Seven is contacted by a Borg from unimatrix zero, a place certain drones visit when they are regenerating in which they can be individuals. Janeway agrees to offer them assistance in being free of the Collective and undertakes a dangerous mission.
The biggest problem that this episode suffers from is that it’s all too familiar. Most of it is a retread of The Best of Both Worlds. Janeway discusses courses of action with her first officer, there’s a two-pronged attack on a Borg cube (although this time the Borg seem to be wise to this trick of Riker’s) and the captain is assimilated. Yes, for anyone reading this who didn’t already know, that’s the cliffhanger ending.
The problem is that because everything is so similar, there are no surprises any more and no excitement. When the Defiant was destroyed in Deep Space Nine, it was a big event. When the Delta Flyer goes, it’s just another shuttle. Speaking of pointless plotting, because Paris has behaved himself for a year, Janeway promotes him again. Maybe it’s because he wasn’t in many episodes this season, as he certainly hasn’t done anything much to warrant it. And let’s not forget he was only given a field commission to the rank in the first place. Harry in particular is right to complain considering he’s been an ensign for six years and done far more than Paris for the ship.
Unimatrix zero itself is an interesting concept, and this could be a key point in beating the Borg once and for all, if the individuality of any number of drones can be returned to them. It also makes them a less formidable enemy again, showing yet another chink in their previously impervious armour, but I suppose after 10 years, we should expect at least a partial victory.
Once again, though, it all boils down to too many obvious errors spoiling the episode. This is an incredibly dangerous assignment, and Janeway shouldn’t go. Of course, if determined, she will anyway, but there’s no reason to put Tuvok and B’Elanna in the line of fire too. Despite the theory that an engineer and security are needed, they all fail to appreciate that security is little use against the Borg, and anyone trying to mess with Borg systems is likely to be swiftly assimilated. On top of this, the Borg Queen knows exactly what is going on and takes Janeway with ease. There’s no excitement, no-one shows any sign of a rush to get the job done (the team stroll nonchalantly around the cube) and the away team get nowhere near their intended target, yet Chakotay thinks things are going to plan. Surely assimilation is a high price to pay for sending a virus to the Borg? Even if they do succeed, judging by Picard the away team will be scarred for life. I also don’t believe Janeway can out-think the Borg Queen. She certainly hasn’t managed it before. Chakotay’s comment succeeds in taking the wind out of the sails of what could have been a powerful ending.
Having said all this, the Borg are still creepy (although becoming less so), there are some gruesome images, not to mention some marvellous special effects. The fight between Voyager and the cube is superb. The Borg Queen is also much better this time round and the Janeway/Chakotay scenes are a welcome bonus. I just get the feeling that the resolution is going to be very obvious and not worth waiting for.
***
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