The follow up to part 1 is a little disappointing, but mostly in that it is hard to follow the best episode of a series that also ended of a cliffhanger. Cliffhanger episodes became so normal in Trek that it has hard to remember that this is the first time it was ever done. On the sides of what this episode does well, the battle being only shown in its aftermath works really well, Riker and Guinan are great together, and the solution of having Data, a unique form of computer life unknown to the Borg, hack into the Borg mind and put them to sleep makes a surprising amount of sense for a show so known for its technobabble.
The episode begins with the plan from the previous episode not only failing to even slow the Borg down, it takes so much power they are unable to pursue for several hours. The admiral in charge of the fleet thanks them for buy time, but it doesn't look like it will be enough. Riker is officially promoted to captain of the Enterprise and he proceeds to get the ship ready for battle, but he isn't quite feeling it. Guinan confronts Riker in the ready room and tells him that he not only needs to let go of Picard for emotional reasons, but also tactical since everything Picard knows is now part of the Borg. This shakes Riker, but also puts him in the right place to start planning the next phase of the attack. Shelby is promoted to first officer so that everyone else can stay in the positions they are most well trained to take care of.
Riker sets in motion a plan to separate the saucer section from the drive section when they fight the Borg which had been discussed before, but Riker has other things in mind. When they engage the Borg the drive section opens fire and uses new tactics to evade the tractor beams while the saucer section throws out anti-matter. The anti-matter covers the signature of a shuttle that Data and Worf fly into the Borg ship. Using the shuttle transporter and the newly introduced emergency transporter armbands they beam on board, grab Picard, beam back the shuttle and fly out. O'brien get them all on the drive section just as the shuttle is destroyed. Rather than stay and fight the Borg fly towards earth and high warp.
Locutus is given to Data to try and link minds while Riker prepares to fight to save earth. The Borg blow right through the, "Mars Perimeter," which as shown is only three small ships, but whatever, budgets. They get to earth and start fighting but it isn't working. Data has gotten into the Borg mind but can't make them turn off their weapons, but Picard suddenly awakens and says, "sleep!" Data manages to tell the Borg to go to sleep just before they breach the warp core. The malfunction causes the cube to self destruct. The ending scene has Picard with bandages on his head back in charge of the Enterprise. Shelby is off to help rebuild the fleet and Riker is back where he wants to be.
Review: A satisfying conclusion to an intense cliffhanger episode is always a hard thing, but this episode does it as well as any. Not quite as thrilling as part 1, but a solid episode never the less.
8 out of 10
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