To be honest, I'm very new to star trek. I'll be turning 30 soon and before the last few years, my only experience with star trek was the newer Hollywood movies and some vague memories of my dad watching it when I was young. I saw it was on Netflix and am a fan of Patrick Stewart so I threw it on as background noise as I game. Since then I've become fully enveloped in this series and love it. I plan to watch the others but they may not have as much interest without my favorite star trek team. All this aside, I love this episode. Easily one of my favorites. The fifth season has been pretty great for the most part but this episode blows the rest away. The moral struggle the crew faces, the realization and acceptance of self by the Borg. Just wow.
22 Reviews
Morality tale...
gritfrombray-131 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Sighed when I saw this was going to be another Borg story but as the story unfolded it became much more than that. The injured Borg, played superbly by Jonathan DelArco touches Geordi in a way that questions the whole morality of genocide. As a virus is discussed that will wipe out the entire Borg race the now repaired Borg begins to accept his situation and even takes a name, Hugh, from Geordi. It is shortly after this that Geordie begins to see a glimmer of personality creeping through the usual glacial Borg exterior. It is at this point Geordie turns to the ship's unofficial counselor, Guinan and she makes it clear that the Borg will stop at nothing to have their own way and assimilate the entire human race. Eventually some real conflict arises after both Guinan and Picard confront Hugh and this is where this series excels, when there is conflict and clashes of opinion, when it is decided to leave Hugh's now individuality alone in the hope the Borg will separate from the collective and become individuals. A brilliant episode with plenty of ethics discussed.
At first I hated this episode...but bear with it, it is excellent.
planktonrules25 November 2014
The Enterprise comes upon a wounded individual from the Borg collective. They are able to dampen his ability to communicate and they bring it aboard the ship to treat it. However, there is a big divide as to what to do--Picard wants to implant the Borg with a virus so that it will infect the others when it's returned but the Doctor just wants to treat it and give it a big hug! Well, not exactly...but close. She, and later, others, worry about the morality of infecting it---though they seem to forget that he is a BORG member!!! I thought this was stupid and they should use the virus. However, as they get to know this new individual, the rightness or at least the effectiveness of this plan becomes questionable.
All the Borg episodes are good--and this one is no exception. Well written and worth seeing.
All the Borg episodes are good--and this one is no exception. Well written and worth seeing.
A new POV on the Borg.
russem3128 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
ST:TNG:123 - "I, Borg" (Stardate: 45854.2) - this is the 23rd episode of the 5th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
With a title reminiscent of Isaac Asimov's "I, Robot", the Borg are back in another smart 5th season episode! Well, to be more specific, ONE Borg is back. This episode concerns the Enterprise answering a distress call from a new and strange planet, where one young Borg (designation: 3rd of 5) survived the crash landing of his craft.
Despite the risk, Picard (who is reliving his own experiences about turning into Locutus in "The Best Of Both Worlds" over a year ago) decides to beam up the injured Borg, and Dr. Crusher is able to save him. Disconnected from the Borg, this one, which has been named Hugh, starts developing an individual identity and emotions.
At the same time, Picard and crew devise a plan to introduce a virus into Hugh to spread to the others in the collective, thereby shutting them down permanently (a plan that is used in the end episode of Star Trek: Voyager). Also, Guinan must confront her own hatred of the Borg (due to her people dying at the hands of the Borg) when she encounters Hugh.
Trivia note: we see Picard's love of fencing again, but this time with Guinan (played by Whoopi Goldberg).
With a title reminiscent of Isaac Asimov's "I, Robot", the Borg are back in another smart 5th season episode! Well, to be more specific, ONE Borg is back. This episode concerns the Enterprise answering a distress call from a new and strange planet, where one young Borg (designation: 3rd of 5) survived the crash landing of his craft.
Despite the risk, Picard (who is reliving his own experiences about turning into Locutus in "The Best Of Both Worlds" over a year ago) decides to beam up the injured Borg, and Dr. Crusher is able to save him. Disconnected from the Borg, this one, which has been named Hugh, starts developing an individual identity and emotions.
