History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E26S4E1TheBestOfBothWorlds

* WhoopiEpiphanySpeech: One of her most noteworthy, when she tells Riker that as captain, he has to stop comparing himself to Picard.

* LostAesop: The whole episode has Riker learning he has to be his own man if he wants to become a captain, which he does, succeeding in both saving Picard and beating the Borg, but after this episode, [[SnapBack he goes back to being a Commander and second-in-command]] of the ''Enterprise'', not having his own command again until ''Film/StarTrekNemesis''. And it's even worse when you consider the Expanded Universe which had Shelby becoming a captain ''before'' him.

-->'''Locutus:''' Your resistance is hopeless...''Number One''.

On the ''Enterprise'', Riker speaks with Worf and Shelby how they should stop the Borg since they are now familiar with Starfleet's strategies. During his conversation, he's informed by Data that Starfleet has engaged the Borg at Wolf 359. Riker returns to the bridge, receiving a hail from Hanson, who says the battle is not going well, [[KilledMidSentence but his ship is destroyed mid-transmission.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Admiral Hanson mentions that the Klingons are sending a fleet to help Starfleet, but we never hear anything more of it.

* GreatOffscreenWar: The Battle of Wolf 359. Some of it was seen later in the DeepSpaceNine pilot "Emissary".

-->'''Locutus of Borg''': [[EvilGloating The knowledge and experience of the human Picard is now part of us.]] [[ResistanceIsFutile Your resistance is hopeless...]][[SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay Number One]]!

Riker muses in what is now his ready room about the situation, when Guinan comes in. He's proved that he can still be bold and make the big choices, but he's still living in Picard's shadow, comparing his own style with what Picard would do. Guinan calls him out on this: Despite her own friendship with Picard, [[WhoopiEpiphanySpeech she urges him to forge his own path. It's his ship, his room, his chair, and so he should be able to make his own decisions]]. With this pep talk over, Riker continues his CharacterDevelopment by assigning Shelby as First Officer, and continuing to brainstorm anti-Borg Strategies, but not before receiving a hail from Hanson, saying the battle is not going well. The ''Enterprise'' arrives at Wolf 359 to discover it's become a DerelictGraveyard. Picard's knowledge of Starfleet technology and tactics allowed the Borg to [[CurbStompBattle wipe out the fleet]], and [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS01E01E02Emissary even The Sisko couldn't prevent it]]. Among the lost ships was the ''Melbourne'', the ship Riker was offered command of.

--> '''Picard:''' Mr. Worf, dispatch a subspace message to Admiral Hanson. ''We have engaged the Borg.''
--> '''Riker:''' Mr. Worf, ''fire!''
--> '''Worf:''' Sir, the coordinates they have set, they are on a direct course to Sector 001...the Terran System! '''Riker:''' Earth.
--> '''Locutus:''' Your resistance is hopeless...''Number One''.
--> '''Shelby (looking at the wrecks of destroyed starships at Wolf 359)''': The ''Tolstoy''...the ''Kyushu''...the ''Melbourne''.[[note]]The Melbourne was the ship Riker had been offered the command of earlier in the episode[[/note]].

--> '''Shelby (looking at the wrecks of destroyed starships at Wolf 359)''': The ''Tolstoy''...the ''Kyushu''...the ''Melbourne''.[[hottip:note:The Melbourne was the ship Riker had been offered the command of earlier in the episode]].

Picard is now fully freed from the Collective, and Doctor Crusher is able to [[SnapBack remove all the Borg implants without any problems]]. Riker announces he'll have to decide what he's going to do, but [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E2Family by the next episode]] he'll trip over the ResetButton and lose a pip in the process. [[ButNowIMustGo Shelby is already leaving]], joining a taskforce to rebuild and expand the lost fleet. After this harrowing experience, Picard [[ContemplateOurNavels looks out his office window and drinks some tea]]. Meanwhile, offscreen, the [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine newly-widowed First Officer of the USS Saratoga]] starts thinking about building a [[CoolStarship new ship]] so this never happens again...

Picard is now fully freed from the Collective, and Doctor Crusher is able to [[SnapBack remove all the Borg implants without any problems]]. Riker announces he'll have to decide what he's going to do, but [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E2Family by the next episode]] he'll trip over the ResetButton and lose a pip in the process. [[ButNowIMustGo Shelby is already leaving]], joining a taskforce to rebuild and expand the lost fleet. After this harrowing experience, Picard [[ContemplateOurNavels looks out his office window and drinks some tea]]. Meanwhile, the [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine newly-widowed First Officer of the USS Saratoga]] starts thinking about building a [[CoolStarship new ship]] so this never happens again...

