‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘Descent’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One particular lesson that we have to be reminded of often in life, is to keep our emotions in check and it makes sense as to why that reminder keeps popping up. Because sometimes in life, the moment really does get the better of us and it allows for our emotions to surge through every fiber of our being and in that moment… if we don’t remember the lesson or if we don’t have someone there to talk us down and ask us to relax so we can clear our heads… who knows what we are capable of. Thankfully, most of us have that someone there to keep us rational and calm… but curiosity does get the better of us from time to time and leaves us wondering just how far we would go if our emotions were left unchecked or if by chance, someone was there to do the opposite, and encourage us to let our emotions… go the distance.
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If anything, that somewhat uncomfortable possibility is top of mind today, simply because the season six finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation takes the time to explore it. A feat that ‘Descent’ accomplishes… by putting the crew of the Enterprise in an extremely unsettling situation. Wherein they arrive at a distress call to discover a massive vessel, one that appears to be silent and unconcerned with the crew until a powerful and unsettling discovery is made down below. In that, the facility in distress, has been attacked by the Borg and they are still there. Putting the crew in a life and death situation and while the Borg are eventually driven off with minimal losses on both sides, a great deal of concern and questions remain after the fight.

Such as why the Borg encountered here… were angry and vicious and nowhere near as calculated as the ones last encountered in ‘The Best of Both Worlds’ and also… how they managed to coerce a violent emotional response out of Data. The latter of which is explored in great detail since it is Data’s first negative emotion and he stops at nothing to try and replicate it, only to struggle with failure since he cannot feel a thing… that is until a Borg soldier… brings forth the exploration in question. For this rotten little cyborg, does everything within his power to encourage the dark emotions that Data experienced on that planet. Making it clear that having someone push us to indulge in the darkness, would be a horrible thing, since it would drive us to either do horrible things or betray the good within and the good that surrounds us… as evidenced by Data’s decision to steal a shuttlecraft and leave with the Borg Prisoner.

But that’s really as far as that exploration goes and that’s really as far as it has to. Since that’s a clean cut and simple answer to that important question/worry. But it also comes to a close that quickly, because there was one more surprise in store for the crew of the Enterprise and the audience. For when the ship arrives at the world that Data escaped to and find the shuttle, Picard orders a skeleton crew to keep the ship in check while he and the majority of those that serve aboard this intrepid vessel… search for their missing shipmate and well, Picard and his team are the ones to find Data and what they discover about the company now surrounding him… is horrifying to say the least. For not only is this planet host to a large number of unshackled and angry Borg drones, but they are led by none other than Lore himself, and he clearly has a bone to pick with the captain and he’s happy to have his brother at his side while he makes that happen.

Which is… a hell of a cliffhanger for certain since it sets the stage for what would end up being a final showdown with Lore. But before we dive into that particular fight, we can bask in the wonder of a quality finale. One that genuinely surprises the viewer at every turn. Because the arrival of the Borg is a shocker, as is their newfound individuality and of course… the arrival of Lore is epic as well. Especially since we haven’t seen him since ‘Brothers’ in season four and well… this is the perfect way to close out season six and it also doesn’t hurt that this episode has a little commentary on the human condition as well, and who better to explore that with than the android that aspires to be human and now that this harrowing mission has come to a close… our next stop is the conclusion of this tale and the beginning of the end, of The Next Generation. Until next time.  

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