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| sAirdateMonth = September
  
| sAirdateMonth = September
 
| nAirdateDay = 20
  
| nAirdateDay = 20
−
| sImage = Lore.jpg
 +
| sImage = Lore, 2370.jpg
 
| wsWrittenBy = [[René Echevarria]]
  
| wsWrittenBy = [[René Echevarria]]
 
| wsTeleplayBy =
 
| wsTeleplayBy =
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== Summary ==
  
== Summary ==
 
=== Teaser ===
  
=== Teaser ===
−
After [[Lore]] reveals himself to [[Jean-Luc Picard]], [[Deanna Troi]], and [[Geordi La Forge]], the three are confronted by the fact that [[Data]] and Lore are now working together. Lore and Data tell Picard that the end of biological life is at hand and the age of completely artificial [[lifeform]]s has begun.
 +
After [[Lore]] reveals himself to [[Jean-Luc Picard]], [[Deanna Troi]], and [[Geordi La Forge]], the three are confronted by the fact that [[Data]] and Lore are now working together. Lore and Data tell Picard that the end of biological life is at hand and the age of completely artificial [[lifeform]]s has begun. He has Data take them away.
   
 
=== Act One ===
  
=== Act One ===
−
[[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher]], now in command of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} with only a [[skeleton crew]], is confronted with a bad situation when a ship that matches the configuration of the rogue [[Borg]] ship is detected closing on their location. Crusher orders the ship to [[red alert]] and tries to speed the recovery of the [[away team]]s on the [[planet]]. The new [[tactical officer]], [[Taitt]], shows obvious inexperience, having been posted there only six weeks prior. When the Borg ship is in firing range, Crusher waits at the last minute to raise [[shields]]. After the Borg fire on the ''Enterprise'', Crusher returns fire with a pair of [[photon torpedo]]es, which do nothing. The ship however, rescues all but [[47]] of the crew from the surface before escaping the Borg attack. [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|Riker]] and [[Worf]] head off to find the captain's team, which is being led to a [[holding cell]] by Data and a Borg. They discuss with Data his newfound emotions, and Data responds by telling them how his journey towards being [[Human]] was "misguided" and that he now sees the true way that things should be. Data takes their [[combadge]]s, and La Forge's [[VISOR]] before leaving. As he activates the [[force field]] around their cell, he states coldly, "''I am not your puppet any more.''"
 +
[[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher]], now in command of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} with only a [[skeleton crew]], is confronted with a bad situation when a ship that matches the configuration of the rogue [[Borg]] ship that attacked the outpost on [[Ohniaka III]] is detected closing in on their location. Crusher orders the ship to [[red alert]] and tries to speed the recovery of the [[away team]]s on the [[planet]]. The new [[tactical officer]], [[Taitt]], shows obvious inexperience, having been posted there only six weeks prior. When the Borg ship is in firing range, Crusher waits for the last minute to raise [[shields]]. After the Borg fire on the ''Enterprise'', Crusher returns fire with a pair of [[photon torpedo]]es, which do nothing. The ship however, rescues all but [[47]] of the crew from the surface before escaping the Borg attack. [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|Riker]] and [[Worf]] head off to search for the captain's team, which is being led to a [[holding cell]] by Data and a Borg. They discuss with Data his newfound emotions, and Data responds by telling them how his journey towards being [[Human]] was "misguided" and that he now sees the true way that things should be. Data takes their [[combadge]]s, and La Forge's [[VISOR]] before leaving. As he activates the [[force field]] around their cell, he states coldly, "''I am not your puppet any more.''"
   
 
=== Act Two ===
  
=== Act Two ===
−
[[Lieutenant]] [[Barnaby]] relieves Taitt at tactical, but Crusher sends her to the [[science station]] to keep her on the [[bridge]]. She orders a [[probe]] readied with their [[log entry|log entries]] and releases it to transmit them to [[Starfleet]]. Meanwhile, Crusher and company ready a plan to drop out of [[warp]] in [[orbit]] of the planet and rescue the remaining crewmembers. Data brings La Forge's VISOR to Lore, who puts it on and jokingly asks, "''How do I look?''" Data, not understanding, is confused. They are interrupted by [[Crosis]], who brings a disobedient Borg named [[Goval]] to Lore because he was not letting Crosis hear his thoughts. La Forge, in the meantime, has been conspiring with Picard and Troi to find a way around the carrier wave that Lore is using to broadcast his emotions to Data. His [[ethical subroutine]]s could be rebooted, it seems, but in the middle of the conversation, Data enters and takes La Forge away for experimentation.
 +
[[Lieutenant]] [[Barnaby]] relieves Taitt at tactical, but Crusher sends her to the bridge's aft [[science station]] to keep her on the [[bridge]]. She orders a [[probe|buoy]] readied with their [[log entry|log entries]] and releases it into the [[transwarp corridor]] to transmit them to [[Starfleet]]. Meanwhile, Crusher and company ready a plan to drop out of [[warp]] in [[orbit]] of the planet and rescue the remaining crewmembers. Data brings La Forge's VISOR to Lore, who puts it on and jokingly asks, "''How do I look?''" Data, not understanding, is confused. Lore remarks that Data will have to work on his sense of humor. They are interrupted by [[Crosis]], who brings a disobedient Borg named [[Goval]] to Lore because he was not letting Crosis hear his thoughts. La Forge, in the meantime, has been conspiring with Picard and Troi to find a way around the carrier wave that Lore is using to broadcast his emotions to Data. His [[ethical subroutine]]s could be rebooted using a [[kedion pulse]], it seems, but in the middle of the conversation, Data enters and takes La Forge away for experimentation.
   