Riker prepares a boarding party to rescue Picard and knock the cube out of warp, as the jury-rigged deflector can only be fired at sublight. He plans to lead that away team, but Troi points out that since [[YouAreInCommandNow he is now in command]], his place is on the bridge, so he has to defer to Shelby yet again. Aboard the cube, the drones decide the party is SomebodyElsesProblem until they shoot the [[BuffySpeak Upside Down Warp Pyramid Thingy]], which kicks the hornet's nest. Modified phasers keep the drones at bay until they see Picard. [[HopeSpot Yay!]] [[OhCrap Wait...why is he dressed in black with metal on his face?]]

Riker muses in what is now his ready room about the situation, when Guinan comes in. He's proved that he can still be bold and make the big choices, but he's still living in Picard's shadow, comparing his own style with what Picard would do. Guinan calls him out on this: Despite her own friendship with Picard, [[WhoopiEpiphanySpeech she urges him to forge his own path. It's his ship, his room, his chair, and so he should be able to make his own decisions]]. With this pep talk over, Riker continues his CharacterDevelopment by assigning Shelby as First Officer, and continuing to brainstorm anti-Borg Strategies, but not before receiving a hail from Hanson, saying the battle is not going well. The ''Enterprise'' arrives at Wolf 359 to discover it's become a DerelictGraveyard. Picard's knowledge of Starfleet technology and tactics allowed the Borg to [[CurbStompBattle wipe out the fleet]], and [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS01E01E02Emissary even The Sisko couldn't prevent it]]. Among the lost ships was the ''Melbourne'', [[DramaticIrony the ship Riker was offered command of]].

Eventually the Borg Cube is sighted nearby and the Enterprise intercepts it, hoping to keep it occupied while Starfleet assembles TheCavalry. The Borg surprise everyone by contradicting Q's previous statements and demanding Picard surrenders himself. Despite [[{{Technobabble}} Modulating Shield Nutation and firing Phasers on a higher EM band]], [[NoSell the Cube is unaffected]], so the Enterprise flees into a nearby [[SpaceClouds nebula]] that looks suspiciously like the [[Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan Mutara Nebula]]. Inside the nebula a plan is devised to modify the Deflector Array into a WaveMotionGun. During this latest brainstorming session Riker and Shelby clash yet again, and Shelby spells it out for Riker: What's happening with the Borg is far more important than his own insecurities, and she's not going to let him stop her trying her best.

Picard tours the ship as it makes repairs and preperations, eventually discussing with [[TheBartender Guinan]] about how [[{{Foreshadowing}} this could be considered a pivotal moment in Federation history]]. Then the ship shakes; the Borg are deploying [[RecycledInSpace Space Depth Charges]] to flush out the Enterprise. Flushed out they are, and after some Borg beam aboard and [[TheWorfEffect swat Worf to one side]], they capture Picard and bring him aboard the cube, which now heads directly for Earth with the Enterprise in pursuit. Aboard the Cube Picard refuses to say anything but [[WeHaveWaysOfMakingYouTalk the Borg has ways of making him talk]]...

Riker prepares a boarding party to rescue Picard and knock the Cube out of warp, as the jury rigged deflector can only be fired out of Warp. He plans to lead it, but Troi points out that since [[YouAreInCommandNow he is now in command]], his place is on the bridge, so he has to defer to Shelby yet again. Aboard the Cube the drones decide the party is SomebodyElsesProblem until they shoot the [[BuffySpeak Upside Down Warp Pyramid Thingy]]. Modified phasers keep the drones at bay until they see Picard. [[HopeSpot Yay!]] [[OhCrap Wait...why is he dressed in black with metal on his face?]]

A forcefield means the party can't reach Picard, so they beam back to the Enterprise. The deflector array is ready to fire, but Picard is till on the Cube, and it won't stay out of Warp for long. Before we can dwell on this, the Enterprise is hailed...by Picard.

After [[{{Cliffhanger}} charging it for three months]], The Enteprise fires its WaveMotionGun at the cube...[[NoSell and it has no effect]]. The Borg has used Picard's knowledge of it to resist it.

-->'''Locutus of Borg''': [[EvilGloating The knowledge and experience of the Human Picard is now part of us.]] [[ResistanceIsFutile Your resistance is hopeless...]][[SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay Number One]]!

The Cube then continues on its course for Earth. [[SFDebris After all, it's not like they'd want to assimilate the most powerful ship in the fleet or anything.]] Enterprise contacts Admiral Hanson, who agrees with Riker's decision [[YouAreInCommandNow and grants him a field promotion to Captain of the Enterprise]]. He's assembling a fleet to intercept the Cube at Wolf 359, and Riker orders that the Enterprise rendevous with them.

