‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘I Borg’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

What’s truly fascinating about war, is how humanity views it in such a simplistic fashion. Because we only see two sides to conflict, us vs. them if you will and there is no middle ground or understanding when war breaks out, just a grand push to bring about the elimination of the enemy, no matter the cost and that’s led to some stunning moments in our history. For that kind of mentality has seen scorched earth and shock and awe come to fruition, and the invention of the atom bomb as well because of how far one side was willing to go to eliminate the other. If anything, the cold and black and white nature of war speaks volumes to the fact that humanity has a long way to go when it comes to planetary peace and even then, one has to wonder… can we leave that kind of savagery behind?

Which is of course a question that the Star Trek franchise has worked to answer since its inception. Since every captain we’ve ever met within the framework of the saga has grappled with our darkest impulses versus what the Federation stands for and heck… Captain Benjamin Sisko was forced to lead the charge of war when the Dominion captured Deep Space Nine. But what matters most, is that regardless of conflict or combat, the saga refuses to stop asking what will end conflict and move us toward true peace and it just so happens that the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, dives deep into this particular concept in a stunning manner. All by bringing an ancient and powerful enemy back into the fold. Specifically… The Borg. 

For ‘I Borg’ sees the crew of the Enterprise discover that the fiercest race they’ve ever encountered made it to a planet Starfleet wished to survey, first, and that their mission was a failure. Because the vast majority of the crew of a Borg scout ship was dead, save for one drone and at first it seemed its rescue was designed to be humanitarian in nature. But instead, Captain Picard knew that this was a powerful opportunity to study a deadly enemy and perhaps finally find a weakness and one made itself apparent. For the crew uncovered how a geometric image/puzzle could potentially confuse the Borg to the point of collapse if it was introduced into the collective. Giving the Federation the ultimate victory in their fight with an enemy that wiped away tens of thousands of officers in the blink of an eye. 

But there was one big problem with this plan, in that… Third of Five, the recused drone, became self-aware after being freed from the collective and began to exhibit compassion and humanity and that in turn, motivated Picard to change the plan. In that, rather than commit genocide and give into that darker side of war, the newly coined ‘Hugh’ would return and introduce individuality to the collective and that decision… is a powerful one to say the least. Because it speaks to using concepts and ideals to fight wars and kindness and understanding to win over an enemy and that is truly an amazing collection of notions that we are simply not ready for. Which is unfortunate, but boy is that a plot twist that offers so much hope for humanity. Because it postulates the theory that yes, we could move past our more savage elements and achieve wonders in doing so… if we as a people, commit to the high road above all things.

Which makes this episode, hands down, one of the most philosophical and moving episodes in the history of the franchise. One that is brave and bold in its message and in its challenge to the audience and it is also important to note, that this is another one of those keystone episodes. For Hugh’s journey was just beginning and would be revisited in both The Next Generation and Picard and speaking of the titular captain, his actions here would in part, lay down some of the groundwork for First Contact. For the lessons he learned here would eventually serve him well after a brief reminder from a gentle soul named Lily. If anything, this really is one of the finest episodes in the history of the series and what’s wild… is that we are one solid episode away from another iconic one. Until next time.  

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