At the same time, Picard and crew devise a plan to introduce a virus into Hugh to spread to the others in the collective, thereby shutting them down permanently (a plan that is used in the end episode of Star Trek: Voyager). Also, Guinan must confront her own hatred of the Borg (due to her people dying at the hands of the Borg) when she encounters Hugh.
Trivia note: we see Picard's love of fencing again, but this time with Guinan (played by Whoopi Goldberg).
Best Borg Episode yet
angiebrenna-686-2798199 January 2020
Do not skip this one. By season 5, we have witnessed some fantastic actors and story telling. We've also seen some mediocre filler episodes. This episode challenges Captain Picard. But because he is a great leader, his crew supports him. Geordi is wise, Guinean is honest and Beverly is assertive. This episode has all the feels!
A chance to eliminate the Borg
Tweekums17 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
When the Enterprise responds to a signal they suspect might be a distress signal the crew is presented with a dilemma; the signal is coming from an injured Borg. There are those who believe it should be killed on the spot, Dr Crusher believes that it is her duty to heal any injured being and Picard who sees this as an opportunity to eliminate the Borg. Picard believes that by repairing this one drone and installing a virus the entire collective would soon be eliminated and thus end the greatest threat that humanity has faced. The Borg is brought back aboard the Enterprise and clearly is uncomfortable as it is cut off from the collective. While working on the Borg Geordi starts to talk to it and notices a growing sense of individuality and questions the captain's plans; is the drone, who has been given the name Hugh, merely part of the collective or is he an individual with rights? Perhaps these changes will affect the Borg in a way that won't require their elimination.
This is an interesting episode which raises the question of what it is acceptable to do in war; in this case is it acceptable to eliminate the Borg in their entirety. They aren't like ordinary enemies as there are no civilians and as a collective they can be viewed as a single parasite which is a threat to the galaxy. Of course it isn't quite as simple as that as we see a sense of individuality develop in Hugh and of course it would be a shame to get rid of one of Star Trek's most menacing villains. Guest star Jonathan Del Arco puts in a fine performance as Hugh and Whoopi Goldberg is great as Guinan; it was nice to see her character having more to do than offering words of advice as she fences with Picard and explaining her views on the Borg. Overall a really good episode which shows there doesn't need to be an immediate threat to provide an interesting episode.
This is an interesting episode which raises the question of what it is acceptable to do in war; in this case is it acceptable to eliminate the Borg in their entirety. They aren't like ordinary enemies as there are no civilians and as a collective they can be viewed as a single parasite which is a threat to the galaxy. Of course it isn't quite as simple as that as we see a sense of individuality develop in Hugh and of course it would be a shame to get rid of one of Star Trek's most menacing villains. Guest star Jonathan Del Arco puts in a fine performance as Hugh and Whoopi Goldberg is great as Guinan; it was nice to see her character having more to do than offering words of advice as she fences with Picard and explaining her views on the Borg. Overall a really good episode which shows there doesn't need to be an immediate threat to provide an interesting episode.
Amounts to something great
Mr-Fusion15 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Well, well, another appearance by the Borg; except this time, it's a stranded drone and not an army. Bringing this kid on-board the ship ignites the debate among the crew: use him to implant a virus into the collective or help resuscitate the human trapped within? And I can see both sides. The horrors these automatons have wreaked are still fresh in the crew's memories; but physicians have an innate desire to heal, so Dr. Crusher has a point.
In the end, everyone )after vigorous struggle) comes around and sees Hugh as a chance to inject some individuality into the hive. And that's what makes this a great episode; the ray of hope emerging from bitter spite. In some ways, it's a classic tale of disarming hardened perceptions and adds substance to a cleaver (albeit one- dimensional) foe. Above all, it's an episode that leaves a lasting impression.
8/10.
In the end, everyone )after vigorous struggle) comes around and sees Hugh as a chance to inject some individuality into the hive. And that's what makes this a great episode; the ray of hope emerging from bitter spite. In some ways, it's a classic tale of disarming hardened perceptions and adds substance to a cleaver (albeit one- dimensional) foe. Above all, it's an episode that leaves a lasting impression.
8/10.
Star Trek episode you should see!
matti_tindwa26 October 2006
This episode was one of the greatest I have ever seen in Star Trek, it involves on of the most interesting and frightening races in the whole Star Trek universe (the Borg) and shows sides of them we've never seen before.
