The Best of Both Worlds, Part II

TNG Season 4 Episode 1

Air Date: September 24th, 1990

Plot

With Captain Picard assimilated as the Borg Locutus, Cmdr. Riker gives the order to destroy the Borg cube. But with Captain Picard's knowledge, the Borg already adapted to the vulnerability. The Enterprise burns out their deflector dish in the process and the Borg continues on it's course to Earth.

When the Borg arrives at Wolf 359 they destroy the entire fleet. The Enterprise makes repairs and catches up with the Borg but uses Lt. Cmdr. Shelby's proposed strategy of separating the saucer section to create multiple targets. This strategy was proposed before Captain Picard was taken but they alter it slightly. Instead of trying to destroy the Borg cube, they mount a rescue operation and recover Locutus.

Once they have Locutus, Lt. Cmdr. Data is able to hack into the Borg collective conscious and with Captain Picard's suggestion is able to put the Borg cube into a regeneration cycle which caused a power feedback loop that destroys the cube.

Commentary

Season 4 starts strong with the second half of the Borg invasion. Riker gets promoted to Captain and takes Shelby as his first officer. The episode shows how the Human race's creativity is one of our advantages. The Borg is analytical and can adapt to any situation but they don't have the ability to predict possibilities.

Quotes

"When a man is convinced he's going to die tomorrow, he'll probably find a way to make it happen. The only one who can turn this around is you." - Guinan

"If the Borg know everything he knows, it's time to throw that book away. You must let him go, Riker. It's the only way to beat him. The only way to save him." - Guinan

"We are prepared to meet to discuss your terms." - Captain Riker

"It is unlikely you are prepared to discuss terms. It is more likely that this is an attempt at deception." - Locutus

"Come now, Locutus. If Picard's knowledge and experience are part of you, than you know I've never lied to him. You should also implicitly trust me, is that not so?" - Captain Riker

"Picard implicitly trusted you." - Locutus

"Your people will be assimilated as easily as Picard has been. Your attempt at delay will not be successful, Number One. We will proceed to Earth, and if you attempt to intervene we will destroy you." - Locutus

"Then take your best shot, Locutus, 'cause we are about to intervene." - Captain Riker

"Worf, Klingon species. A warrior race. You, too, will be assimilated." - Locutus

"The Klingon Empire will never yield!" - Lt. Worf

"Why do you resist? We only wish to raise quality of life, for all species." - Locutus

"I like my species the way it is!" - Lt. Worf

"I successfully planted a command into the Borg collective consciousness. It misdirected them to believe it was time to regenerate. In effect, I put them all to sleep." - Lt. Cmdr. Data