Star Trek: The Next Generation — 4x01 — The Best of Both Worlds, Part II

Aired 1990-09-24

SpaceOpera.com rating:9

Average reader rating:6.47

Synopsis

Riker must use Picard/Locutus to foil the Borg.

Remarkable scenes

The deflector pulse firing and the Borg ship shrugging it off.
The revelation that the Borg were able to resist because they have all of Picard's knowledge.
Riker being promoted to captain of the Enterprise.
Riker complimenting and promoting Shelby.
Guinan: "When a man his convinced he will die tomorrow, he will probably find a way to make it happen."
The Borg annihilating 40 Federation starships and an unspecified number of Klingon warships at Wolf 359.
The Enterprise separating its saucer and attacking the Borg.
Worf and Data sneaking aboard the Borg ship and retrieving Picard.
Picard spouting Borg assimilation propaganda to the people in sickbay.
The Borg ship passing Saturn.
Data hacking into the Borg Collective via Picard.
The Borg ship destroying Utopia Planitia's defenses.
Picard regaining his individuality.
Data putting the rest of the Borg to sleep.
The Borg ship self-destructing.

Review

Why the leisurely stroll through sector 001? A half hour to make it to Earth after dropping out of warp? They didn't seem to think the Enterprise, complete with a captured Borg, was any threat at all. In any case, this episode is definitely a match for the first part's writing quality. The various firefights with the Borg ship and the method the Enterprise uses to gain victory is brilliant. My favorite scene is the final scene. Where Picard reflects silently, genuinely disturbed over the events.

4 reader comments

In "Q Who," Q sent the Enterprise seven thousand light-years through space to meet the Borg. At the end of that episode, Guinan pointed out that the Borg would be coming. Also, Data states that it would take two and a half years to get back to the Federation at maximum warp. At the beginning of "The Best Of Both Worlds," Part 1, an admiral says that the Federation knew for over a year that the Borg were coming. Picard responds that the Borg must have a source of power far superior to their own. Yet, in "TBOBW," Part 1, the Enterprise manages to stay with the Borg ship for several hours. And in this episode, even after Locutus claims the Borg ship is proceeding without further delay to Earth, the Enterprise actually catches up to the Borg ship. If the Borg ship has a superior power source, why aren't they using it and leaving the Enterprise behind?
Someone reworked the layout and look of the battle bridge. The last time the series showed the battle bridge was during "Arsenal Of Freedom." This battle bridge is a great improvement.
This episode contains a very interesting scene concerning communications on the Enterprise. At the end of the episode, Riker sends an away team to the "sleeping" Borg ship. While walking through the halls of the Enterprise, Riker discusses the Borg ship with the away team. Shelby asks Riker if they should stop the Borg's autodestruct sequence. Riker turns the corner and doors pop open. He walks into the room with Picard, and both Dr. Crusher and Data give their opinions on Shelby's question! Since Shelby asked the question while Riker was in the hall, were Data and Crusher eavesdropping on Riker's conversation? Yet, moments earlier, Riker gave orders to ram the Borg ship - just seconds after talking to Data, Crusher, and Troi. Evidently they didn't hear Riker's intention to destroy the Enterprise, because they calmly discuss the meaning of Picard's "sleep" instruction. If they did hear the order, Data simply would have implemented Picard's instruction instead of discussing it. If some protocol exists for establishing open communications among all bridge officers during a crisis, wouldn't it be more reasonable for that protocol to be in effect during the Borg attack than afterward?
by DSOmo | 07/30/2007 at 7:35 am

Outstanding. This is definitely the best espisode up to this point, and there's not much to complain about here. I only wish we got to see more of Shelby in the future; what a great character she was.
by JRPoole | 04/28/2008 at 5:35 pm

Myself and my wife enjoyed this episode and the first part immensely. I liked the scene with Guinan telling Riker he must forget Picard and then Riker's follow up when he takes forceful command of the ship and executes his plan. Data had another great episode and his joining with Picard was inspired. I was wondering how they would resolve having the Federation win this one and thought this method of taking over control of the Borg was totally feasible without being hokey or just pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Very logical plot to carry the story. While I am the big scifi fan in the house this episode and most of the others has my wife enjoying the show as much or more than me. When the show was on the air family duties and work prevented us from watching it but now being able to enjoy it at our leisure on DVD is great.
by Robert Koenn | 02/23/2011 at 2:46 pm

Addendum to my earlier comment today:
I also found the ending so perfect. I don't know where or when but I have seen a painting/picture of the boy under the tree gazing at the night sky. It may have been something to do with Isaac Newton but whatever that scene was iconic and perfect.
by Robert Koenn | 02/24/2011 at 4:52 pm