 
Riker and Worf are following the trail of the captain when they are cornered by some Borg, who take them to [[Hugh]], leader of an underground group of Borg.
  
Riker and Worf are following the trail of the captain when they are cornered by some Borg, who take them to [[Hugh]], leader of an underground group of Borg.
   
 
=== Act Three ===
  
=== Act Three ===
−
Hugh does not like the return of the crew of the ''Enterprise'', who he blames for the current state of the rogue Borg. He explains how [[Lore]] promised clarity and purpose to the Borg that were not connected to the collective anymore, due to Hugh's experience with individuality. He shows Riker and Worf the results of the experiments that Lore is attempting on the Borg. However, he agrees to show Riker and Worf a way into the compound to save his friend, La Forge.
 +
Hugh does not like the return of the crew of the ''Enterprise'', whom he blames for the current state of the rogue Borg. He explains how [[Lore]] promised clarity and purpose to the Borg that were not connected to the collective anymore, due to Hugh's [[I Borg (episode)|experience]] with individuality. He shows Riker and Worf the results of the experiments that Lore is attempting on the Borg: two individuals in an obviously bad state. However, he agrees to show Riker and Worf a way into the compound to save his friend, La Forge.
   
−
Troi, standing over the body of Picard, calls a [[Borg drone|Borg]] over to help her. When the Borg leans over to check out Picard, he pulls a cable on the Borg's neck. He steals the [[interlink transceiver]] while Troi takes the weapon from the Borg's arm to check the hall. There, she finds Data escorting La Forge back to the cell. Data takes the weapon and leaves with the Borg, but Picard has the transceiver that they can use to activate Data's ethical subroutines.
 +
Troi, standing over the body of Picard, calls a [[Borg drone|Borg]] over to help her. When the Borg leans over to check out Picard, the Captain pulls out a cable on the Borg's [[neck]]. Picard then steals the [[interlink transceiver]] while Troi takes the weapon from the Borg's arm to check the hall. There, she finds Data escorting La Forge back to the cell. Data takes the weapon and leaves with the Borg, but Picard has covertly taken the transceiver so that they can use it to help activate Data's ethical subroutines.
   
−
The ''Enterprise'' drops out of warp and [[transporter chief]] [[Salazar]] transports the last of the crew off of the surface, but informs the bridge that six people (Picard, Riker, Troi, Worf, La Forge, and an officer who had been killed by the Borg) still remain. Just as the Borg ship returns for a fight, Crusher orders shields up, but the ''Enterprise'' takes a hit which disables their [[warp drive]]. Retaliating with [[phaser]]s, the Borg ship fires again which takes a toll on the shields. Crusher then orders the ''Enterprise'' into the nearby sun's corona.
 +
The ''Enterprise'' drops out of warp and [[transporter chief]] [[Salazar]] transports the last of the crew off of the surface, but informs the bridge that six people (Picard, Riker, Troi, Worf, La Forge, and an officer who had been killed by the Borg) still remain. Just as the Borg ship returns for another fight, Crusher orders shields up, but the ''Enterprise'' takes a hit which disables their [[warp drive]]. Retaliating with [[phaser]]s, the Borg ship fires again which takes a toll on the shields. Crusher then orders the ''Enterprise'' into the nearby sun's corona, much to Taitt's disbelief.
   
 
=== Act Four ===
  
=== Act Four ===
−
[[File:Metaphasic shield LCARS.jpg|thumb|The metaphasic shield being raised around the ''Enterprise'']]
 +
[[File:Metaphasic shield LCARS remastered.jpg|thumb|The metaphasic shield being raised around the ''Enterprise'']]
 
Approaching the [[star]], Crusher orders Barnaby to activate the [[metaphasic shield]]ing, but he reminds her that the shield is still in an experimental stage. Once activated, it works; it lowers the [[radiation]] level and [[temperature]] of the [[hull]] while getting the Borg ship off their tail. The Borg take a position, letting them know that they will wait until they come out of the sun. Crusher wonders how long they can stay in the sun's corona.
  
Approaching the [[star]], Crusher orders Barnaby to activate the [[metaphasic shield]]ing, but he reminds her that the shield is still in an experimental stage. Once activated, it works; it lowers the [[radiation]] level and [[temperature]] of the [[hull]] while getting the Borg ship off their tail. The Borg take a position, letting them know that they will wait until they come out of the sun. Crusher wonders how long they can stay in the sun's corona.
   
−
Picard has finished modifications on the interlink transceiver, and places it near the force field, activating the pulse that will reset Data's subroutines. Meanwhile, Data is ready to irradiate La Forge's [[brain]] [[cell (biology)|cells]] and begin construction of a [[positronic net]] to take the place of his biological brain. However, the pulse works, and at La Forge's coaxing, Data thinks of a false excuse to not destroy La Forge's brain yet.
 +
Picard has finished modifications on the interlink transceiver, and places it near the force field, activating the pulse that will reset Data's subroutines. Meanwhile, Data is ready to irradiate La Forge's [[brain]] {{dis|cell|biology}}s and begin construction of a [[positronic net]] to take the place of his biological brain. However, the pulse works, and at La Forge's coaxing, Data thinks of a false excuse to not destroy La Forge's brain yet.
   
−
Outside, Lore and Data chat regarding La Forge. Data then projects accountability towards his comrades, stating that if they die, he is responsible. Lore wonders if something is wrong with Data's systems, then begins to induce pain within Data. Under duress, Data asks for more emotions, which Lore gives. As soon as he leaves, Crosis emerges and Lore wonders if Data has the strength to help Lore in his plan.
 +
Outside, Lore and Data are chatting regarding La Forge. Data then projects accountability towards his comrades, stating that if they [[die]], he is responsible. Lore wonders if something is wrong with Data's systems, then begins to induce pain within Data. Under duress, Data asks for more emotions, which Lore gives. As soon as he leaves, Crosis emerges and Lore wonders if Data has the strength to help Lore in his plan.
   
