STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION | THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS (PART I & II) | FIRST TIME WATCHING

[@Mr.Glidehook]

"Family" is not missable, so PLEASE let's watch it together. I promise you'll really love it.

[@RyanPeterson23]

I second this. Whether you watch it for the channel or not, you absolutely have to watch it.

[@ZUGTFO]

I third this!

[@silverbane1977]

4th this

[@Redheadliner]

5th this!

[@RunnerInc]

6th this

[@clee3133]

"Family" is the followup to this story, and is one of the most powerful pieces of television I've ever seen. Must watch.

[@Tuning3434]

BoBW part 1 is perfect, part 2 good, but it does not come close to the highlights part 1 had. Family is basically part 3 and near perfect as part 1 was. Also it has uncomfortable Worf and the awesome Rozhenko's and the first time I think we go into building up chief O'Brien status as one of the few prevalent Non Commisioned Officers in this franchise.

[@steaknkidney9776]

100% agree - not a sci fi episode but a must see

[@phantom6]

Family and Inner Light are two episodes I hated as a kid and now they're so powerful.

[@gershman23]

@@Tuning3434 Obrien is not NCO in the Enterprise, BTW, he is Transporter Chief, and thus most of the show he holds the the rank of lieutenant (tow golden pips). DS9 (which I love, just to be clear), decided to crap it out by making him NCO.

[@HectorJW2007]

And also "Family" has a connection to the first TNG movie.

[@GopherBaroque61]

Cassie, this is *_TOTALLY_* unfair. I had to wait *_FOUR_* months between Part I and Part II. *_LOL_*

[@NuclearFridge1]

So did I! This was "peak threat" Borg, not the disaster that was Voyager

[@paulcollinsyoga]

Ha ha!!! Ditto! Great series finales were always soooooooooooo frustrating to wait for their conclusions. This was one of the best.

[@sheldoninexile]

Are you sure it wasn't FIVE months?

[@kaylzshter6153]

I was a kid when this aired and I remember we talked about what was gonna happen all summer lol

[@ZUGTFO]

You are not alone, those 4 month in 1990 were HELL

[@bobbydelacroix1515]

“Family” genuinely choked me up, it’s Picard at his most vulnerable while recovering from the trauma of being under Borg control

[@kobayashimaru8114]

Agree but let her find out for herself. Being able to watch TNG without spoilers is precious.

[@ninjabearpress2574]

Some keyboard commandos get angry with me, but I consider Picard a rape survivor.

[@Googerstein]

When my 7 year old eyes saw that “To Be Continued” in 1990 I had a one-sided fight with my couch for like an hour or so…

[@dandry3853]

😂😂

[@LucSchots]

I was 29 and felt exactly the same. I feel ya!

[@bigdream_dreambig]

Who won? 😉

[@dandry3853]

@@bigdream_dreambig Right? Don't leave everyone hanging.lol! A one-sided fight is usually someone getting their butt whooped.I'd love to watch Cassie react to that fight.🤼🥊🥊😂

[@Googerstein]

@@dandry3853 I got a few licks in before he took me down, don’t worry! lol

[@kmccamis]

Wolf 359, the beginning of Benjamin Sisko, that's a story for another day 😉

[@DeeEss2024]

There's a fan video called 'Wolf 359: The Massacre Part 1' by JTVFX that incorporates the opening scene of Deep Space Nine, some Star Trek video game footage and some fan made footage. It's really cool, I urge you to check it out! And it would be amazing if Cassie reacted to it at some point.

[@kylereese4822]

Wolf 359, need a series based around those events eg one of other ships with survivors and other wreckage is pushed into another dimension , those survivors are forced to build a ship from the wreckage and on there journey they meet other survivors of different time periods after battles with the Borg... Enterprise 40% smaller sister ship with whole front section of the saucer missing, 1 engine missing the other 60% damaged... Wreckage, older smaller engine s, sections of Defiant type ships, other engineering sections, other random sections of ships...

[@Tuning3434]

​@kylereese4822 There used to be an interactive game based in Q bringing you back to Wolf 359 in an attempt to safe the players in game characters father. Awesome John DeLancie hamming it up to max. The Pilot episode of Star Trek DS9 also goes a bit deeper in the fight as it leads character Benjamin Sisko lost the ship he was stationed on, and more. I think both those media showed all we needed to see of Wolf 359, without risking flanderization by modern SFX as this franchise does risks to fall victim to. Fun fact, Wolf 359 is an actual starsystem IRL, about 7 or 8 lightyears from our sun.

[@lopa-u9f]

Deep Space 9 is the best Star Trek series though it's not one that is conducive to skipping episodes/only watching a handful each season, beause of how many main characters there are and how they develop them and the overall story (which there is an arcing story to it whereas TNG doesn't have one)

[@imahoare4742]

Yeah DS9 is where they really went all out with serialized storytelling.

[@Pentarax]

Patrick Stewart talked about what it was like filming these episodes; after part 1 aired, it was months until part 2; he was out for a drive with friends/family, and at a red light, someone next to him leaned out the window and screamed "YOU RUINED OUR SUMMER!" at him.

[@joshr8666]

That's hilarious

[@3Rayfire]

That's how you know you've done your job as an actor.

