This final season of Star Trek: Picard has been teetering back and forth from nostalgia to action with a sprinkling of mystery and intrigue. With just two episodes left, we are getting a resolution to Jack’s unusual abilities and closer to the end of the last chapter of The Next Generation.

The Red Door

This ominous red door that Jack has seen during his “episodes” is finally open, and we finally get to see what has been influencing Jack. Is it the new Changling species? How about the Pah-wraith? Maybe something hitched a ride with Picard from the Nexus?

Nope, it’s THE BORG! Jack Crusher has been the perfect Trojan Horse for the past 25 years.

Ed Speleers as Jack Crusher and Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi in "Vox" Episode 309, Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Trae Patton/Paramount+. ©2021 Viacom, International Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Ed Speleers as Jack Crusher and Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi in “Vox” Episode 309, Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Trae Patton/Paramount+. ©2021 Viacom, International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

A Trojan Horse?!

In a matter of speaking, yes. It was a long-con perpetrated by The Borg when they took Captain Picard, making him Locutus. During the assimilation process, The Borg wrote computer code into Picard’s DNA that over the decades would affect the entire Starfleet transporter database. This code was then embedded into everyone who used the transporters. The coding would overwrite the host’s DNA to make it part Borg.

The only catch is the fact that the only ones to be affected were young people, as the genetic conditioning wouldn’t take effect until their brains had fully developed. If you were over a certain age, then it wouldn’t bother you. But considering how many people in Starfleet, especially junior commissioned and enlisted, there are those counts for an estimated 40% of the entire fleet.

Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher and Patrick Stewart as Picard in "Vox" Episode 309, Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Trae Patton/Paramount+. ©2021 Viacom, International Inc. All Rights Res
Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher and Patrick Stewart as Picard in “Vox” Episode 309, Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Trae Patton/Paramount+. ©2021 Viacom, International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Fleet Formation

The newest “innovation” that premieres during Frontier Day is the new Fleet Formation that autopilots all the ships into various forms depending on the task at hand. Led by Admiral Shelby, yep the same one from Wolf 359. With the younger members taking over the brand new Enterprise-F after being assimilated, Shelby got her comeuppance.

The Titan-A arrives just in time to also be overtaken by the younger officers as the Enterprise crew takes measures to escape on a shuttle. Since the Shuttle is not a part of the Fleet Formation “hive mind” it’s the only chance to get away. Captain Shaw being the grease monkey ushers the Enterprise down through old support shafts. Sadly his support is cut off as the assimilated officers shoot him down. His last words are that the Titan has a new Captain, Seven of Nine. Yes, he said Seven of Nine.

Speaking of Departures

After Jack learned that he was part Borg, in some sense, he goes back to his old roguish ways and wants to escape. His father had other plans as he is now a walking living weapon. Well, Jack uses his abilities to commandeer a runabout and warp to The Borg Queen, hidden in a nebula

Speaking of the Queen, let’s assume that this is a copy of the malicious matriarch we’ve seen several times before. In the scenes, we don’t get a clear view of their face since the actress who played the character, Annie Wersching, had recently passed. But they did do a great job blocking the scene and finding a sound-alike to do the lines. Jack not only gives in but gets plugged into the hive mind.

Burton as Geordi La Forge and Brent Spiner as Data in "Vox" Episode 309, Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Trae Patton/Paramount+. ©2021 Viacom, International Inc. All Rights Reserved.
LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge and Brent Spiner as Data in “Vox” Episode 309, Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Trae Patton/Paramount+. ©2021 Viacom, International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

She Flies Again

With the Enterprise crew in retreat mode, Geordi takes them back to the Fleet Museum. They understand that the only way to save Starfleet is to hit them head-on. But all the Starfleet ships are now linked with the new Fleet Formation. So going with an older decommissioned ship seems like a good choice. Seems Commodore La Forge had a pet project going on since he took over the Fleet Museum. He has been rebuilding the Enterprise-D for over 25 years.

As she glides out of dry dock, we now wait for the final conclusion to Star Trek: Picard.

Captain’s Log: Vox

Wow, just when you think that they couldn’t pull at the nostalgic heartstrings anymore! The Enterprise-D flies again! I for one was teary-eyed watching the famous vessel soar across the stars.

I’m glad we finally have resolution about Jack’s problems. But we’ve heard this story before, Batman Beyond. Don’t get me wrong, this is on a much grander scale, but it’s been done before.

As for The Borg Queen, I’m interested in how they handle this knowing that we did get a new Queen last season. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the Old Queen had a back up plan as always. Having biological Borg is a neat avenue to go down. Plus, how will this affect the XB’s, as we saw it did bother Seven too, but not to the point of mindless control.

With just one episode left in Star Trek: Picard there are massive strings to tie up. We as fans have been waiting for 28 years for a better conclusion to TNG. Let’s hope they deliver! I would even hope for an extended episode – give them 90 minutes and see what happens only on Paramount+.

Stay Tuned to That Hashtag Show for the Finale of Star Trek: Picard and all your outher nerdy news.

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!

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