Also in this episode it get's very personal for Piccard and he stands before a great moral dilemma. Of course this has been the case in many episodes but this particular one takes it one step further.
The acting in this episode was somewhat better then usual as well, there were more feelings there than usually displayed by characters like Laforge for example. And Jonathan del Arco did really good playing the lost Borg (Very good considering how bad guest actors there are in many other episodes).
Finally the greatest reason to why i liked this episode so much was because of the greater question. Is a individual that always been controlled by something greater than himself still an individual? It's kind of poetical just as the title "I, Borg".
Also in this episode it get's very personal for Piccard and he stands before a great moral dilemma. Of course this has been the case in many episodes but this particular one takes it one step further.
The acting in this episode was somewhat better then usual as well, there were more feelings there than usually displayed by characters like Laforge for example. And Jonathan del Arco did really good playing the lost Borg (Very good considering how bad guest actors there are in many other episodes).
Finally the greatest reason to why i liked this episode so much was because of the greater question. Is a individual that always been controlled by something greater than himself still an individual? It's kind of poetical just as the title "I, Borg".
The Start of a New Era for the Borg
Samuel-Shovel19 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
In "I Borg" the Enterprise encounters a crashed Borg scout ship with one teenage survivor. Crusher convinces the captain to allow it aboard for medical attention. After the crew begins to study it for weak points and plans to infect the hive with a virus, the crew slowly realizes the humanity that can be found in it and have misgivings about the plan.
This is always labeled as a good episode that started a bad precedent with the Borg. In future Star Trek adaptations, the Borg continues to take on a bigger, more humanized role and this is the first we're getting a taste of that. Regardless of what this brings afterwards, this ep is pretty solid. The acting is top-notched. Stewart always brings his simmering anger up a level whenever the Borg shows up.
This is always labeled as a good episode that started a bad precedent with the Borg. In future Star Trek adaptations, the Borg continues to take on a bigger, more humanized role and this is the first we're getting a taste of that. Regardless of what this brings afterwards, this ep is pretty solid. The acting is top-notched. Stewart always brings his simmering anger up a level whenever the Borg shows up.
Hue do you think you are?
thevacinstaller11 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed the understated performance of Picard in this episode. If you pay close attention you can see the light bulb going off when he considers how he can use the borg as a weapon of mass destruction. The journey of Picard/Geordi from viewing the borg as a weapon to viewing the borg as a individual who has been victimized was well thought out and developed.
Is it the right call to send hue back to potentially destroy the collective or is it a permanent stain on humanity to genocide the borg? This is a worthy question to ask ---- The fact that Picard was liberated from the borg and brought back to humanity seemed to have been forgotten for the dramatic dilemma in this episode. I am firmly in the camp that the borg drones are victims and liberating them is the right call but not an easy call to make. I do ponder if the borg are a species? A dark mirror 'federation' of bending other species to your will? A force of nature? Perhaps a AI invention who turned into frankenstein? A galactic janitor designed by AI gods? Who knows, right? It's the mystery that makes it fun.
I feel like Data should have had some role in this episode. He's an android after all and the topics presented in this episode should be quite the dilemma for data. He's a student of humanity and his teacher is willing to use an assimilated human as a weapon? What an opportunity for a historic picard/data debate!
This episode is a nice morality tug of war that was elegantly executed.
Is it the right call to send hue back to potentially destroy the collective or is it a permanent stain on humanity to genocide the borg? This is a worthy question to ask ---- The fact that Picard was liberated from the borg and brought back to humanity seemed to have been forgotten for the dramatic dilemma in this episode. I am firmly in the camp that the borg drones are victims and liberating them is the right call but not an easy call to make. I do ponder if the borg are a species? A dark mirror 'federation' of bending other species to your will? A force of nature? Perhaps a AI invention who turned into frankenstein? A galactic janitor designed by AI gods? Who knows, right? It's the mystery that makes it fun.
I feel like Data should have had some role in this episode. He's an android after all and the topics presented in this episode should be quite the dilemma for data. He's a student of humanity and his teacher is willing to use an assimilated human as a weapon? What an opportunity for a historic picard/data debate!