[@wren7195]

Can one imagine? Ironically things go so fast now that this sort of scenario wouldn't happen the same way, but back then some of the producers were willing to let Patrick Stewart GO during this months long contract negotiation, that's why Shelby was built up so heavily during the finale. Riker was going to take the chair and she was going to be the new second, the "Number One." Dayum.

[@LuminairPrime]

LOL

[@Banterbear]

@@wren7195 That would have made her the first female 1st officer actually. Instead, that happened in DS9, and then a female Captain in Voyager.

[@Eisenheim1191]

The ending of part one when Riker says "fire" and then they fade to black with the "to be continued" screen still gives me goosebumps. I was four years old when this episode premiered and I watched it with my dad. He was a huge Trek fan, he passed away back in '05 but I still watch the shows and he's still here with me when I'm watching them.

[@collinnoia]

I'm a year or two older than you, but dad passed away in '05, too. I remember how frustrating it was having to wait 4 months to find out what happened.

[@TheManPuntedBaxter]

I was six when we watched that finale on TV. Waiting for part II is permanently burned into my memory. I also lost my dad ('07 for me) and know exactly how you feel about watching TNG. Star Trek was our thing and it's comfort watching for me on a whole different level.

[@Riggswolfe]

That was a rough summer. Waiting to see what would happen next.

[@ctmdarkonestm]

that was a looooong summer

[@shaunhurst2595]

The “Best of Both Worlds” and “Family” should be considered a 3 part miniseries. It is damn fine character development and excellent storytelling.

[@jsharp3165]

The fact that Cassie now constantly speaks of the Enterprise crew in the first person plural ("We" "Us" "Our") and when her heart broke at seeing Locutus for the first time ("O Captain, my Captain...?") - all of this actually brought me to tears. She really loves Star Trek now. It's not every day you see it happen right in front of you.

[@bobblethreadgill4463]

Your "worry" about Picard is exactly WHY episode "Family" should be next. Hell Yeah

[@oliphant2848]

This is when shit got really serious and made it clear that this is not just campy entertainment anymore. A milestone of series TV.

[@monkeyzorr3090]

Star Trek was never campy

[@Smeginator]

@@monkeyzorr3090”Spock’s Brain” begs to differ

[@STNeish]

I think this two parter is absolutely the high water mark for all of Star Trek. It NAILED every single thing... story, acting, music, effects, cinematography... absolutely everything.

[@genjii931]

​@@monkeyzorr3090Tribbles.

[@GregorySnipe]

calm down. It's okay.

[@The-Underbaker]

Such an iconic line, "We have engaged the Borg." "What if we, like, fire a little, like, give them ouchy." An iconic line from Cassie too! lol

[@robbob5302]

Like a mosquito? 😜

[@SwordmasterKane]

Cassie had the right ideas how to solve the problems in this episode. She would have made an excellent Starfleet officer. Shoutout to the music in this particular scene - the epicness of the moment wouldn't have been so grand had it not be for Ron Jones being committed to his craft.

[@slugerama]

I want to see that written on a t shirt. "Give them ouchy" Number 1. Make it so.

[@ctmdarkonestm]

Commander Cassie coming to save the universe

[@robbob5302]

@@ctmdarkonestm 👽👩🏼‍✈️🦹🏼‍♀️

[@gspendlove]

"We need Q!" And Q knew that. That's why he introduced Starfleet to the Borg before the Borg could initiate a surprise attack. That introduction gave Starfleet a heads-up they desperately needed. Everything Q ever did was to help humanity, even when it looked like he was just playing games. I have a theory that Q has seen thousands, maybe millions of years into the future, and has seen what humanity will become. Also, he's seen millions, maybe billions of years into the past, and has seen what the Q Continuum once was. They were like unto us, and we are what they once were. One day, we will be the H Continuum, and Q is trying to prepare us for the way.

[@terrrell7798]

21:55 we learn in Deep Space Nine Sisko who later becomes Captain of Deep Space 9 was on one of those ships, and lost his wife. He later told this to Picard's face.

[@Toren8002]

“Mr. Worf - fire!” We had to wait MONTHS to see what happened next.

[@MarquisDeSwag]

And people in the know were also aware Stewart hadn't renewed his contract yet, so him being taken out was a real possibility...!

[@Bayougirl78]

Right?!?! I've gotten so spoiled now with being able to binge, lol!

[@Rob8729]

I actually screamed "NNOOOO!" the first time I saw it as a kid because I knew we had to wait the whole summer for the conclusion.

[@MontrealRides]

@@Rob8729 Best cliff-hanger in TV in history (imho)...

[@gfox9295]

I was living in Japan for 3 years during seasons 2+3+4, so I missed out on this cliffhanger wait. But I got majorly into STTNG during season 5 once I got back to the States in 1991 and so was there for a COUPLE of the 1 week (and multi-month) 2-parter episode experiences in the last 3 seasons, at least. Waiting just 1 week between reruns of BOBW 1 and BOBW 2 in reruns was bad enough, so... I can only imagine. Well, I was watching some of X-Files and LOST later on live, week by week, so I can indeed imagine. But this particular cliffhanger was like no other, clearly!

