The Best of Both Worlds Part II

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.

ST:TNG:75 - "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II" (Stardate: 44001.4) - this is the 1st episode of the 4th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The Borg are back! The last time they were encountered was 7000 light years away in the 2nd season episode "Q Who?", with Starfleet thinking they'd have more time to prepare. Continuing off from part I (in the first cliffhanger episode in TNG), the Enterprise, under a newly promoted Commander Riker with Shelby as his Number One, tries to rescue Picard who has been assimilated by the Borg, Picard now renamed Locutus.

Can the Enterprise rescue Picard from the Borg, with Riker working together rather than against Shelby, thereby saving the Federation from its most dangerous threat? Watch this part II of an exciting two part episode - it is the cliffhanger that you were waiting for and conclusive evidence that The Next Generation can indeed hold its own (from under the shadow of the Original Series).

Trivia note: Although the battle at Worf 359 is only mentioned here, we will get a chance to see it in the Deep Space Nine pilot episode "Emissary". Also the Enterprise separates again in one of the few times of the series. And Whoopi Goldberg makes another appearance as Guinan.

Apart from "The Inner Light", I think the two-part "The Best of Both Worlds" is the best that the series ever got. A fascinating plot, LOTS of action and suspense and a lot of originality make this a must-see.

In part one, the Borg decided to finally attack the Federation. In one of their first acts, they kidnapped Picard and used him and his knowledge for their upcoming attacks. Riker is faced with having to most likely die at his old friend's hand--and this is how episode one ends.

Episode two finds the Enterprise crew disheartened with the loss of Picard and death a seeming inevitability. They are not present, however, when a final Armageddon-like battle in space occurs and the Borg are barely slowed by a combined fleet of Federation and Klingon ships. So now it's up to Riker to come up with some strategy that won't be guessed by Picard/Locutus--and figure it out fast as the Borg collective is fast approaching Earth!

All I can say is watch this show. It and part one are like a movie--a darned good one at that.

I can't watch the second half of "The Best of Both worlds" without thinking of the long-term effects of Captain Picard's enslavement by the Bog (i.e. "First Contact") and that final scene bears far more emotional weight . His scars from those implants run terribly deep, and the Locutus scenes are actually more heartbreaking than they are shocking.

As a whole, given that this is the payoff of a months-long cliffhanger ending, I think the writers did a tremendous job. Starfleet's under attack, Picard's life hangs in the balance, and the stakes are sky-high. Despite the big action and the images of adrift starships, this is a surprisingly low-key way to finish the story. But far from boring.

8/10

Ostensibly, they didn't show the Wolf 359 battle was it would have been way too expensive. Maybe, but I think not showing it is far more effective anyway. It makes it seems far more ominous even before they reach the starship graveyard of Wolf 359. We know no more than the Enterprise does, so it really feels like we are on the ship too. And an ultimately loan ship struggling to even engage the Borg.