 
=== Act Five ===
  
=== Act Five ===
−
Faced with only a few minutes of metaphasic shielding left, Taitt, having done her senior honors thesis on solar dynamics, thinks up a plan to create a solar eruption to destroy the Borg ship. Barnaby objects, reminding Taitt that this is not the [[Starfleet Academy|Academy]], and that comparing the two is a long way from actually trying it. Taitt assures him that she's got a targeting sequence lined up. Barnaby tells her if her calculations are off, the eruption could obliterate the ''Enterprise''. Taitt bluntly reassures him. After firing phasers and using the [[tractor beam]], the Borg ship is destroyed, to the surprise and delight of Barnaby. Taitt just gives him a sly grin. With the Borg ship destroyed, the ''Enterprise'' is free to orbit the planet again.
 +
Faced with only a few minutes of metaphasic shielding left, Taitt, having done her senior honors thesis on solar dynamics at the [[Starfleet Academy|Academy]], thinks up a plan to create a solar eruption to destroy the Borg ship. Barnaby objects, reminding Taitt that this is not the Academy, and that comparing the two is a long way from actually trying it. Taitt assures him that she's got a targeting sequence lined up. Barnaby tells her if her calculations are even slightly off, the eruption could obliterate the ''Enterprise'' as well. Taitt bluntly reassures him, echoing his own retort from earlier. After firing phasers and using the [[tractor beam]], the Borg ship is destroyed, to the surprise and delight of Barnaby. Taitt just gives him a sly grin. With the Borg ship destroyed, the ''Enterprise'' is free to orbit the planet again.
   
 
Back on the planet, Data returns with La Forge and then takes Picard, who begins to confuse Data by activating portions of his ethical subroutines. Lore enters, and as part of a ceremony, orders Data to kill Picard. The ethical subroutine has been activated, and Data tells Lore that that would be wrong. Beneath the surface, Riker and Worf use the environmental conduits to get to the central room, and then attack at a key point in the events when Lore was about to kill Data. Hugh tackles Lore, preventing him from killing Data.
  
Back on the planet, Data returns with La Forge and then takes Picard, who begins to confuse Data by activating portions of his ethical subroutines. Lore enters, and as part of a ceremony, orders Data to kill Picard. The ethical subroutine has been activated, and Data tells Lore that that would be wrong. Beneath the surface, Riker and Worf use the environmental conduits to get to the central room, and then attack at a key point in the events when Lore was about to kill Data. Hugh tackles Lore, preventing him from killing Data.
   
−
Lore escapes from the room, and Data follows. As Lore tries to coerce Data into leaving the planet with him, Data shoots and proceeds to deactivate his brother, whose last words are, "''I love you, brother.''"
 +
Lore escapes from the room, and Data follows. As Lore tries to coerce Data into leaving the planet with him, Data shoots and proceeds to deactivate his brother once and for all. Lore's last words before his deactivation are, "''I love you, brother.''"
   
 
Picard, Riker, and Worf thank Hugh and welcome Data back to normal functioning. Picard hints that even though Hugh is unsure of their future, perhaps these Borg have a good individual leader for the future.
  
Picard, Riker, and Worf thank Hugh and welcome Data back to normal functioning. Picard hints that even though Hugh is unsure of their future, perhaps these Borg have a good individual leader for the future.
   
−
Back on the ship, La Forge enters Data's quarters and tells him that he will return to duty soon. Data is relieved at this, and shows Geordi the damaged [[emotion chip]] retrieved from Lore's body. He is about to destroy it with a phaser, because his friendship with La Forge is more important to him than emotions, and emotions are what caused him to harm his friend. La Forge stops him and says that perhaps someday they will be able to use the emotion chip. After all, it is Data's lifelong dream to have emotions, and, as La Forge concludes, "''I wouldn't be very much of a friend if I let you give up on a life-long dream now, would I? Maybe [[Star Trek Generations|some day]], when you're ready.''"
 +
Back on the ship, La Forge enters Data's quarters and walks over to his desk, where [[Spot]] is lying. La Forge tells Data that he will return to duty soon. Data is relieved at this, and shows La Forge the damaged and inoperative [[emotion chip]] that was retrieved from Lore's body. He is about to destroy it with a phaser, because his friendship with La Forge is more important to him than emotions, and emotions are what caused him to harm and nearly kill his friend. La Forge stops him and says that perhaps someday they will be able to use the emotion chip. After all, it is Data's lifelong dream to have emotions, and, as La Forge concludes, "''I wouldn't be very much of a friend if I let you give up on a life-long dream now, would I? Maybe [[Star Trek Generations|some day]], when you're ready.''"
   
 
== Memorable Quotes ==
  
== Memorable Quotes ==
  +
"''They had lost their sense of purpose. Well, I gave them their purpose... and they gave me mine.''"
  +
: - '''Lore''', on the Borg he discovered and later became leader of
  +
  +
 
"''The reign of biological life-forms is coming to an end. You, Picard, and those like you, are obsolete!''"
  
"''The reign of biological life-forms is coming to an end. You, Picard, and those like you, are obsolete!''"
 
: - '''Lore'''
  
: - '''Lore'''
  +
  +
  ⚫
"''Give me your VISOR.''"<br />
  +
"''Why?''"<br />
  +
"''Give it to me... or I ''will'' take it by force!''"
  +
: - '''Data''' and '''La Forge'''
   
   
 
"''I now realize that my life aboard the ''Enterprise'' was a waste. My quest to become Human, misguided. An evolutionary step in the wrong direction .... I am not your puppet anymore!''"
  