[@Ultracity6060]

"This is the third time we've pulled out the captain's chair for Riker. He just won't sit down." Is it too tall? Maybe he can't get his leg over it.

[@dan1216]

he wants the Enterprise chair :)

[@3Rayfire]

@@dan1216 And you definitely can't swing your leg over that.

[@1monki]

Exactly, it's not that Riker "won't sit down. He can't sit down!

[@bsgtrekfan88]

. . . . rrrrrrrrrIker!

[@thomasjoychild4962]

@@1monki Exactly! That back injury is no laughing matter!

[@Brejan]

"Death is irrelevant" - possibly the most chilling villain quote ever.

[@dongilleo9743]

Absolutely. I remember watching this, and when Picard gave his very defiant speech, I was like "You tell them!!!" "We'll never give up!" We'll fight to the end!" "We'd rather die!" And then to have the Borg respond with "Death is irrelevant" was like a slap to the face. It immediately made the Borg the most threatening enemy ever. Their attitude was "Alive. Dead. Either way. We don't care. You're just raw material for us to absorb and use. There's nothing you can do to stop us."

[@lukasbauer8783]

​@@dongilleo9743Plus the clear implication that they couldn't possibly care less about any losses you might inflict on them either. They just have no conception of valuing individual lifes, including very much their own. Which also means that they don't know fear. You can't intimidate them, can't play them against each other or use any sort of psychological warfare on them.

[@jackbrennan1125]

​@@lukasbauer8783To me, I like to think that they have the ability to revive them just to assimilate them.

[@heinrichagrippa5681]

Yet I find myself thinking that more and more - not because I believe it's true, but because I'm not sure how to go on otherwise.

[@kschneyer]

@@jackbrennan1125 Brr.

[@SinginRabbit]

"He IS a Borg." Worf, Son of Mogh revealed how much he loves his Captain with the inflection in that line.

[@txlyons2937]

Indeed. And also how burned he was by Picard's accusation of cowardice in First Contact. "If you were _any other man,_ I would kill you where you stand!"

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Worf was also shocked most when Data's ship exploded and all thought he was dead.

[@SinginRabbit]

@@RideAcrossTheRiver Yep. Worf, Son of Mogh has bigger feels than most people realize.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@SinginRabbit Other Klingons can be contemptuous of humans, but Worf knows what he gained by living and working with them. Amazingly canny character design by Roddenberry.

[@janescribner8258]

... and the little amused and proud glint in Patrick Stewart's eye when Worf says "I like my 'species' the way it is". Love that moment.

[@frederickdefeo3768]

“Family” is a huge episode. For Picard, it’s an emotional come-down from his Borg encounter and shows him at his most vulnerable. Must watch.

[@raymondmarier8340]

One of the best Star Trek anything, ever. I remember when this first aired, everyone was talking about it. The first 2 seasons of TNG was shaky, and even Trekkies were concerned. Season 3 made believers out of the fans. BOBW made believers out of everyone else. I doubt Trek would be what it is today without this episode!

[@Frog_Cat_]

The best Riker episode. I could imagine people back then truly thinking this was the hand off of captains mid-show.

[@SoloRenegade]

yes, infinitely rewatchable. I have watched Star Trek TNG more than anything else. Second most watched for me is Voyager.

[@paulmolloy7206]

@@SoloRenegadelove Kess and 7 of 9

[@lopa-u9f]

Deep Space 9 is the best of Star Trek!

[@rayspeakmon2954]

In my personal opinion, I couldn't agree more.

[@SGlitz]

Family has many ramifications for years. It is a great episode

[@miguelvelez7221]

Cassie... You MUST watch the next episode FAMILY. The truth is that it's the final part of this story.

[@monkeyzorr3090]

She doesn't care, she just wants to react for the KZbin algorithm

[@stackels97]

​@@monkeyzorr3090it's such a bummer that majority rules hey!? The majority makes bad choices so frequently.

[@jeremygilbert7989]

@@monkeyzorr3090 All the more reason. Family is a huge fan favorite and a deeply emotional one so her reactions will boost viewership as well.

[@E_y_a_l]

@@monkeyzorr3090 If you really think she doesn't care then why are you here? that says more about you than her.

[@miguelvelez7221]

​@@monkeyzorr3090Umm... Okay? 😅 Some people wake up everyday and decide to engage with life as if everyone is responsible for shitting in their cereal.

[@hellowhat890]

"I remember everything." Tragically, that line delivery confirmed that Picard watched it all happen. He was sidelined by Locutus and as a result, Starfleet was almost massacred. The end of thousands of lives that tried to fight back against Locutus and the Borg. To make matters worse, he was the cause of so much death and destruction. When Picard stood to look out the window, it was the fact that all of the guilt suddenly was creeping up and striking his heart. The silence at the end without any music as the end credits popped up was meant to convey that even though it was a victory, there was so much loss. Patrick Stewart nailed the acting.