This episode is a nice morality tug of war that was elegantly executed.
Locutus
snoozejonc15 October 2021
Enterprise picks up an injured Borg drone and Captain Picard faces a moral dilemma.
This is a strong episode that has in intriguing situation, great continuity from previous seasons, and excellent characters moments.
We are presented with a drone who appears to be regaining his original identity and Picard must decide his fate. The plot tears open the plaster from the psychological wounds both Picard and Guinan suffered at the hands of the Borg, and it unfolds is quite a compelling character drama.
Picard and Guinan for me are the main attractions of this episode. Both Patrick Stewart and Caryn Johnson on top form with their characters, for once, taking the more aggressive stance in a situation.
Contrasting them are Geordie LaForge and Dr Crusher, who take the more humane approach. These scenes are played out nicely and LeVar Burton and Gates McFadden contribute well.
The best scene for me is the much built up confrontation between Picard and Hugh the Borg drone played by Jonathan Del Arco. It was a great idea by the writers to have Picard test Hugh the way he does.
Del Arco does a great job of getting his character some audience sympathy in the build up to Picard's decision. He portrays Hugh with a childlike harmlessness, under freakish looking makeup, not unlike Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands. Not that he's in the same league as Depp, but I personally felt those type of vibes from the character.
For me it's a 8.5/10 but I round upwards.
This is a strong episode that has in intriguing situation, great continuity from previous seasons, and excellent characters moments.
We are presented with a drone who appears to be regaining his original identity and Picard must decide his fate. The plot tears open the plaster from the psychological wounds both Picard and Guinan suffered at the hands of the Borg, and it unfolds is quite a compelling character drama.
Picard and Guinan for me are the main attractions of this episode. Both Patrick Stewart and Caryn Johnson on top form with their characters, for once, taking the more aggressive stance in a situation.
Contrasting them are Geordie LaForge and Dr Crusher, who take the more humane approach. These scenes are played out nicely and LeVar Burton and Gates McFadden contribute well.
The best scene for me is the much built up confrontation between Picard and Hugh the Borg drone played by Jonathan Del Arco. It was a great idea by the writers to have Picard test Hugh the way he does.
Del Arco does a great job of getting his character some audience sympathy in the build up to Picard's decision. He portrays Hugh with a childlike harmlessness, under freakish looking makeup, not unlike Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands. Not that he's in the same league as Depp, but I personally felt those type of vibes from the character.
For me it's a 8.5/10 but I round upwards.
REVIEW 2022
iamirwar20 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Tonight, we find ourselves in the Argolis Cluster. That rare phenomenon made up of six star systems. Uh-oh, distress signal. Get that away team down to that moon and see what's the matter. Under a clump of debris we find Borg.
"Space, the final frontier... these are the voyages etc"
And let me say right off the bat that I well remember this episode from its first airing 30 years ago and at that time I determined that this one was the apex of the entire New Generation show. The standard by which all other episodes would be compared. But does it still live up to the high-praise I gave it all those years ago.
Of course, this is Jean-Luc's first contact with Borg since his days as Locutus of Borg. Dr Bev has conflict with her Hippocratic Oath when it comes to dealing three-of-five irrespective of the fact that she is dealing with this walking killing machine.
The perfect episode. Gripping from start to finish and even better than I remember it. It certainly sits on a higher place to so many previous episodes not only of Season Five, but of the entire series. It even had a degree of inverted Stockholm Syndrome going on.
I don't know if I made the point on a previous review of one of the other Borg-centric episodes, but watching the entire TNG run again as part of this review, I am surprised at how few Borg episodes there actually are. I had somehow come to convinced myself that the Borg had been the main protagonists throughout the entire TNG run, but that really wasn't the case. They were a belated addition to the series when the Ferengi as bad-guys didn't quite work out. Their first appearance was in the series three episode Q who, although an indirect reference had been made to them in the Series One finale, The Neutral Zone. We are now 118 episodes in to a series that spanned 176, and yet this is only the third outing for a Borg related story.
