Story: The Best of Both Worlds, Part II
Written By: Michael Piller
Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Year: 1990
While the image of Picard as Locutus of Borg is the most striking and famous of this two-parter, the fact is this: “The Best of Both Worlds”, both parts, is really all about one man: William Riker.
The first episode is flawlessly built to start questioning why Riker has remained as second banana to Picard when he has been offered his own command time and time again. Is he afraid to move forward? Genuinely not ready? Does he still want to learn from Picard? Does he only want to command the Enterprise? Or is he just to comfortable where he is? I think it is a combination of his being comfortable as First Officer of the Enterprise and his desire to command that ship.
But whatever the reason, Shelby and the new offer of his own ship have brought to the fold that the guy is holding back promotion for some reason, and even he is questioning his motives…then comes the Borg. They kidnap Picard and assimilate him, and as a result Riker assumes command of the ship, and is forced to not only assume command of the ship but to battle with his mentor and former Captain.
The episode is strong, a great conclusion to one of the best cliffhangers ever (not just of Trek, but of television history). I love that they wait until the end to finally save Picard from the Borg, doing it too early in the episode would have cheapened that end. The way to defeat the Borg is brilliant as well.
My only gripe is that Riker decides to continue aboard the Enterprise…well that isn’t my problem as much as that they for some reason demote him back to Commander. Why? Too not confuse the viewers at home? I mean Spock, Scotty and Kirk were all Captains on the Enterprise-A near its end…. oh well I guess it doesn’t matter really. Beyond that it just odd that he proves himself to be such a strong Captain during this story, and Starfleet needs new Captains after the massacre of the Borg...and he stays in his comfort zone as Picard's first officer.
The final moments of Picard still shaken by the incident are chilling and fantastic. They really don’t get much better than this.
NEXT TIME: The Rozhenkos
Written By: Michael Piller
Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Year: 1990
While the image of Picard as Locutus of Borg is the most striking and famous of this two-parter, the fact is this: “The Best of Both Worlds”, both parts, is really all about one man: William Riker.
But whatever the reason, Shelby and the new offer of his own ship have brought to the fold that the guy is holding back promotion for some reason, and even he is questioning his motives…then comes the Borg. They kidnap Picard and assimilate him, and as a result Riker assumes command of the ship, and is forced to not only assume command of the ship but to battle with his mentor and former Captain.
The episode is strong, a great conclusion to one of the best cliffhangers ever (not just of Trek, but of television history). I love that they wait until the end to finally save Picard from the Borg, doing it too early in the episode would have cheapened that end. The way to defeat the Borg is brilliant as well.
My only gripe is that Riker decides to continue aboard the Enterprise…well that isn’t my problem as much as that they for some reason demote him back to Commander. Why? Too not confuse the viewers at home? I mean Spock, Scotty and Kirk were all Captains on the Enterprise-A near its end…. oh well I guess it doesn’t matter really. Beyond that it just odd that he proves himself to be such a strong Captain during this story, and Starfleet needs new Captains after the massacre of the Borg...and he stays in his comfort zone as Picard's first officer.
The final moments of Picard still shaken by the incident are chilling and fantastic. They really don’t get much better than this.
NEXT TIME: The Rozhenkos