[@RadioJosiah]

The musical score is so amazing that I bought the CD. And in that final moment of the episode, the music swells with warmth and comfort as he looks at home, but then it trails off as there is the most distant little howling noise, like a wolf in the far distance, followed by an uneasy hint of the Borg theme with low metallic churning. As he looks again at home, he is haunted by the reminder of how close he came to overseeing its assimilation. He would have helped the Borg turn his planet gray and enslave every last living soul on it. Figuratively, the wolf came into the village and took him; it had him helpless in its jaws; it was carrying him off; it was compelling him to call out to the other wolves; and even though this wolf was shot down at the last second, deep down he knows there are more wolves hunting out there, someplace far away but not unreachable. For the first time in his life, the void of space with its array of stars is striking him as terrifying, utterly terrifying. The next episode is about whether he can reclaim the meaning in his life-- his passion for exploration-- after having had his very humanity stripped from him.

[@Hoeech]

I am genuinely surprised that after three months you don't have more upvotes than this. No one else seems to have mentioned any of this. Picard looking blankly out his ready room window while trying to come to terms with how many Starfleet officers died due to his involvement in the ballet of Wolf 359 is some of the best acting of the series with no words uttered. Closing the scene (and the episode) with no music was just perfection

[@karlsmith2570]

4:35 Interesting Fact for you Cassie: Actress Elisabeth Dennehy, who played Commander Shelby, is the dauhhter of Brian Dennehy, the actor who played the sheriff in the first Rambo movie

[@pduidesign]

Wolf 349: look there’s the Melbourne. Riker: wow…that was a close call. Glad I stayed.

[@Jim-Mc]

Maybe if he'd transferred he could have saved the Melbourne.

[@Tantalus010]

@@Jim-Mc It's pretty clear the implication is that he'd be dead right now if he had taken that command.

[@Smeginator]

@@Tantalus010maybe. Riker being on board would have given the ship Plot Armour

[@lopa-u9f]

359

[@SunwardRanger83]

Saw Johnathan Frakes speaking at a convention once many years ago. He mentioned that some fans were curious if he'd ever get his own show as the captain of a ship. He joked that every single ship that Riker had been offered command of had ended up being destroyed, so if he had anything to say about it, he was NEVER leaving the Enterprise.

[@StephenRichmond89]

Yeah the next episode is absolutely worth watching. Such a key piece of Picard's character development.

[@etherealtb6021]

Yes! I remember at the time, thinking this sci-fi show was going places emotionally that "regular" dramas didn't at the time, but it got no credit outside of the fandom for it!

[@StephenRichmond89]

@@etherealtb6021 Trek really is this amazing mix and sometimes, yes, there are some... erm... questionable episodes but as a setting it creates room for some just incredible storytelling. Picard in the vineyard, next episode, is absolutely one of them! DS9 has some real high points as well. I know people talk about Pale Moonlight, obviously, but 'Duet' is as good an episode of television as anything Aaron Sorkin wrote for West Wing (bold claim but I stand by it) and Nog in the holosuite in the episode after the seige has similar vibes to Picard after the Borg. It was real hard to write this without spoilers but I think I managed it! (Also the episode re: Garak and the chip, good lord, that's a journey!) It's really difficult because you're asking so much of an audience, but these big worlds with lots of context, if you can persuade an audience to sit with you long enough to establish them, really do let you give so much weight to the emotional stakes.

[@MrDeathpilot]

It's also a necessary episode as preparation for "Generations", as is "Brothers".

[@steventhompson4840]

Whatever you do, just don't miss "The Inner Light" in season 5. I think it's one of those potentially life-changing ones.

[@Drax514]

Seconded. I'm fairly positive it'll end up winning a poll, but that's another episode Cassie that you should absolutely be watching regardless of polls. It's an episode that has exactly those things that you love most in movies and TV shows, you'd love it.

[@ApesAmongUs]

@@Drax514 And Patrick Stuart gets to flex those acting chops.

[@jamessindelar4613]

Absolutely a can’t miss episode. It’s right up Cassie’s alley, relationally speaking. She will love it.

[@evtyler]

I totally agree!

[@larrybremer4930]

Just like TOS City on the edge of Forever. Where Sci Fi truly meets great dramatic and heartfelt performances and both Hugo Award winners.

[@tristan7586]

New Star Trek terminology "Get them ouchy!" LOL :D

[@leehunt843]

"Family" is a must-watch if you want to understand Picard as a character. Patrick Stewart is at his finest, and story points from the episode will come back later.

[@jsharp3165]

Riker's arc with Shelby in this two-parter is basically the writer (TNG producer Michael Piller) working out his own personal struggles about being caught in a job he loves while turning down opportunities for advancement on other TV shows. In doing so, he created one of the best stories in Trek history.

[@wrench_in_the_works]

“Fire a little, give them ouchie…” God I love Star Trek, I love you and I love this channel! PLEASE NEVER CHANGE!!! ❤🖖🖖❤

[@c1ph3rpunk]

The most endearing part of the TNG crew is how much they’re friends, outside of the show, still, to this day.

[@Varekai0723]

They're not friends. They're family.