I think this is why, overall, I preferred the Klingon stories as they tended to form a true story-arc. We knew so much more about the Klingon's and learned so much more about their home world and customs, whereas the Borg were too mysterious and out-there somewhere, that until this episode we, the viewer, knew so very little about them.
This Episodes Clue: Tea With Alice.
"Space, the final frontier... these are the voyages etc"
And let me say right off the bat that I well remember this episode from its first airing 30 years ago and at that time I determined that this one was the apex of the entire New Generation show. The standard by which all other episodes would be compared. But does it still live up to the high-praise I gave it all those years ago.
Of course, this is Jean-Luc's first contact with Borg since his days as Locutus of Borg. Dr Bev has conflict with her Hippocratic Oath when it comes to dealing three-of-five irrespective of the fact that she is dealing with this walking killing machine.
The perfect episode. Gripping from start to finish and even better than I remember it. It certainly sits on a higher place to so many previous episodes not only of Season Five, but of the entire series. It even had a degree of inverted Stockholm Syndrome going on.
I don't know if I made the point on a previous review of one of the other Borg-centric episodes, but watching the entire TNG run again as part of this review, I am surprised at how few Borg episodes there actually are. I had somehow come to convinced myself that the Borg had been the main protagonists throughout the entire TNG run, but that really wasn't the case. They were a belated addition to the series when the Ferengi as bad-guys didn't quite work out. Their first appearance was in the series three episode Q who, although an indirect reference had been made to them in the Series One finale, The Neutral Zone. We are now 118 episodes in to a series that spanned 176, and yet this is only the third outing for a Borg related story.
I think this is why, overall, I preferred the Klingon stories as they tended to form a true story-arc. We knew so much more about the Klingon's and learned so much more about their home world and customs, whereas the Borg were too mysterious and out-there somewhere, that until this episode we, the viewer, knew so very little about them.
This Episodes Clue: Tea With Alice.
Individuality that's the key
bkoganbing26 May 2020
A great moral dilemma comes upon Captain Picard when the Enterorise nswers a
dstress call from a Borg scout ship. 4 of the 5 crewman are dead abd Jonthan
Del Arco designated 3 of 5 is injured.
Del Arco is given a name Hugh which takes to and finds other aspects of individuality pleasing, the two who want to see Del Arco turned into a weapon against the collective are Patrick Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg both have bitter memories of the Borg. Gates M cFadden argues for a humane approach and LeVar Burton b becomes a convert
A most thought provoking story.
Del Arco is given a name Hugh which takes to and finds other aspects of individuality pleasing, the two who want to see Del Arco turned into a weapon against the collective are Patrick Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg both have bitter memories of the Borg. Gates M cFadden argues for a humane approach and LeVar Burton b becomes a convert
A most thought provoking story.
Very good in its own right, but badly contrived moral dilemma based on effectively retconning
bgaiv12 November 2022
It's not surprising TNG used the "everybody's human, just misunderstood" card here, as that's a one of Trek's most fundamental themes.
And that's fine, that's the nature of the show, and this dilemma may make sense if you don't know the continuity here. But if you do know the continuity, the Borg here are rapidly retconned from a barely incomprehensible foe that the Enterprise (and the entire Federation) defeated (meaning being not completely destroyed) by seconds or less.
The problem here is the episode explicitly acknowledges the continuity (for the most part*) then promptly deconstructs that to turn it into a ridiculous morality play about whether the Enterprise should destroy an alien threat because one of them is cute.
The continuity IS explicit in that even Troi states they are in a state of war with the Borg and that they've been attacked in every encounter. Picard and Worf react with the appropriate continuity alarm at encountering this Borg. Worf(!) even wants to hide the evidence they were there and run!
Yet, within the episode, which explicitly must have occurred either directly after the Borg invasion of BOBW or after other attacks, suddenly Geordi and Data can whip up an attack against the Borg that can UTTERLY DESTROY THE BORG with 100% CONFIDENCE.
And of course, the Enterprise is also 100% confident they can hide from a Borg cube.
I'm fine with moving the Borg in this direction, I like Hugh, and I really like Seven, but this episode skipped over so much to get there. Including story possibilities, like maybe there is an alien force that isn't just like another Earth country, and just might not even see humanoids as even an life form.