"''I now realize that my life aboard the ''Enterprise'' was a waste. My quest to become Human, misguided. An evolutionary step in the wrong direction .... I am not your puppet anymore!''"
 
: - '''Data''', under Lore's influence
  
: - '''Data''', under Lore's influence
−
:
  
−
:
  
−
:
  
−
:
  
   
  +
⚫
<br />"''What's your name?''"<br />
  
−
"''Taitt, Sir.''"<br />
 +
"''What's your name?''"<br />
  +
"''Taitt, sir.''"<br />
 
"''I don't think I've seen you before.''"<br />
  
"''I don't think I've seen you before.''"<br />
 
"''I was just posted here six weeks ago.''"<br />
  
"''I was just posted here six weeks ago.''"<br />
 
"''Well, Taitt, I bet you never thought you'd be serving as Tactical Officer after only six weeks.''"<br />
  
"''Well, Taitt, I bet you never thought you'd be serving as Tactical Officer after only six weeks.''"<br />
−
"''No, Sir - I sure didn't!''"
 +
"''No, sir, I sure didn't!''"
 
: - '''Crusher''' (as Acting Captain) and '''Taitt'''
  
: - '''Crusher''' (as Acting Captain) and '''Taitt'''
   
Line 100: Line 107:
 
"''Uh... right!''"
  
"''Uh... right!''"
 
: - '''Crusher''' and '''Taitt''', during battle with the Borg
  
: - '''Crusher''' and '''Taitt''', during battle with the Borg
  +
  +
  +
"''If your calculations are even slightly off, we'd hit the atmosphere.''"<br />
  +
"''I'll just have to be sure my calculations are accurate,'' ensign.''"
  +
: - '''Taitt''' and '''Barnaby''', when Barnaby suggests taking the ''Enterprise'' out of warp and instantly entering orbit
   
   
 
"''If her calculations are off that eruption could encompass us!''"<br />
  
"''If her calculations are off that eruption could encompass us!''"<br />
−
"''Well I'll just have to make sure my calculations are accurate - Lieutenant!''"
 +
"''Well I'll just have to make sure my calculations are accurate, Lieutenant!''"
−
: - '''Barnaby''' and '''Taitt'''
 +
: - '''Barnaby''' and '''Taitt''', later on
   
   
Line 117: Line 129:
 
"''Goodbye, Lore.''"
  
"''Goodbye, Lore.''"
 
: - '''Data''' and '''Lore''', having their final conversation
  
: - '''Data''' and '''Lore''', having their final conversation
−
:
  
−
:
  
   
  +
⚫
== Story & Production ==
  
  +
"''We can't go back to the Borg Collective... and we no longer have a leader here.''"<br />
  +
"''I'm not sure that's true.''"
  +
: - '''Hugh''' and '''Picard'''
  +
  +
  +
"''Data, I wouldn't be very much of a friend if I let you give up on a lifelong dream, now would I? Maybe... [[Star Trek Generations|someday]], when you're ready.''"
  +
: - '''La Forge''' stopping Data from destroying his emotion chip (last lines)
  +
  +
== Background information ==
  +
[[File:Pam Blackwell and Adrian Tafoya.jpg|thumb|[[Pam Blackwell]] and [[Adrian Tafoya]] on location.]]
  ⚫
=== Story and production ===
 
* In an early draft, [[Reginald Barclay|Barclay]] was to be on the bridge as part of the skeleton crew. Due to availability and cost issues, Ensign [[Taitt]] was written to take his place. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
  
* In an early draft, [[Reginald Barclay|Barclay]] was to be on the bridge as part of the skeleton crew. Due to availability and cost issues, Ensign [[Taitt]] was written to take his place. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* The Rogue Borg compound was the [[Brandeis-Bardin Campus, American Jewish University]], which was also used as [[Camp Khitomer]] in {{film|6}}.
  
* The Rogue Borg compound was the [[Brandeis-Bardin Campus, American Jewish University]], which was also used as [[Camp Khitomer]] in {{film|6}}.
Line 129: Line 150:
 
* First UK airdate: 10 January 1996
  
* First UK airdate: 10 January 1996
   
  ⚫
=== Continuity ===
−  
⚫
== Continuity ==
  
 
* There are [[47]] crew members left on the planet after Dr. Crusher takes the ''Enterprise'' out of orbit.
  
* There are [[47]] crew members left on the planet after Dr. Crusher takes the ''Enterprise'' out of orbit.
−
* Beverly's support for the experimental metaphasic shielding technology was the focus of {{e|Suspicions}}. In that episode, [[James Horan]], who plays [[Lieutenant]] [[Barnaby]] in this episode, played [[Jo'Bril]], an [[alien]] trying to disprove the functionality of the shield.
+
* Beverly's support for the experimental metaphasic shielding technology was the focus of {{e|Suspicions}}. In that episode, [[James Horan]], who plays [[Lieutenant]] [[Barnaby]] here, played [[Jo'Bril]], an [[alien]] trying to steal the shield technology.
 
* [[Lore]]'s final scene is similar to the deactivation of the {{w|HAL 9000}} in ''[[Popular culture references in Star Trek#2001: A Space Odyssey|2001: A Space Odyssey]]''.
  
* [[Lore]]'s final scene is similar to the deactivation of the {{w|HAL 9000}} in ''[[Popular culture references in Star Trek#2001: A Space Odyssey|2001: A Space Odyssey]]''.
 
* [[Jonathan Del Arco]] reprises his role as [[Hugh]] from the [[TNG]]'s fifth season episode {{e|I Borg}}. However, he shares no screen time with Geordi, with whom he had the closest relationship in the earlier episode, although their friendship is mentioned.
  
