Star Trek: Descent

Episode: "Descent"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 6, Episode 26

Original Air Date: June 21, 1993

via Memory Alpha

The Borg attack the Federation, or so it appears.  These drones seem different.  They're acting individually.  Even more complicating, Data is experiencing emotions for the first time, beginning with rage.

At this point, the writers felt the only way to advance the Borg story was to follow the path set forth with Hugh in "I, Borg."  What happens when the capacity for individual initiative is injected into the collective?  Apparently, splinter groups can form.  I'm not a big fan of Lore's return but I suppose it was inevitable.  Admittedly, it provides for a suitable season-ending cliffhanger.

Thoughts on Season Six

General Impressions

The series has passed its zenith and sunset nears.  Character profiles are rounding out.  In Season Six, the best episodes are mostly Picard-centric ones.  Patrick Stewart gets a lot of his juiciest material in this stretch.

Favorite Episode: "Chain of Command, Part II"

A case in point: the captain is tortured by his Cardassian captor, Gul Madred (David Warner).  Both Stewart and screenwriter Frank Abatemarco did extensive research with Amnesty International to get it right.  The verbal sparring between Picard and Madred is unforgettable.

Least Favorite Episode: "Schisms"

The crew can't sleep.  And there's a weird thing in the cargo bay.  The highlight is "Ode to Spot," Data's comically dreadful poem about his cat.  That says it all, really.

Favorite Recurring Character: Professor James Moriarty

via Memory Alpha

Season Six was the last one for Guinan so it might seem fitting to give her a proper send off here.  But Moriarty deserves his due.  Sherlock Holmes's arch-nemesis proves himself a foil worthy of Picard as well.  I'll take Moriarty over Q any time.  Not only is he my favorite TNG villain.  He is my favorite screen interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original character.  Actor Daniel Davis deserves full credit.

Favorite Blast from the Past: Scotty

It's no contest.  During his visit to the NextGen Enterprise in "Relics," our old pal, Montgomery Scott, enters a holodeck rendition of the original series bridge.  The scene is one of the franchise's greatest homages to the original series.  All of the sights and sounds are spot on.  I can't help tearing up with the first late '60s ping.

Favorite Guest Actor, One-Shot: Carolyn Seymour

via Star Trek: Pendragon Database

Carolyn Seymour has multiple Trek appearances to her name but "Face of the Enemy" is the only one as the Romulan Commander Toreth.  Initially, the part was intended as a reprise for the unnamed commander in the original series episode "The Enterprise Incident," played by Joanne Linville.  The scheduling didn't work out with Linville so Seymour got the job.  All to the good, I think.  The original plan would have been fun but Seymour is stellar.

David Warner certainly deserves consideration in this category but as "Chain of Command" is a two-part episode, Gul Madred is, by my reckoning, a recurring character.  Seymour wins.

Onward

The end is near.  But with one spin-off series already launched and a second in the works, The Next Generation's legacy is secure.  What's left to do other than tying up loose ends and saying a fond farewell - at least for now?  I guess we'll know soon.

Meanwhile, what the heck's going on with Data?