For everyone involved in making the show, "The Best of Both Worlds" signaled what I can only describe as total uncertainty. All the writers who joined the show from the very first season were all but gone and the new writers who were brought in for this season were now just counting the hours till their contracts ran out so they too can abandon ship. Michael Piller was only contracted for one year when he started Season 3 with "Evolution" and was still pondering on whether he wanted to leave the show for good after this episode. To make matters even more pressing, there was even talk of Patrick Stewart not wanting to return after this season so there had to be something to give the possibility of his potential departure. All of this, plus many more that I'll get into later was put on Michael Piller's shoulders and it had all the makings of a disaster. To say that it worked out in the end is not only an understatement of biblical proportions, it would soon prove to be an even heavier burden on Pillar as well.
It's interesting how an episode like "Best of Both Worlds", a two-parter that would greatly affect the character of Picard in future stories and the big theatrical film First Contact is primarily a story about Riker. Most of the episode is told from his point of view with his career choices actually becoming a problem. Picard's scenes are just of him discussing the matters and even furthering Riker's story with his own "down beat" point of view. It's one of those nice little things that the episode does in order to justify why such a seasoned officer like Riker would not want to take command of a starship of his own instead of being stuck as Picard's right hand man. Having a character like Shelby introduced as his possible replacement and even being more capable than him in certain areas really brings this issue to a head. Probably the most telling concerns is the scene with Riker and Troi where he tries to explain how his position on the Enterprise is something he worked hard to achieve and wonders if he himself is capable of command, a point pushed further by Shelby who not only tells Riker that he's in her way, but that all he knows how to do is play it safe. While that is something that he proudly stands by, it only gives Shelby another chance to tell him that if he's not willing to make the tough decisions, he should let someone else do them instead.
But of course, how can we talk about Riker and NOT talk about Commander Shelby? Her character is one of two things in this episode that serve to remind us of the greatest tragedies in TNG's run, because she is so well portrayed and so well written that it was absolutely criminal not to have her appear in ANYTHING EVER AGAIN! How often is it that we not only get a female guest character who isn't used as a romantic interest in any way, but also someone who knows their stuff and can be put on equal fitting with a character like Riker? Remember, Riker is the first officer who encountered the Borg IN PERSON, boarded their ship and witnessed their destructive capabilities up close and personal. Shelby, an officer who has had none of that experience, is practically upstaging Riker at every turn. She may be the bad guy to Riker, but she is doing the right things. Even when Riker tries to get a little comment from his closer friends, they're even convinced that she can help them in dealing with the Borg.
Now we come to the moment we've all been waiting for. Picard is informed that a ship in a near by sector encountered a ship described as "cube shaped" and was not heard from again. Picard, knowing that the closest help is six days away orders without hesitation to set a course. So far everything has been hitting on all the right cylinders. The actors are all on their A game, the direction is tight, the pacing is fluid and the anticipation is almost tangible. But... if there's one thing that is clearly going above and beyond in turning this episode into something legendary, it's Ron Jones' score. The music that plays when the Enterprise waits for their inevitable confrontation helps sets up a tension filled tone that we haven't heard in Star Trek before, and the moment immediately after Picard orders "Magnify" is my absolute favorite score moment in the entire series. There's no exciting action music, no aspiring tunes to build up the courage of the characters, there's none of that. What we see is what we hear, and what we hear is doom. Ron Jones was a gawddang Albatross to this series, bringing it not only moments of good fortune in areas where there were none (Seriously, he was the only one who actually put effort into "Shades of Grey"), but also helped define some of Star Trek most memorable and iconic moments. His work on "The Best of Both Worlds" is not only one of TNG's most iconic scores, it's also one of two episodes that got IT'S OWN SOUNDTRACK RELEASE. And when they made the first teaser for "Star Trek: First Contact", they used Ron Jones' score in the actual teaser! A TV series score hyping up a theatrical movie! Back in the 90s, that kind of thing was unheard of. TNG had something great that was willing to go full out in even the worst moments of the series, and like the Albatross of that legendary poem, some idiot had to kill it for NO.... GOOD..... REASON!
*clears throat*
So after being over powered and damaged by the Borg Cube, the Enterprise manages to escape into a "not the mutara nebula" to hide from the Borg Cube. This episode is so awesome even bits of Star Trek II wants in on the action! After figuring out a way to damage the Borg that could be used to destroy them for good, Picard takes some time off to contemplate in Ten Forward with Guinan. What follows is a scene, even for Star Trek, is too honest for it's own good. Picard talks to Guinan about how this could be the moment that history will remember as the end of human civilization. Guinan says that this isn't the end, and backs it up with experience.
Guinan: When the Borg destroyed my world, my people were scattered throughout the galaxy. We survived. As will humanity survive. As long as there are a handful of you left to keep the spirit alive, you will prevail. Even if it takes a millennium.
This is one of my favorite exchanges between Guinan and Picard because it puts the whole universe in Star Trek into perspective. Picard is contemplating the end of human civilization, and Guinan who isn't human tells him that even if that were to happen, there is still hope for humanity if there are still some humans out there (which, let's not joke ourselves, are pretty much EVERYWHERE). More importantly, her presence shows that the Borg are not just here to end human civilization, but all civilizations. Her species was one of their victims who they couldn't fight back, but here they are still trying to prevail. What ever meaning Picard, or even the audience was supposed to get out of this exchange is completely lost when the episode resorts to... wait for it...
Worf: Sir, the coordinates they have set, they're on a direct course to sector zero zero one. The Terran system.
Riker: Earth.
Riker: Earth.
*groan*
So much for not being predictable.
So after the Borg scare the Enterprise our of the nebula, capture Picard and set course for Earth, we have a nice little realization scene of Riker not being fully aware of the circumstances he is in. Captain Picard has been kidnapped but he's doing his job like a first officer. It's not until Troi of all people who informs him that until they retrieve Picard, Riker is in command of the Enterprise. This one scene accomplishes two things. It shows Riker being forced to accept the role that he's been hesitant to take on this entire episode, and it also serves to showcase to the audience that things are getting very, VERY serious.
After boarding the Borg cube and successfully sabotaging it enough to slow it down so the Enterprise can use it's weapon, the crew discover Picard, only something is different. After a failed attempt by Worf to rescue Picard, the team beams back to deliver the news to Riker.
We now come full circle. Not only has Picard been lost, he's also a borg. The crew, even commander Shelby implore Riker to give them a chance to rescue him. Riker on the other hand cannot ignore the opportunity they have to end this Borg threat once and for all. Just before Riker is about to give the order, the Borg hails the Enterprise. Instead of a vast structure of thousands upon thousands of drones all speaking as one, they are confronted by an assimilated Picard.
Locutus: I am.. Locutus.. of Borg. Resistance.. is futile. Your life as it has been.. is over. From this time forward.. you will service.. us.
Riker is now presented with two options. Stop this Borg threat once and for all, or withdraw and work out a way to rescue Picard. He does not hesitate.
Riker: Mr. Worf, fire.
CONCLUSION:
Television history right there. The return of the Borg managed to not only match the threat they presented in "Q Who", but also add something else that made them even more horrifying. They not only wanted your technology, they wanted your soul. It's one of the most iconic Star Trek episodes, and for good reason. But the real mark that the Borg leave on Star Trek history is what comes next.
STINGER:
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