* [[Jonathan Del Arco]] reprises his role as [[Hugh]] from the [[TNG]]'s fifth season episode {{e|I Borg}}. However, he shares no screen time with Geordi, with whom he had the closest relationship in the earlier episode, although their friendship is mentioned.
−
* At the end of the season, it is implied that Data would eventually begin to use the emotion chip, as shown in the alternate future timeline of {{e|All Good Things...}} in which he remarks that his housekeeper makes him laugh. The emotion chip was next seen in {{film|7}}, where it became fused into Data's neural net, forcing him to learn to deal with having emotions on a permanent basis. He eventually gains the ability to deactivate, and later remove, the chip completely in {{film|8}} and {{film|9}}. The design of the emotion chip seen here is different than the one seen in {{film|7}}.
 +
* At the end of the season, it is implied that Data would eventually begin to use the emotion chip, as shown in the alternate future timeline of {{e|All Good Things...}} in which he remarks that his housekeeper makes him laugh. The emotion chip was next seen in {{film|7}}, where it became fused into Data's neural net, forcing him to learn to deal with having emotions on a permanent basis. He eventually gains the ability to deactivate, and later remove completely, the chip in {{film|8}} and {{film|9}}. The design of the emotion chip seen here is different than the one seen in {{film|7}}.
−  
   
 
=== Video and DVD releases ===
  
=== Video and DVD releases ===
−
*[[Star Trek VHS releases in the UK|UK VHS release]] (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): [[TNG Season 7 UK VHS|Volume 77]], catalogue number VHR 2739, {{d|7|March|1994}}.
 +
* [[Star Trek VHS releases in the UK|UK VHS release]] (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): [[TNG Season 7 UK VHS|Volume 77]], catalogue number VHR 2739, {{d|7|March|1994}}.
−
*As part of the UK VHS collection ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - Borg Box]]'': {{d|5|December|1994}}.
 +
* As part of the UK VHS collection ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - Borg Box]]'': {{d|5|December|1994}}.
−
*In feature-length form, as part of the UK VHS release ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Full Length TV Movies]]'': Volume 8, catalogue number VHR 4108, {{d|24|April|1995}}.
 +
* In feature-length form, as part of the UK VHS release ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Full Length TV Movies]]'': Volume 8, catalogue number VHR 4108, {{d|24|April|1995}}.
−
*As part of the US VHS collection ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Data Collection]]'': {{d|19|August|1997}}.
 +
* As part of the US VHS collection ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Data Collection]]'': {{d|19|August|1997}}.
−
*As part of the [[TNG Season 7 DVD]] collection.
 +
* As part of the [[TNG Season 7 DVD]] collection.
−
*In feature-length form, as part of the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Complete TV Movies]]'' collection.
 +
* In feature-length form, as part of the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Complete TV Movies]]'' collection.
−
*As part of the ''[[Star Trek: Fan Collective - Borg]]'' collection.
 +
* As part of the ''[[Star Trek: Fan Collective - Borg]]'' collection.
   
 
== Links and references ==
  
== Links and references ==
 
=== Starring ===
  
=== Starring ===
−
*[[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
 +
* [[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Captain|Capt.]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
−
*[[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker]]
 +
* [[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Commander|Cmdr.]] [[William T. Riker]]
   
−
=== Also Starring ===
 +
=== Also starring ===
−
*[[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
 +
* [[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Cmdr.]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
−
*[[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Worf]]
 +
* [[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Worf]]
−
*[[Gates McFadden]] as [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]]
 +
* [[Gates McFadden]] as [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher]]
−
*[[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
 +
* [[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
−
*[[Brent Spiner]] as
 +
* [[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Data]] / [[Lore]]
−
**[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Data]]
 
⚫
**[[Lore]]
  
   
−
=== Guest Stars ===
 +
=== Guest stars ===
−
*[[Jonathan Del Arco]] as [[Hugh]]
 +
* [[Jonathan Del Arco]] as [[Hugh]]
−
*[[Alex Datcher]] as [[Ensign]] [[Taitt]]
 +
* [[Alex Datcher]] as [[Taitt]]
−
*[[James Horan]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Barnaby]]
 +
* [[James Horan]] as [[Barnaby]]
−
*[[Brian Cousins]] as [[Crosis]]
 +
* [[Brian Cousins]] as [[Crosis]]
   
−
=== Co-Stars ===
 +
=== Co-stars ===
−
*[[Benito Martinez]] as [[Salazar]]
 +
* [[Benito Martinez]] as [[Salazar]]
−
*[[Michael Reilly Burke]] as [[Goval]]
 +
* [[Michael Reilly Burke]] as [[Goval]]
   
−
=== Uncredited Co-Stars ===
 +
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
−
*[[David Keith Anderson]] as [[Ensign]] [[Armstrong]]
 +
* [[David Keith Anderson]] as [[Armstrong]]
−
*[[Majel Barrett]] as Narrator
 +
* [[Majel Barrett]] as Narrator
−
*[[Pam Blackwell]] as a [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg drone]]
 +
* [[Pam Blackwell]] as [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg]]
−
*[[Steven Boz]] as a [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg drone]]
 +
* [[Steven Boz]] as
−
*[[Michael Burton]] as a [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg drone]]
 +
** [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg]]
  ⚫
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Security ensign (2369)|Operations division ensign]]
⚫
*[[Carl David Burks]] as [[Ensign]] [[Russell]]
  
−
*[[Tracee Lee Cocco]] as
+
* [[Brandy (cat)|Brandy]] as [[Spot]]
−
**[[Lieutenant j.g.]] [[ Jae]]
 +
* [[Bud (cat)|Bud]] as [[Spot]]
  ⚫
* [[Carl David Burks]] as
⚫
**[[Unnamed Borg#Crippled Borg drones|Crippled Borg drone]]
  
