When we last left the intrepid crew of the Titan, they had just reclaimed the ship from Vadic the Changeling (credit to Amanda Plumber who really had the best exit line ever). With the former crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D reunited, it was time to sit down and game plan for the end game. But the mystery of Jack’s abilities and connection to their pursuers still needed to be addressed, which provided the perfect opportunity for an old fashioned counseling session with Deanna Troi. The two entered Jack’s mind and prepared to open the mystery door when we cut to black. 

 

The episode picks up with our favorite Betazoid working with Jack to identify the door and its significance in his mind. We learn the vines reminded him of a planet that he once visited in his youth and he felt like they were a representation of connection… As we got closer and closer to seeing behind the door, Deanna abruptly cuts the connection and runs out of the room to find her family. Why is she so afraid you might ask… It’s because the creative team then masterfully cut to a massively imposing Borg Cube. That’s right, the Borg are back AND THEY HAVE A PLAN (a much better one than the Cylons might I add). It turns out that the incurable disease that Picard died from earlier in the series was actually a DNA remnant from the Borg’s manipulation of his body while he was Locutus. Genetic elements were passed along to Jack, as the Borg played the long game in their attempt to take over the Federation. To no surprise, Jack doesn’t take the news well, and after a heart-to-heart with dear old dad, he decides he has to get off the ship in an effort to follow the voices in his head (great idea, totally won’t backfire).

 

Shortly after Jack’s departure, we learn the true reasoning behind the acquisition of Picard’s old body, and the Borg’s plan to implant this dormant DNA strand in transporters across Starfleet. As our heroes reluctantly head for Frontier Day in order to warn the fleet of the impending attack, Jack finds himself in the path of a massive trans-warp tunnel where a massive Borg ship awaits his arrival. Jack gets to meet our old friend the Borg Queen (not our old friend Agnes from the first two seasons, but the one from Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Voyager), and we learn of his role as Vox, the voice of the Borg. With Jack now assimilated into the collective, the festivities are about to truly begin.

 

We cut back to Frontier Day and the launch of the soon-to-be-retired Enterprise-F from Earth’s Space Dock, captained by the one and only Admiral Elizabeth Shelby (from TNG’s “The Best of Both Worlds Parts” 1 & 2). Shelby starts into her celebration speech, only to be interrupted by Picard who comes with a warning of impending doom. But it is in fact too late, and we learn that the dormant DNA was used to secretly assimilate all of the younger members of Starfleet and take control of the entire armada via the ship networking protocols! This dark twist leads to a massive battle, as our seasoned heroes must find a way to escape and avoid harming their children. Won’t someone please think of Geordi’s children?!? During the escape, the unthinkable happens, and one of our new favorite characters meets his untimely demise. Get ready to riot, because we just lost Captain Shaw so that Seven of Nine could ascend to her rightful place as Captain. The crew sets off to find a ship (leading to one of the best bits of dialogue in the entire episode), and we head back to the Fleet Museum for a surprise. You might have already guessed what was in Hanger 12, but Geordi has been busy over the years and has rebuilt the Enterprise-D! The intrepid crew of the Enterprise return to their carpeted bridge one last time to make a final stand against the Borg…and we will have to wait another week to find out how it ends.

 

 

As you can tell by the lengthy recap, there is so much to unpack from this episode. If you are like me, you were probably screaming at your television for the duration of the episode with a mix of enthusiasm, surprise, and maybe a bit of rage. There is so much to love in “Vox” that goes beyond simple fan-service (yes that is there too, but it’s not central). The Borg revelation was an interesting twist after we spent a lot of time with the Changelings throughout the season, but the foreshadowing has been subtly there for a bit. I genuinely loved the reveal moment when we first see the daunting cube, demonstrating that this is a new twist that we haven’t seen from the Borg before. The incorporation of Picard’s Borg DNA in order to assimilate the younger members of Starfleet was ingenious, especially when combined with the obviously foreshadowed issues with the networked ships. I truly appreciated the irony of Admiral Shelby commanding the Enterprise-F ever so briefly, and the commentary from Picard and Riker was absolutely on point. The Riker/Worf banter about the off-screen demise of the Enterprise is still my favorite moment, as we might never know what really happened during Worf’s time in the Captain’s Chair. If you were moved by the touching return to the Enterprise-D and the flight sequence, then I don’t know what to say. The sequence was something that we could have only dreamed of, and Terry and the entire creative team found a way to give these legends closure that they should have received nearly 20 years earlier. 

 

The only decision that I personally disagreed with in this episode (and perhaps the entire season thus far) was the choice to kill off Captain Shaw. I understand the logic behind it and the character growth that it will allow Seven to achieve, but damn it Jim. That guy from Chicago didn’t deserve to go out like that. Todd Stashwick has achieved legendary status this season, and should a spin-off be granted, I hope that some magical Trek twist of fate will allow for his return in some capacity. Captain Shaw, we salute you…and YOU SHALL BE AVENGED!

 

We are just days away from seeing how this story comes to an end. I feel like it is best to think of these last two episodes as a movie. We still have half the length of a normal movie to not only resolve the main plot but give closure to the TNG crew. If you were one of the lucky few to get passes to the IMAX event next week, may the odds be ever in your favor. If you are planning to watch from home, you might wish to avoid the internet for the days leading up to the release. I hope you get to experience the magic. 

 

Episode 309 – VOX 

A devastating revelation about Jack alters the course of Picard’s life forever – and uncovers a truth that threatens every soul in the Federation. The final battle begins as Picard and his crew race to save the galaxy from annihilation – but not without a gut-wrenching cost.

 

Rating:

ComicsOnline gives Star Trek: Picard – Season 3, Episode 9 “Vox” – 5 out of 5 BZZZZZZZZZ. We are the Borg. This review has been assimilated. Resistance is futile. 

 

 

Stay tuned to ComicsOnline for the final review of Star Trek: Picard – Season 3, along with more reviews, exclusive interviews, and everything geek pop culture!