[@jbwarner8626]

One of the most heartwarming things about that is how easily Wil Wheaton found acceptance among the cast. He had a horrible relationship with his parents - they were controlling and overbearing and emotionally manipulative, to the point where he had to cut ties with them altogether. But his TNG costars have always been there to support him. He speaks of them as the loving family he never had 🥲

[@DC_Prox]

Picard: "fire at will" Worf: **shoots Riker**

[@cleverlydevisedmyth]

please somebody animate or gif that scenario!! :)

[@Sure0Foot]

"Unborged;" "fire a little, get them ouchie" you are a national treasure

[@Kodos13]

"RESISTANCE IS FUTILE" One of the most iconic villain tropes in all of science fiction. Glad you're enjoying this, Cassie.

[@wc4201]

These two episodes kept Star Trek going for the next 20 years. They have long lasting ramifications on the rest of TNG, DS9, Voyager and even Picard season 3.

[@benn454]

And First Contact

[@sandwiched]

All of Picard, not just S3.

[@ealan3694]

@@sandwiched While not perfect, Season 3 is the only season of Picard worth it's salt, and the only one I cared to buy a physical copy of. Star Trek is an ensemble show at the end of the day, not a Patrick Stewart vanity project to work out his own real life issues in the twilight of his life. It was only when a real director remembered that and brought the whole cast back, we got a story worth seeing. At the end of the day season 1 and 2 will be footnotes relegated to the dustbin of streaming history, and the vast majority of people will only care about season 3 in 5-10 years from now.

[@sandwiched]

​@@ealan3694 While I don't entirely disagree, that's irrelevant to my point, which is that the Borgification of Picard has ramifications on all of _Picard_ , not just S3.

[@robertprobst3836]

What Picard show are you talking about? There is no such thing. And there are only 2 Terminator movies, and 2 Alien movies. Understood?

[@howardbalaban7051]

It dawns on me that when you ultimately get to Star Trek: First Contact, you're going to have an AMAZING time watching that movie!

[@karlsmith2570]

21:56 Cassie, as you may recall, the USS Melbourne was the ship that Riker was offered to be the captain of, therefore turning down the command of the Melbourne had essentially saved his life

[@stevejordan1563]

Imagine watching this back in the day. The season ends. Months before the next season comes on. These questions lingered for months until a resolution. Those were good times.

[@allovett6246]

For the longest time fans of every genre had to suffer three simple words "To Be Continued." Trek fans had three particular words to suffer... "Mr Worf, Fire."

[@rafetizer]

_and now, the conclusion..._

[@swanronson173]

"Mr Worf, fire!" set the benchmark for end of season cliffhangers.

[@datacipher]

In many ways family is better than best of both worlds. It provides excellent conintuity and closure, and highlights the trauma. It is one of Stewart’s best performances. The rest of the cast and guests are phenomenal as well.

[@brt5273]

I mean...it's really the third part of a three part episode❤

[@datacipher]

@@brt5273 Yes, I still recall watching these when they first aired.... seeing the preview for the next week, I thought: oh well...there was bound to be a letdown. Little did I know it would become one of my absolute favourites of the series - an episode with no effects, no ship, no tech, no new aliens, no mission, no stakes beyond life choices...

[@darkewarwolf]

Family is also required watching for the first TNG movie.

[@Knight_Who_Says_Nee]

Closure... or so we all thought, until many years later in the total TNG genre. Which to my mind, being an army vet who's been to a war theater, speaks all the more to me of the advent of veterans who THINK they've "dealt with" theior trauma to a suitable concusion, until some new thing happens that brings it all rushing back for what is actually not always the better.

[@Knight_Who_Says_Nee]

@@darkewarwolf And then the one after that too.

[@Dej24601]

Yes an incredible season 4 episode is The Drumhead. It is applicable not only for Star Trek but as a philosophical exploration of humanity. The guest star actually approached the producers and asked to appear in the series, because of being such a fan of the show.

[@shanewilliams9122]

I still remember watching Part 1 when it aired. The image of Picard assimilated was horror. And those last words spoken by Riker were chilling. "Mister Worf. Fire." I fell in love with Star Trek that day. Have been a fan of the franchise ever since.

[@princeoftonga]

The next episode “Family” is a must watch. So important for the character of Picard but has a very touching B-plot as well.

[@michael.a-e]

I hope Family makes the cut for season 4, it’s a great epilogue this story.

[@MasqueradeOFAngelsOffical]

Same

[@heddingite]

It really is critical to the Picard character!

[@Robert_Douglass]

You ask me, it should have been included here.

[@zackellafy]

Agreed

[@StonedVet81]

I consider it the Final part of a Trilogy. Its thats important to his character development AND helps understand Generations

[@brettmuir5679]

The ominous look at the end shot of Picard is that, "I remember everything" quote. I think he is having a first quiet moment to download his experience as Locutus into his own self Picard I was behind the times when these came out and had to rent them on VHS at Video Vern's. Thanks Cassie. We are your PIB family and you are our dear

[@Arthezius]

I was 16 years old when this aired and visiting my dad in Alaska. I had to wait all Summer for the conclusion. Imagine being a Star Trek sci fi nerd, in love with this show and having to wait that long. This was one of the very first huge cliffhangers on television at the time and it shook me.

[@stt5v2002]

All these years later, and I can barely believe this quality of show was just put on network TV. What a time to be alive.

[@panelbypanelshow]

Patrick Stewart's contract was expiring, so this episode was actually written with 2 endings. One where he was disconnected and survived and one where he died. Had he died, the show would have continued with Riker in command.

