The Untold Truth Behind The Borg's Mysterious Absence in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

The Borg Collective never made an appearance in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, despite its significant role in Commander Benjamin Sisko's backstory. Sisko's wife Jennifer was tragically lost during the Borg Collective's attack on the Federation at the Battle of Wolf 359, causing him to reconsider his career in Starfleet. However, his path took a new direction when he became the Bajoran Emissary aboard Deep Space Nine.

This decision to exclude the Borg from DS9 was a deliberate choice to set the show apart from Star Trek: The Next Generation and establish a darker tone. Commander Benjamin Sisko's animosity towards Captain Jean-Luc Picard, who was once assimilated by the Borg as Locutus, showcased a distinct type of protagonist for the Star Trek universe. As Deep Space Nine delved into complex themes of religion and warfare, it became increasingly challenging to find a suitable place for the Borg Collective.

Why The Borg Don't Appear In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

The decision to exclude the Borg from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was made by the show's writers, as they wanted to give the spotlight to Star Trek: Voyager to explore the Borg storyline exclusively. This was revealed by Co-Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore during a 1997 AOL chat with Star Trek fans. It was a logical choice, considering that DS9 was located far away from Earth and focused on the Dominion War, while Voyager, being stranded in the Borg's territory, had a more direct connection to the Collective. The Borg only made a significant impact on DS9 during their initial appearance in the pilot episode and in Star Trek: First Contact, where their battle heavily affected Starfleet during the Dominion War.

What Would Have Happened If Sisko & DS9 Faced The Borg?

In the world of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, a potential episode idea surfaced involving Sisko's shocking discovery that his wife, Jennifer, had become assimilated by the Borg. This intriguing concept, pitched by writers Robert Simpson and Marco Palmieri, never came to fruition, likely due to the Borg's association with the series Voyager. Nevertheless, this notion provides a glimpse into the kind of compelling Borg storyline that Deep Space Nine could have explored. Unlike any previous Star Trek series, DS9 was known for its morally complex narratives and character-driven focus. Therefore, it would have been fitting for the show to delve into a more individualized encounter with the Borg, reminiscent of the iconic "I, Borg" episode from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

While the crew of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine did cross paths with the Borg in the film Star Trek: First Contact, they ultimately relied on the assistance of the USS Enterprise-E crew for their rescue. Lieutenant Commander Worf valiantly led the USS Defiant into battle against the Borg, but the ship suffered significant damage in the fierce confrontation. Considering the Defiant's reputation as a formidable vessel and Deep Space Nine's role as a partially civilian space station, the odds were undeniably stacked against Sisko and his crew in a direct confrontation with the Borg. However, given Sisko's personal trauma involving the Borg and his esteemed position as one of Starfleet's most decorated military officers, it would be unwise to underestimate his capabilities in a face-off against these formidable adversaries.