The Best of Both Worlds Part II

Riker and the Enterprise continue to battle Locutus and the Borg.

This is a strong conclusion to the story with more great character moments.

Part 2 of 'The Best Of Both Worlds' has a fairly straightforward resolution to all the drama and suspense that was built in the first part, but it unfolds in an enjoyable way.

There is a continued focus on Riker's command arc which is pretty compelling. It's not just his relationship with Shelby that's that works well, but also his exchanges with Locutus and leadership challenges without Picard.

The Locutus scenes are my favourites, particularly the transformation sequences and the dialogues where he refers to Riker by his informal nickname.

Much like part 1, the visuals are iconic and still have the desired effect. One scene involving a tear rolling down a character's face is for me the most memorable.

Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes are excellent, and receive great support from the likes of Elizabeth Dennehy, Caryn Johnson, Brent Spiner, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden and Michael Dorn.

The intensity level of this episode makes one feel they are watching a feature film. With Picard infested with a Borg assimilation, the Enterprise must fight the Borg in general and the Borg with Picard's personality and strategic knowledge. Riker must make decisions that are original and unpredictable to counter the intelligence and adaptability of the Borg. It stretches the entire crew because the mind of Picard is such a private thing; he is a complex being with amazing adaptability as his career with the flagship Enterprise is obvious to the world. The Borg are approaching Earth and the future of the seminal planet of the Federation is at stake. Many of the Federation ships were destroyed in the huge battle where Picard was captured (the Enterprise survived by coming late to the dance). The conclusion to this episode is excellent. It creates a set of possibilities for future conflicts with the Borg as they bully their way. We also have the unanswered questions about what will become of Picard. Set aside time to watch the two episodes together. Excellent television.

I was on the edge of my seat the whole episode.. Even if the first part was a very good one, this is one for the age. The best episode since the start ( tie with Measure of a man) i guess.

Captain Riker proved the World he is one baddas mother fu*ker The first 25 minutes you really dont know if Picard was really gonna ho away, Patrick Stewart could have call it a day.

My rating 9.7/10.

Quite simply put,stunning.still stands up nearly 30 years later and still gives me goosebumps. I remember watching part 1 and bieng so excited and frustated that i would have to wait a full 6 months before i could watch pt 2.(it was terrestial tv,kids ask your parents). The wait was a long one but boy was it worth it. Conflict ,action real emotion its all there. Impossible not to enjoy. Some say this was the best next gen ever got,well if not its pretty dam close. But what this did do was put some meat on the characters and future next gen storys. Its one of those times where everyone is top of thier game,acting ,writing,direction,effects. Sit back relax and enjoy.

With Picard now assimilated into the Borg collective, Riker and the Enterprise crew must find a way to defeat their former captain who now goes by the name Locutus. With the Federation armada in tatters, it would appear that the situation is hopeless until Riker decides on a bold and unconventional course of action.

Continuing the excellent story from the first part, this conclusion benefits again from improved visual effects and a surprisingly solid performance from Frakes. The only thing that spoils it is the ending which felt a little too sugar-coated and implausible for my liking. But this is still first-class stuff from the TNG crew and essential for any Trek fan.