[@Banterbear]

It definitely feels that way in pt1, with Shelby coming on as a new number 1 and talking of Riker being due for promotion. The writers were covering themselves😬

[@THOMMGB]

You know, I always wondered about that. I couldn't imagine the showing moving on without Patrick. I'm glad the producers and Paramount felt the same way.

[@logicplague]

Can you imagine if the intro for part 2 had Riker's voice instead of Picard's?

[@Banterbear]

@@THOMMGB No, very hard to imagine. It would have felt quite different in terms of character dynamics.

[@kerry-j4m]

GOOD information,I never knew this till now.What a different TNG would've been had not Steward returned.

[@thomasrusconi]

What’s so great about this two-parter is it’s all about Riker: “The Best of Both Worlds” refers to his struggle to decide what he wants for the future. He wants to stay on the Enterprise. He also wants a command of his own. At the end of the end of part 1, with Picard assimilated, he has achieved both, but not in the way he ever imagined.

[@dcb_75]

Love your reaction - it is exactly what Michael Pillar wanted when he wrote the episode. It was supposed to be an emotional rollercoaster where you truly didn't know what would happen. And yes it sucked having to wait about 3 months to see part 2 but sucked more for me as we had a power outage the night part 2 aired so I didn't get to see it for about another month until they reaired it.

[@Valokaari]

The ”Message Starfleet, we have engaged the Borg” still gives me goosebumps. The whole scene is perfect, music and everything.

[@vrenak]

It's with good reason this is routinely ranked as the best cliffhanger, and one of the best if not the best trek episode ever. The story, the interpersonal relationships, the suspense, along with great sets, effects, and an absolutely brilliant score.

[@calebwilliams7659]

@Cassie, Johnathan Frakes (a.k.a. Will Riker) was most famous for being on a mini-series in the 80's about the American Civil War called "North & South" where he also met actress Genie Francis who he later married and they're still together today! Frakes does a lot of directing of all the current Star Trek tv series (cartoon series "Lower Decks" included). Incidentally LeVar Burton, (a.k.a. Geordi LaForge) likewise was previously famous for being on another hugely popular mini-series called "Roots" .

[@chadfalardeau5396]

Burton was the Reading Rainbow host too

[@NCC-72545A]

@@chadfalardeau5396 Reading Rainbow even did one of their Episodes on Star Trek the Next Generation Set

[@InterdictorCompellor]

For the memes, though, Frakes is best known today for hosting "Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction". For example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4SUdq2hh9WYors

[@janescribner8258]

Oooh, North & South. Also starring a young Patrick Swayze, and one of my favourite actors of all time, David Carradine. I wonder if N&S has stood the test of time, though.

[@plainsimpledav946]

North and South was an amazing mini series.

[@MainframeMilitia]

Cassie-“The Borg are too faceless. They need a leader that I can hate.” Lol. Oh, Cassie. You’re such a Queen.❤

[@donaldfleming5049]

She'll be getting her wish pretty soon.

[@MainframeMilitia]

@@donaldfleming5049 That’s kinda why I wrote that the way I did.

[@leighsaunderson9203]

Great reaction !!! That reveal of Locutus was just one of the most epic moments in any new Trek You have no idea how much it was torture having to wait months for the 2nd part !!!

[@thomasgaines4636]

Remember that line about the DNA being rewritten when we get to Season 3 of Picard

[@christopherferrarelli2262]

This was not only the best of the Star Trek episodes; this was one of if not the best season ending cliffhangers of all time; this is right up there with the infamous “Who Shot J.R.?” cliffhanger of Dallas (1978-1991). BTW, Thank you Cassie for the birthday shoutout you gave me during the Live Feed. I really appreciated that. 😊

[@31Mike]

I'll only disagree with one thing, while these were a couple of the best, to me the absolute best Star Trek episode is "In the Pale Moonlight". But I freely admit my DS9 bias.

[@Travis_D_Travesty]

Who shot Mr. Burns?

[@matthewjordan7297]

This is one of the best two-parters in the history of TV. You have to keep in mind that at the time this aired in 1990, serialized television was extremely rare. This episode aired the same year that Twin Peaks started, which was a show that helped change the landscape of the silver screen to tell longer, serialized stories. So to end the third season with this massive cliffhanger was a move that made a serious impression on audiences at the time. Picard's assimilation was shocking, and the battle at Wolf 359 also had lasting consequences for not only TNG, but DS9, and it is referenced in other Star Trek shows like Voyager.

[@scotttschannel7050]

The closing shot in part two suggests Picard is still silently suffering. The next episode, Family, is another must-watch. You get to see more about Worf’s background as well as Picard’s family. You also see that Picard has a long way to go in recovering from what’s happened to him.

[@AJUniverse]

16:10 you wanted the Borg to have a face. Here you go.

