Jonathan Frakes On Directing Jack Quaid’s Hilarious ‘Riker Maneuver’ In Star Trek Crossover

Jonathan Frakes reveals his reaction to directing Jack Quaid’s hilarious “Riker Maneuver” in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks. Frakes’ first time directing Star Trek: Strange New Worlds resulted in a landmark episode that ranks among the series’ most popular outings.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 7, “Those Old Scientists” saw Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome bring their Star Trek: Lower Decks animated Ensigns to live-action. When Quaid’s Ensign Bradward Boimler accidentally time-travels to the 23rd century, he finds himself face-to-face with his heroes, Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) on the USS Enterprise.

While taking fan questions on his new podcast with Brent Spiner, Dropping Names… And Other Things, Jonathan Frakes admits that he ruined the take with laughter when Jack Quaid performed an impromptu “Riker Manuever” on the saddle in Captain Pike’s office during Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ crossover episode. Read Jonathan’s quote and watch the video of their podcast below:

Jonathan Frakes: He was secretly going around the ship because he was a huge fan of Anson’s character, Captain Pike. So he’s in Pike’s office, and in Pike’s office, there’s a saddle of a horse. So I said to Jack, I said, ‘Just examine the office, and I’ll follow you around with a steadicam… So he did, he checked the desk, and he checked some stuff. Then he threw his leg over the saddle. And I said, ‘Okay, that’ll be great. Let’s shoot that. This is going to be fun.’

So he does the same thing, we call the take. And as he throws his leg over the saddle and settles down, he goes, ‘RIKER!’ I was behind the camera, and I, of course, couldn’t not ruin the take.

Brent Spiner: Did you use that take?

Jonathan Frakes: Every inch of it.

While playing Commander William T. Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Jonathan Frakes’ unusual way of sitting, where he swings his leg over a seat, became known as the “Riker Maneuver.” Jack Quaid’s version in Strange New Worlds‘ crossover was an instant hit with Star Trek fans and a brilliant callback that honors his director, TNG legend Jonathan Frakes.

As Jonathan Frakes tells the story, Jack Quaid’s “Riker Maneuver” was the result of the actor’s improv, which is something Frakes has noted sets Star Trek on Paramount+’s shows apart from prior Star Trek series. Actors in Star Trek: The Next Generation-era shows had to say their lines “word-perfect” as written, and they weren’t allowed to improvise.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks was a high-water mark, not just for Captain Pike’s prequel series, but as one of the best episodes of any Star Trek on Paramount+ series. “Those Old Scientists” was an immediate fan-favorite, with audiences relating to the episode’s theme of celebrating Star Trek fandom.

Jonathan Frakes has high praise for the improvisational skills and comedic talents of Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome, who came aboard happy to play in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ sandbox with the legendary Frakes directing. Jack Quaid’s improvised “Riker Maneuver” is just one reason “Those Old Scientists” became an all-time classic.