And note that the TNG film First Contact promptly forgot all that skipping to get back to a story that should have been told first.
Sorry, the moral dilemma here is fundamentally a cheat and it's easy virtue signaling. It starts with a continuity valid "what would you do against an implacable opponent that doesn't even see you as sv life form" into "yeah they're kind of annoying, but should we really kill them all? Kind of rude, amiright?"
There's a huge question here: why does nobody seem concerned this might be part of a new invasion? Again, per Troi, they are considered in a STATE OF WAR with the Borg. Deanna certainly doesn't use such terms lightly.
* Geordi seems remarkably nonchalant toward Hugh considering during their last encounter with the Borg, a laser sliced right into the engineering hull and they "lost a lot of good people ".
And that's fine, that's the nature of the show, and this dilemma may make sense if you don't know the continuity here. But if you do know the continuity, the Borg here are rapidly retconned from a barely incomprehensible foe that the Enterprise (and the entire Federation) defeated (meaning being not completely destroyed) by seconds or less.
The problem here is the episode explicitly acknowledges the continuity (for the most part*) then promptly deconstructs that to turn it into a ridiculous morality play about whether the Enterprise should destroy an alien threat because one of them is cute.
The continuity IS explicit in that even Troi states they are in a state of war with the Borg and that they've been attacked in every encounter. Picard and Worf react with the appropriate continuity alarm at encountering this Borg. Worf(!) even wants to hide the evidence they were there and run!
Yet, within the episode, which explicitly must have occurred either directly after the Borg invasion of BOBW or after other attacks, suddenly Geordi and Data can whip up an attack against the Borg that can UTTERLY DESTROY THE BORG with 100% CONFIDENCE.
And of course, the Enterprise is also 100% confident they can hide from a Borg cube.
I'm fine with moving the Borg in this direction, I like Hugh, and I really like Seven, but this episode skipped over so much to get there. Including story possibilities, like maybe there is an alien force that isn't just like another Earth country, and just might not even see humanoids as even an life form.
And note that the TNG film First Contact promptly forgot all that skipping to get back to a story that should have been told first.
Sorry, the moral dilemma here is fundamentally a cheat and it's easy virtue signaling. It starts with a continuity valid "what would you do against an implacable opponent that doesn't even see you as sv life form" into "yeah they're kind of annoying, but should we really kill them all? Kind of rude, amiright?"
There's a huge question here: why does nobody seem concerned this might be part of a new invasion? Again, per Troi, they are considered in a STATE OF WAR with the Borg. Deanna certainly doesn't use such terms lightly.
* Geordi seems remarkably nonchalant toward Hugh considering during their last encounter with the Borg, a laser sliced right into the engineering hull and they "lost a lot of good people ".
Dr. Crusher becomes the "voice of reason"
garrard15 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
While investigating a distress signal, Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden), Data (Brent Spiner), and Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) come upon a wrecked Borg vessel with only one survivor; an adolescent Borg. Bringing the "Lad" aboard meets with disapproval from the captain (Patrick Stewart), along with other members of the crew, including the enigmatic Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg). A plan is hatched to inject a virus into the young Borg, making it possible to infect the entire collective, causing the Borg to no longer be a threat to the Federation.
Dr. Crusher voices her disapproval of the plan, reminding the captain that, although the Borg teen is an enemy, he is still living, thinking being, deserving of respect and survival. As she and Geordi develop the "weapon," the Rorg teen, since being separated from the collective, is now developing his own individuality; thus, he becomes "Hugh." When Guinan talks to Hugh, she discovers that her misgivings about him might be erred. She convinces the captain to do the same, and he, too, alters his plan, allowing Hugh to return to the collective, with the hope that his new-found individuality with lead to an "infection" that will change the Borg's intent on "assimilating" the entire universe.
Dr. Crusher voices her disapproval of the plan, reminding the captain that, although the Borg teen is an enemy, he is still living, thinking being, deserving of respect and survival. As she and Geordi develop the "weapon," the Rorg teen, since being separated from the collective, is now developing his own individuality; thus, he becomes "Hugh." When Guinan talks to Hugh, she discovers that her misgivings about him might be erred. She convinces the captain to do the same, and he, too, alters his plan, allowing Hugh to return to the collective, with the hope that his new-found individuality with lead to an "infection" that will change the Borg's intent on "assimilating" the entire universe.