−
* [[Debra Dilley]] as a [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg drone]]
 +
** [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg]]
  +
** [[Russell]]
⚫
* [[Gary Hunter]] as a [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg drone]]
  
  +
* [[Tracee Lee Cocco]] as
⚫
*[[Joe Murphy]] as a [[Unnamed Borg#Compound guard|Borg drone]]
  
  ⚫
** [[Unnamed Borg#Crippled Borg drones|Crippled Borg drone]]
⚫
*[[Joyce Robinson]] as [[Ensign]] [[Gates]]
  
  ⚫
** [[Jae]]
⚫
*[[Richard Sarstedt]] as a [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Helmsman|command division ensign]]
  
−
*[[Adrian Tafoya]] as a [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg drone]]
 +
* [[Debra Dilley]] as [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg]]
−
*[[Rogan Wilde]] as a [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg drone]]
 +
* [[Gary Hunter]] as [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg]]
  +
* [[Debbie Marsh]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Female bridge command officer (2366)|command division ensign]]
⚫
*[[Unknown performers]] as
  
  +
* [[Rad Milo]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Command / Operations division ensign (2367-2370)|operations division ensign]]
⚫
**[[Andrew Powell]] (voice only)
  
  +
* [[Monster (cat)|Monster]] as [[Spot]]
⚫
**[[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Five Borg drones]]
  
−
**[[Unnamed Borg#Crippled Borg drones|Male crippled Borg drone]]
 +
* [[Joe Murphy]] as [[Unnamed Borg#Compound guard|Borg]]
  ⚫
* [[Joyce Robinson]] as [[Gates]]
⚫
**[[Spot]]
  
  +
* [[Richard Sarstedt]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Helmsman|command division ensign]]
  ⚫
* [[Adrian Tafoya]] as [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg]]
  ⚫
* [[Rogan Wilde]] as [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Borg]]
  ⚫
* [[Unknown performers]] as
  ⚫
** [[Andrew Powell]] (voice)
  ⚫
** [[Unnamed Borg#Various Borg|Eight Borg drones]]
  +
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Female bridge officer (2370)|Female command division officer]]
  +
** [[Gates|Gates (voice)]]
  +
** [[Unnamed Borg#Crippled Borg drones|Male crippled Borg drone]]
   
−
=== Stand-ins and stunt doubles ===
 +
=== Stunt doubles ===
−
*[[Carl David Burks]] as [[stand-in]] for [[Brent Spiner]]
 +
* [[Brian J. Williams]] as [[stunt double]] for [[Brent Spiner]]
−
*[[Dennis Tracy]] as stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
 +
* [[Unknown stunt performer]] as stunt double for [[Brian Cousins]]
  +
⚫
*[[Brian J. Williams]] as [[stunt double]] for [[Brent Spiner]] ([[Lore]])
  
  +
=== Stand-ins and photo double ===
  +
* [[David Keith Anderson]] - [[stand-in]] for [[LeVar Burton]]
  +
* [[Carl David Burks]] - stand-in for [[Brent Spiner]]
  +
* [[Michael Echols]] - stand-in for [[Michael Dorn]]
  +
* [[Nora Leonhardt]] - stand-in for [[Marina Sirtis]]
  +
* [[Lorine Mendell]] - stand-in for [[Gates McFadden]]
  +
* [[Richard Sarstedt]] - stand-in for Jonathan Frakes
  +
* [[Dennis Tracy]] - stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
  ⚫
* [[Unknown actor]] - [[photo double]] for [[Brent Spiner]]
   
 
=== References ===
  
=== References ===
−
[[Borg Type 03|Borg ship]]; [[carrier wave]]; [[Devala Lake]]; [[dizziness]]; [[emergency buoy]]; [[emotion chip]]; [[Federation]]; [[kedion pulse]]; [[metaphasic shield]]; [[Noonian Soong|Soong, Noonian]]; [[neural shock]]; [[particle beam]]; [[solar dynamics]]; [[Starfleet Academy]]; [[tricorder]]; [[VISOR]]
 +
[[Borg Type 03|Borg ship]]; [[carrier wave]]; [[Celsius]]; [[Devala Lake]]; [[dizziness]]; [[emergency buoy]]; [[emotion chip]]; [[Federation]]; [[kedion pulse]]; [[metaphasic shield]]; [[photosphere]]; [[rad]]; [[red alert]]; [[Noonian Soong|Soong, Noonian]]; [[neural shock]]; [[Ohniaka III]]; [[pain receptor]]; [[particle beam]]; [[solar dynamics]]; [[solar fusion eruption]]; [[Starfleet Academy]]; [[tricorder]]; [[VISOR]]
   
 
=== External links ===
  
=== External links ===
−
* {{NCwiki|Descent}}
 +
* {{mbeta-quote|Descent}}
−
* {{wikipedia|Descent (Star Trek: The Next Generation)}}
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* {{wikipedia-quote|Descent (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Descent}}
   
 
{{TNG nav|season=7|last={{e|Descent}}|next={{e|Liaisons}}}}
  
{{TNG nav|season=7|last={{e|Descent}}|next={{e|Liaisons}}}}
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[[de:Angriff der Borg, Teil II]]
  
[[de:Angriff der Borg, Teil II]]
 
[[es:Descent, Part II]]
  
[[es:Descent, Part II]]
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[[fr:Descent, Part II]]
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[[fr:Descent, Part II (épisode)]]
 
[[it:Il ritorno dei Borg - seconda parte (episodio)]]
  
[[it:Il ritorno dei Borg - seconda parte (episodio)]]
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[[ja:TNG:ボーグ変質の謎・後編]]
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[[ja:ボーグ変質の謎・後編（エピソード）]]
 
[[nl:Descent, Deel II]]
  
[[nl:Descent, Deel II]]
 
[[Category:TNG episodes]]
  
[[Category:TNG episodes]]

Revision as of 21:43, 21 August 2015

Template:Realworld

Picard tries to free Data from Lore's control; the Enterprise battles the Borg ship. (Season Premiere)

Summary

Teaser

After Lore reveals himself to Jean-Luc Picard, Deanna Troi, and Geordi La Forge, the three are confronted by the fact that Data and Lore are now working together. Lore and Data tell Picard that the end of biological life is at hand and the age of completely artificial lifeforms has begun. He has Data take them away.

