brought him to or just an illusion conjured from thin air is immaterial to that.

          – Kyle Doyle
          9 hours ago













          @HamSandwich Similarly, Riker and the bridge crew tasted the Q's power in "Hide & Q" and rejected it. Worf rejects his gift of a "mate". Wesley wants to grow up on his own. These are things they want to happen naturally, develop, and earn. Just like the romance.

          – Schwern
          4 hours ago







          @HamSandwich Similarly, Riker and the bridge crew tasted the Q's power in "Hide & Q" and rejected it. Worf rejects his gift of a "mate". Wesley wants to grow up on his own. These are things they want to happen naturally, develop, and earn. Just like the romance.

          – Schwern
          4 hours ago















          12














          The original screenplay would suggest that Riker recognises that it's too perfect. It's quite literally the romance scene from a (bad) holo-novel with just the right amount of moonlight peeking through the perfectly spaced gazebo struts deep within the world's least realistic forest.




          31 EXT. A GAZEBO - NIGHT (OPTICAL)



          in the woods, as Amanda and Riker APPEAR under its roof. Amanda wears
          an elegant evening dress; Riker is formally attired.



          The gazebo's white slatted joints are intertwined with vines. It is
          night, and the few leafy branches that are visible are enough to
          suggest that the gazebo is deep in an enchanted forest.



          Riker realizes that the very elaborateness of what she's now doing
          demonstrates the depth of her infatuation with him, and he knows he
          needs to be careful with her feelings.




          You might also want to note that Riker previously was a Q, albeit only for an afternoon so if anyone could be expected to spot a Q fantasy environment, it's him. He also seems to have something of a knack for spotting when he's stuck in someone else's reality.






          share|improve this answer





















          • 4





            He seems to have a knack for getting stuck in someone else's reality in the first place. How does stuff like that keep happening to him?

            – Mason Wheeler
            8 hours ago






          • 1





            @MasonWheeler - Perhaps women are drawn to a man who's really just not that picky

            – Valorum
            8 hours ago
















          12














          The original screenplay would suggest that Riker recognises that it's too perfect. It's quite literally the romance scene from a (bad) holo-novel with just the right amount of moonlight peeking through the perfectly spaced gazebo struts deep within the world's least realistic forest.




          31 EXT. A GAZEBO - NIGHT (OPTICAL)



          in the woods, as Amanda and Riker APPEAR under its roof. Amanda wears
          an elegant evening dress; Riker is formally attired.



          The gazebo's white slatted joints are intertwined with vines. It is
          night, and the few leafy branches that are visible are enough to
          suggest that the gazebo is deep in an enchanted forest.



          Riker realizes that the very elaborateness of what she's now doing
          demonstrates the depth of her infatuation with him, and he knows he
          needs to be careful with her feelings.




          You might also want to note that Riker previously was a Q, albeit only for an afternoon so if anyone could be expected to spot a Q fantasy environment, it's him. He also seems to have something of a knack for spotting when he's stuck in someone else's reality.






          share|improve this answer





















          • 4





            He seems to have a knack for getting stuck in someone else's reality in the first place. How does stuff like that keep happening to him?

            – Mason Wheeler
            8 hours ago






          • 1





            @MasonWheeler - Perhaps women are drawn to a man who's really just not that picky

            – Valorum
            8 hours ago














          12












          12








          12







          The original screenplay would suggest that Riker recognises that it's too perfect. It's quite literally the romance scene from a (bad) holo-novel with just the right amount of moonlight peeking through the perfectly spaced gazebo struts deep within the world's least realistic forest.




          31 EXT. A GAZEBO - NIGHT (OPTICAL)



          in the woods, as Amanda and Riker APPEAR under its roof. Amanda wears
          an elegant evening dress; Riker is formally attired.



          The gazebo's white slatted joints are intertwined with vines. It is
          night, and the few leafy branches that are visible are enough to
          suggest that the gazebo is deep in an enchanted forest.



          Riker realizes that the very elaborateness of what she's now doing
          demonstrates the depth of her infatuation with him, and he knows he
          needs to be careful with her feelings.




          You might also want to note that Riker previously was a Q, albeit only for an afternoon so if anyone could be expected to spot a Q fantasy environment, it's him. He also seems to have something of a knack for spotting when he's stuck in someone else's reality.






          share|improve this answer















          The original screenplay would suggest that Riker recognises that it's too perfect. It's quite literally the romance scene from a (bad) holo-novel with just the right amount of moonlight peeking through the perfectly spaced gazebo struts deep within the world's least realistic forest.




          31 EXT. A GAZEBO - NIGHT (OPTICAL)



          in the woods, as Amanda and Riker APPEAR under its roof. Amanda wears
          an elegant evening dress; Riker is formally attired.



          The gazebo's white slatted joints are intertwined with vines. It is
          night, and the few leafy branches that are visible are enough to
          suggest that the gazebo is deep in an enchanted forest.



          Riker realizes that the very elaborateness of what she's now doing
          demonstrates the depth of her infatuation with him, and he knows he
          needs to be careful with her feelings.




          You might also want to note that Riker previously was a Q, albeit only for an afternoon so if anyone could be expected to spot a Q fantasy environment, it's him. He also seems to have something of a knack for spotting when he's stuck in someone else's reality.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 9 hours ago

























          answered 9 hours ago









          ValorumValorum

          398k10228893122




          398k10228893122








          • 4





            He seems to have a knack for getting stuck in someone else's reality in the first place. How does stuff like that keep happening to him?

            – Mason Wheeler
            8 hours ago






          • 1





            @MasonWheeler - Perhaps women are drawn to a man who's really just not that picky

            – Valorum
            8 hours ago














          • 4





            He seems to have a knack for getting stuck in someone else's reality in the first place. How does stuff like that keep happening to him?

            – Mason Wheeler
            8 hours ago






          • 1





            @MasonWheeler - Perhaps women are drawn to a man who's really just not that picky

            – Valorum
            8 hours ago








          4




          4





          He seems to have a knack for getting stuck in someone else's reality in the first place. How does stuff like that keep happening to him?

          – Mason Wheeler
          8 hours ago





          He seems to have a knack for getting stuck in someone else's reality in the first place. How does stuff like that keep happening to him?

          – Mason Wheeler
          8 hours ago




          1




          1





          @MasonWheeler - Perhaps women are drawn to a man who's really just not that picky

          – Valorum
          8 hours ago





          @MasonWheeler - Perhaps women are drawn to a man who's really just not that picky

          – Valorum
          8 hours ago


















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