Season 3 of STAR TRE: THE NEXT GENERATION ended with one of the best episodes of the series called THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Part 1.  It ended with the best season cliffhanger of the show while Part 2 was a solid conclusion which unfortunately wasn’t as good as Part 1.   The second Borg story, THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, was a good follow up to the Second Season’s Q WHO? that introduced the Borg.  These two Borg stories were the only excellent Borg stories of TNG until the STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT movie (the other two Borg stories during the TNG show were weak compared t the first two Borg stories and humanity in the Borg stories didn’t quite become effective until STAR TREK: VOYAGER).  STAR TREK: VOYAGER delivered some good Borg stories, but THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS set the high mark for the Borg stories and it started the point where the Borg mythology would grow.  

 

Captain Picard is abducted by the Borg in Part 1 and assimilates him into the Borg spokesman Locutus against his will.   Commander Riker must make his own plans to stop the Borg from assimilating Earth into the Borg Collective.   THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS is one of the stories where I thought they might get rid of Picard where I didn’t quite care for him as a character (that didn’t happen until season five of TNG).  

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Audio commentary by Cliff Bole, Mike and Denis Okuda, and Elizabeth Dennehy

 

REGENERATION: ENGAGING THE BORG- interviews with cast, crew, and Seth MacFarlane as they talk about the pivotal two parter of the show.  Elizabeth Dennehy remembers how it was to be on the show and how she learned quickly on how STAR TREK worked (in addition being ignorant of what Star Trek was).

 

Also included is a five minute gag reel of line flubs and the episode promos for THE BEST OF THE BOTH WORLDS Part 1 and 2.  Included inside the case is a digital copy code for the story too.

 

FINAL ANALYSIS:  If you want to view THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS as one story and not have to wait until Season Four come out on blu-ray later this year, this release is a must buy which includes extras not included on the TNG Season Three blu-ray.  This blu-ray release is also for fans who don't want to own season 3 on Blu-ray and just want this fine two part episode on disc.  

PS  CineMark Cinema will be showing special one night showings of THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS on April 25th in select theaters.

 

This review is (c)4-20-2013 David Blackwell and cannot be repeated without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com