Synopsis:
Returning to the ship a transporter malfunction causes some of Sevens nanoprobes to mix with the Drs mobile emitter and after sampling some DNA from ensign Mulcahey a Borg Drone is produced.
Now I think it is well known that I am not one of 7 of 9s biggest fans but I have to admit that this episode ranks as one of my favourites. This is largely due to the superb portrayal of One by J Paul Boehmer. I have watched this episode many times and never fail to cry at the last scene in sick bay.
The episode starts with seven trying out her smile in the cargo bay and I loved it when the Doctor walked in without ‘knocking’ and she berated him for it. How often has 7 just walked in unannounced! As usual I enjoyed Robert Picardo his dry humour is a good foil for 7s aloof manner. I was a little concerned with the scene in the science lab where Mulcahey walks in and sees the Borg changes. We’re not talking naïve crew members here, they’ve been stuck out in the Delta Quadrant for over 4 years surely he should’ve set alarm bells ringing straight away. It also concerned me that we never heard about him after this point or his reaction to being a “parent”
I thought Janeway kept within character by refusing to “pull the plug” on the Drone but I felt she came across as being a bit high and mighty with her comment to Seven that “We succeeded, we’re going to pull the same trick again”
There are so many good scenes in this episode I couldn’t mention them all so I’ve just picked my favourites.
Boehmer got into his character immediately and brought One across as childlike, loved the scene where he is assimilating the knowledge in the Data nodes and you can see on his face that he his absorbing the knowledge and the way he alters his speech to demonstrate this. I liked the scene in Janeway’s ready room where he brings across that he so desperately wants to please just like a child would and Janeway’s reaction to him. I liked the Drs reaction when One says he was a mistake and the EMH says it was a random convergence of technology.
The best scene had to be in sick bay where he is dying and refuses to drop the force field so that the Dr can treat him. Tears were already welling up at this point and as soon as 7 said “You’re hurting me” and he replied “You will adapt” that was it and they started rolling down my face. Jeri Ryan was excellent in the last part of the scene where you see her just moving aimlessly around sick bay her hurt is actually palpable at this point.
Quote of the episode had to be B’Elanna “The Borg don’t assimilate anymore they just show up and look helpless”
I’d give this episode a definite 9/10.
