5.23 I, Borg

Rating: 4.5

While charting a six star system in the Argolis Cluster, an away team discovers four dead Borg and one living – but badly damaged -  young male Borg survivor. Against his better judgement, and despite Worf’s usual suggestion to ‘kill it now’, Picard agrees to beam it aboard for repairs. His initial plan, however, is to infect the Borg with a computer virus, then send it back to the collective to attempt to destroy it. But Beverly, Geordi, and even Guinan begin to realize that this Borg is unique.

Comments

This episode was written by Rene Echevarria.

This is a wonderful combination of the classic Trek theme of seeking out and respecting new life, in all its forms (even when it is your mortal enemy) combined cleverly into the long-running thread of the Borg.

This thoughtful, well-written episode involves a number of members of the crew in important roles, especially Geordi. His understatement and quiet delivery are extremely effective here.

Nits

When 3 of 5 is brought before Picard for the first time, he correctly identifies the Captain as ‘Locutus’. Locutus was Picard’s ‘designation’ when he was captured and assimilated by the Borg. I am assuming that 3 of 5 gained this knowledge from the collective. Why then didn’t 3 of 5 also know that Locutus escaped and was no longer a member of the collective? Was he injured during the period when Picard was Locutus, so he never tapped into any newer updates? Or did the Borg specifically withhold the information of the escape from the collective, as a way of perpetuating the ideal that ‘resistance is futile’?

Why does Picard think that 3 of 5’s memories of being an individual will be enough to possibly ‘infect’ the Borg and change them? The Borg are always assimilating species with extremely high senses of individuality, yet this does not seem to affect the collective.

Memorable Moments

•    Guinan and Picard’s fencing scene

•    Picard and Hugh’s quiet but powerful scene. Once again, Picard shows why he is a great actor, and this entire scene is wonderfully written

•    The tiny turn of the head made by Hugh before he is beamed away, and the tiny nod of acknowledgement by Geordi that he has seen it

Quotable Quotes

"They’re gonna come after us; you know that. You of all people know that."
- Guinan to Picard (regarding the Borg)

"You felt sorry for me. Look what it got you."
- Guinan to Picard (regarding the Borg)

Geordi: Do you have a name?
3 of 5: 3…of 5.
Geordi: There were 5 on your ship. That’s it: just a number.
3 of 5: 3…of 5.
Geordi: It does kind of suit you.

Beverly: Okay, now. I’m Beverly…
Geordi: …I’m Geordi…
3 of 5: We…are Hugh.

Picard: You are Borg! You will assist us.
3 of 5: I will not.
Picard: What did you say?
3 of 5: I will not assist you.
Picard: I –
3 of 5: Geordi must not be assimilated.
Picard: But you are Borg!
3 of 5: No. I am Hugh.