The Borg are back. Last time we saw them, Q yeeted the Enterprise across the galaxy just to show Picard how completely outmatched humanity was. This time, there’s no Q to pull them out of danger. The Borg are here, and they aren’t interested in negotiating, reasoning, or intimidating - they’re here to assimilate.
Before I get into the plot, I have to give the production team credit. There are several shots of people walking and talking down long corridors, which really sells the scale of the Enterprise. For the first time, the ship feels like an actual massive vessel, not just a collection of disconnected sets. They even pull off some sneaky “walk into a turbolift from one location, exit somewhere else” shots that keep it feeling connected. It’s subtle, but it works.
That being said… the Borg still look kind of silly. I’m sorry. Not silly enough to take me out of the episode, but just silly enough that I smirk every time one shuffles into frame.
The real heart of the finale, though, isn’t the Borg - it’s Riker. The episode pairs the Borg threat with his personal arc: he’s been offered his own command and turned it down, but now there’s a hot-shot new officer gunning for his job. By the time Picard gets assimilated and Riker has to step into the captain’s chair, that setup pays off beautifully.
This is where the writing shines. Riker can’t just think, “What would Picard do?” - because the Borg know what Picard would do. He has to think for himself, take risks, and trust his own judgment. And in classic Riker style, his plan is bold, sneaky, and just crazy enough to work. They rescue Picard, use his connection to find the Borg’s weakness, and take them down.
This is exactly why Star Trek works at its best. It’s not just “lasers shooting robots in space.” It’s character-driven drama, with action and philosophy woven together. And I think I really love it.
If this is where the show is heading, then set course for whatever’s next. Warp 9. Engage.
