The Best of Both Worlds 

Responding to a distress call on one of the Federation's outer-most colonies, the Enterprise arrives...only to find a big hole in the ground where the town used to be, and discovers the Borg are behind the attack.

Director:

Cliff Bole

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), Michael Piller

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Patrick Stewart	...	Capt. Jean-Luc Picard / Locutus of Borg
Jonathan Frakes	...	Cmdr. William Riker
LeVar Burton	...	Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn	...	Lt. Worf
Gates McFadden	...	Dr. Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Cmdr. Data
Wil Wheaton	...	Wesley Crusher
Elizabeth Dennehy	...	Lt. Cmdr. Shelby
George Murdock	...	Adm. J. P. Hanson
Colm Meaney	...	Chief Miles O'Brien
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Guinan

Storyline

Admiral J. P. Hanson personally boarded the Enterprise to join the investigation of a destroyed Federation-colonized planet, suspecting the feared Borg. Before this is confirmed, he points out Commander William T. Riker has for the third time refused a command, preferring the Enterprise. Shortly after an enormous Borg ship is found, it engages in battle with the Enterprise, which draws it away. Novel tactics are conceived. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is ordered to come aboard for unprecedented discussions, and kidnapped when he refuses. He finds they tolerate no resistance, and intend to turn him into a Borg. Riker suddenly finds himself acting captain....

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Plot Keywords:

poker the card game | borg starship | nebula | starship chase | ambitious woman | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Did You Know?

Trivia

This episode (along with Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Best of Both Worlds: Part II (1990)), were listed on TV Guide's '100 Greatest TV Episodes' (ranking in at No. 36).

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Goofs

When Riker and Shelby are in the turbolift, Riker orders the turbolift to halt en route to the Battle Bridge. Shelby orders the turbolift to resume after 'threatening' Riker, and the turbolift does so, despite Shelby being outranked by Riker, and the turbolift thus should not have obeyed Shelby's order.

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Quotes

[Picard talks to Riker about taking the post as captain of another ship]
Commander William T. Riker: With all due respect, sir - you need me. Particularly now.
Capt. Picard: Indeed. Starfleet needs good captains, particularly now.

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Connections

Featured in Star Trek: Nemesis Review (2009)

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Soundtracks

Star Trek: The Next Generation End Credits
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User Reviews

The best of The Next Generation.

ST:TNG:74 - "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part I" (Stardate: 43989.1) - this is the 26th and last episode of the 3rd season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The Borg are back! The last time they were encountered was 7000 light years away in the 2nd season episode "Q Who?", with Starfleet thinking they'd have more time to prepare. Regardless, the Enterprise goes to intercept - with Elizabeth Dennehy as Commander Shelby. She has more than the Borg on her mind, wanting to replace Riker who has been offered command of the Melbourne. As tensions mount between Riker and Shelby, Picard is captured by the Borg!

Watch this part I of an exciting two part episode. You won't be disappointed.

Trivia note: Riker is offered his 3rd chance of commanding a starship. Also, we see the poker game again (this time Wesley joins in on the fun). And Whoopi Goldberg makes another appearance as Guinan.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 June 1990 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1