[TNG] The Best of Both Worlds

[TNG] Season 3, Episode 26: The Best of Both Worlds (Part 1)

Rating: 5

This episode has the best moments of one of Star Trek’s best villains. They effectively build up the dread of facing the Borg, all while having an interesting character arc. It’s easy enough to make a cliffhanger episode — just end with something really bad happening — but this episode really does it right. A lot of The Best of Both Worlds is surrounding Riker’s ability to lead as a captain, if he’ll ever break from Picard’s shadow, and if he can make the hard decisions. So even if the end situation never convinces you that anything bad will happen, the stakes reinforce a great character study for Riker.
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Notes:

Enterprise lost contact with an outpost, and when they get there, they find out it's destroyed

Enterprise lost contact with an outpost, and when they get there, it’s just a giant crater.

They meet up with an admiral "JP" and a commander named Shelby. Riker was offered to captain a ship and Shelby wants to take his place as first officer on Enterprise

They meet up with a commander named Shelby. She’s been studying the Borg, and she thinks they’re responsible. Also, Riker was offered to captain another ship and Shelby wants to take his place as first officer on Enterprise. I always kind of like seeing the professional politics side of the Federation, and I kind of wish there was more of it.

Picard: “You seem rather taken with her, JP”
JP: “Just an old man’s fantasy” … I wish I hadn’t heard that.

This guy doesn't seem like a JP. He looks like a Wilmur Mernard or something

This guy doesn’t seem like a “JP”. He looks more like a George Murdock or something.

Shelby shows a bit too much ambition in continually going around Riker’s authority.

“Mr. Worf, dispatch a subspace message to Admiral Hanson. We have engaged the Borg.” (!!!!)

The Borg want Picard specifically.

They realize that the Borg have changed, and that they are no longer simply interested in taking technology.

The Borg take out their shields and start cutting into the ship.

I think Geordi likes to have fun with his evacuations. He could’ve easily just ducked under this closing door, but he does a roll instead.

Shelby gets an idea. It breaks them free from the tractor beam.

They hide in the finest nebula 1990 had to offer.

Shelby asks for permission to speak freely! Uh oh. She says that Riker isn't cut out for making the big decisions, and that he needs to get out of her way

Shelby says that Riker isn’t cut out for making the big decisions, that all he wants to do is play it safe and hide in the shadow of a better man, and that he is in her way. Jeeez. If I was in Star Trek, and someone asked for permission to speak frankly, I would just say no.

Guinan gives Picard a kind of ominous pep talk.

The Borg come aboard and take Picard!

The “resistance is futile” mantra has become a little trite in the Star Trek fan world, so I forgot how chilling it was in this episode. The Borg are already preparing for Earth’s transition to subjugation even before the battle has started.

Shelby leads a team to get Picard back, and to try to slow down the Borg. Geordi has a plan to try to destroy the cube, but they have to drop out of warp.