Riker muses in what is now his ready room about the situation, when Guinan comes in. Despite his proving that he can still be bold and make the big choices, he's now living in Picard's shadow, comparing his own style with what Picard would do. Guinan calls him out on this: Despite her own friendship with Picard, [[WhoopiEpiphanySpeech she urges him to forge his own path. It's his ship, his room, his chair, and so he should be able to make his own decisions]]. With this pep talk over, Riker continues his CharacterDevelopment by assigning Shelby as First Officer, and continuing to brainstorm anti-Borg Strategies, but not before receiving a hail from Hanson, saying the battle is not going well. The Enterprise arrives at Wolf 359 to discover it's become a DerelictGraveyard. Picard's knowledge of Starfleet technology and tactics allowed the Borg to [[CurbStompBattle wipe out the fleet]], and [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS01E01E02Emissary even The Sisko couldn't prevent it]]. Among the lost ships was [[DramaticIrony the Melbourne, the ship Riker was offered command of]].

The Enterprise catches up to the Cube once again and hails them. Riker [[ISurrenderSuckers attempts to offer terms of negotiation]], but Locutus [[GenreSavvy suspects that this is a deception]]. He is correct as [[BifurcatedWeapon the Saucer and Star Drive seperate]] and engage the cube. However the real deception is that Worf and Data sneak aboard the Cube during the fight, capture Locutus and bring him aboard the Enterprise. Despite [[IKnowYouAreInThereSomewhereFight attempts to reach Picard]], he's still firmly part of the [[HiveMind Borg Collective]] and decides to [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech taunt Riker with his own self-doubt]]. Riker doesn't fall for it, so they opt for a new plan: Data will engage in a little HollywoodHacking, using Locutus' connection to the Borg to access the Cube's systems.

As this happens, the Cube has arrived over Earth, so the Enterprise engages in a LastStand battle. Data attempts to disable the Borg's weapons and power systems, but they're too heavily protected. Riker dips into the fountain of CharacterDevelopment one more time and [[RammingAlwaysWorks orders Wesley to ram the Cube]] [[HeroicSacrifice to save the Earth]]. However Data's influence has revealed that Picard ''was'' in there somewhere, as he now suggests sleep. Data orders the Cube's drones to begin a regeneration cycle, and it shuts down. A feedback loop is created, and the Cube overloads and is destroyed.

Picard is now fully freed from the Collective, and Doctor Crusher is able to [[SnapBack remove all the Borg Implants without any problems]]. Riker announces he'll have to decide what he's going to do, but [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E2Family by the next episode]] he'll trip over the ResetButton and lose a pip in the process. [[ButNowIMustGo Shelby is already leaving]], joining a taskforce to rebuild and expand the lost fleet. After this harrowing experience, Picard [[ContemplateOurNavels looks out his office window and drinks some tea]]. Meanwhile, the [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine newly-widowed First Officer of the USS Saratoga]] starts thinking about building a [[CoolStarship new ship]] so this never happens again...

The Enterprise responds to a colony's distress call, finding a hole in the ground when they arrive (an [[InvertedTrope inverted]] ColonyDrop?). They identify that this hole is identical to holes made near [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E25TheNeutralZone the Romulan Neutral Zone]] and [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E16QWho the Star System J-25]], so it appears that the [[HordeOfAlienLocusts Borg]] has finally taken an active interest in the Federation and has begun an invasion. In response to this, Admiral Hanson assigns [[TheAce Lieutenant-Commander Shelby]], leader of a dedicated anti-Borg taskforce, to the Enterprise, recommending to Picard that he assign her as First Officer as Riker has been offered a Captain's Chair on the USS Melbourne.

Shelby rubs Riker up the wrong way as they analyse the remains of the colony and try to devise anti-Borg tactics. She acts boldly, sometimes circumventing the chain of command to enact her ideas. It doesn't help that everyone seems to go to her for suggestions, even though it was Riker that was actually aboard a Borg vessel. [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking And worst of all]], [[FelonyMisdemeanor she beats his bluff in a poker game]]. Commenting on her style to Picard, Picard muses that this reminds him of how Riker was before [[GrowingTheBeard the beard]], and recommends to Riker that he takes the Melbourne job. Riker talks with Troi about this, considering whether he's become too comfortable, too "safe" aboard the Enterprise.

Shelby rubs Riker up the wrong way as they analyse the remains of the colony and try to devise anti-Borg tactics. She acts boldly, sometimes circumventing the chain of command to enact her ideas. It doesn't help that everyone seems to go to her for suggestions, even though it was Riker that was actually aboard a Borg vessel. [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking And worst of all]], [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotHeinous she beats his bluff in a poker game]]. Commenting on her style to Picard, Picard muses that this reminds him of how Riker was before [[GrowingTheBeard the beard]], and recommends to Riker that he takes the Melbourne job. Riker talks with Troi about this, considering whether he's become too comfortable, too "safe" aboard the Enterprise.