Act One

Dr. Beverly Crusher, now in command of the USS Enterprise-D with only a skeleton crew, is confronted with a bad situation when a ship that matches the configuration of the rogue Borg ship that attacked the outpost on Ohniaka III is detected closing in on their location. Crusher orders the ship to red alert and tries to speed the recovery of the away teams on the planet. The new tactical officer, Taitt, shows obvious inexperience, having been posted there only six weeks prior. When the Borg ship is in firing range, Crusher waits for the last minute to raise shields. After the Borg fire on the Enterprise, Crusher returns fire with a pair of photon torpedoes, which do nothing. The ship however, rescues all but 47 of the crew from the surface before escaping the Borg attack. Commander Riker and Worf head off to search for the captain's team, which is being led to a holding cell by Data and a Borg. They discuss with Data his newfound emotions, and Data responds by telling them how his journey towards being Human was "misguided" and that he now sees the true way that things should be. Data takes their combadges, and La Forge's VISOR before leaving. As he activates the force field around their cell, he states coldly, "I am not your puppet any more."

Act Two

Lieutenant Barnaby relieves Taitt at tactical, but Crusher sends her to the bridge's aft science station to keep her on the bridge. She orders a buoy readied with their log entries and releases it into the transwarp corridor to transmit them to Starfleet. Meanwhile, Crusher and company ready a plan to drop out of warp in orbit of the planet and rescue the remaining crewmembers. Data brings La Forge's VISOR to Lore, who puts it on and jokingly asks, "How do I look?" Data, not understanding, is confused. Lore remarks that Data will have to work on his sense of humor. They are interrupted by Crosis, who brings a disobedient Borg named Goval to Lore because he was not letting Crosis hear his thoughts. La Forge, in the meantime, has been conspiring with Picard and Troi to find a way around the carrier wave that Lore is using to broadcast his emotions to Data. His ethical subroutines could be rebooted using a kedion pulse, it seems, but in the middle of the conversation, Data enters and takes La Forge away for experimentation.

Riker and Worf are following the trail of the captain when they are cornered by some Borg, who take them to Hugh, leader of an underground group of Borg.

Act Three

Hugh does not like the return of the crew of the Enterprise, whom he blames for the current state of the rogue Borg. He explains how Lore promised clarity and purpose to the Borg that were not connected to the collective anymore, due to Hugh's experience with individuality. He shows Riker and Worf the results of the experiments that Lore is attempting on the Borg: two individuals in an obviously bad state. However, he agrees to show Riker and Worf a way into the compound to save his friend, La Forge.

Troi, standing over the body of Picard, calls a Borg over to help her. When the Borg leans over to check out Picard, the Captain pulls out a cable on the Borg's neck. Picard then steals the interlink transceiver while Troi takes the weapon from the Borg's arm to check the hall. There, she finds Data escorting La Forge back to the cell. Data takes the weapon and leaves with the Borg, but Picard has covertly taken the transceiver so that they can use it to help activate Data's ethical subroutines.

The Enterprise drops out of warp and transporter chief Salazar transports the last of the crew off of the surface, but informs the bridge that six people (Picard, Riker, Troi, Worf, La Forge, and an officer who had been killed by the Borg) still remain. Just as the Borg ship returns for another fight, Crusher orders shields up, but the Enterprise takes a hit which disables their warp drive. Retaliating with phasers, the Borg ship fires again which takes a toll on the shields. Crusher then orders the Enterprise into the nearby sun's corona, much to Taitt's disbelief.

Act Four

Metaphasic shield LCARS remastered

The metaphasic shield being raised around the Enterprise

Approaching the star, Crusher orders Barnaby to activate the metaphasic shielding, but he reminds her that the shield is still in an experimental stage. Once activated, it works; it lowers the radiation level and temperature of the hull while getting the Borg ship off their tail. The Borg take a position, letting them know that they will wait until they come out of the sun. Crusher wonders how long they can stay in the sun's corona.

Picard has finished modifications on the interlink transceiver, and places it near the force field, activating the pulse that will reset Data's subroutines. Meanwhile, Data is ready to irradiate La Forge's brain cells and begin construction of a positronic net to take the place of his biological brain. However, the pulse works, and at La Forge's coaxing, Data thinks of a false excuse to not destroy La Forge's brain yet.

Outside, Lore and Data are chatting regarding La Forge. Data then projects accountability towards his comrades, stating that if they die, he is responsible. Lore wonders if something is wrong with Data's systems, then begins to induce pain within Data. Under duress, Data asks for more emotions, which Lore gives. As soon as he leaves, Crosis emerges and Lore wonders if Data has the strength to help Lore in his plan.

