Plot Synopsis: The discovery of an injured young Borg brings to the surface hard feelings for both Captain Picard and Guinan. Matters are complicated when plans to use it to destroy the Collective are halted when it is discovered the Borg has become an individual.
Plot A and B Analysis: The teaser is brief but has all the tease you’ll ever need, punk! The Enterprise is out charting new star systems when they pick up what may be a distress signal. Riker, Beverly and Worf beam down to find a small Borg ship, with one young Borg still alive. The Borg are back! Sort of. Plot A is about the lone Borg, there is no plot B. They transport the Borg into the brig, and Picard wants to introduce a virus into the Collective through the Borg captive, to destroy them all. Beverly raises an objection about its morality but the senior staff raise some good points about the nature of the war they are in. Guinan and Picard have a little talk/fencing match where she warns him against sympathy toward the lone drone. Data and Geordi hatch an ingenious plan to destroy the Borg race. Geordi and Beverly start working with the Borg, and to their surprise he shows emotions, inquisitiveness, doubt and vulnerability and they end up naming him Hugh. Guinan visits him on Geordi’s prompting and, later, Picard talks to him on Guinan’s prompting. Plans are changed and this episode ends in controversial fashion, with Hugh facing a very uncertain future. But there is hope that something positive may be gained by it.
Favorite Scenes: The first turning point in the episode occurs when Beverly and Geordi name Hugh during the extended scene that begins in the 17th minute. It culminates later on in the final, third turning point with Hugh switching his pronoun to “I” with Picard. I quote the second scene, my personal favorite. It begins in the 31st minute, when Guinan visits Picard in his quarters. Things start out cordially but get suddenly tense when Guinan suggests he talk to the Borg because she is having doubts about the plan.
Picard; Two days ago, you were so upset about the Borg even being on the ship that you tore my foil out of my hand. And now you’re here questioning whether it should be treated as the enemy?
Guinan: No. But when you talk to him face to face, can you honestly say you don’t have any doubt?
Picard: I haven’t talked to it.
Guinan: Why not?
Picard: I saw no need.
Guinan: If you’re going to use this person–
Picard *exploding*: It’s not a person, dammit, it’s a Borg!
Guinan *calmly, holding the line*: If you’re going to use this person to destroy his race, you should at least look him in the eye once before you do it. Because I am not sure he is still a Borg.
Picard: Because it’s been given a name by a member of my crew, doesn’t mean it’s not a Borg. Because it’s young doesn’t mean that it’s innocent. It is what it is. And in spite of efforts to turn it into some kind of pet, I will not alter my plans.
Guinan: Fine. But if you don’t talk to him at least once, you may find that decision a lot harder to live with than you realize.
Use of Cast/Characters: Picard is pretty involved in this episode and, almost uniquely, has something to learn. The last time that happened was Family, I believe. It’s wonderful to watch his inner journey, and I was watching him like a hawk. Riker, Data, Worf and Deanna all have very little to do. We know that whichever way Picard decides, Riker will back him. Geordi and Beverly are both very involved, and while Beverly seems ready to give the Borg the run of the ship right from the beginning, Geordi is a harder sell. Still, because of their humanity and good natures they give Hugh the chance he needs to explore himself. Guinan, almost uniquely in this episode, also has something to learn, and her journey is interesting as well. She is the only member of the crew with the appropriate experience and clout to get through to Picard, and it’s very cool to see that dynamic. The first time we’ve seen it since Yesterday’s Enterprise. Jonathan del Arco guest stars as Hugh and gives a subtle, nuanced performance that is pitch perfect. He gives one of the better guest performances in TNG history.
Blu Ray Version: This episode comes with commentary by Rene Echevarria (the writer) and the Okudas. The effect for the local sun was recreated, and it looks very good. One of the downsides of such crystal clarity is that we can see the painted backdrop where they pick up Hugh is clearly a painted backdrop, especially at 1:30. If you look closely you can even see a fold in it. The appearance of the moon has been punched up a bit.
Nitpicks: It’s not really a nitpick, but there sure are a lot of exposed brains on those dead Borg. Later, at 19:53 the Borg says “Do I have a name?” even though he is still supposed to be using only the “we” pronoun. Whoops. I’ve thought that Riker could have put up more of a fight or asked more questions when Picard says they are nixing the plan to wipe out the Borg race.
Overall Impression: There’s a lot going on in this character-driven episode. I remember the tension and excitement I immediately felt when I realized there were Borg in it. Then how weirded out I was when they gave him a name. This episode does what I thought was impossible: it humanizes the Borg enough that the audience can relate to one. Two characters who are usually our guides are the ones with something to learn. The possible ‘final solution’ to the entire Borg problem is bypassed in favor of a humanitarian one. Picard sums it up: “to use him in this manner, we’d be no better than the enemy that we seek to destroy.” This can be a real test for the audience, to see if they truly believe in the ideals of Starfleet and Star Trek, and there are strong arguments to be made on both sides. I give this episode a very strong 4 out of 5 stars.
Behind the Scenes/Trivia: This is where we learn the Borg don’t have names, they have designations. This is maybe the only time we ever see a Borg scout ship. The title of this episode is fitting, and is an allusion to Asimov’s I, Robot. Jonathan del Arco said in an interview he was one of those who auditioned for the role of Wesley Crusher, being a fan of TOS, and was so bummed when he didn’t get the part that he couldn’t even watch the show until he got to guest star in it. Finally, “Third of Five” flat-out paved the way for Seven of Nine.
Missable/Unmissable? I’d say it’s unmissable. It’s very good, and it plays into continuity next season. The next one is very good too.
Couldn’t agree more! Thanks for your comment
This is one of my favourite TNG episodes too. It’s the sort of writing Star Trek Discovery is light years from reaching… The relationship between Picard and Guinan is one of the best in the show; their interactions are always interesting to watch.