Airing as the conclusion to one of the best hours of science fiction is a daunting task. The Best of Both Worlds, Part II faced the overwhelming challenge of solving the unsolvable, and bringing our heroes back to safety from the very brink of obliteration. In a sense, there was no way for this episode to truly contend with its predecessor. And yet, somehow, The Best of Both Worlds, part II holds its own and impressively concludes what becomes the greatest two-part story in the entire seven season run of TNG. And it does so by changing perspective and focusing on the personal struggles and tragedy, rather than the epic scope of the Borg invasion.

For starters, the moment Picard was assimilated by the Borg, every shred of his being, his knowledge, was transferred to the Borg. The end result is that they know what he knows, and so the Enterprise‘s superweapon is rendered utterly useless. It’s an exceptionally smart decision because it sets up a classic confrontation between teacher and former student, between Picard-as-Locutus and Captain Riker. In many ways, this is a culmination of a developing character arc for Riker, first given prominence in Peak Performance — his ability to lead and think creatively against a daunting foe.

Indeed, the cat-and-mouse game between the two minds of Riker and Picard is at the very heart of this episode. Riker struggles to find a measure of comfort in his new promotion to captain (he even wears the proper 4-circle insignia). And there is a particularly poignant scene is when Riker enters the ready room and addresses the empty chair usually occupied by Picard. But it is a visit from Guinan that helps Riker see that he needs to let go of Picard and forge his own path.

In the end, Riker creates a wildly innovative plan that is notable for its subtlety as well as its intelligence. Instead of having the Enterprise find some way to overpower the Borg, Riker decides to use the Borg’s strength as a weakness: their collective conscience. The recapture of Picard (Locutus) and subsequent attempts to utilize Picard’s connection to the Collective is a mastermind of a strategy. The only real problem is that, after the incredibly powerful drama of Part I, it doesn’t play as compellingly as it might otherwise have done. It’s a minor critique, but it’s also the difference in quality between the two episodes.

Riker’s plan is successful and they manage to destroy the Borg ship as it orbits the Earth. But victory has not come without its price. Starfleet lost dozens of ships, and all their crews, in a desperate attempt to stop the Borg at Wolf 359. The Enterprise has been severely damaged and has suffered significant casualties. And Picard, though healed of his physical wounds, is left scarred and troubled. Unlike other episodes of personal trauma such as The High Ground, The Best of Both Worlds, Part II makes certain we realize the emotional impact. Picard stops short, places his tea cup on the table, and stares off into space, clearly troubled.

The Best of Both Worlds, Part II is a worthy, fitting conclusion to its predecessor. If Part I set up the elements of change for the series, Part II is the agent of that change. And, as such, it is a superb episode that establishes a simple fact: nothing in the TNG universe will ever be safe again … expect the unexpected …

Topics: Borg
Filed under: TNG Reviews