The Best of Both Worlds

The starship Enterprise engages the Borg.

This is an exciting episode with strong character moments.

Part 1 of 'The Best Of Both Worlds' has one of the best character driven plots and probably the most memorable ending of TNG.

The majority of the focus is on a wonderfully tense dynamic between Riker and the ambitious Commander Shelby. These scenes help develop an excellent arc for Riker that builds towards a huge decision in the episode's final scene.

At the same time there is a lot of Borg exposition that sets the scene well and establishes them as plausible threat.

It is also a memorable episode for Captain Picard as it kicks off one of his most famous arcs that follows him through the series, plus a movie and the recent Star Trek: Picard show.

The visuals at the time were fantastic and still hold up to today's standard. The Borg effects, makeup and costumes are some of the most memorable of the franchise. The opening opening matte backdrop and reveal are also very good. All this is enhanced by a very dramatic and effective soundtrack.

All performances are excellent with all characters having moments to contribute. Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes and Elizabeth Dennehy standout.

This is often mentioned as the greatest TNG episode. It certainly is one of the strongest and on first viewing it works fantastically well, particularly when it was first broadcast. However, I find that it's key moments do not have the same clout on a repeat viewing.

I could write such a long review of this but after reading the others, I just echo the repeated sentiments that this is truly some great TV! I remember being gutted that it was the end of the series and we, here in Ireland, had to wait months to see the 2nd part - but it was so worth it.

Patrick Stewart is fantastic and the story is gripping. I still remember the shock of what happens when I saw it that very first time....

I feel if I write any more, I will only start to drop spoilers without realizing it. I always loved the episodes with the Borg, and if you haven't see this, watch it. Resistance is Futile!

Talk about sending off your third season in a blaze of glory. The Borg is easily TNG's greatest enemy (to say nothing of its imaginative conception), and "The Best of Both Worlds' brings them to the forefront, wiping out colonies and attacking the Federation. But it opens with Riker's inner turmoil over accepting a captaincy and leaving the finest ship in the fleet. Meanwhile, Shelby's creating tension by assuming his role and subtly edging him out. This is great character drama.

Once the Borg make their move, it's all action, and it lays the groundwork for this crew's best movie ("First Contact"). It takes nerve to throw your captain to the hands of the enemy and then scrawl "To Be Continued".

Outstanding television.

10/10

Now that is how you do a To Be Continued! Wow! This is an amazing cliff hanger, even though I have already seen it, it still hits hard. This episode is kind of a slow build, most of the first half is about setting the stage, but things really get exciting in the second half, and by the climax I was on the edge of my seat. All of the characters are great in this, but, I think I'd say Riker is the MVP. When the pressure is on he shows that he would make a great Captain in his own right. They don't make tv shows like this any more. The Borg are terrifying villains. I love it.

This is it folks. The greatest part one of a two part cliffhanger in television history. Everything about this episode changed tv forever. The scope, the music, the acting, the menace, the special effects. It has it all. Not only that, but this episode spawned other great tng episodes (Family right after this one for example), plus the best TNG movie, and some of the best content on voyager (and mostly gave us Seven, the best part of voyager). Before BOBW, no one had ever seen a cliffhanger as crazy on tv as this one. I remember seeing this when o was 10 years old and my jaw was on the floor!!!!!