Explore the Extensive Presence of the Borg Across Star Trek Franchise

The Borg, one of Star Trek's most iconic villains, have been a recurring presence in the franchise since their introduction. Originally created as an alternative to the Ferengi, who failed to capture audience attention, the Borg quickly surpassed expectations and became one of the most formidable adversaries in Star Trek history. This cybernetic, hive-mind species had a singular objective - to assimilate as many individuals as possible into eternal servitude within their collective. Their mere existence instilled fear in the Federation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the USS Enterprise-D first encountered the Borg after being flung across the galaxy by Q, who sought to educate them about the dangers of space. Following this encounter, the Borg set their sights on assimilating all of Starfleet, revealing their immense power in notable TNG episodes such as "The Best of Both Worlds Parts I and II". Even after the conclusion of TNG, Star Trek persistently reintroduced the Borg as adversaries in subsequent shows and films.

1 Star Trek: The Next Generation

In its limited appearances, the Borg had a significant impact on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Notable episodes like "Q Who" and "The Best of Both Worlds" introduced the Borg as a formidable adversary, showcasing their threat to the crew. Moreover, TNG delved into the psychological trauma experienced by individuals who were assimilated by the Collective. Captain Picard's assimilation and transformation into Locutus of Borg played a pivotal role in shaping his character's arc for years to come.

Another notable Borg character in TNG was Hugh (Jonathan Del Arco), a drone who was rescued by the Enterprise-D. Through his separation from the Collective, Hugh gradually regained his individuality, providing Picard with an opportunity to confront his prejudice against the Borg. Hugh's rehabilitation highlighted the fact that many Borg drones were victims rather than willing participants. Although Hugh was ultimately compelled to return to the Borg, his story continued to be explored in Star Trek: Picard, offering further insights into his journey.

2 Star Trek: First Contact

Star Trek: First Contact marked the second installment in the TNG franchise, featuring the Borg as its primary adversaries. The storyline revolved around Captain Picard and his crew traveling back in time to thwart the Borg's assimilation of Earth in order to prevent the formation of the Federation. Notably, this film introduced the Borg Queen (portrayed by Alice Krige) as the leader of the Collective, a decision that sparked some controversy. Despite the retconning of her existence in First Contact, the Borg Queen went on to make significant appearances throughout the franchise, ultimately becoming a pivotal figure in the rich tapestry of Star Trek lore.

3 Star Trek: Voyager

To date, Star Trek: Voyager boasts the highest number of appearances by the Borg, with a total of 23 episodes dedicated to their storyline. The show's setting in the Delta Quadrant, which is the region of space where the Borg originated, provided a logical backdrop for their inclusion. From seasons 4 to 7, the Borg served as the primary antagonists on Voyager, playing a crucial role in the series finale by inadvertently aiding the crew in their journey back home. Additionally, the character Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) once again delved into the exploration of a drone regaining their humanity after being severed from the Collective.

4 Star Trek: Enterprise

Although Star Trek: Enterprise took place before TNG in the timeline, it cleverly incorporated the Borg into its storyline. In the episode titled "Regeneration" (Season 2, episode 23), the crew of the Enterprise NX-01 found themselves engaged in a battle against two Borg drones who had journeyed back in time during the events of First Contact. These drones had been revived by a research team in the Arctic, unaware of the danger they posed. Determined to return to the Collective, the Borg attempted to escape, but Captain Jonathan Archer and his crew successfully thwarted their plans. However, the episode ended with a foreboding message transmitted to the Delta Quadrant, hinting at the future conflict between the Borg and the Federation in the 24th century.

5 Star Trek: Picard

Given Jean-Luc Picard's history, it's not surprising that the Borg played a significant role throughout all three seasons of Star Trek: Picard. Season 1 explored the challenges faced by xBs, former Borg drones who managed to escape the Collective. It also reintroduced Seven of Nine to the franchise. In Season 2, there was a notable development concerning the Borg, as a new Collective emerged under the guidance of Agnes Jurati (played by Alison Pill). Jurati had merged with a version of the Borg Queen from an alternate timeline and successfully persuaded her to assist in creating a new breed of Borg. This new generation of Borg agreed to act as allies to the Federation rather than adversaries.

Star Trek: Picard season 3, however, featured a significant development in the Borg storyline. Following their devastating defeat in the finale of Star Trek: Voyager, the original Borg Queen aimed to make one last stand against the Federation. With the assistance of Admiral Picard's DNA and his son, Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), she temporarily managed to assimilate a significant portion of Starfleet. Nonetheless, Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D successfully rescued Jack and annihilated the final remaining Borg cube. This resulted in the demise of the Queen and effectively brought an end to the Borg's reign of terror within the franchise. It is worth noting that the only remaining Borg are Jurati's Collective.

6 Star Trek: Lower Decks

Star Trek: Lower Decks has showcased the Borg in five episodes, although three of them depicted the Collective solely as holograms. Given the comedic nature of Lower Decks and its tendency to playfully parody established Star Trek concepts, it comes as no surprise that the episodes featuring the Borg have taken a humorous approach. Among these episodes, the one with the most substantial Borg presence is season 2, episode 8, titled "I, Excretus." In this installment, Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) finds himself briefly ensnared in a Borg training simulation, where he becomes fixated on achieving a perfect score. Notably, this episode also marks the return of Alice Krige as the Borg Queen, offering a delightful nod to dedicated viewers.

7 Star Trek: Prodigy

In the first season of Star Trek: Prodigy, specifically in episode 12 titled "Let Sleeping Borg Lie," the crew of the USS Protostar had their first encounter with the Borg. Their objective was to infiltrate a Borg cube in order to acquire knowledge on disabling the Living Construct. However, a tense moment arose when Zero, portrayed by Angus Imrie, willingly allowed themselves to be assimilated by the Borg Collective in hopes of obtaining the desired information. While the Borg's role in Prodigy's storyline may not have been extensive, their presence undeniably made a lasting impression on the crew of the Protostar.