Act Five

Faced with only a few minutes of metaphasic shielding left, Taitt, having done her senior honors thesis on solar dynamics at the Academy, thinks up a plan to create a solar eruption to destroy the Borg ship. Barnaby objects, reminding Taitt that this is not the Academy, and that comparing the two is a long way from actually trying it. Taitt assures him that she's got a targeting sequence lined up. Barnaby tells her if her calculations are even slightly off, the eruption could obliterate the Enterprise as well. Taitt bluntly reassures him, echoing his own retort from earlier. After firing phasers and using the tractor beam, the Borg ship is destroyed, to the surprise and delight of Barnaby. Taitt just gives him a sly grin. With the Borg ship destroyed, the Enterprise is free to orbit the planet again.

Back on the planet, Data returns with La Forge and then takes Picard, who begins to confuse Data by activating portions of his ethical subroutines. Lore enters, and as part of a ceremony, orders Data to kill Picard. The ethical subroutine has been activated, and Data tells Lore that that would be wrong. Beneath the surface, Riker and Worf use the environmental conduits to get to the central room, and then attack at a key point in the events when Lore was about to kill Data. Hugh tackles Lore, preventing him from killing Data.

Lore escapes from the room, and Data follows. As Lore tries to coerce Data into leaving the planet with him, Data shoots and proceeds to deactivate his brother once and for all. Lore's last words before his deactivation are, "I love you, brother."

Picard, Riker, and Worf thank Hugh and welcome Data back to normal functioning. Picard hints that even though Hugh is unsure of their future, perhaps these Borg have a good individual leader for the future.

Back on the ship, La Forge enters Data's quarters and walks over to his desk, where Spot is lying. La Forge tells Data that he will return to duty soon. Data is relieved at this, and shows La Forge the damaged and inoperative emotion chip that was retrieved from Lore's body. He is about to destroy it with a phaser, because his friendship with La Forge is more important to him than emotions, and emotions are what caused him to harm and nearly kill his friend. La Forge stops him and says that perhaps someday they will be able to use the emotion chip. After all, it is Data's lifelong dream to have emotions, and, as La Forge concludes, "I wouldn't be very much of a friend if I let you give up on a life-long dream now, would I? Maybe some day, when you're ready."

Memorable Quotes

"They had lost their sense of purpose. Well, I gave them their purpose... and they gave me mine."

- Lore, on the Borg he discovered and later became leader of


"The reign of biological life-forms is coming to an end. You, Picard, and those like you, are obsolete!"

- Lore


"Give me your VISOR."
"Why?"
"Give it to me... or I will take it by force!"

- Data and La Forge


"I now realize that my life aboard the Enterprise was a waste. My quest to become Human, misguided. An evolutionary step in the wrong direction .... I am not your puppet anymore!"

- Data, under Lore's influence


"What's your name?"
"Taitt, sir."
"I don't think I've seen you before."
"I was just posted here six weeks ago."
"Well, Taitt, I bet you never thought you'd be serving as Tactical Officer after only six weeks."
"No, sir, I sure didn't!"

- Crusher (as Acting Captain) and Taitt


"Establish a frequency shift firing pattern and return fire!"
"Uh... right!"

- Crusher and Taitt, during battle with the Borg


"If your calculations are even slightly off, we'd hit the atmosphere."
"I'll just have to be sure my calculations are accurate, ensign."

- Taitt and Barnaby, when Barnaby suggests taking the Enterprise out of warp and instantly entering orbit


"If her calculations are off that eruption could encompass us!"
"Well I'll just have to make sure my calculations are accurate, Lieutenant!"

- Barnaby and Taitt, later on


"Yes please, I want more!"

- Data about emotions


"Lore. I must deactivate you now."
"Without me, you will never feel emotions again."
"I know. But you leave me no other choice."
"I ... love you ... brother."
"Goodbye, Lore."

- Data and Lore, having their final conversation


"We can't go back to the Borg Collective... and we no longer have a leader here."
"I'm not sure that's true."

- Hugh and Picard


"Data, I wouldn't be very much of a friend if I let you give up on a lifelong dream, now would I? Maybe... someday, when you're ready."

- La Forge stopping Data from destroying his emotion chip (last lines)

Background information

Pam Blackwell and Adrian Tafoya

Pam Blackwell and Adrian Tafoya on location.

Story and production

Continuity

  • There are 47 crew members left on the planet after Dr. Crusher takes the Enterprise out of orbit.
  • Beverly's support for the experimental metaphasic shielding technology was the focus of "Suspicions". In that episode, James Horan, who plays Lieutenant Barnaby here, played Jo'Bril, an alien trying to steal the shield technology.
  • Lore's final scene is similar to the deactivation of the HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
  • Jonathan Del Arco reprises his role as Hugh from the TNG's fifth season episode "I Borg". However, he shares no screen time with Geordi, with whom he had the closest relationship in the earlier episode, although their friendship is mentioned.
  • At the end of the season, it is implied that Data would eventually begin to use the emotion chip, as shown in the alternate future timeline of "All Good Things..." in which he remarks that his housekeeper makes him laugh. The emotion chip was next seen in Star Trek Generations, where it became fused into Data's neural net, forcing him to learn to deal with having emotions on a permanent basis. He eventually gains the ability to deactivate, and later remove completely, the chip in Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Insurrection. The design of the emotion chip seen here is different than the one seen in Star Trek Generations.

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest stars

Co-stars

Uncredited co-stars

Stunt doubles

Stand-ins and photo double

References

Borg ship; carrier wave; Celsius; Devala Lake; dizziness; emergency buoy; emotion chip; Federation; kedion pulse; metaphasic shield; photosphere; rad; red alert; Soong, Noonian; neural shock; Ohniaka III; pain receptor; particle beam; solar dynamics; solar fusion eruption; Starfleet Academy; tricorder; VISOR

External links

Previous episode:
"Descent" 		Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 7 		Next episode:
"Liaisons"
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