The Gift

Seven of Nine struggles to adapt to human life, whilst Kes' powers increase considerably.

Kes' powers go off the chart, making Tuvok nervous and contriving a situation that suited the show runners' agenda back in '97. These scenes are well made, but the timing and suddenness makes it feel forced in to the show narrative to remove a character from the series.

The scenes involving Seven are easily the highlight of the episode, with well written dialogue and memorable performances from Jeri Ryan, Robert Picardo and Katie Mulgrew. It's good that the writers do not apply black and white logic to the situation, but make it more complex with the varying perspectives on the Borg and Janeway's actions.

Visually it has some very memorable imagery, particularly the effects that involve Kes' transformation and the semi-Borg makeup applied to Ryan.

Whatever the true reason Jennifer Lien's departure from Voyager might be, I personally think she did good job in the role and was not always helped by the material provided for the character, such as the short lifespan and romance with Neelix.

For me it's a 7.5/10, but I round upwards.