A devastating revelation about Jack alters the course of Picard's life forever - and uncovers a truth that threatens every soul in the Federation. The final battle begins as Picard and his crew race to save the galaxy from annihilation - but not without a gut-wrenching cost.
At this point, the Borg are whatever the creative team wants them to be at any particular moment. The imagery of this villain has been present in every season of Picard. The first two seasons tried telling nuanced stories about the lingering effects of assimilation. The second season finale suggested the conflict between Starfleet and the Borg could no longer continue as it always has. Instead, new protocols had to be developed. The Borg Queen became enlightened to a certain extent thanks to Jurati's empathy. Part of the galaxy was saved because Picard surrendered control of the fleet so the Borg had the necessary power to eliminate a mysterious anomaly. That presented as a mystery meant to inform future story. However, the third season pivoted to the threat from the Changeling. It detailed how not only this species evolved but the core characters reflecting on their adventures while trying to pass the baton to the next generation. Starfleet is under attack. The Changeling have invaded the organization. The takeover is nearly complete. And now, the show makes the grand reveal that the Borg have been orchestrating this story all along. That's the big revelation about Jack's true identity. Something was left behind in Picard when he defeated assimilation decades ago. It manifested in the genetic condition that plagued his former body. As such, it was passed down to Jack. In fact, he may now present as a newly evolved version of the Borg. It makes sense when factoring in all that he can suddenly do. He has the power to take over people's bodies. He's a dangerous weapon. Deanna believes he must be quarantined to control the threat. Picard takes responsibility over what his son has become. Jack is plagued with questions of how much of his identity is truly his. Has he ever had an original thought? Or was it all just programming implanted in him by the Borg? He understands the attraction of autocracy. He believes people are too selfish and foolish to ever work together. And yet, this season has focused on the ideals of Starfleet. They are manipulated and subverted at times. The noble aspirations are still life-affirming. Picard found a family through service. The crew of the Titan has loyally defended Jack against the greatest threat they've ever encountered. And now, all of that is washed away because the young ensigns are susceptible to the Borg's alteration of their DNA. That's why the Changeling wanted Picard's body. That carried the code that let this mutation multiple. The connectivity of the new fleet allows it to be transferred to everyone without them knowing. This massive organization has now altered the DNA of everyone who thought it was a noble profession. Their privacy was invaded because their sense of duty was manipulated. That's absolutely horrifying. The overall ideas resonate. When it reflects in the individual characters though, the storytelling falters because not a whole lot lines up with their past experiences.
Jack goes rogue. He believes it's the only way he can understand what's going on. On the Titan, everyone withholds information. It infuriates him. He's powerless when he confronts the Borg Queen, with Alice Krige reprising the role instead of the late Annie Wersching or Alison Pill. That showcases how the scope of this season wants to connect further to the mythology of Star Trek over the years. It plays into the nostalgia. It requires the viewer to have an in-depth knowledge of these relationships. That should include the first two seasons of this show. Sure, those stories had significant problems. They still delivered consequential actions. All of that is seemingly written off in favor of a known escalation of danger. This season was refreshing because it centered on a new threat. The Changeling have a profound history with Starfleet as well. However, the story offered a simple explanation for how this radical movement developed. And now, everything is about the Borg again. It's back to the simple promise of assimilation. Resistance is futile. That remains the overall message. Shaw is killed while trying to lead the remaining members of the crew to safety. Seven and Raffi are left behind to face the great unknown on the Titan. That's the first significant moment between them where their actions show what they mean to each other. That has largely gone away in service of the Next Generation reunion. That only grows with the reveal Geordi has been fabricating an exact replica of the Enterprise. It affords the limited crew with a ship removed from the system. It requires them to lean on the skills they learned and carried all those years ago. They are right back in the center of the conflict. They do so as a team. They each have something to lose. Jack, Sidney and Alandra have been assimilated. It's more significant with the La Forge sisters because it's a sudden and shocking development. With Jack, it's drawn out to the point where he feels he doesn't have a choice. This is simply who he is meant to be. And yet, the existence of the flowers overwhelming his mindscape showcases the power of his memories with his mother. That's a crucial detail. Deanna believes they are a distraction. However, they reveal his humanity. The darkness lurks behind the door. The vines reach out desperate for connection. He aims to achieve that potential. The Borg seemingly achieve their ultimate goal of assimilating Starfleet. The attack on Frontier Day is carried out. It's more forceful than any prior Borg attack. It's up to the Enterprise crew to save the day. It's a familiar position. It still carries a ton of emotion. It works if one casually ignores how the sweeping pronouncements don't quite line up with the past. It's difficult because this season has been such an improvement over the previous two. The show still carried those developments as they informed character motivations. Now, everything seems forced to once again affirm the Borg as the most powerful and consistent enemy Starfleet has ever faced. It's true throughout Picard's life. It was consequential thirty five years ago. Nothing has changed now. The next generation seemingly pays the ultimate price and must rely on the former officers to ensure a better outcome than what their fates currently seem.
