OTNGEG - I Borg

[Serafina]

Another great review. Too bad there was no time to adress the interesting questions arising in it.

[Captain Seafort]

Weird, I hadn't noticed that there was no apostrophe in the title before now.

This one feels very rushed, especially near the beginning, where most of the script seems to be glossed over in about a minute. I'm also slightly disappointed that the issue of using Hugh as a weapon to take out the collective was dismissed as needing more time than the video had. While I can understand the sentiment (and the fact that Chuck has more things to do with his life than producing these videos, as much as we might wish otherwise), I think it was a mistake. That choice lay at the heart of this episode, and while the issue of how to treat a single example of a species that previously has demonstrated not just a lack of individuality, but a strong tendency to eliminate it wherever its encountered, is important, so is the tactic proposed.

Ultimately this comes down to the Geneva Convention's requirements for military action - necessity, proportionality and discrimination. The action is clear necessary, given that if something isn't done about the Borg they will obliterate humanity, either by extermination or assimilation. It is proportionate as the Borg have never demonstrated any intention of backing off, and as previously stated the Borg are intent on humanity's destruction, not merely the acquisition of a bit of territory. Finally it is discriminate, as the attack is aimed specifically at crippling the collective military's computer network. The fact that this network is synonymous with the central nervous system of every Borg is irrelevant - the target has a clear and substantial military purpose.

[Covenant]

I think it's also because Youtube has a 10 minute length limit on stuff now, doesn't it? Old stuff got grandfathered in but I swore I heard it had a 10 minute limit now.

That would be a good explanation why you might say "not enough time for this..." but anyway, it was an odd one, but we've had an odd bunch recently. Nothing really really deep or really really bad to rip on or exult, so they end up being more commentary and less excoriation.

[adam_grif]

I loved the adobe gag.

[Mayabird]

He's setting up for the TNG movie reviews, I think. Gotta go through the Borg arc before getting to FC, but first he had to get through his months-behind backlog of requests.

[Skylon]

Good review of an episode I think is a bit under-appreciated. Its a good use of the Borg for a moral quandary episode. It's not "Best of Both Worlds", but good Trek.

[Sonnenburg]

I got complaints that I was spending too much time talking about everything that happens, that I should just gloss over them. I guess I'll stick with the old way of doing it, at least that didn't make people think I phoned it in. I actually spent more time than usual this week, because I had to do the photoshop stuff too.

[Mayabird]

Can never make everyone happy and the internet makes for really bitchy people.

Was I right about the backlog and setting up for the TNG movies, though?

[Sonnenburg]

That's pretty accurate.

[Gandalf]

Good stuff.

Not to sound like a petulant child, but when shall we get to the films?

[Alyeska]

Good stuff.

Not to sound like a petulant child, but when shall we get to the films?

Chuck has to cover all the prerequisite material from the series before he can address the movies. This mostly involves the Borg for First Contact. He might also touch on the Picard Family episode (not sure if he already did it) for a Generations connection.

[Sonnenburg]

It's always better to get a chance to meet people and learn what they dream of first. Then you can better appreciate the off screen immolation.

[FaxModem1]

What a horrible way to phrase that yes, you're reviewing 'Family'.

[Isolder74]

I got complaints that I was spending too much time talking about everything that happens, that I should just gloss over them. I guess I'll stick with the old way of doing it, at least that didn't make people think I phoned it in. I actually spent more time than usual this week, because I had to do the photoshop stuff too.

I guess you can't please everyone. I must say that you did a very good job of contrasting Picard's actions regarding Hugh to Janeway's actions regarding 7 of 9. What is most telling about Hugh is how much he accepted the concept of individuality to the point of taking on a name rather then still using his borg designation. Will Descent, Datalore or Brothers be next?

Datalore can be skipped as that really needs to be part of a review tree of it's own.

[Gramzamber]

I got complaints that I was spending too much time talking about everything that happens, that I should just gloss over them. I guess I'll stick with the old way of doing it, at least that didn't make people think I phoned it in. I actually spent more time than usual this week, because I had to do the photoshop stuff too.

I for one always love your analysis of the episodes and their implications.
Besides the issue of using Hugh as a weapon is perhaps better addressed whenever you review "Descent", as that's when Admiral Nechayev basically rubs Picard's decision to not do so in his face.