My take on the finale:
Winners
- Every scene with the TNG cast was well done, I had little interest in the cut scenes back to the Titan.
- Phenomenal beauty shots and action sequences of the Enterprise D throughout the episode. The Jupiter approach, the one shot with the ship hovering above Picard and Jack and the camera panning around them, the battle scenes, absolutely fantastic. Finally someone properly showcases the capabilities of the Galaxy Class.
- Andrew Probert’s 35 year old design is a marvel in 4K and looks more advanced than any of those cheap looking Star Trek Online designs.
- The Enterprise D gets the true send off she deserves, laid to rest at the fleet museum after one last visit by her commanding officers where she can be admired by future generations.
- The scene between Picard and Jack in the collective, this moment solidified a father-son connection that superseded that of the collective, you don’t see this kind of positive reconciliation story much these days. This was also a nice callback to Generations where Picard looses his biological family, here he has finally regained one.
- I was worried that not all of the crew was going to survive given some of the foreshadowing going on but was happy everyone made it through.
-The Riker/Worf sword “S…” scene was hilarious.
- Mixed feelings regarding the demise of the Borg. When they were first introduced in TNG they were a force to be reckoned with and made a presence. This was gradually diluted with Voyager but if they had to be wiped out, I’m glad it was through the TNG crew.
- The closing Poker scene, direct callback to TNG’s finale and a perfect way to close off the series (again).
- I appreciated the fan service, a satisfying end.
Criticisms (after removing the nostalgia goggles):
- The whole “invitation” scene with the Borg Queen lowering shields made no sense. She basically lacked the ability to defend from within, with the Borg’s very survival at stake, she just had to keep the shields up to prevail. Too convenient a way to defeat one of Trek’s most iconic antagonist.
- Worf literally absorbed 3 disruptor hits point blank.
- Seven’s Captaincy. We all knew this was likely to happen but it felt a little forced considering how her arc started in Season 1. In the 90s series, in order to achieve that rank required extensive experience, a high calibre “best of the best” degree of performance, and years of service. She literally resigns (on the basis of expecting criticism from her Officer Review) and then immediately jumps at a promotion. It didn’t work, they should’ve left that resignation piece out. Seven has waivered more than once regarding her place with Starfleet during this series.
- The rechristening of the Titan to the Enterprise G. This ship is inferior to the F, they went backwards. Lazy.
- The Seven/Raffi command structure. Quite honestly this makes me a lot less excited for a potential Star Trek: Legacy series. I can’t get behind Raffi, and their relationship makes the pairing completely unbelievable for command. I’ll take Shaw any day of the week over Raffi.
