Photonic Cannon!

[Catarina]

Off topic but I had to add...whoa the vidians...I had such a visceral reaction to them. I was so grossed out and I really wanted to see Janeway show her teeth. Alas, we got a sweet doctor lady to sympathize over. I get it: more of that "We might become monsters in the face of devastation" but follow up with the teeth barring first (a payoff after that horrific loss of Durst) before we lower the tone if we must. I don't know how satisfying that'd be but what I do know is she left many to die back there and that was disconcerting.

Man, I keep reading Platonic Cannon. I need to slow down when I read.

 

[Drone]

In defense of In the Flesh, I see 8472's behavior in Scorpion as more a Minbari situation. Not exactly, but in the same category of 'Excessive retaliation'. The Borg attacked them, humans developed a weapon that could destroy them. From 8472's perspective at that point: Two arms, two legs? EXTINCTION THREAT!

In attack of In The Flesh, having them build a Soviet style Earth city and pose as humans was ridiculous and didn't make sense for them at all.

Hear hear!! While many might say that this neutered them as villains while that identity was still aborning, I think one could claim that this showed the Undine as being versatile and adaptable in how they could exercise their power. They've found an adversary that is inventive and resourceful enough to be a real danger, unlike the S'morgs.

So, they burrow into the innards of these biped's power structure, ascertain their true motivations as well as the extent of their capabilities. Then they're in a much more advantageous position in deciding effectively what their next play should be. Meanwhile, they can always open up their can of whoop ass on the galaxy's pissants at their leisure!!!