‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘The Best of Both Worlds, Part II’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

When it comes to television shows, it is definitely safe to say that cliffhangers are quite difficult to wrap up, especially when the first half of a two-part story is epic and flawless in nature. Because that means that ‘Part 2’ has to either exceed or maintain the high standards that its predecessor brought to the table and that really is no easy task. Because shows break for several months on end and that means the writers’ room has to figure out how to recapture the feel and the magic of the original entry when they return to work and sometimes, they miss the mark and that is why we are often treated to sub-par finales to these types of tales. The kind that feel as though they came within inches of being something great, but faltered for various reasons.
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But while mediocrity and failure are often the norm for episodes in this vein, once in a great while you run into a show that straight up sticks the proverbial landing, and they accomplish that particular feat in a surprisingly simple manner. Because not only do they maintain the elements that drew us into this particular story arc in the first place… they find a way to keep the finale from going stale, by either offering up unique twists and turns or an outright powerhouse ending, and for proof as to how effective this particular formula is in closing out a two-parter, then look no further than the season four premiere of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

For ‘The Best of Both Worlds, Part II’ utilizes everything we just discussed to a tee in an organic and impactful manner. Case and point, the fact that the writers’ room figured out how to keep the Borg interesting. Because an invincible foe with zero weaknesses eventually bores an audience, since they expect the hero to make some kind of progress or chip away at the villain’s armor. And having the crew look for new solutions and try things that Captain Picard wasn’t briefed on allows for that happen, and it also leads to one impressive sequence for certain. Since the newly minted Captain Riker’s plans to rescue his former commander turned Locutus is thrilling and compelling, and it helps to lighten the mood. 

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Which is important since this episode features a supremely bleak and sobering moment. Because the aftermath of the Battle of Wolf 359 really is horrifying when one takes the time to revisit it in adulthood. Since the gravity of thirty-nine ships being laid to waste really hits home. But while there is a great emotional factor that comes with seeing those proud ships burning in space, this too is all part of the master plan of this episode. Because having this battle end in utter failure, raises the stakes of the story and once again reminds the audience the Borg are a horrifying enemy, one that will stop at nothing in their quest to conquer humanity and that sets the stage for the best part of this particular tale, it’s phenomenal ending.
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Because by the time the Borg and the Enterprise have arrived at Earth, the tension in this tale is at all a time high and the viewer is utterly worried that the crew might fail in their mission. Because despite the fact that the crew manage to best the Borg and bring Locutus aboard, the Borg are still a superior foe and ready to rip the 1701-D to shreds in order to achieve their assimilation goals and that’s why Picard’s suggestion to have them to go sleep is so wonderfully brilliant. Because it just goes to show that the Borg are in fact… a touch arrogant, since they didn’t bother to protect lesser systems because they truly believed that no one would ever challenge them, and it also offers up a fine lesson for the audience as well. In that, sometimes the simplest solution will solve a great deal of our problems, and to look for that when difficult problems come our way.

As an added bonus, this episode also takes the time to set up a great deal for the future. Since that closing image of a rattled Captain Jean-Luc Picard serves to remind us that this particular incident would haunt Picard for the rest of his life, and that the series would revisit the lasting impact of his time as Locutus. In fact, the show did that, sooner rather than later. Since the next episode in season four digs right into such matters. But before we dive into that particular tale, it’s best we celebrate one delightful premiere, one that genuinely wowed us with some quality and satisfying storytelling. But most important of all, it hammered home the fact that this series was now in the midst of its stride and that top-notch storytelling was on the agenda for the foreseeable future. Until next time.      

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