Descent (1)

Season 6, Episode 26, Aired
EDIT

Episode Summary

Stardate: 46982.1 ''''The Borg return to threaten the Federation. However, they are now exhibiting all indications that they function as individuals and not as a collective mind. Also, Data experiences a disturbing facet of human emotions, including anger at being attacked by a Borg drone and feeling pleasure after killing it.moreless
8.5
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Great
165 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate It

Watch Online

Netflix
Subscription
Amazon
Buy
Amazon Prime
Free Trial/Subsc...

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Episode Reviews (2)

See All

  • An attempt to invent a new reason for the Borg's continued existence fails. And did we really need two Lores?

    7.5
    "Good"
    By pharoahsdance, Jun 17, 2011 Report Abuse
    In my opinion this is the weakest of TNG's season-ending cliffhangers, though obviously I'm in the minority here.

    The first problem, which other have noted, is that the Borg became nearly untouchable after "Best of Both Worlds". Once you've beaten an unbeatable foe, what is left to do? "I Borg" took a clever dodge; "Descent" does not.

    Turning the Borg from soulless invincible foes into evil sadists is not a clever twist, nor is putting them under the tutelage of Lore (who, I suppose, is the #1 evil sadist in the galaxy). Making Data's first encounter with emotions a bad one is an intriguing concept, one that could have been good on its own (it generates some creepy scenes) but doesn't get its due here.

    Not a total waste, but you get the feeling TNG was getting a little stale by this point - a feeling confirmed by the lackluster seventh season.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    1 5

  • Holodeck simulations of Professor Stephen Hawking, Albert Einstein, & Sir Isaac Newton play cards with Data in the holodeck. The "Enterprise" respond to a distress call from the Ohniaka III outpost. When the "Enterprise" shows up the Borg beam aboarmoreless

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By Pink_Floyd_AL, Sep 22, 2006 Report Abuse
    Holodeck simulations of Professor Stephen Hawking, Albert Einstein, & Sir Isaac Newton play cards with Data in the holodeck. The "Enterprise" respond to a distress call from the Ohniaka III outpost. When the "Enterprise" shows up the Borg beam aboard. While fighting with the Borg, Data becomes angry. How is this possible? Could Data be becoming more human? He describes what he felt to Geordi. A captive Borg convinces Data what he felt can happen more. A shuttle departs the "Enterprise", Picard wonders who is aboard. It is Commander Data and the lone Borg. I rate this one a 9.8.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • When Data was in the Holodeck trying to duplicate the incident that caused his fit of anger, he tosses the Borg drone in frustration. If you listen, you can hear the Borg grunt when he hits the wall. When do Borg grunt? Edit
    • Dialogue in this episode indicates that New Berlin colony is in a nearby system to the one the Borg attacked. However, the writers must have forgotten this fact as in the movie Star Trek: First Contact and the subsequent prequel series, Star Trek: Enterprise, New Berlin colony is situated on Earth's moon, Luna. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • The exterior shot of the Enterprise in the transwarp conduit is recycled footage from the ship flying in the subspace vortex from the episode "Time Squared." Edit
    • The Borg ship seen in this episode is given the name of "Assimilator" in the video game Star Trek: Armada (2000). Edit
    • Dr. Stephen Hawking wanted to appear on Star Trek so much that the poker scene in the holodeck was written specifically so he could. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Troi: I'm curious. Why are you ignoring the one emotion you have already experienced? Why aren't you trying to make yourself angry again? Data: Anger is a negative emotion. I wanted to concentrate on something more positive. Troi: Data, feelings aren't positive and negative. They simply exist. It's what we do with those feelings that becomes good or bad. Edit
    • Crosis of Borg: We do not assimilate inferior biological organisms... we destroy them. Edit
    • Sir Isaac Newton: Don't patronize me, I invented physics. Edit

  • Allusions

Show Forums

See All
Last Activity
Replies

Watch Star Trek: The Next Generation Full Episodes

See All

Related Shows

Season 6 Episodes

See All
Ep 26
Descent (1)
Ep 25
Timescape
Ep 24
Second Chances
Ep 23
Rightful Heir
Ep 22
Suspicions
Ep 21
Frame Of Mind
Ep 20
The Chase
Ep 19
Lessons
Ep 18
Starship Mine
Ep 17
Birthright (2)
Ep 16
Birthright (1)
Ep 15
Tapestry
Ep 14
Face Of The Enemy
Ep 13
Aquiel
Ep 12
Ship In A Bottle
Ep 11
Chain Of Command (2)
Ep 10
Chain Of Command (1)
Ep 9
The Quality Of Life
Ep 8
A Fistful Of Datas
Ep 7
Rascals
Ep 6
True Q
Ep 5
Schisms
Ep 4
Relics
Ep 3
Man Of The People
Ep 2
Realm Of Fear
Ep 1
Time's Arrow (2)

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings
BROWSE | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use