Descent, Part II is a slow, plodding, unremarkable episode. Which is ironic, considering the fact that it concludes a relatively competent cliffhangar. The problem is that this episode just doesn’t function on a very high level, especially in terms of writing.

As the episode begins, we learn from Lore that he has found a purpose to his life. And we’re happy for him. Really. There’s just one problem: his purpose in life is to further the rise of mechanical life forms, at the expense of biological life forms. This is certainly a suitably nefarious premise — one that would later be revisited as the basis for Transformers: Beast Machines. But the execution of Lore’s plan seems pretty flawed.

For instance, he teaches the Borg about how to take advantage of their individuality — and yet he criticizes a Borg for disconnecting from the collective. The Borg themselves are a contradiction, simultaneously celebrating their individuality, and yet maintaining their collective link. And Data, he’s being fed negative emotions by Lore, who has also somehow managed to switch off Data’s root program that controls morality. It’s just a bit too implausible to really be able to buy into the concept.

Of course, this allows Data to do all sorts of dastardly things, like experiment on LaForge’s brain (with a 60% chance that LaForge will not survive the experiment). While Picard and Troi work on a plan to somehow reboot Data’s morality, Worf and Riker run into some trouble of their own. They are captured by Borg.

But hang on, they’re captured by a different group of Borg than the ones controlled by Lore. The leader of this group is none other than Hugh, the Borg who was rescued in I, Borg. Hug, however, isn’t particularly thrilled with the crew of the Enterprise. It seems that when his individuality was transferred to the Borg collective, chaos ensued.

The collective began to develop individual lines of thought and, as a result, they were unable to function. When Lore appeared, he gave them direction and purpose. But it wasn’t until Lore started experimenting on Borg — to determine how to “purify” them of their biological elements — did some of them realize how evil Lore really is. Hugh blames the Enterprise for everything that has happened. He does, however, ask about his friend, LaForge — a sign that, perhaps, there is more to Hugh than meets the eye.

While all of this is taking place, perhaps the best element of Descent, Part II is unfolding above the planet. Dr. Crusher has taken command of the Enterprise. When the Borg ship appears, she tries to retrieve the search parties from the planet’s surface, but she is forced to leave behind dozens of crew members. So she devises a plan to return to the planet and safely retrieve them. The whole sequence is strongly reminiscent of LaForge’s first command in The Arsenal of Freedom.

During the battle, the Enterprise‘s warp engines are damaged. Badly outgunned, Dr. Crusher employs a risky, yet highly successful tactical strategy: she employs the metaphasic shield, first developed and tested in Suspicions. It’s a nifty little bit of continuity back to Season 6 — and it saves the Enterprise from destruction.

The episode reaches its conclusion after Picard is able to successfully reboot Data’s morality program. When Data begins questioning Lore, the evil brother devises a “test” for Data. With Picard being held at gunpoint, Lore orders Data to kill Picard. Data cannot, so Lore decides Data must die. Just then, Hugh, Riker and Worf spring into action and save the day. It seems Hugh has learned more than just individuality. He has learned some humanity, as well.

Lore tries to escape, but Data catches up with him and, finally, is able to defeat his brother once and for all. It is a bittersweet moment, however, when Data deactivates Lore, whose final words are, “I love you.”

Back on board the ship, Data is examining the now damaged chip his father, Dr. Soong had prepared for him. Determined not to let emotions jeopardize his friends again, he attempts to destroy it. But LaForge rescues the chip — in the hopes that, someday, they may be able to put it to use for good emotions.

Descent, Part II is an average episode. It has some compelling moments with Dr. Crusher on board the Enterprise. But the sequences on the planet are either implausible, or simply uninteresting. The pacing, too, doesn’t help matters either.

Topics: Borg, Lore
Filed under: TNG Reviews