Picard is now fully freed from the Collective, and Doctor Crusher is able to [[SnapBack remove all the Borg Implants without any problems]]. Riker announces he'll have to decide what he's going to do, but [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E2Family by the next episode]] he'll trip over the ResetButton and lose a pip in the process. [[ButNowIMustGo Shelby is already leaving]], joining a taskforce to rebuild and expand the lost fleet. After this harrowing experience, Picard [[ContemplateOurNavels looks out his office window and drinks some tea]]. Meanwhile, the [[StarTrekDeepSpaceNine newly-widowed First Officer of the USS Saratoga]] starts thinking about building a [[CoolStarship new ship]] so this never happens again...

Series:Main/{{Star Trek The Next Generation}}\\

Eventually the Borg Cube is sighted nearby and the Enterprise intercepts it, hoping to keep it occupied while Starfleet assembles TheCavalry. The Borg surprise everyone by contradicting Q's previous statements and demanding Picard surrenders himself. Despite [[{{Technobabble}} Modulating Shield Nutation and firing Phasers on a higher EM band]], [[NoSell the Cube is unaffected]], so the Enterprise flees into a nearby [[SpaceClouds nebula]] that looks suspiciously like the [[StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan Mutara Nebula]]. Inside the nebula a plan is devised to modify the Deflector Array into a WaveMotionGun. During this latest brainstorming session Riker and Shelby clash yet again, and Shelby spells it out for Riker: What's happening with the Borg is far more important than his own insecurities, and she's not going to let him stop her trying her best.

Riker muses in what is now his ready room about the situation, when Guinan comes in. Despite his proving that he can still be bold and make the big choices, he's now living in Picard's shadow, comparing his own style with what Picard would do. Guinan calls him out on this: Despite her own friendship with Picard, [[WhoopiEpiphanySpeech she urges him to forge his own path. It's his ship, his room, his chair, and so he should be able to make his own decisions]]. With this pep talk over, Riker continues his CharacterDevelopment by assigning Shelby as First Officer, and continuing to brainstorm anti-Borg Strategies, but not before receiving a hail from Hanson, [[{{Understatement}} saying the battle is not going well]]. The Enterprise arrives at Wolf 359 to discover it's become a DerelictGraveyard. Picard's knowledge of Starfleet technology and tactics allowed the Borg to [[CurbStompBattle wipe out the fleet]], and [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS01E01E02Emissary even The Sisko couldn't prevent it]]. Among the lost ships was [[DramaticIrony the Melbourne, the ship Riker was offered command of]].

'''Part One (Season 3, Episode 26)'''

'''Part Two (Season 4, Episode 1)'''

The Enterprise catches up to the Cube once again and hails them. Riker [[ISurrenderSuckers attempts to offer terms of negotiation]], but Locutus [[GenreSavvy suspects that this is a deception]]. He is correct as [[BifurcatedWeapon the Saucer and Star Drive seperate]] and engage the cube. However the real deception is that Worf and Data sneak aboard the Cube during the fight, capture Locutus and bring him aboard the Enterprise. Despite [[IKnowYouAreInThereSomewhereFight attempts to reach Picard]], he's still firmly part of the HiveMind and decides to [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech taunt Riker with his own self-doubt]]. Riker doesn't fall for it, so they opt for a new plan: Data will engage in a little HollywoodHacking, using Locutus' connection to the Borg to access the Cube's systems.

As this happens, the Cube has arrived over Earth, so the Enterprise engages in a LastStand battle. Data attempts to disable the Borg's weapons and power systems, but they're too heavily protected. Riker dips into the fountain of CharacterDevelopment one more time and decides to [[RammingAlwaysWorks order Wesley to ram the Cube]] [[HeroicSacrifice to save the Earth]]. However Data's influence has revealed that Picard ''was'' in there somewhere, as he now suggests sleep. Data orders the Cube's drones to begin a regeneration cycle, and it shuts down. A feedback loop is created, and the Cube overloads and is destroyed.

The Enterprise catches up to the Cube once again and hails them. Riker [[ISurrenderSuckers attempts to offer terms of negotiation]], but Locutus [[GenreSavvy suspects that this is a deception]]. He is correct as [[BifuricatedWeapon the Saucer and Star Drive seperate]] and engage the cube. However the real deception is that Worf and Data sneak aboard the Cube during the fight, capture Locutus and bring him aboard the Enterprise. Despite [[IKnowYouAreInThereSomewhereFight attempts to reach Picard]], he's still firmly part of the HiveMind and decides to [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech taunt Riker with his own self-doubt]]. Riker doesn't fall for it, so they opt for a new plan: Data will engage in a little HollywoodHacking, using Locutus' connection to the Borg to access the Cube's systems.