[@josephwilliford2474]

Jonathan Frakes was a steady working actor from the late 70s into the 80s before Next Generation. In the 90s he was host of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction. But during Trek, he got into directing and has directed numerous episodes of various Trek shows including movies. Also directed numerous other shows over the decades. Also producing the late 90s show Roswell and the 2010s show the Librarians. Continues to perform in guest spots like a recent Hallmark Christmas movie and voice over work. As well as directing and acting in recent Star trek Picard series

[@df6957]

He directed the criminally underrated kids film "Thunderbirds" based on a TV show that used puppets... His live-action version is a great kids movie that would be worth reacting to. There is also his directing work on the series "Leverage" where he brought in several of his TNG family in guest roles for the series. The episode with Bret Spiner (Data) is particularly good.

[@alphadog9211]

I really love how much shes getting into this show 😊 Star Trek TNG has some of the best speeches in TV history. Star trek in the 80s could have been a very corny and cheesy show but it stands up almost 40 years later

[@Cthulwho69]

Its amazing how even just watching a few episodes you can get so pulled in. Totally worth sitting down and watching the whole series on your own time.

[@pinoi78]

I saw this finale LIVE…still in televisions top three cliffhangers of all time. Imagine waiting three LONG summer months waiting.

[@Kissfan96dr]

Fire

[@justicier10-7]

Saw this when it was first aired... that cliffhanger at the end of part one was unreal, not many other shows have attempted a stunt like that. It lives in infamy

[@TheMarionetteKitty]

I remember an interview with Whoopi Goldberg about Star Trek. She first saw the original series and screamed out to her mother to come and look at the TV because there was "a black lady on TV and she ain't no maid!" When she found out Roddenberry was doing TNG, she called him up and begged him to be a part of it. She didn't care what role he gave her, she'd take anything. You should really watch the original series episodes. It was groundbreaking for the time when racism and prejudices were in full force. In one episode Kirk and Uhura kiss and my Dad told me about how there was an uproar about it. There were even warnings posted before the episode about disturbing content or whatever. At the time, there were serious tensions between the US and the USSR. The Cold War was in full force and the idea of putting a Russian on the bridge was insane. They put an Asian at the helm when the common stereotype was that Asians were horrid drivers. I think you'd enjoy watching every episode instead of just skipping around.

[@Aero5000]

17:00 "What if we like, fire a little... Get them ouchy... ". 😄😄😄 Tactical officer in the making... 👍👍👍

[@jsharp3165]

What I love most about it? That Cassie long ago started saying "we" whenever she talks about the Enterprise crew. She doesn't do that for just any IP. Hell, most Trek fans don't even say that. She really does love them!

[@highjim7778]

picard and the federation itself never recovered from the massacre at wolf 359.

[@StevenHouse1980]

The next episode is one realy good depiction of PTSD.

[@Knight_Who_Says_Nee]

And then the 1st 2 films are an even better one on the subject of PTSD and the work of dealing with it, beind a lifetime endeavor.

[@andrewblanchard2398]

21:57 when RIKER said : this is CAPTAIN WILLIAM T RIKER of the USS ENTERPRISE PICARD / LOCUTUS was probably thinking : WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY ? ! I'm surprised that he didn't beam to the USS ENTERPRISE bridge & retake command out of pure annoyance

[@SheldonAdama17]

“Mr. Worf, fire.” (Weapon fails) “Mr. Worf, you’re fired.”

[@thesilencer8074]

“Family” is literally the 3rd part of this episode. It is also in the top 5 best episodes of the entire series for many and holds useful (but not crucial) information for the first Star Trek Next Generation film. Be careful of the comments that talk about it, there are many that spoil the episode and that is relatively unfortunate for you if you read them but you can trust those who advise you.

[@Edd25164605]

'Mr Worf.....fire 😲' 'Family' is a must see.

[@wrighthousemedia]

One of the best episodes of the entire run is "The Best Of Both Worlds". Season IV for TNG continues to struggle w/ the same affliction that the past seasons have - inconsistent in the quality of the episodes that make up the season. Still there are a few standout episodes. FAMILY - "I tried. I tried so hard. But I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't good enough! I should've been able to stop them." - Picard experiences a PTS breakdown when he visits with family. With the Enterprise in dry dock for a refit, Picard visits his home in LaBarre, France, while Worf visits w/ his Earth parents. Wesley receives a message from the past that will change his life. One of the best episodes of the series & mandatory viewing, Family is a strong character driven episode, that's actually doubly tragic as there is a call back to this episode in "Star Trek: Generations", & we find out the tragic fate of Picard's brother & nephew. BROTHERS - Data kidnaps the Enterprise, taking it & the crew to an undisclosed location. There, Data finds his father, but, the reunion is short lived as another family member arrives, who is not keen seeing Data. Another great episode, that showcases Spiner's acting. Must watch. REUNION - An ex-girlfriend of Worf's, who is also the Klingon Ambassador, beams on board The Enterprise to speak w/ Captain Picard about important Klingon political movement that could reshape the entire empire. One of the best of the Worf episodes, as it deals w/ Worf's immediate family. Suzi Plakson shines in this episode. THE MIND'S EYE- Commander LaForge is kidnapped by the Romulans & through his visor, & mind control is turned into a secret assassin. His target - a Klingon emissary. Chilling episode & the best of the LaForge episodes.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Remember, _Enterprise D_ is over 800 metres long. The Borg cube is 4 kilometres long on a side.

[@noirgatherer]

Next episode is a must watch. Epilogue that is a big part of this story and ties into the 1st film.