Aside from Crusher this is a great episode.
beanslegit20 May 2023
The Enterprise finds a lone Borg drone, separated from the collective, and brings him aboard. The drone begins to reassert his individuality, but his presence causes differing levels of fear and sympathy from various crew members.
I felt like telling Dr Crusher to stfu for most of this episode. I'm surprised Riker didn't tell her to get off her high horse and stop pontificating. The Borg kill every human they encounter, yet she's disgusted at the idea of leaving this horrifying murderer to die.
Only Guinan seems to make any sense in this episode reminding everyone of the extreme dangers of keeping the Borg unit on board.
Worth watching for sure!
I felt like telling Dr Crusher to stfu for most of this episode. I'm surprised Riker didn't tell her to get off her high horse and stop pontificating. The Borg kill every human they encounter, yet she's disgusted at the idea of leaving this horrifying murderer to die.
Only Guinan seems to make any sense in this episode reminding everyone of the extreme dangers of keeping the Borg unit on board.
Worth watching for sure!
Special Interesting info on the Borg
dirtyspamer15 April 2010
The "Borg" idea was inspired by studying the real life character by the name of Broden Borg who always tries to get everyone around him to assimilate with what Broden wants them to do. Resistance is futile ! The Captain of the Enterprise tried to get Data to erase the "Broden Borg" from the memory banks but couldn't leading to the plasma conducts becoming blocked. Troy believed the only way to remove the "Broden Borg" from the Enterprise was to place the "Broden Borg" on top of the warp coils, but the "Broden Borg" was too strong ranting and raving about it's own self worthiness resulting in Data blowing a circuit. Most Trekies don't realize that the "Broden Borg" is far more dangerous than the "Borg" on their own. 9 out of 10 for this one.
"What if he doesn't want to go back?"
classicsoncall9 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The presence of an injured Borg on the Enterprise creates dissension and discussion among members of the crew as to the viability of destroying the Borg collective as a species. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart), having been a prior victim of the Borg (Ep. #3.26 - The Best of Both Worlds, Part 1"), is under no illusion as to the threat the Borg presents to the galaxy. He comes up with the idea of altering this Borg's bio-programming with a virus that could potentially cause a systems failure in the collective Borg and destroy it once and for all. However, some opposition presents itself as Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) endeavors to remain true to the Hippocratic Oath and help heal this unit, while Commander LaForge (LeVar Burton) begins to engage one on one with the Borg, to the extent of naming him 'Hugh' as a derivation of 'You'. The philosophical implications rendered via the dialog between Picard, Crusher, LaForge and Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg) are eventually settled by 'Hugh' himself, who originally referred to himself as 'Third of Five' (Jonathan Del Arco), as the only survivor of his five person crew that crashed on a moon in the Argolis Cluster. Having been treated as an individual, Hugh eventually made the decision to return to the crash site of his mission, where he was rescued by two other Borg who tracked him to that location. Personally, I felt that Picard's resolution should have been set in motion considering the threat the Borg collective posed to the entire known galaxy. I'm looking forward to how this plays out in the future of Next Generation and succeeding series.
The core cerebrality of Star Trek shines in this Episode
andusvanrooyen12 January 2024
Do your enemies have the same morals as you? Do the generic kill them all borg, too have feelings, and a person beneath them?
These are all questions this episode created in my mind. This episode excellently tackles borg and that they only misunderstand their victims, thinking that their "assimilation" is all they want. The perfect progression of the borg gaining a human personality puts the superb talent of the writers at show here.
Very rarely have I connected with a character this much in only one episode, his(their?) growth and character showing that infact, the borg that has been spinned to be the generic bad guys, turn out not to be as I thought they were.
These are all questions this episode created in my mind. This episode excellently tackles borg and that they only misunderstand their victims, thinking that their "assimilation" is all they want. The perfect progression of the borg gaining a human personality puts the superb talent of the writers at show here.
Very rarely have I connected with a character this much in only one episode, his(their?) growth and character showing that infact, the borg that has been spinned to be the generic bad guys, turn out not to be as I thought they were.
