Commander William T. Riker

Fresh off a hardship posting and a promising career track, Riker arrives aboard the Enterprise as Picard's new first officer — confident, capable, and a little pleased with himself about it. He's the steady hand who'll actually set foot on dangerous planets so the captain doesn't have to, charming, ambitious, and quick with a grin.

Frakes plays competence without smugness, which is harder than it looks — Riker is genuinely good at his job and genuinely enjoys being good at it. The writing lets him loosen up over time, trading stiff exposition-delivery for warmth, humor, and an easy physicality, and Frakes runs with every inch of that room.