[@Knight_Who_Says_Nee]

And the 2nd one.

[@antoniofernandez7075]

Yeah. "Family" is absolutely essential to understand Picard's character.

[@Bearded_Nerd94]

Worf's line, "He IS a Borg!" gets me every freaking time, man. So much emotion in it!

[@davidmarsden192]

I had to wait a full summer for the conclusion to Part I! LOL

[@stefanfeyle1096]

As a lifelong Star Trek fan, I'm so happy to see you getting so invested into this. 😍👍🍀

[@williamrosmer8381]

don't forget to watch family. it's the third part of this two parter

[@joedertrek1]

Before the use of subtitles, I always thought he said "The Cutest of Borg" ROFL!

[@saytr4]

🤖🤖😍😍I AM THE CUTEST OF BORG!!

[@One.Zero.One101]

I mean that would be accurate too.

[@Ryan_Dye-r]

Notice, one of the destroyed ships was the ship that Riker was offered to command.

[@kennethtilton6137]

This was part 1 of a cliffhanger episode between seasons. At the time, part 2 was the most watched syndicated show in history.

[@timwicks9828]

I love your comments for the end of part one. Especially your rescue plan to "fire a little, like get them ouchy".You are too cute sometimes.

[@OldTrekkie23]

"Family" should be considered part three of the story. Don't miss it. When BOBW first came out, I was part of a group of friends who were all massive Star Trek fans. One of our group had a satellite dish. He figured out that we could see the downloads that were intended for the TV stations that were going to Broadcast the show. This meant we could watch them, depending on what year it was, hours, if not days in advance of everybody else. Even better, no commercials! So we had these weekly watch parties. Another friend was visiting the day part one came down, and he watched it with us. Due to circumstances in his life, he wasn't able to watch TNG regularly. It was literally years before he got to see part two. "Mr. Worf, fire!" Was all we heard from him for those years. Followed quickly by don't tell me I wanna see it. LOL

[@ShaneBuildsStuff]

"Beverly. Crusher. Doctor. Body that won't quit." I was afraid Picard was just going to start rambling all his private thoughts there for a second.

[@grodo3487]

Redhead Alert!

[@hellomark1]

"Incorrect strategy. Number One. If I had to pick a dude."

[@terrrell7798]

I was child in the 1990's during this cliffhanger. Greatest cliffhanger in television. This and the Parent Hood,, when the father got shot. This and when Mr. Burns in the Simpsons got shot. This, and when Dan had a heart attack. Greatest cliffhangers!

[@VergilArcanis]

seeing the impacts from these episodes across other seasons and shows is definitely nice, like in DS9 and Picard. personal favorite was the trauma delivered in Picard Season 3 by Captain Shaw.

[@andrewblanchard2398]

CAPTAIN LIAM SHAW : " the REAL BORG are still out there & they have a name for you , LOCUTUS of BORG , the only BORG so DEADLY they gave him a GODDAMN NAME ! "

[@ericstarkey551]

This is single handedly the greatest cliffhanger, your lucky and can see part 2 immediately, the rest had to wait months.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Second-best is "Chain of Command".

[@sircoolalot9471]

S5: Darmok, *, Cause and Effect, I Borg, The Inner Light. *Bonus video: Unification 1+2 (Not completely necessary to me, but I think Cassie will like it IF she watched Redemption) S6: Relics, *, Ship in a Bottle, Tapestry & Frame of Mind. *Bonus video: Chain of Command 1+2 (Otherwise, skip the first 2 for this 2-parter)

[@davidb7180]

Absolutely!

[@sircoolalot9471]

@@flinx Cause and Effect is such a great episode though, that's part of the whole concept of the episode. I take it you're not a fan of it..? 😛 I'm actually with you about Darmok, but so many people love that episode that I'm sure it's going to feature. There aren't many must-watch episodes to replace it with either, just "fun" episodes. She didn't skip the setup for Ship in a Bottle. She watched the episode leading into that one. Or are you thinking about another episode that leads into it? The main setup for it she watched though... and seemed to really enjoy.

[@donaldfleming5049]

June 18, 1990 *dramatic music* Riker: "Mr. Worf. Fire." *screen goes to black* To be continued... Me: "NOOOOOOO!"

[@myleelorna6368]

26:17 dude oversold that hit 😂😂

[@MathewDeering-xw1uh]

"Mr Worf, fire." with those dead eyes. Chills. I was on edge for over 12 months waiting for the finale. Bastards. Only bettered, I think, by the Scorpion two parter on Voyager.

[@walther2492]

“He piled upon the whale's white hump the sum of all the general rage and hate felt by his whole race from Adam down; and then, as if his chest had been a mortar, he burst his hot heart's shell upon it.”

[@SirMarshalHaig]

Moby Dick

[@robertprobst3836]

You broke your little ships.

[@daniellasiter8187]

The moment Riker said "fire" was the EXACT moment that the next generation became the definition of "STAR TREK" to us.

[@hudsonball4702]

The end of part one was possibly the greatest season ending cliff hanger EVER in TV history. I remember as a kid screaming NO!!!! WHAT HAPPENS!?!?!!??!?!?!?!? And then wait and LONG time for part two.