A Horrible Idea
Hitchcoc5 September 2014
Of all the characters on this series, the one I find the most tiresome is Beverly Crusher. She has this thing about the sacredness of life, which is fine, but she is also willing to allow something that has killed billions of life forms and wiped out whole civilizations, including a close encounter with earth, to come on board. The syrupy way this whole thing unfolds, with characters whose families and friends have been assimilated by these things falling lovingly for this menace, drove me crazy. Disagree with the idea of destroying the collective, but don't embrace this horror. On numerous occasions, Beverly has used her own prejudices and views to push people around, including Picard (who really disappoints me when she is around). Anyway, I'm getting all upset (I guess this is only a fictional series) so I shouldn't get so passionate, but it does portend to speak for a compassionate world, putting aside the foibles of previous civilizations. I'm waiting for Beverly to come on board and say, "Oh, I think the Romulans are really a good hearted people" as they fire on the enterprise. This Borg is bringing with it a huge threat to all living things, where they will continue, bee-like, at the center of the galaxy, with nothing left around them.
A Senior Trekker writes...................
celineduchain13 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Fifth Season of TNG contains some remarkably strong episodes while continuing to push the boundaries of what could be achieved within an episodic television format. It is notable for the tragic loss of its creator, Gene Roddenberry, who died on 24th October 1991 at the age of 70. His influence upon the positive depiction of humanity and diversity in Science Fiction endures to this day. Senior Trekker continues to score all episodes with a 5.
Star Trek has always promoted the attempt to understand and "humanise" our enemies and nowhere more so than in this episode where a member of what, only a couple of seasons, ago was considered to be the ultimate enemy comes to be seen as a redeemable individual. This difficult conundrum is explored in detail by the writers of this episode with different crew members taking strongly opposing viewpoints. Something that Star Trek, The Next Generation has been criticised for not showing enough of.
Jonathan Del Arco gives a memorable performance as a Borg drone disconnected from the collective despite scarcely being able to move for all that hardware attached to his costume. His gradual acceptance of individuality is assisted by the sympathy he elicits in both Geordi La Forge and Beverly Crusher while Picard remains intent on using him as a weapon.
When he was finally sent back to the collective, the alteration of Hugh's mission from "spreader of a lethal virus" to "spreader of the seed of individuality" just didn't resonate with me. I know that later on in the Star trek universe, we are going to be asked to understand that many characters are capable of being "unassimilated" from the Borg collective but at this stage I was just getting used to them as an inhuman and merciless adversary.
Star Trek has always promoted the attempt to understand and "humanise" our enemies and nowhere more so than in this episode where a member of what, only a couple of seasons, ago was considered to be the ultimate enemy comes to be seen as a redeemable individual. This difficult conundrum is explored in detail by the writers of this episode with different crew members taking strongly opposing viewpoints. Something that Star Trek, The Next Generation has been criticised for not showing enough of.
Jonathan Del Arco gives a memorable performance as a Borg drone disconnected from the collective despite scarcely being able to move for all that hardware attached to his costume. His gradual acceptance of individuality is assisted by the sympathy he elicits in both Geordi La Forge and Beverly Crusher while Picard remains intent on using him as a weapon.
When he was finally sent back to the collective, the alteration of Hugh's mission from "spreader of a lethal virus" to "spreader of the seed of individuality" just didn't resonate with me. I know that later on in the Star trek universe, we are going to be asked to understand that many characters are capable of being "unassimilated" from the Borg collective but at this stage I was just getting used to them as an inhuman and merciless adversary.
A goof of this episode
thedanker7 October 2006
This comment is to be considered a goof of the episode since there were not any others mentioned I think this one does merit a mention since the Borg are considered a collective and speak as a group and consider themselves all as one and not individuals.Just before Geordi and Dr.Crusher give the Borg a name he asks them "Do I have a name?" which is so clearly and easily recognizable of being improper Borg terminology I find it interesting they overlooked it.Properly spoken, the Borg would have naturally said "Do We have a name?" but the episode was left as is and distributed with what I consider to be a rather large slip-up in proper format of a recurring alien character(s) such as the Borg.
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